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Academind by Maximilian Schwarzmüller and Maximilian Schwarzmüller

Python is the most popular programming language of the world - it is versatile, easy to learn and very powerful.

But one of the primary things you can build with Python is a website. You can use Python for web development.

And to make that easier, you would typically use a framework like Django - simply because that allows you to focus on your core business logic and you don't need to re-invent the wheel and implement all the nitty-gritty technical details from scratch.

This course is about Django - the most popular Python web development framework out there.

Read more

Python is the most popular programming language of the world - it is versatile, easy to learn and very powerful.

But one of the primary things you can build with Python is a website. You can use Python for web development.

And to make that easier, you would typically use a framework like Django - simply because that allows you to focus on your core business logic and you don't need to re-invent the wheel and implement all the nitty-gritty technical details from scratch.

This course is about Django - the most popular Python web development framework out there.

Django covers all aspects of web development - from handling requests and responses, over rendering dynamic HTML pages with templates, all the way up to making database access and data management easy. It's all baked in and it's all covered in great detail in this course.

This course teaches Django from the ground up - you don't need to know anything about it to get started. Basic Python and web development knowledge is all you need.

We'll start at the absolute basics and understand how to create Django project, how to run them and how to add features - step by step.

In detail, this course covers:

  • Installing Django

  • Creating and understanding Django projects

  • Understanding URLs, views, requests and responses

  • Working with templates and static files like CSS and images

  • Working with data and models

  • Connecting data with relationships (one-to-many, one-to-one, many-to-many)

  • Querying data with Django's powerful model solution

  • Adding administration panels to your projects

  • Handling user input with forms - manually and with Django's built-in form support

  • Advanced features like class-based views (and when to use them)

  • Dealing with file uploads and how to serve uploaded files

  • Working with sessions

  • In-depth deployment instructions and examples

  • Different ways of deploying and serving static files and user uploads

  • And much more.

All those concepts are taught in great depth and backed up by a complete example course project where we build a "Blog website" from the ground up.

Therefore, you'll learn all the important concepts and the theory and you're also going to be able to see it applied to a real project.

Hence, once you completed the course, you'll have a very solid understanding of Django and you'll be able to dive into your own Django projects.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn how to use python for web development with django
  • Build real projects and apply what you learned in a full blog website created in the course
  • Choose between the full course or the included course summary to get you started quickly

Syllabus

Learn what this course is about, how it's structured and why you might want to use Django for web development (and how it works).
Introduction
Read more
What is Django?
The Course Prerequisites
What's Inside the Course?
Join Our Learning Community!
Getting the Most out of the Course
Choose Your Course Path!
Course Setup
Everything starts with the project setup - so let's dive into how to install Django on your system and how to create a first Django project and website.
Module Introduction
Installing Python & Django
Creating a Django Project
Installing an IDE
Analyzing the Created Project
Starting a Development Server
Django Apps
More Advanced Setup Steps
Useful Resources & Links
Most websites consist of multiple pages - in Django called "views". Learn how "views" work and how you can forward visitors to different pages with "urls".
Creating a New Project
What are URLs & Views?
Creating a First View & URL
Adding More Views & URLs
Dynamic Path Segments & Captured Values
Path Converters
Adding More Dynamic View Logic
Redirects
The Reverse Function & Named URLs
Returning HTML
Practicing URLs, Views & Dynamic View Logic
Summary
Typically, you want to return HTML content to your visitors. Django comes with a built-in "Templating Language" that makes building rich and dynamic HTML pages a breeze - let's dive in!
Adding & Registering Templates
Rendering Templates
Template Language & Variable Interpolation
Exercise Solution
Understanding SQL
Filters
The Django Visual Studio Code Extension
Tags & the "for" Tag
The URL Tag for Dynamic URLs
The "if" Tag for Conditional Content
Template Inheritance
Including Partial Template Snippets
More on the Django Template Language (DTL)
404 Templates
Adding Static Files
Adding Global Static Files
Adding CSS Styling
Building Static URLs Dynamically
Time to apply what we learned! In this section, we'll use all the concepts we explored thus far to build a complete Blog website from the ground up with Django.
Setting Up the Starting Project
Planning the Project
Adding URLs & Views
Adding First Templates
Template Content & Static Files
Adding Images as Static Files
Adding the "All Posts" Page & Style
Linking the Pages
Adding the "Single Post" Page
Adding Dummy Data to the "Views" File
Special Template Features & Syntax
Adding a Single Post Page
Adding a 404 Page
Most websites are NOT just about static content but instead require data that's often stored in a database. Django supports this with its "models" features which we'll explore in-depth in this section
Different Kinds of Data
Understanding Database Options
Django Models
Creating a Django Model with Fields
Migrations
Inserting Data
Getting all Entries
Updating Models & Migrations
Blank vs Null
Updating Data
Deleting Data
Create Instead of Save
Querying & Filtering Data
"or" Conditions
Query Performance
Bulk Operations
Preparing Templates
Rendering Queried Data in the Template
Rendering the Details Page
Model URLs
Adding a Slugfield & Overwriting Save
Using the Slug & Updating Field Options
Aggregation & Ordering

