import json
from channels.generic.websocket import AsyncWebsocketConsumer
class ChatConsumer(AsyncWebsocketConsumer):
async def connect(self):
self.room_name = self.scope['url_route']['kwargs']['room_name']
self.room_group_name = f'chat_{self.room_name}'
# Join room group
await self.channel_layer.group_add(
self.room_group_name,
self.channel_name
)
await self.accept()
async def disconnect(self, close_code):
# Leave room group
await self.channel_layer.group_discard(
self.room_group_name,
self.channel_name
)
async def receive(self, text_data):
data = json.loads(text_data)
message = data['message']
# Send message to room group
await self.channel_layer.group_send(
self.room_group_name,
{
'type': 'chat_message',
'message': message
}
)
async def chat_message(self, event):
# Send message to WebSocket
await self.send(text_data=json.dumps({
'message': event['message']
}))
from django.urls import path
from . import consumers
websocket_urlpatterns = [
path('ws/chat/<str:room_name>/', consumers.ChatConsumer.as_asgi()),
]
Django Channels adds WebSocket support and async capabilities. I define consumers similar to views for handling connections. The channel layer enables communication between consumers. For real-time features like chat or notifications, Channels is essential. I use async consumers for better performance. Redis serves as the channel layer backend. Routing maps URLs to consumers. This extends Django beyond HTTP request-response to long-lived connections and background tasks.
