Django Getting Started

Welcome to The Coding College, your trusted platform for coding tutorials and resources! If you’re eager to dive into Django, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to get started with this powerful Python web framework.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have Django installed, a basic project set up, and a clear understanding of how Django works.

What is Django?

Django is a high-level web framework that simplifies web development by providing built-in tools for tasks like URL routing, database management, and user authentication. It’s open-source, beginner-friendly, and trusted by developers worldwide to create secure and scalable web applications.

Prerequisites for Getting Started

Before diving into Django, ensure you have the following:

  1. Python Installed: Django requires Python 3.6 or later.
  2. Pip Installed: Pip is Python’s package manager, used to install Django.
  3. Code Editor: Visual Studio Code, PyCharm, or any text editor you’re comfortable with.
  4. Command Line Interface: To execute commands and manage your project.

Step 1: Install Django

Start by installing Django using pip. Open your terminal or command prompt and run:

pip install django

Verify the installation by checking the Django version:

django-admin --version

If the command outputs a version number, you’ve successfully installed Django!

Step 2: Create a Django Project

A Django project is a collection of settings and files that define your web application. To create a project, run:

django-admin startproject myproject

This creates a folder named myproject with the following structure:

myproject/  
    manage.py  
    myproject/  
        __init__.py  
        settings.py  
        urls.py  
        asgi.py  
        wsgi.py

Key Files Explained:

  • manage.py: A command-line utility for interacting with your project.
  • settings.py: Contains configuration settings for your project.
  • urls.py: Maps URLs to views in your application.

Step 3: Run the Development Server

Navigate to your project directory:

cd myproject

Run the development server:

python manage.py runserver

Visit http://127.0.0.1:8000/ in your browser. You’ll see Django’s default welcome page, confirming your project is up and running!

Step 4: Create a Django App

In Django, an app is a modular component of your project that handles specific functionality (e.g., a blog or user authentication).

To create an app, run:

python manage.py startapp myapp

This creates a folder named myapp with files like models.py, views.py, and admin.py.

Register Your App

To use the app in your project, add it to the INSTALLED_APPS list in settings.py:

INSTALLED_APPS = [  
    ...  
    'myapp',  
]

Step 5: Create a Simple View

Let’s create a simple view to display a message.

  • Open myapp/views.py and define a function: 
from django.http import HttpResponse  

def home(request):  
    return HttpResponse("Welcome to The Coding College!")
  • Add a URL route in myproject/urls.py: 
from django.contrib import admin  
from django.urls import path  
from myapp import views  

urlpatterns = [  
    path('admin/', admin.site.urls),  
    path('', views.home, name='home'),  
]
  • Restart the development server and visit http://127.0.0.1:8000/ to see your custom message!

Step 6: Configure the Database

Django supports multiple databases, including SQLite, PostgreSQL, and MySQL. By default, Django uses SQLite.

Create Database Migrations

Migrations handle database schema changes. To create and apply migrations, run:

python manage.py makemigrations  
python manage.py migrate

This sets up the default database structure for your project.

What’s Next?

After completing these steps, you’ve set up a basic Django project. Here are some next steps to explore:

  1. Learn Django Models: Define and manage your data using Django’s ORM (Object-Relational Mapping).
  2. Work with Templates: Create dynamic HTML pages for your application.
  3. Explore Django Admin: Use the built-in admin panel to manage your app’s data.

Why Learn Django with The Coding College?

At The Coding College, we specialize in breaking down complex programming concepts into easy-to-follow tutorials. Our Django guides are designed to give you practical, hands-on experience, helping you become proficient in no time.

Final Thoughts

Django is a beginner-friendly framework that accelerates web development while maintaining flexibility and security. By following this guide, you’ve taken the first steps toward mastering Django.

Stay tuned to The Coding College for more tutorials, tips, and best practices to enhance your coding journey. Let us know in the comments what you’d like to learn next about Django!

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