Discover the best resources to learn Django, the “batteries included” framework.

Django is one of the most popular web frameworks used by developers today.

But what exactly is Django, and why is it so widely used?

Django is a high-level Python web framework that enables the rapid development of secure and maintainable websites.

Created in 2003 by Adrian Holovaty and Simon Willison, Django helps developers build web applications quickly through components like its object-relational mapper (ORM) and pre-built admin interface.

What is Django?

Django follows the model-template-views (MTV) architectural pattern. It takes care of much of the hassle of web development, so you can focus on writing your app without needing to reinvent the wheel.

Features like URL routing and templating are already built-in.

Django provides developers with these essential components right out of the box:

• Object-relational mapper (ORM) - Provides a Pythonic way to interact with databases. Allows querying and updating data without SQL.
• Templates - A templating system that utilises a clean HTML syntax and caches for performance. Templates separate business logic from presentation.
• Routing - A mapping between URLs and views for handling requests and responses. Includes convenient regex matching for URLs.
• Admin Interface - Automatic content administration interface with user authentication built-in. Enables quick CRUD (create, read, update, delete) operations.
• Security - Middleware, CSRF protection, SQL injection prevention, XSS protection, and more. Django takes web security seriously.

Key Features of Django

Some of the key features that make Django a top choice for developers include:

• Batteries included philosophy - Django comes with common tools like admin, ORM, and templates built-in so you don't have to reinvent the wheel.
• Object-oriented design - Encourages maintainable and DRY code by representing data as Python objects rather than separate schemas.
• High scalability - Designed to handle complex data-driven sites with high levels of traffic and data through caching and other optimisations.
• Full-stack framework - Django has all the components needed for full web applications, front and backend. Other tools can integrate seamlessly.
• Vibrant ecosystem - From open-source libraries to paid services, there is a vast ecosystem of Django plugins and tools available.
• Documentation - Comprehensive documentation makes Django easy to learn. It also serves as a great reference for experienced developers.

Comparing Django to Other Frameworks

Django is different from other popular web frameworks in a few key ways:

• More "batteries included" than lightweight frameworks like Flask. You get more built-in components like ORM and templating.
• More Python-centric than frameworks like Ruby on Rails, which utilise other programming languages.
• Includes a more robust database layer and ORM than JavaScript frameworks like Express.js.
• Utilises consistent clear patterns rather than irregular magic like Laravel. Logic in Django is straightforward.

While Django has its advantages, other frameworks may be better suited depending on your needs. For example, Node.js-based frameworks like Express can provide greater scalability.

Now that you have an overview of Django and how it compares, why not get started learning with these six best resources to learn Django for free in 2023:

#1 - The Official Django Docs

The extensive Django documentation is organised thoughtfully to support learners at all stages.

If you’re just starting out, the step-by-step tutorials provide practical guides to building your first web applications with Django. The "First Steps" pages offer an introduction to Django fundamentals for newcomers.

After gaining initial exposure, developers can expand their conceptual understanding using the topic guides. These overviews explain the high-level design and key components of the framework.

When you’re ready to go into technical specifics, the reference guides serve as comprehensive manuals covering Django's APIs and internals. They provide invaluable resources if you’re seeking more in-depth details.

To help overcome specific challenges, Django's how-to guides offer information for common tasks and problems.

Following these guides can help you quickly resolve issues and progress with your applications.

#2 - W3Schools

The W3Schools Django tutorials offer a hands-on approach to learning.

They provide a step-by-step guide on setting up a Django project, including installation.

The tutorials cover creating and managing data within a project, using HTML templates, and inserting data with Django Template Tags.

They teach how to manipulate database data using QuerySets, including extraction, filtering, and sorting.

Additionally, you'll learn to configure a PostgreSQL database and deploy your Django project online.

#3 - LearnDjango

LearnDjango offers a range of tutorials and courses for building, testing, and deploying web applications with Python, created by Will Vincent, an experienced Django authority.

