I have a django app (using the django-rest-framework) that needs to serialize and deserialize JSON payloads with the python keyword "import" as one of the fields. To prevent conflicts in the model, I can call the field import_flag and use the source option in the ModelSerializer.
models.py
class MyModel(model.Model):
import_flag = models.BooleanField(verbose_name='Import')
But (for obvious reasons) I cannot use the import keyword as to create a JSON field named "import" like so.
serializers.py
class MyModelSerializer(serializer.ModelSerializer):
import = serializers.BooleanField(source='import_flag')
def Meta:
model = MyModel
This field is present in the JSON I consume from a third-party's RESTful API and I also need to serialize it and send it back to the same third-party.
Is there something like a destination option for the Django-rest-framework ModelSerializer class? I have been unable to find anything in the documentation.
you can do this by overriding to_internal_value and to_representation in your serializer.
class MyModelSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
def Meta:
model = MyModel
fields = ...
def to_internal_value(self, data):
instance = super(MyModelSerializer, self).to_internal_value(data)
instance.import_flag = data.get('import')
def to_representation(self, instance):
data = super(MyModelSerializer, self).to_representation(instance)
data['import'] = instance.import_flag
You can leverage the to_representation method to add extra fields when serializing back:
def to_representation(self, instance):
attrs = super().to_representation(instance)
attrs['import'] = attrs['import_flag']
...
return attrs
You can also override the __init__ of your serializer and try adding the import field there:
def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
self.fields['import'] = serializers.BooleanField(source='import_flag')
I am working on a Django project with a number of rather large models (around 80 fields). I am using Django Rest Framework's ModelSerializer to serialize the models, and ViewSets to provide an API for my frontend.
That works very well, but I would like to reduce the amount of data that is being transferred by the server. Most of my model fields are optional and many instances only have values for a few of them. In those cases I would like to serialize only those fields that have values (i.e. that are truthy).
I imagine I could do that either on the serializer side or on the model side, but I do not quite understand how these two talk to each other, so to speak.
My current serializer is very simple:
class OutfitSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = Outfit
fields = '__all__'
The view is equally simple:
# Outfit views
class OutfitViewSet(viewsets.ViewSet):
def list(self, request):
queryset = Outfit.objects.all()
serializer = OutfitSerializer(queryset, many=True)
return Response(serializer.data)
I fiddled with sub-classing the serializer and modifying the __init__ function (inspired by this part of the DRF docs):
class NonEmptyFieldsModelSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
"""
ModelSerializer that allows fields to be set at runtime via the
optional 'fields' argument
Copied from https://www.django-rest-framework.org/api-guide/serializers/#dynamically-modifying-fields
"""
def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
super(NonEmptyFieldsModelSerializer, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
all_fields = set(self.fields)
for field_name in all_fields:
# IF THIS FIELD IS EMPTY IN THE OBJECT CURRENTLY BEING SERIALIZED:
self.fields.pop(field_name)
but I am not sure how and whether I have access to the current object in the __init__. I also don't quite understand how that would work for serializing a whole queryset: Would a new serializer instance be initialized for each model instance?
I could simply write a serializer function for the model itself, but that would kind of defeat the purpose of using Django Rest Framework, as I would have to configure each field individually.
So, how can I serialize only non-empty fields of a model instance?
EDIT: I also wanted to remove decimal numbers with value 0. However, DRF's ModelSerializer converts decimals to strings by default in order to avoid inaccuracies. Therefore, I adjusted Igor's answer as follows:
class NonEmptySerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
def to_representation(self, instance):
ret = super().to_representation(instance)
non_null_ret = copy.deepcopy(ret)
for key in ret.keys():
if not ret[key]:
non_null_ret.pop(key)
elif isinstance(ret[key], str) and re.fullmatch('[0.]+', ret[key]):
non_null_ret.pop(key)
return non_null_ret
You can override the to_representation method of ModelSerializer:
class NonEmptySerializer(ModelSerializer):
def to_representation(self, instance):
ret = super().to_representation(instance)
non_null_ret = copy.deepcopy(ret)
for key in ret.keys():
if not ret[key]:
non_null_ret.pop(key)
return non_null_ret
Then inherit from this serialiser when needed:
class OutfitSerializer(NonEmptySerializer):
class Meta:
model = Outfit
fields = '__all__'
Since to_representation is called for both single and list serialisers, it works in both cases.
