Understanding Django MVT Architecture: Model-View-Template Explained
Last updated 1 month, 3 weeks ago | 134 views 75 5
Django is a powerful Python-based web framework that follows the MVT architecture—an intuitive and efficient software design pattern.
If you’ve worked with other frameworks, you might be familiar with MVC (Model-View-Controller). Django’s MVT is similar, but adapted for Django’s strengths and philosophy.
What is MVT?
MVT stands for:
-
Model – Handles the data and business logic
-
View – Handles the logic for processing user requests
-
Template – Handles the presentation layer (HTML)
+--------+ +--------+ +----------+
| Model |<---->| View |<---->| Template |
+--------+ +--------+ +----------+
^ ^ ^
| | |
DB User Request Browser
MVT vs MVC
| Django (MVT) | Traditional MVC | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Model | Manages database and business logic |
| View | Controller | Processes requests and returns a response |
| Template | View | Handles how data is presented (HTML) |
In Django:
-
The framework handles the controller logic internally (URL dispatcher).
-
You write views and templates, and Django routes them automatically.
Components of MVT
1. Model
The Model defines the structure of your database using Python classes. It handles data storage, validation, and querying.
Example:
# models.py
from django.db import models
class Book(models.Model):
title = models.CharField(max_length=100)
author = models.CharField(max_length=100)
published_date = models.DateField()
def __str__(self):
return self.title
What Django Does:
-
Automatically maps this to a database table.
-
Provides ORM methods like
Book.objects.all().
2. View
The View is a Python function (or class-based view) that receives a request and returns a response—often HTML rendered from a template.
Example:
# views.py
from django.shortcuts import render
from .models import Book
def book_list(request):
books = Book.objects.all()
return render(request, 'books/book_list.html', {'books': books})
This fetches data from the model and passes it to the template.
3. Template
The Template renders HTML pages using data passed from views. Django templates use a special syntax ({{ variable }}, {% tag %}) to display dynamic content.
Example:
<!-- templates/books/book_list.html -->
<h1>Book List</h1>
<ul>
{% for book in books %}
<li>{{ book.title }} by {{ book.author }}</li>
{% endfor %}
</ul>
How MVT Works Together
Let’s walk through a request step by step:
-
User requests
/books/ -
Django URLconf routes to
book_listview -
View fetches data from
Bookmodel -
View passes data to template
-
Template generates HTML
-
HTML is returned as an HTTP response to the browser
⚙️ Example: Full MVT Implementation
A. models.py
from django.db import models
class Book(models.Model):
title = models.CharField(max_length=100)
author = models.CharField(max_length=100)
B. views.py
from django.shortcuts import render
from .models import Book
def book_list(request):
books = Book.objects.all()
return render(request, 'library/book_list.html', {'books': books})
C. urls.py
from django.urls import path
from . import views
urlpatterns = [
path('books/', views.book_list, name='book_list'),
]
D. templates/library/book_list.html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Books</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>All Books</h1>
<ul>
{% for book in books %}
<li>{{ book.title }} - {{ book.author }}</li>
{% endfor %}
</ul>
</body>
</html>
Tips for Working with MVT
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use the Django ORM | Makes data manipulation secure and easy |
| Keep views lean | Let models handle logic; templates handle display |
| Use template inheritance | Create base.html for consistency |
| Stick to separation of concerns | Avoid putting logic in templates |
⚠️ Common Pitfalls
| Pitfall | Problem | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| ❌ Mixing logic in templates | Hard to maintain | Keep logic in views or models |
| ❌ Ignoring model validation | Leads to bad data | Use clean() or form validation |
| ❌ Using raw SQL | Less secure | Use Django’s ORM unless necessary |
| ❌ Not using template inheritance | Repetitive HTML | Use {% extends "base.html" %} and blocks |
Summary
| Layer | Responsibility | Django Component |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Data layer (DB schema, business logic) | models.py |
| View | Application logic, request/response | views.py |
| Template | Presentation layer (HTML, CSS) | templates/*.html |
Django’s MVT design keeps your code clean, modular, and maintainable—perfect for rapid web development with clear boundaries.
What’s Next?
-
Learn about Class-Based Views
-
Use Forms and ModelForms to collect user input
-
Explore Django Admin and model registration
-
Understand static files and media uploads
