Migrations concept and workflow in Django - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Migrations concept and workflow

Write/Change Models

↓

Run makemigrations

↓

Create Migration Files

↓

Run migrate

↓

Apply Changes to Database

↓

Database Updated

↓

Ready for Next Change

This flow shows how changes in Django models lead to migration files, which then update the database schema.

Execution Sample

Django

from django.db import models

class Book(models.Model):
    title = models.CharField(max_length=100)

# Run: python manage.py makemigrations
# Run: python manage.py migrate

Defines a model and runs commands to create and apply migrations updating the database.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Input/Command	Output/Result
1	Write model code	Define Book model with title field	Model code saved in models.py
2	Run makemigrations	python manage.py makemigrations	Migration file created in migrations/ folder
3	Inspect migration file	Look at generated migration	Shows CreateModel operation for Book
4	Run migrate	python manage.py migrate	Migration applied, database table created
5	Check database	Inspect DB schema	New table for Book exists with title column
6	Modify model	Add author field	Model code updated
7	Run makemigrations	python manage.py makemigrations	New migration file created for adding author
8	Run migrate	python manage.py migrate	Database schema updated with author column
9	Check database	Inspect DB schema	Book table now has title and author columns
10	Exit	No more changes	Database schema matches models

💡 No more model changes, migrations and database are synchronized

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 6	After Step 8	Final
models.py	empty or old model	Book model with title	Book model with title and author	Same as after step 6	Same as after step 6
migration files	none	initial migration for Book	initial migration for Book	initial migration + new migration for author	initial migration + new migration for author
database schema	old schema	old schema	Book table with title	Book table with title and author	Book table with title and author

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do we need to run makemigrations before migrate?

makemigrations creates migration files from model changes (see step 2 and 7), migrate applies those files to the database (steps 4 and 8). Without makemigrations, migrate has no instructions.

What happens if we change models but forget to run migrate?

The database schema stays old (see step 6 vs step 9). The app code and database get out of sync, causing errors.

Can we edit migration files manually?

Yes, but carefully. Migration files are Python code describing DB changes (step 3). Editing is advanced and usually not needed.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what is created after running 'makemigrations' the first time?

A The updated models.py file

B The database table for Book

C A migration file describing the Book model creation

D The author field added to Book

💡 Hint

Check step 2 in the execution table where makemigrations creates migration files

At which step does the database schema first include the author column?

A Step 8

B Step 4

C Step 6

D Step 2

💡 Hint

Look at step 8 where migrate applies the new migration adding author

If you skip running 'makemigrations' after changing models, what happens when you run 'migrate'?

A Migrate applies the changes anyway

B Migrate does nothing because no migration files exist

C Migrate deletes the database tables

D Migrate updates models.py automatically

💡 Hint

Refer to key moment 1 and steps 2 and 4 in the execution table

Concept Snapshot

Django migrations track model changes.
Run 'makemigrations' to create migration files.
Run 'migrate' to apply changes to the database.
Keep models.py, migration files, and DB schema in sync.
Migrations allow safe, repeatable DB updates.

Full Transcript

Django migrations help update the database when you change your models. First, you write or change your model code. Then you run 'python manage.py makemigrations' which creates migration files describing those changes. Next, you run 'python manage.py migrate' to apply those changes to the database schema. This process keeps your database structure in sync with your Python code. If you add a new field to a model, you must run makemigrations to create a new migration file, then migrate to update the database. Skipping makemigrations means migrate has no instructions and does nothing. Migration files are Python scripts stored in your app's migrations folder. They can be inspected or edited carefully. This workflow ensures your app and database evolve together safely.