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Django Features and Libraries

Charles Severance

In this course, you will learn how to build Django-based web applications suitable for use by end users. You will learn about cookies, sessions, and authentication processes in Django. You will build navigation into your applications and explore ways to easily improve the look and feel of Django applications. You will begin to develop a simple application to support a classified ads website that will walk you through many of the issues and techniques that you encounter in website development. You will also learn how to move an application from development to production.

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In this course, you will learn how to build Django-based web applications suitable for use by end users. You will learn about cookies, sessions, and authentication processes in Django. You will build navigation into your applications and explore ways to easily improve the look and feel of Django applications. You will begin to develop a simple application to support a classified ads website that will walk you through many of the issues and techniques that you encounter in website development. You will also learn how to move an application from development to production.

What you'll learn

  • Define Django sessions and how cookies are used to support sessions

  • Apply built-in login functionality in Django and manage login users in views

  • Define one-to-many models and demonstrate how to represent links in a database

  • Create, edit, and delete form flow inside of a generic edit view

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores navigation within Django applications
Develops methods for customizing Django applications' look and feel
Teaches how to transfer Django applications from development to production
Utilizes a sample classified ads website application to illustrate key website development concepts

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Reviews summary

Django web app development essentials

According to students, this course provides an excellent deep dive into building robust Django web applications, particularly focusing on authentication, session management, and database relationships. Learners frequently praise the practical, project-based approach, citing the classified ads project as highly effective for solidifying understanding. Many find the instructor's explanations incredibly clear and knowledgeable, making complex topics accessible. While it's considered a perfect follow-up for those with basic Django knowledge, some learners caution that it assumes prior foundational understanding and may be challenging for absolute beginners. The course also covers crucial aspects like preparing applications for production, which is often a valuable, overlooked feature.
Valuable insights into deploying applications to production.
"I particularly appreciated the section on moving to production; it's something often overlooked in other courses."
"The production deployment part was interesting and provided useful real-world context."
"The production readiness advice was also a great inclusion, adding significant value to the course."
Instructor explains complex topics clearly and knowledgeably.
"The instructor's explanations were incredibly clear."
"The instructor is knowledgeable and presents complex topics in an understandable way."
"The explanations on authentication and permissions were very helpful and well-presented."
Comprehensive coverage of essential Django functionalities.
"This course provided an excellent deep dive into Django's authentication and session management."
"It covers essential Django features like user authentication and CRUD operations thoroughly."
"The content on one-to-many relationships and generic edit views was perfectly explained. Absolutely fantastic!"
"I learned so much about structuring Django projects for scalability and user management."
Strong emphasis on hands-on project building.
"The hands-on project building a classified ads site really solidified my understanding. Highly recommended."
"The practical exercises helped me immediately apply what I learned. This course filled significant gaps in my knowledge."
"The project-based learning is very effective. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to go beyond the basics."
Some parts felt rushed or lacked sufficient depth.
"My only minor gripe is that some parts felt a bit rushed, especially the more advanced topics."
"Sometimes the pacing was a bit uneven, and I felt I had to re-watch some lectures to fully grasp the concepts."
"I had to look up external resources frequently to understand certain concepts, especially around forms and model relationships."
Requires existing foundational understanding of Django.
"It assumes a lot of prior Django knowledge. It's for someone who already knows Django basics very well and just needs to fill in specific gaps."
"Might be tough for absolute beginners in Django, as the pacing was a bit uneven at times."
"This course felt a bit too advanced for me. I think it's better for someone who has already built a few Django apps."
"I struggled a bit because I wasn't an expert coming in; some explanations could be more beginner-friendly."

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 Django Features and Libraries with these activities:
Review Django Tutorials
Begin by refreshing your memory on Django topics to strengthen your base.
Browse courses on Django
Show steps
  • Watch Django tutorials on YouTube or other online platforms
  • Read the Django documentation to gain a deeper understanding of its concepts
Follow Django Development Courses
Supplement your learning by following guided Django development courses.
Browse courses on Django
Show steps
  • Identify reputable online Django courses or tutorials
  • Enroll in the courses and follow the provided lessons and exercises
  • Complete the assignments and quizzes to assess your understanding
Join a Django Study Group
Engage with other students to discuss Django topics and learn from each other's perspectives.
Browse courses on Django
Show steps
  • Identify or create a Django study group
  • Participate in regular meetings or discussions
  • Share knowledge and experiences with other members
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Django Tutorial: Build a Simple Web Application
Following a guided tutorial will provide a structured approach to learning Django and help you apply the concepts covered in the course.
Browse courses on Django
Show steps
  • Find a beginner-friendly Django tutorial
  • Follow the tutorial step-by-step
  • Experiment with the code and explore different features
Solve Django Coding Challenges
Enhance your problem-solving skills by practicing Django coding challenges.
Browse courses on Django
Show steps
  • Find online Django coding challenges or exercises
  • Attempt to solve the challenges using Django concepts and techniques
  • Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement
Django Study Group
Joining a study group will provide opportunities to collaborate, ask questions, and reinforce your understanding of Django.
Browse courses on Django
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group with other Django learners
  • Meet regularly to discuss Django concepts and work on projects
  • Share your knowledge and help others learn
Build a Simple App
Reinforce your understanding of Django by building a basic web application.
Browse courses on Django
Show steps
  • Design the app's layout and functionality
  • Create the necessary Django models and views
  • Implement the app's logic and database interactions
  • Test and debug the app's functionality
  • Deploy the app to a hosting platform
Django Coding Challenges
Solving coding challenges will reinforce your understanding of Django's syntax and problem-solving skills.
Browse courses on Django
Show steps
  • Find a platform or website that offers Django coding challenges
  • Select a challenge that matches your skill level
  • Break down the problem and develop a solution
  • Implement your solution and test it
Write a Django Blog Post
Deepen your understanding of Django by writing a comprehensive blog post explaining its concepts.
Browse courses on Django
Show steps
  • Identify the topic of your blog post
  • Research and gather information about your topic
  • Write the blog post in a clear and engaging manner
  • Edit and proofread your post before publishing
Django Blog Post
Writing a blog post will allow you to synthesize your knowledge and share what you've learned with others.
Browse courses on Django
Show steps
  • Choose a topic related to Django that you're interested in
  • Research the topic and gather information
  • Write your blog post in a clear and informative way
  • Proofread and edit your post
Mentor Junior Django Developers
Enhance your own understanding of Django by mentoring others.
Browse courses on Django
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities to mentor junior Django developers
  • Provide guidance and support to your mentees
  • Share your knowledge and experience to help them grow

