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Web Application Technologies and Django

In this course, you'll explore the basic structure of a web application, and how a web browser interacts with a web server. You'll be introduced to the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request/response cycle, including GET/POST/Redirect. You'll also gain an introductory understanding of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), as well as the overall structure of a Django application. We will explore the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern for web applications and how it relates to Django. You will learn how to deploy a Django application using a service like PythonAnywhere so that it is available over the Internet.

This is the first course in the Django for Everybody specialization. It is recommended that you complete the Python for Everybody specialization or an equivalent learning experience before beginning this series.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Dynamic Web Content

We look at the basic structure of a web application and how a web browser interacts with a web server. We explore the Request-Response Cycle that is the basis of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

Installing Django on PythonAnywhere

This walks through the installation steps for Django on PythonAnywhere. If you cannot use PythonAnywhere, you can also install Django locally and submit assignments your local computer for grading. Installing Django locally will be described in an upcoming lesson.

Hypertext Markup Language (from WA4E Specialization)

We briefly cover the basics of the HyperText Markup Language (HTML) that is the markup for web pages. For some students this material will be relatively easy and mostly review.

Cascading Style Sheets (from WA4E Specialization)

We briefly cover the basics of cascading Style Sheets (CSS) that allow us to style the markup for web pages. For some students this material will be relatively easy and mostly review.

Introducing Structured Query Language (SQL)

This is a quick look at databases in general and the basic operations (CRUD) in Structured Query Language (SQL). We don't go too far into SQL because we will be using Django's model capabilities to build the databases for our application. The primary goal is to examine how Django uses SQL.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches foundational principles of web development, which is standard in the industry

Develops skills in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), which are foundational to web development

Introduces the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request/response cycle and GET/POST/Redirect, which are fundamental concepts in web development

Covers the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern, which is a widely used architectural pattern for web applications

Provides hands-on experience in deploying a Django application using PythonAnywhere, which is a valuable skill for web developers

Requires Python for Everybody specialization as a prerequisite, which may limit accessibility for beginners

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Reviews summary

Hands-on django web app technologies

learners say this course provides a largely positive introduction to web development before introducing Django. Expect to review HTML, CSS, SQL, and Django basics, which will prepare you for the following courses in the specialization. Dr. Chuck Russell Severance (instructor) is praised as an amazing, clear, and fun teacher who provides detailed lectures and insightful interviews throughout the course.

The course is self-paced and well-explained, with detailed lectures and clear assignments.

"self paced and very well explained, also, very uselfull course material and very interactive. I learned new things. I'll recommend it for people who is willing to review some of html, css and trying to learn django"

"Thank you Dr. Chuck. I came here after Python for Everybody and was looking for what to do next, when I found this wonderful course. You truly are an amazing teacher. Hoping to meet you in your Office Hours one day."

"This is just my starting, the course is too much beginners friendly i recommend everyone to have a look at it even if they are not from tech backgrounds, the things are explained very well , i am looking forward to become a good web developer in future"

"Excellent instructor! He was engaging and the lesson are in a digestible length. Also, there was a lot of thought that went into how this course is designed which helped to make it easier to complete as you can focus on the lesson and not fight with auto graders."

The course features interesting assignments, clear lectures, and bonus videos that explain concepts humorously.

"The motivation provided after each assignment is great; it encourages me to complete more of the course."

"I am very excited to continue learning the Django framework, it was a very nice period, and it benefited me greatly Thank you all"

"The thing that I loved the most in the course wasn't Lectures, It wasn't the assignments. It was the bonus videos. They are just so lovely and inspiring!!"

"Excellent class by the amazing Dr. Chuck who is a really gifted teacher. He explains everything and makes them seem so easy!"

"Amazing Course!! Go for it if you want to learn Django and Everything right from the bottom kevel! As always the faculty is an amazing and a lively person that you can feel instantly conected to!"

The course provides a solid foundation in web development, covering HTML, CSS, SQL, and Django basics.

"Very succinct explanation of web apps basics such as Html/CSS/SQL among others. Assignments were easy but really helped solidify contents from lectures. Overall great intro."

"This course offers a nicely spaced, easy introduction to multiple technologies. The instructor kept me interested and provided free tools that could be used to complete all assignments quickly."

"Amazing Course, Starts from the basics of everything."

"I think that was very good course for basic understanding of frontend."

Dr. Charles Severance is highly praised for his teaching skills, knowledge, and engaging delivery.

