How to insert element into a field with django

Question

What would be the best way to insert a variable into a field in django, similar to insert element into a list in python.

I am not trying to update a record field "first_name" in the database but rather "insert" or "add" a second "first_name" from someone else in the database that share the same last name.

Ex:

First Name      Last Name
    Alan            Smith
    Eric            Jones
    Inna            Smith

Result:

First Name         Last Name
    Alan, Inna      Smith, Smith
    Eric            Jones

I am using PostgreSQL as database.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

This is what I came up with. Hope it helps.

to_delete = []
for person in Person.objects.all():
    # all people sharing a last name with person
    matches = Person.objects.filter(last_name=person.last_name)

    # a list with the first names
    first_names = matches.values_list('first_name', flat=True)
    # a list with the last names
    last_names = matches.values_list('last_name', flat=True)

    # Join them with comma as a separator e.g 'Alan, Inna'
    joined_fnames = ', '.join(first_names)
    joined_lnames = ', '.join(last_names)

    # set the new joined strings as persons new values
    person.first_name = joined_fnames
    person.last_name = joined_lnames

    # get the other record ids that have already been joined into person and add to to_delete
    ids = matches.exclude(id=person.id).values_list('id', flat=True)
    to_delete += ids

    person.save()

# finally delete all records in to_delete
Person.objects.filter(id__in=to_delete).delete()

Answer 2

You can try this with ArrayField link