Career center

Learners who complete Django Features and Libraries will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Web Developer
Web Developers write and maintain code for websites and applications that run on the Internet. This course would help a Web Developer to get started using the Django framework and would help build a foundation in the skills and knowledge used in this field. Familiarity with the topics covered in this course might be helpful in roles such as Website Developer and Software Engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software systems. Django is a framework used in web development. Taking this course may help build a foundation for someone who wants to become a Software Engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Web Designer
Web Designers create the look and feel of websites. Taking this course will help build a foundation for understanding the web development process and could be helpful for roles such as User Experience (UX) Designer and Web Developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. This course covers database design principles that could be helpful in roles such as Database Administrator and Data Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course covers database design principles that could be helpful in roles such as Database Administrator and Data Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Reading list

We've selected eight 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 Django Features and Libraries.
Cover image
Two Scoops of Django 1.11
Save
Provides in-depth coverage of Django's features and best practices, including topics such as database design, performance optimization, security, and testing. It valuable resource for experienced Django developers who want to improve their skills and knowledge.
Two Scoops of Django 1.11: Best Practices for the...
Paperback
$$
Two Scoops of Django 1.11: Best Practices for the...
Kindle Edition
$$
The Definitive Guide to Django
Save
Comprehensive guide to Django, covering all the major aspects of Django development. It good resource for beginners who want to learn Django from the ground up or for experienced developers who want to refresh their knowledge.
The Definitive Guide to Django
Paperback
Check
The Definitive Guide to Django
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Django 4 By Example
Save
This practical guide provides a comprehensive overview of Django 4, covering essential concepts like models, views, templates, forms, and authentication. It's particularly valuable for beginners seeking a hands-on approach to Django development.
Django 4 By Example - Fourth Edition: Build...
Paperback
$$
Django 4 By Example: Build powerful and reliable...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Django for Beginners
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A comprehensive reference and tutorial for Django, this book offers in-depth coverage of advanced topics such as testing, deployment, and performance optimization. It's an excellent resource for experienced Django developers seeking to expand their knowledge.
Django for Beginners: Build websites with Python...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Django for Professionals
Save
Provides a collection of recipes for solving common problems in Django development. It useful reference for Django developers of all levels.
Django for Professionals: Production websites with...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Node.js, MongoDB, and AngularJS Web Development
Save
Focuses on performance optimization techniques for Django applications. It is suitable for experienced Django developers who want to improve the performance and scalability of their web applications.
Node.js, MongoDB, and AngularJS Web Development
Paperback
Check
Node.js, MongoDB, and AngularJS Web Development
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Effective PyCharm
Save
Provides a practical approach to building complex Django applications. It covers advanced topics like REST APIs, background tasks, and deployment. It's suitable for experienced Django developers seeking to take their skills to the next level.
Effective PyCharm: Learn the PyCharm IDE with a...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
The Definitive Guide to Django
Save
Provides a collection of best practices and guidelines for Django development. It covers topics like code organization, testing, security, and performance. It's suitable for experienced Django developers who want to improve their development practices.
The Definitive Guide to Django
Paperback
Check
The Definitive Guide to Django
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Effort
2 to 4 hours per week for 6 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
The University of Michigan
Instructor
Charles Severance
Language
English
Transcript
English
This course belongs to a collection called Django for Everybody. It's comprised of four courses:
  1. Web Application Technologies and Django
  2. Building Web Applications in Django
  3. Django Features and Libraries (viewing)
  4. Using JavaScript and JSON in Django
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores navigation within Django applications
Develops methods for customizing Django applications' look and feel
Teaches how to transfer Django applications from development to production
Utilizes a sample classified ads website application to illustrate key website development concepts
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