Django: Why are quotes around the model in a ForeignKey definition

Question

I want to know what the difference between these two foreignkey definitions are.

(1) MyFKField = models.ForeignKey(\'MyModel\')
(2) MyFKField = models.Foreig         


        

Answer 1

If the definition of class MyModel is under the definition of class MyFKField (in the code) then you should write it between quotes.

Answer 2

Without quotes, it's a reference to a model either defined within the file or imported via import. With quotes, Django is made responsible for finding the model among all the models in all installed apps.

Answer 3

Django docs states that you would use a string to (1):

• You want a recursive relationship (eg - model.ForeignKey('self'))
• For referring to a model that is possibly not defined yet (for cyclic relationships).
• A shortcut to refer to a model in another application (eg - model.ForeignKey('app.mymodel'))

But in general, specifying the model class directly is clear where it's coming from (2).