Django ORM: Signals vs Methods

What are the main differences between Django ORM signals and methods?

Django ORM signals are hooks that allow certain senders to notify a set of receivers when some action has taken place. Methods, on the other hand, are functions defined in your models that perform specific actions or calculations.

Can you give me an example of when to use signals?

Sure! You might use signals to automatically create a user profile when a new user is registered. This way, you can ensure that related data is created without having to explicitly call a method.

What about methods? When should I use them instead?

Methods are great for encapsulating behavior related to a model. For example, if you have a method that calculates the total price of an order, you would use a method to keep that logic within the order model.

Are there any performance considerations I should be aware of?

Yes, signals can introduce overhead since they involve additional function calls. If performance is critical, consider using methods directly to avoid this overhead.