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Covers all aspects of web development, from handling requests and responses to rendering dynamic HTML pages with templates, making database access and data management easier
Teaches Django from the ground up, so learners don't need prior knowledge, but basic Python and web development knowledge is all that's needed to get started
Includes in-depth deployment instructions and examples, which can help learners put their newly acquired skills into practice and showcase their work
Uses a complete example course project where learners build a blog website from the ground up, allowing them to see how the concepts are applied in a real project
Explores different ways of deploying and serving static files and user uploads, which is essential for building dynamic and interactive web applications
Requires learners to install Python and Django, which may require some technical proficiency and access to a computer with sufficient resources

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Save Python Django - The Practical Guide to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Python Django - The Practical Guide with these activities:
Review Core Python Concepts
Strengthen your understanding of Python fundamentals before diving into Django. This will make learning Django's specific syntax and patterns easier.
Browse courses on Python Basics
Show steps
  • Review Python syntax and data structures.
  • Practice writing basic Python functions and classes.
  • Work through online Python tutorials or exercises.
Read 'Django for Beginners'
Supplement the course material with a beginner-friendly Django book. This will provide a different perspective and reinforce key concepts.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Django for Beginners'.
  • Read the book alongside the course modules.
  • Complete the exercises and examples in the book.
Build a Simple To-Do App
Apply your Django knowledge by building a small, self-contained project. This will solidify your understanding of the framework and its components.
Show steps
  • Define the features and scope of the to-do app.
  • Create Django models for tasks and users.
  • Implement views and templates for creating, reading, updating, and deleting tasks.
  • Add user authentication and authorization.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Write a Blog Post on a Django Topic
Deepen your understanding by explaining a Django concept in your own words. This will force you to think critically about the material.
Show steps
  • Choose a Django topic that you found challenging or interesting.
  • Research the topic thoroughly.
  • Write a clear and concise blog post explaining the topic.
  • Include code examples and diagrams to illustrate your points.
Create a Django Project Template
Streamline future Django projects by creating a reusable project template. This will save time and ensure consistency.
Show steps
  • Set up a basic Django project with common configurations.
  • Include pre-configured settings, URLs, and templates.
  • Document the template's usage and customization options.
  • Make the template available on GitHub or a similar platform.
Read 'Two Scoops of Django'
Expand your knowledge of Django best practices and advanced techniques. This will help you write cleaner, more maintainable code.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Two Scoops of Django'.
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
  • Apply the best practices to your Django projects.
Contribute to a Django Open Source Project
Gain real-world experience by contributing to a Django open source project. This will expose you to different coding styles and project management practices.
Show steps
  • Find a Django open source project that interests you.
  • Read the project's documentation and contribution guidelines.
  • Identify a bug or feature that you can work on.
  • Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Python Django - The Practical Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Web Developer
A Web Developer builds and maintains websites for a variety of purposes, from e-commerce to blogs and other digital content. This role utilizes programming languages such as Python and frameworks like Django, both of which are a focal point of this course. This course helps those who want to learn how to create interactive and dynamic websites. It teaches Django from the ground up, covering fundamental concepts such as creating projects, managing URLs, views, templates, and data. By learning these skills, an aspiring Web Developer will understand how to build a complete web application. This course gives the understanding and hands-on experience to work on real-world projects and feel comfortable in this career.
Backend Developer
A Backend Developer builds the server side logic that powers a website or application. They work with databases, APIs, and server infrastructure, which a course teaching Django will help prepare you for. This course is an introduction to Django, which includes core concepts like data management, database interaction, and handling user input. This means it is perfect for any aspiring Backend Developer. The course covers data handling, query optimization, and database management, crucial skills for a backend role. By learning how to build a complete web application with Django, you prepare for the backend work that underlies these applications.
Full-Stack Developer
A Full Stack Developer is responsible for both frontend and backend development. They often work with multiple languages and frameworks, with Python and Django being powerful toolkits that this course will give you. Aspiring Full Stack Developers will benefit from this course through its comprehensive approach to building web applications with Django. This course helps build skills in handling requests and responses, rendering dynamic HTML, and managing data. It also involves deployment, which will help you understand the lifecycle of these projects. All these are needed to successfully manage a full stack application.
Python Developer
A Python Developer uses the Python programming language to build applications, scripts, and tools. While Python has many uses, this course focuses on using it with the Django framework for web development, which is a common task for the Python Developer. This course teaches the fundamentals of Django, from setting up projects to working with databases and user input. The practical focus of the course, which involves building a blog website, will give a clear example of how Python can be used in the web space. Aspiring Python developers will learn how to write the code and also how to manage the infrastructure associated with a web application.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design and maintain software systems, and must therefore be able to tackle diverse technical problems. While software engineering is quite general, this course will give a solid introduction to the fundamentals of web application development using Python and Django. This course covers topics that are relevant to a variety of engineering tasks such as managing data, building user interfaces, and architecting applications. In particular, the practical example offered in this course helps new software engineers familiarize themselves with the development process. Also, deployment instruction in this course prepares the Software Engineer for a real-world workflow.
