Django Signals vs Callbacks: What's the Difference?

What are Django signals and how do they differ from callbacks?

Django signals are a way to allow decoupled applications to get notified when certain actions occur elsewhere in the application. Callbacks, on the other hand, are functions that are passed as arguments to other functions and are executed after a certain event.

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

Sure! Use signals when you want to trigger an action in response to an event without tightly coupling the components. For example, you might use a signal to send an email notification after a user registers.

Are there any performance considerations when using signals?

Yes, signals can introduce some overhead since they involve additional function calls. If performance is critical, consider using callbacks for more direct control.

What are some common use cases for Django signals?

Common use cases include user registration, model instance updates, and logging actions. They help maintain clean and modular code.