With Django REST Framework, a standard ModelSerializer will allow ForeignKey model relationships to be assigned or changed by POSTing an ID as an Integer.
What's the simplest way to get this behavior out of a nested serializer?
Note, I am only talking about assigning existing database objects, not nested creation.
I have hacked away around this in the past with additional 'id' fields in the serializer and with custom create and update methods, but this is such a seemingly simple and frequent issue for me that I'm curious to know the best way.
class Child(models.Model):
name = CharField(max_length=20)
class Parent(models.Model):
name = CharField(max_length=20)
phone_number = models.ForeignKey(PhoneNumber)
child = models.ForeignKey(Child)
class ChildSerializer(ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = Child
class ParentSerializer(ModelSerializer):
# phone_number relation is automatic and will accept ID integers
children = ChildSerializer() # this one will not
class Meta:
model = Parent
Updated on July 05 2020
This post is getting more attention and it indicates more people have a similar situation. So I decided to add a generic way to handle this problem. This generic way is best suitable for you if you have more serializers that need to change to this format
Since DRF doesn't provide this functionality out of the box, we need to create a serializer field first.
from rest_framework import serializers
class RelatedFieldAlternative(serializers.PrimaryKeyRelatedField):
def __init__(self, **kwargs):
self.serializer = kwargs.pop('serializer', None)
if self.serializer is not None and not issubclass(self.serializer, serializers.Serializer):
raise TypeError('"serializer" is not a valid serializer class')
super().__init__(**kwargs)
def use_pk_only_optimization(self):
return False if self.serializer else True
def to_representation(self, instance):
if self.serializer:
return self.serializer(instance, context=self.context).data
return super().to_representation(instance)
I am not well impressed with this class name, RelatedFieldAlternative, you can use anything you want.
Then use this new serializer field in your parent serializer as,
class ParentSerializer(ModelSerializer):
child = RelatedFieldAlternative(queryset=Child.objects.all(), serializer=ChildSerializer)
class Meta:
model = Parent
fields = '__all__'
Original Post
Using two different fields would be ok (as #Kevin Brown and #joslarson mentioned), but I think it's not perfect (to me). Because getting data from one key (child) and sending data to another key (child_id) might be a little bit ambiguous for front-end developers. (no offense at all)
So, what I suggest here is, override the to_representation() method of ParentSerializer will do the job.
def to_representation(self, instance):
response = super().to_representation(instance)
response['child'] = ChildSerializer(instance.child).data
return response
Complete representation of Serializer
class ChildSerializer(ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = Child
fields = '__all__'
class ParentSerializer(ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = Parent
fields = '__all__'
def to_representation(self, instance):
response = super().to_representation(instance)
response['child'] = ChildSerializer(instance.child).data
return response
Advantage of this method?
By using this method, we don't need two separate fields for creation and reading. Here both creation and reading can be done by using child key.
Sample payload to create parent instance
{
"name": "TestPOSTMAN_name",
"phone_number": 1,
"child": 1
}
Screenshot
The best solution here is to use two different fields: one for reading and the other for writing. Without doing some heavy lifting, it is difficult to get what you are looking for in a single field.
The read-only field would be your nested serializer (ChildSerializer in this case) and it will allow you to get the same nested representation that you are expecting. Most people define this as just child, because they already have their front-end written by this point and changing it would cause problems.
The write-only field would be a PrimaryKeyRelatedField, which is what you would typically use for assigning objects based on their primary key. This does not have to be write-only, especially if you are trying to go for symmetry between what is received and what is sent, but it sounds like that might suit you best. This field should have a source set to the foreign key field (child in this example) so it assigns it properly on creation and updating.
This has been brought up on the discussion group a few times, and I think this is still the best solution. Thanks to Sven Maurer for pointing it out.
Here's an example of what Kevin's answer is talking about, if you want to take that approach and use 2 separate fields.
In your models.py...
class Child(models.Model):
name = CharField(max_length=20)
class Parent(models.Model):
name = CharField(max_length=20)
phone_number = models.ForeignKey(PhoneNumber)
child = models.ForeignKey(Child)
then serializers.py...
class ChildSerializer(ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = Child
class ParentSerializer(ModelSerializer):
# if child is required
child = ChildSerializer(read_only=True)
# if child is a required field and you want write to child properties through parent
# child = ChildSerializer(required=False)
# otherwise the following should work (untested)
# child = ChildSerializer()
child_id = serializers.PrimaryKeyRelatedField(
queryset=Child.objects.all(), source='child', write_only=True)
class Meta:
model = Parent
Setting source=child lets child_id act as child would by default had it not be overridden (our desired behavior). write_only=True makes child_id available to write to, but keeps it from showing up in the response since the id already shows up in the ChildSerializer.