Application Developer
Application Developers create and maintain various types of software applications to meet specific user needs. While Application Developers use many tools, learning to build projects with Django, which this course offers, will give them experience in an important framework. The course covers how to design web applications, implement user interfaces, and manage data flow. With knowledge of how to create a full project, from start to deployment, the Application Developer will understand the full lifecycle of an application. The content of the course is a great introduction to the field.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators manage and maintain databases, ensuring data integrity and performance. This course will help an early career professional learn how a database interacts with a web application. The course covers how Django's models connect to a database and the various ways to query and manipulate data. An aspiring Database Administrator who is seeking to understand how to integrate a database into a web application may find this course useful. By learning how to work with data models and database relationships, learners will gain skills they can apply in database management.
Technical Consultant
Technical Consultants provide expertise in IT and software solutions. This course may give a Technical Consultant the ability to understand web development, so they can provide better advice on it. Through learning the process of building web applications with Django, from setup to deployment, the consultant will understand the full picture. The course will provide a background in web technologies that can help a Technical Consultant in their client engagements. Therefore, this course may be useful to someone looking to enter this field.
Solutions Architect
Solutions Architects design and oversee the implementation of technical solutions to meet business needs. This course, with its focus on practical web development using Python and Django, may give an aspiring Architect some relevant exposure. Learning how Django handles URLs, views, and data management may help a new Solutions Architect understand the process of building a web application. This course gives an end-to-end understanding of how these applications are created, which can provide valuable background for a solutions role. Therefore, this course may be a useful introduction to this field.
Web Project Manager
Web Project Managers plan and coordinate web development projects. While this role does not write code, they need to be able to understand the technical process. By learning Django through this course, a manager may be better equipped to make informed decisions. This course will teach Django, its structure, and the process of building a website. This experience will help a Web Project Manager oversee a development team, understand the technical needs of a project, and the lifecycle of a web application. Therefore, this course may be useful to someone interested in this role.
IT Support Specialist
An IT Support Specialist provides technical assistance to users. While this role does not directly create applications, this course may help them understand how applications work and how to troubleshoot issues. If new to the field, this course may help an Information Technology Support Specialist see how database and web server interactions work. The understanding of Django and web development taught in this course may help those in this field be more valuable to the teams they support. Therefore, this course may be useful for someone in this role.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst interprets and analyzes data to help inform business decisions. This course may be helpful as it covers working with data and databases using Django. The Data Analyst may find it useful to learn how web applications store and retrieve data, and they can learn to manipulate data to improve an application. This course also covers how to query data. Therefore, this course may be useful for a learner looking to enter this role.
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create documentation for technical products and systems. This course may help a Technical Writer by giving them a practical understanding of web development and the Django framework which this course focuses on. Knowing how a system works, from setting up projects to deploying them, will help a Technical Writer in their documentation efforts. This course may provide some useful background for those starting in this role. Therefore, this course may be useful for a learner looking to enter this field.
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance Analysts test software to ensure it meets quality standards. Because this course focuses on building web applications, a Quality Assurance Analyst may find it useful to see how an application is developed from the ground up. The course covers how to build the project, incorporate views, and handle data. This course may help those interested in this role. Therefore, this course may be useful for those hoping to enter this field.
Content Manager
Content managers oversee the creation and maintenance of content for websites and other digital platforms. While this is not a technical role, being able to create a user interface, handle images, and manage data as taught by this course may give them a unique perspective. By learning how a web application works, those who work as a Content Manager may be able to make more informed decisions about what is possible within a system. Therefore, this course may be useful for a learner looking to explore this role.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Python Django - The Practical Guide.
Is an excellent resource for intermediate to advanced Django developers. It covers best practices, design patterns, and common pitfalls to avoid. While it might be overwhelming for beginners, it's a valuable resource to consult after completing the course to improve your Django skills. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.
Provides a clear and concise introduction to Django, perfect for those with some Python experience but new to web development. It covers the fundamentals of Django projects, models, views, and templates. It's a great resource to use concurrently with the course to reinforce concepts and see them applied in a practical way. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

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