#

## Django documentation

# 17. Custom column names

If your database column name is different than your model attribute, use the `db_column` parameter. Note that you'll use the field's name, not its column name, in API usage.

## Model source code

    from django.core import meta

    class Person(meta.Model):
        first_name = meta.CharField(maxlength=30, db_column='firstname')
        last_name = meta.CharField(maxlength=30, db_column='last')

        def __repr__(self):
            return '%s %s' % (self.first_name, self.last_name)

## API reference

### Person objects have the following methods:

- `delete()`
- `save()`

## Sample API usage

This sample code assumes the above model has been saved in a file `examplemodel.py`.

    >>> from django.models.examplemodel import persons

    # Create a Person.
    >>> p = persons.Person(first_name='John', last_name='Smith')
    >>> p.save()

    >>> p.id
    1

    >>> persons.get_list()
    [John Smith]

    >>> persons.get_list(first_name__exact='John')
    [John Smith]

    >>> persons.get_object(first_name__exact='John')
    John Smith

    >>> persons.get_list(firstname__exact='John')
    Traceback (most recent call last):
        ...
    TypeError: got unexpected keyword argument 'firstname__exact'

    >>> p = persons.get_object(last_name__exact='Smith')
    >>> p.first_name
    'John'
    >>> p.last_name
    'Smith'
    >>> p.firstname
    Traceback (most recent call last):
        ...
    AttributeError: 'Person' object has no attribute 'firstname'
    >>> p.last
    Traceback (most recent call last):
        ...
    AttributeError: 'Person' object has no attribute 'last'

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