There is a way to substitute a field on create/update operation:
class ChildSerializer(ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = Child
class ParentSerializer(ModelSerializer):
child = ChildSerializer()
# called on create/update operations
def to_internal_value(self, data):
self.fields['child'] = serializers.PrimaryKeyRelatedField(
queryset=Child.objects.all())
return super(ParentSerializer, self).to_internal_value(data)
class Meta:
model = Parent
A few people here have placed a way to keep one field but still be able to get the details when retrieving the object and create it with only the ID. I made a little more generic implementation if people are interested:
First off the tests:
from rest_framework.relations import PrimaryKeyRelatedField
from django.test import TestCase
from .serializers import ModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField, ProductSerializer
from .factories import SomethingElseFactory
from .models import SomethingElse
class TestModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField(TestCase):
def setUp(self):
self.serializer = ModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField(
model_serializer_class=SomethingElseSerializer,
queryset=SomethingElse.objects.all(),
)
def test_inherits_from_primary_key_related_field(self):
assert issubclass(ModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField, PrimaryKeyRelatedField)
def test_use_pk_only_optimization_returns_false(self):
self.assertFalse(self.serializer.use_pk_only_optimization())
def test_to_representation_returns_serialized_object(self):
obj = SomethingElseFactory()
ret = self.serializer.to_representation(obj)
self.assertEqual(ret, SomethingElseSerializer(instance=obj).data)
Then the class itself:
from rest_framework.relations import PrimaryKeyRelatedField
class ModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField(PrimaryKeyRelatedField):
def __init__(self, **kwargs):
self.model_serializer_class = kwargs.pop('model_serializer_class')
super().__init__(**kwargs)
def use_pk_only_optimization(self):
return False
def to_representation(self, value):
return self.model_serializer_class(instance=value).data
The usage is like so, if you have a serializer somewhere:
class YourSerializer(ModelSerializer):
something_else = ModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField(queryset=SomethingElse.objects.all(), model_serializer_class=SomethingElseSerializer)
This will allow you to create an object with a foreign key still only with the PK, but will return the full serialized nested model when retrieving the object you created (or whenever really).
There is a package for that! Check out PresentablePrimaryKeyRelatedField in Drf Extra Fields package.
https://github.com/Hipo/drf-extra-fields
I think the approach outlined by Kevin probably would be the best solution, but I couldn't ever get it to work. DRF kept throwing errors when I had both a nested serializer and a primary key field set. Removing one or the other would function, but obviously didn't give me the result I needed. The best I could come up with is creating two different serializers for reading and writing, Like so...
serializers.py:
class ChildSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = Child
class ParentSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
abstract = True
model = Parent
fields = ('id', 'child', 'foo', 'bar', 'etc')
class ParentReadSerializer(ParentSerializer):
child = ChildSerializer()
views.py
class ParentViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
serializer_class = ParentSerializer
queryset = Parent.objects.all()
def get_serializer_class(self):
if self.request.method == 'GET':
return ParentReadSerializer
else:
return self.serializer_class
Here's how I've solved this problem.
serializers.py
class ChildSerializer(ModelSerializer):
def to_internal_value(self, data):
if data.get('id'):
return get_object_or_404(Child.objects.all(), pk=data.get('id'))
return super(ChildSerializer, self).to_internal_value(data)
You'll just pass your nested child serializer just as you get it from the serializer ie child as a json/dictionary. in to_internal_value we instantiate the child object if it has a valid ID so that DRF can further work with the object.
