python - Django - what is the difference between render(), render_to_response() and direct_to_template()?

Question

Whats the difference (in language a python/django noob can understand) in a view between render(), render_to_response() and direct_to_template()?

e.g. from Nathan Borror's basic apps examples

def comment_edit(request, object_id, template_name='comments/edit.html'):
    comment = get_object_or_404(Comment, pk=object_id, user=request.user)
    # ...
    return render(request, template_name, {
        'form': form,
        'comment': comment,
    })

But I've also seen

    return render_to_response(template_name, my_data_dictionary,
              context_instance=RequestContext(request))

And

    return direct_to_template(request, template_name, my_data_dictionary)

Whats the difference, what to use in any particular situation?

Answer 1

https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/1.8/topics/http/shortcuts/#render

render(request, template[, dictionary][, context_instance][, content_type][, status][, current_app])

render() is a brand spanking new shortcut for render_to_response in 1.3 that will automatically use RequestContext that I will most definitely be using from now on.

---

2020 EDIT: It should be noted that render_to_response() was removed in Django 3.0

https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/1.8/topics/http/shortcuts/#render-to-response

render_to_response(template[, dictionary][, context_instance][, mimetype])?

render_to_response is your standard render function used in the tutorials and such. To use RequestContext you'd have to specify context_instance=RequestContext(request)

---

https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/1.8/ref/generic-views/#django-views-generic-simple-direct-to-template

direct_to_template is a generic view that I use in my views (as opposed to in my urls) because like the new render() function, it automatically uses RequestContext and all its context_processors.

But direct_to_template should be avoided as function based generic views are deprecated. Either use render or an actual class, see https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/1.3/topics/generic-views-migration/

I'm happy I haven't typed RequestContext in a long, long time.