Django models from non Django applications

I have an existing LAMP application that I want to write some quick code for. I want to easily manipulate the database without taking the time to understand how the application works fully and mess around with PHP. The solution, create a Django model to act as a wrapper for the sections of the database I need.

First I created some very simple views in MySQL to my new Django created database. I could have just put both programs in the same database but this should make updates easier. Remember in MySQL views are updatable only when the view references one table. All my views look like
create otherdb.my_view as select * from newdb.some_table;
With this method I can easily drop and replace the other database when I update it.

Next I run Django’s inspectdb command to get some generic Django model code. Edit this to one’s liking. For me that meant renaming fields, deleting the primary key (so Django automatically makes it. Only works if it is in fact a primary key auto incr integer). Turn foreign keys into foreign key fields. Make dates into DateFields.

Setup my Django admin interface and all the sudden I can use the spiffy Django admin interface on a completely different application. YAY!

However I ran into a small problem. I’ll post this separately for people who only care about Creating a custom Django DateTimeField