"Professor Severance takes the time to show how to do things in walk-through videos. His explanations are clear, his pace is right and his assignments provide a very good opportunity to consolidate learnings."

"Not just the great course, I love the instructor as well! Easy to understand his lessons, also gives more on the foundations. Shout out to Professor Charles Russell Severance!"

"This course is very approachable even if you don't know Python or Django or other coding languages. It's a nice gentle introduction back into course work as well. Perfect if you have limited time."

"I'm really grateful for Coursera for offering me this course as it helps me in covering the basics of how the network works, Django, HTML, CSS and SQL and I'm very motivated to dive deep into these topics."

"it is really a excellent course. This course helps me a lot in building a concept . The best part is that you have to perform practical after every week. This thing help me to learn concept with practical."

While the course provides an introduction to Django, it's better suited for beginners who want to learn about web development before diving into Django.

"This is a great introductory course. I'm glad it helped me remember some HTML&CSS basics. However, you should understand that it mostly prepares you for the other courses in the specialization and doesn't explain much about Django itself."

"I already knew HTML and CSS so those lessons were easy, but I learned how to create a Django application, even though I felt like I was just copypasting code, but learning the documentation I learned new things, as suggested in the course."

"I had a hard time focusing. This instructor's lectures were not very focused or even polished, often finding mistakes and using screenshots of code, wtf? The tests were good and made you research and learn but I couldn't get through the first course."

"Good course content. But at one moment I thought that, as a start or as an introductory course this was too much. Would have been really nice if all the complex bits of django work was done at the latter part and started as if the student has no prior knowledge on working with the virtual environments and the other stuff that were somewhat complex."

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 Web Application Technologies and Django with these activities:

Python Programming Review

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Strengthen your Python programming skills before starting the course to enhance your ability to grasp Django concepts.

Browse courses on Python

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Go through online tutorials or study materials to refresh your understanding of Python syntax and data structures.
Solve practice problems and exercises to reinforce your Python programming skills.

Review the basics of HTML

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Reviewing the basics of HTML will help you understand the structure of web pages and how they are rendered by web browsers.

Browse courses on HTML

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Read articles or tutorials about HTML.
Complete online coding challenges or exercises.
Experiment with writing your own HTML code in a code editor.

Review HTML and CSS

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Reinforce your understanding of the basics of HTML and CSS, which are essential for building web applications with Django.

Browse courses on HTML

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Revisit online tutorials and documentation on HTML and CSS.
Solve practice problems and exercises related to HTML and CSS.
Build a simple static web page to apply your knowledge.

Ten other activities

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Join a study group or discussion forum for Django

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Joining a study group or discussion forum will allow you to interact with other learners and get help or share your knowledge.

Browse courses on Django

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Find a study group or discussion forum that fits your needs.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.
Help other learners by sharing your knowledge and experience.

Explore Django Tutorials

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Enhance your knowledge of Django by following comprehensive tutorials and walkthroughs.

Browse courses on Django

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Locate reputable online resources or video tutorials on Django.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, building and testing Django applications.
Complete the exercises and challenges provided in the tutorials.

Practice writing HTTP requests and responses

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Practicing writing HTTP requests and responses will help you understand how web browsers communicate with web servers.

Browse courses on HTTP

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Use a tool like Postman or Curl to send HTTP requests.
Examine the responses from the web server.
Try different methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) and headers.

Develop a Django Cheat Sheet or Tutorial

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Solidify your understanding of Django by creating a comprehensive cheat sheet or tutorial that summarizes key concepts and best practices.

Browse courses on Django

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Outline the key concepts and topics you want to cover in your cheat sheet or tutorial.
Gather and organize relevant information from Django documentation, tutorials, and other resources.
Create a visually appealing and well-structured document using tools like Markdown or LaTeX.
Share your cheat sheet or tutorial with others, such as classmates or online communities.

Follow online tutorials on advanced Django topics

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Following online tutorials on advanced Django topics will help you expand your knowledge and skills.

Browse courses on Django

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Find online tutorials on advanced Django topics that interest you.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step and complete the exercises.
Apply what you learn to your own Django projects.

Django Coding Challenges

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Strengthen your Django coding skills by solving a series of challenges and problems.

Browse courses on Django

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Find online coding platforms or resources that offer Django challenges.
Attempt to solve the challenges independently, referring to documentation when needed.
Discuss your solutions with peers or mentors to enhance your understanding.

