Creating a model for one existing database table

Using Django Using the ORM
1

I have an existing, working Django project. The database contains one table that isn’t currently represented as a Django model. I’d like to create a model for it. I could set the model’s Meta options like:

class MyModel(models.Model):
    # fields here

    class Meta:
        managed = False
        db_name = "existing_table_name"

which would mean makemigrations wouldn’t generate the table creation code.

BUT, I do want the table to be created if the project is set up on a fresh, empty database – like when tests are run. So I’d need a table-creating migration for that case.

I’ve thought about creating a model with its own, new, table, then creating a data migration to copy data from the existing to the new table, but this seems fiddly and I wonder if I’ve missed a simpler option?

2

I would suggest you don’t mark the model as managed = False but migration --fake apply the resulting migration in environments where the table already exists.

This should ensure that the table exists in all environment going forward.

3

Thanks charettes.

It’s slightly fiddlier than I’d like but I’m not sure that a non-fiddly solution would be possible!