The resources range from beginner guides on setting up projects and creating data-driven applications, to advanced tutorials on deploying with PostgreSQL and Docker.

Key tutorials include:

• Setting up Django projects with PostgreSQL and deploying them online.
• Utilising Django Template Tags and HTML templates for dynamic data presentation.
• Managing database interactions with QuerySets for data extraction, filtering, and sorting.
• Customising error pages and implementing user authentication features.
• Adding social authentication, managing Django dependencies, and handling static files and templates.
• Best practices for project structure, custom user models, template structure, and security.
• Comparing Django with Flask, managing third-party packages, and understanding Django's ORM.
• Essential command line basics, user permissions, and model design tips.
• Specialised tutorials on implementing features like sitemaps, RSS feeds, search functionality, and contact forms.

In addition, LearnDjango addresses common errors, offers a beginner-friendly guide to Django REST Framework, and provides insights on Django's new releases, giving a variety of learning materials for different levels of Django development.

#4 - GeeksForGeeks

The GeeksForGeeks Django tutorial offers a structured learning path for understanding the fundamentals of Django.

It covers the basics of Django views, templates, static files, models, forms, and URLs, providing a foundational grasp of web application components.

It also goes into the Django admin interface, which is a powerful tool for managing content.

The tutorial also covers additional topics and practical projects to help give you a deeper understanding.

Additionally, it includes a section with interview questions and answers to help prepare for job interviews related to Django development.

#5 - TutorialsPoint

The TutorialsPoint Django tutorial is crafted for developers interested in learning how to build high-quality web applications with Django's efficient techniques and tools.

The tutorial has a wide range of topics, starting from the basics and home setup to a comprehensive overview of Django's features.

Key areas covered include setting up the development environment, creating projects and applications, understanding the app life cycle, and using the admin interface. It also guides through view creation, URL mapping, the template system, and models.

Additionally, the tutorial gives insights into advanced features like page redirection, email handling, generic views, form processing, and file uploading.

It also has instructions on configuring Django with Apache, managing cookies, sessions, caching, and comments, implementing RSS feeds, and utilising AJAX, delivering a full spectrum of Django development knowledge.

#6 - Microsoft Learn

In Microsoft Learn's “Get started with Django” module, you'll gain knowledge on installing Django and understand why it's an excellent framework for the quick deployment of web applications.

The tutorial will help you get to know the differences between Django and Flask and identify the kinds of applications that Django is great at handling.

Additionally, you'll learn how to create a basic program.

This module is part of the learning paths focused on building data-driven websites using the Django framework.

Bonus - YouTube Videos

YouTube has loads of awesome tutorials where you can learn Django for free in video form if you’re a more visual learner.

Here are a few great tutorials to get you started:

• Python Django Tutorial for Beginners - by Programming with Mosh
• Learn Django in 20 Minutes - by Tech With Tim
• Learn Django by Building an Online Marketplace - by freeCodeCamp

With its awesome features, Django allows you to build secure and scalable web applications quickly and efficiently.

This guide has provided an overview of what makes Django a great framework along with six free resources to start learning it today.

Whether you are new to web development or an experienced programmer looking to expand your skillset, Django is worth exploring.

Its batteries-included philosophy means you can hit the ground running instead of getting bogged down in setup. The official documentation and third-party tutorials featured here will set you on the path to mastering Django fundamentals.

Once you gain confidence with Django's core components like views, templates, models and URLs, you can begin tackling more advanced capabilities like admin customisation, database optimisation and REST APIs.

An understanding of Django will enable you to develop dynamic web applications in Python that can handle complex data and high-traffic volumes.

Whether for hobby programming or to boost your career options, learning Django will prove a worthwhile investment of time and energy for any web developer.

Now's the time to Djan-go!

From your fellow ever-growing dev,

Cherlock Code

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