Build a simple web application using Django

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Building a simple web application using Django will help you put into practice the concepts you learn in the course.

Browse courses on Django

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Create a new Django project.
Add models, views, and templates to your Django project.
Deploy your Django application to a web server.

Mentor Junior Django Developers

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Enhance your understanding of Django while supporting others by mentoring junior Django developers.

Browse courses on Django

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Identify opportunities to mentor junior Django developers through online forums, social media, or local meetups.
Provide guidance and support to mentees, answering their questions and helping them troubleshoot issues.
Review mentees' code and provide constructive feedback to help them improve their skills.

Build a Django Portfolio Project

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Deepen your understanding of Django by building a substantial portfolio project that showcases your skills.

Browse courses on Django

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Plan and design your project, defining its purpose and functionality.
Develop the project's architecture and structure using Django.
Implement the project's features, ensuring user-friendliness and functionality.
Test and debug the project thoroughly to ensure its quality.
Document your project and prepare it for presentation.

Contribute to Django Open Source Projects

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Expand your knowledge and contribute to the Django community by participating in open source projects.

Browse courses on Django

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Identify Django projects on platforms like GitHub that align with your interests.
Review the project's documentation and codebase to understand its purpose and functionality.
Suggest improvements or propose new features to the project's maintainers.
Collaborate with other contributors to implement your proposed changes or enhancements.
Test and evaluate your contributions to ensure their quality and effectiveness.

Career center

Learners who complete Web Application Technologies and Django will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data analysts are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to identify trends and patterns. They use their findings to make recommendations to businesses on how to improve their operations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a data analyst, including how to use SQL to query databases and how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Database Administrator

Database administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. They ensure that databases are running smoothly and that data is secure. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a database administrator, including how to use SQL to query databases and how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Web Developer

Web developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites. They use their skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create websites that are both visually appealing and functional. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a web developer, including how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Software Engineer

Software engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. They use their skills in programming languages and software development tools to create new applications and improve existing ones. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a software engineer, including how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Engineer

Data engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines. They use their skills in data engineering tools and technologies to move data between different systems and applications. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a data engineer, including how to use SQL to query databases and how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Computer Scientist

Computer scientists research and develop new computer technologies. They use their knowledge of computer science principles to solve problems and create new applications. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a computer scientist, including how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

IT Consultant

IT consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses on how to use technology to improve their operations. They use their knowledge of IT systems and applications to help businesses make informed decisions about technology investments. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become an IT consultant, including how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant

Machine Learning Engineer

Machine learning engineers are responsible for developing and deploying machine learning models. They use their skills in machine learning algorithms and tools to create models that can learn from data and make predictions. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a machine learning engineer, including how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Product Manager

Product managers are responsible for managing the development and launch of new products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketing teams to ensure that products meet the needs of customers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a product manager, including how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Project Manager

Project managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They use their skills in project management tools and techniques to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a project manager, including how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Systems Analyst

Systems analysts are responsible for analyzing and designing computer systems. They use their skills in systems analysis and design techniques to create systems that meet the needs of businesses. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a systems analyst, including how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Technical Writer

Technical writers are responsible for creating documentation for software and hardware products. They use their skills in writing and technical communication to create documentation that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a technical writer, including how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

User Experience Designer

User experience designers are responsible for designing the user interface for websites and applications. They use their skills in human-computer interaction and design to create interfaces that are both visually appealing and easy to use. This course may help you develop the skills you need to become a user experience designer, including how to use HTML and CSS to create web pages.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Business Analyst

Business analysts are responsible for analyzing the business needs of organizations. They use their skills in business analysis techniques to identify and document the requirements for new or improved systems and applications. This course may help you develop the skills you need to become a business analyst, including how to use SQL to query databases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality assurance analysts are responsible for testing software and applications to ensure that they meet the required quality standards. They use their skills in software testing techniques to identify and document defects. This course may help you develop the skills you need to become a quality assurance analyst, including how to use Django to build web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Reading list

We've selected ten 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 Web Application Technologies and Django.

The Definitive Guide to Django

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Comprehensive guide to Django, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics. It great resource for both beginners and experienced Django developers. This book is more of a definitive reference of the latest version of Django, and is useful for people who want to explore advanced topics, such as performance tuning of Django applications.

Web Application Technologies and Django

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Hands-on django web app technologies

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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