I started by implementing something similar to JPG's solution before I found this answer, and noticed that it breaks the built-in Django Rest Framework's templates. Now, that isn't such a big deal (as their solution works wonderfully via requests/postman/AJAX/curl/etc.), but if someone's new (like me) and wants the built-in DRF form to help them along the way, here's my solution (after cleaning it up and integrating some of JPG's ideas):
class NestedKeyField(serializers.PrimaryKeyRelatedField):
def __init__(self, **kwargs):
self.serializer = kwargs.pop('serializer', None)
if self.serializer is not None and not issubclass(self.serializer, serializers.Serializer):
raise TypeError('You need to pass a instance of serialzers.Serializer or atleast something that inherits from it.')
super().__init__(**kwargs)
def use_pk_only_optimization(self):
return not self.serializer
def to_representation(self, value):
if self.serializer:
return dict(self.serializer(value, context=self.context).data)
else:
return super().to_representation(value)
def get_choices(self, cutoff=None):
queryset = self.get_queryset()
if queryset is None:
return {}
if cutoff is not None:
queryset = queryset[:cutoff]
return OrderedDict([
(
self.to_representation(item)['id'] if self.serializer else self.to_representation(item), # If you end up using another column-name for your primary key, you'll have to change this extraction-key here so it maps the select-element properly.
self.display_value(item)
)
for item in queryset
])
and an example below,
Child Serializer class:
class ChildSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = ChildModel
fields = '__all__'
Parent Serializer Class:
class ParentSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
same_field_name_as_model_foreign_key = NestedKeyField(queryset=ChildModel.objects.all(), serializer=ChildSerializer)
class Meta:
model = ParentModel
fields = '__all__'
Based on the answers of both JPG and Bono, I came up with a solution that handles the OpenAPI Schema generator of DRF as well.
The actual field class is:
from rest_framework import serializers
class ModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField(serializers.PrimaryKeyRelatedField):
def __init__(self, **kwargs):
self.response_serializer_class = kwargs.pop('response_serializer_class', None)
if self.response_serializer_class is not None \
and not issubclass(self.response_serializer_class, serializers.Serializer):
raise TypeError('"serializer" is not a valid serializer class')
super(ModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField, self).__init__(**kwargs)
def use_pk_only_optimization(self):
return False if self.response_serializer_class else True
def to_representation(self, instance):
if self.response_serializer_class is not None:
return self.response_serializer_class(instance, context=self.context).data
return super(ModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField, self).to_representation(instance)
The extended AutoSchema class is:
import inspect
from rest_framework.schemas.openapi import AutoSchema
from .fields import ModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField
class CustomSchema(AutoSchema):
def _map_field(self, field):
if isinstance(field, ModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField) \
and hasattr(field, 'response_serializer_class'):
frame = inspect.currentframe().f_back
while frame is not None:
method_name = frame.f_code.co_name
if method_name == '_get_request_body':
break
elif method_name == '_get_responses':
field = field.response_serializer_class()
return super(CustomSchema, self)._map_field(field)
frame = frame.f_back
return super(CustomSchema, self)._map_field(field)
Then on your Dganjo's project settings you can define this new Schema class to be used globally like:
REST_FRAMEWORK = {
'DEFAULT_SCHEMA_CLASS': '<path_to_custom_schema>.CustomSchema',
}
Lastly from within your models you can use the new field type like:
class ExampleSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
test_field = ModelRepresentationPrimaryKeyRelatedField(queryset=Test.objects.all(), response_serializer_class=TestListSerializer)
I have been also stuck in the same situation. But what i have done that i have created two serializers for the following models as follow:
class Base_Location(models.Model):
Base_Location_id = models.AutoField(primary_key = True)
Base_Location_Name = models.CharField(max_length=50, db_column="Base_Location_Name")
class Location(models.Model):
Location_id = models.AutoField(primary_key = True)
Location_Name = models.CharField(max_length=50, db_column="Location_Name")
Base_Location_id = models.ForeignKey(Base_Location, db_column="Base_Location_id", related_name="Location_Base_Location", on_delete=models.CASCADE)
This is my parent serializer
class BaseLocationSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = Base_Location
fields = "__all__"
I'm using this serializer only for get request so in response i got data with foreign key also because of nested serializer
class LocationSerializerList(serializers.ModelSerializer): <-- using for get request
Base_Location_id = BaseLocationSerializer()
class Meta:
model = Location
fields = "__all__"
Screenshot of get method request and response in postman
I'm using this serializer only for post request so while sending post request i do not need to include any additional information rather than primary key field value
class LocationSerializerInsert(serializers.ModelSerializer): <-- using for post request
class Meta:
model = Location
fields = "__all__"
Screenshot of post method request and response in postman
Here's what I'm using all over. This may be the simplest, most straight forward method which needs no hacks etc, and is directly using DRF without jumping thru hoops. Happy to hear disagreements with this approach.
