Difference Between browse() and search() in Odoo


✅ Purpose of Each


Method

Purpose

browse()

Fetch records by known IDs without querying the database immediately.

search()

Find records based on domain filters, performs a real database query.



📌 Realistic Odoo Examples


1. browse() – When you already know the record ID(s)


product = self.env['product.product'].browse(25)

  • Fetches product with ID 25.
  • If record with ID 25 does not exist, it returns an empty recordset (not error).
  • No SQL query is executed until the record is actually accessed (lazy loading).


🧪 Example in Context:


def get_product_name(self, product_id):

    product = self.env['product.product'].browse(product_id)

    return product.name if product.exists() else 'Unknown'


2. search() – When you need to find records based on criteria


    products = self.env['product.product'].search([('type', '=', 'product')])

    • Returns all products with type = 'product'.
    • Performs actual SQL query immediately.
    • Returns an empty recordset if no records match.


🧪 Example in Context:​


def get_all_storable_products(self):

    products = self.env['product.product'].search([('type', '=', 'product')])

    return products

​


🧠 Key Differences


Feature

browse()

search()

Input

Record ID(s) only

Domain (list of filter conditions)

Query Execution

Lazy (on access)

Immediate database query

Returns

Recordset (even if empty)

Recordset (even if empty)

Typical Use Case

Access known records (e.g., from foreign keys, ID)

Search using conditions or filters

Error on Non-existent ID

No, returns empty recordset

No error; just returns empty result



✅ Summary Table


Method

Used For

Performs DB Query?

Accepts Domain?

Accepts IDs?

browse()

Accessing known records

❌ (Lazy access)

❌

✅

search()

Finding records by criteria

✅ (Immediate)

✅

❌