In the view's perform_create (or equivalent), fetch the FK model database object corresponding to the field sent in the POST request, and then send that into the Serializer. The field in the POST request can be anything that can be used to filter and locate the DB object, need not be an ID.
This is documented here: https://www.django-rest-framework.org/api-guide/generic-views/#genericapiview
These hooks are particularly useful for setting attributes that are
implicit in the request, but are not part of the request data. For
instance, you might set an attribute on the object based on the
request user, or based on a URL keyword argument.
def perform_create(self, serializer):
serializer.save(user=self.request.user)
This method also has the advantage of maintaining parity between the read and write side, by not sending a nested representation for child in the response to the GET or POST.
Given the example posted by the OP:
class Child(models.Model):
name = CharField(max_length=20)
class Parent(models.Model):
name = CharField(max_length=20)
phone_number = models.ForeignKey(PhoneNumber)
child = models.ForeignKey(Child)
class ChildSerializer(ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = Child
class ParentSerializer(ModelSerializer):
# Note this is different from the OP's example. This will send the
# child name in the response
child = serializers.ReadOnlyField(source='child.name')
class Meta:
model = Parent
fields = ('name', 'phone_number', 'child')
In the View's perform_create:
class SomethingView(generics.ListCreateAPIView):
serializer_class = ParentSerializer
def perform_create(self, serializer):
child_name = self.request.data.get('child_name', None)
child_obj = get_object_or_404(Child.objects, name=child_name)
serializer.save(child=child_obj)
PS: Please note that I've not tested this above snippet, however its based on a pattern I'm using in many places so it should work as is.
Lets say i have a model like so:
class MyModel(models.Model):
first_field = models.CharField()
second_field = models.CharField()
and an API view like so:
class MyModelDetailAPI(GenericAPIView):
serializer_class = MyModelSerializer
def patch(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
# Do the update
def post(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
# Do the post
The first_field is a field that is only inserted in the POST method (and is mandatory) but on each update, the user can't change its value so the field in the PATCH method is not mandatory.
How can i write my serializer so that the first_field is required on POST but not required on PATCH. Is there any way of dynamically setting the required field so i can still use the DRF validation mechanism? Some sort of validator dispatcher per request method?
I want something like this for example:
class MyModelSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = MyModel
fields = {
'POST': ['first_field']
'PATCH': []
}
I need more space than comments provide to make my meaning clear. So here is what I suggest:
Different formatting means different serializers.
So here you have, for instance a MyModelSerializer and a MyModelCreationSerializer. Either create them independently, or have one inherit the other and specialize it (if it makes sense).
Use the appropriate GenericAPIView hook to return the correct serializer class depending on self.action. A very basic example could be:
class MyModelDetailAPI(GenericAPIView):
# serializer_class = unneeded as we override the hook below
def get_serializer_class(self):
if self.action == 'create':
return MyModelCreationSerializer
return MyModelSerializer
Default actions in regular viewsets are documented here, they are:
create: POST method on base route url
list: GET method on base route url
retrieve: GET method on object url
update: PUT method on object url
partial_update: PATCH method on object url
destroy: DELETE method on object url
I'm trying to use the Advanced serializer usage described in the django rest framework documentation. http://django-rest-framework.org/api-guide/serializers.html#advanced-serializer-usage to dynamically modifying serializer field
Here is my serializer class:
class MovieSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
moviework_work = MovieWorkSerializer(many=True)
def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
# Don't pass the 'fields' arg up to the superclass
dropfields = kwargs.pop('dropfields', None)
# Instantiate the superclass normally
super(MovieSerializer, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
if dropfields:
# Drop fields specified in the `fields` argument.
banished = set(dropfields)
for field_name in banished:
self.fields.pop(field_name)
class Meta:
model = Movie
fields = ('field1','field2','moviework_work')
Here is my viewset
class MovieFromInterpreterViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
queryset = Movie.objects.all()
serializer_class = MovieSerializer(dropfields=('moviework_work',))
I get this error:
TypeError: 'MovieSerializer' object is not callable
Note that you are setting serializer_class not to a class, but to an instance of the class. You either need to set dropfields as an attribute on the class, (just like it does for fields in the documented example you link to) or you need to look at overriding the get_serializer method of the viewset (docs).