Weekend Workshop: Django core fundamentals

ABOUT

Django, the web framework for perfectionists with deadlines, is a high-level Python web framework that takes the hassle out of web development by providing a set of robust tools for building secure, scalable, and maintainable applications. This hands-on workshop will guide you through the core concepts of Django, demystifying its components and showing you how to use them to create powerful web applications.

From models and views to templates and forms, you'll learn how Django’s architecture fits together, and how to leverage its features to handle everything from user input to database interactions. By the end, you’ll understand not just how to use Django, but how it helps developers write clean, efficient, and reusable code.

### What we will cover

Getting Started with Django

- When to use Django and how it compares to other web frameworks

- Setting up a Django development environment.

- Creating your first Django project and app.

- Understanding the structure of a Django project.

The Django MVT Architecture

- Models: Defining your data structure and working with Django's ORM.

- Views: Writing functions to process user requests and return responses.

- Templates: Building dynamic HTML pages with Django’s templating engine.

Connecting to a Database

- Fundamental mechanisms of how Django interacts with a database

- Using migrations to manage schema changes over time.

- Querying and updating the database using Django’s ORM.

Handling User Input with Forms

- Building and validating forms in Django.

- Handling form submissions and processing user data securely.

- Creating custom form fields and validators.

Routing and URLs

- Mapping URLs to views using Django’s URL dispatcher.

- Using dynamic URLs to handle parameters and route flexibility.

Static Files and Media

- Managing static assets like CSS, JavaScript, and images.

- Handling user-uploaded files with Django’s media handling features.

Authentication and Authorization

- Setting up user authentication with Django’s built-in system.

- Managing user accounts, login/logout functionality, and permissions.

Django Admin Interface

- Using the Django admin to manage data and app configuration.

- Customizing the admin interface for better usability.

Best Practices in Django

- Writing clean, reusable code with Django apps.

- Structuring your projects for scalability and maintainability.

- Debugging common issues and understanding Django’s error messages.

### Who is this for

- Python developers who are new to web development and want to learn Django.

- Developers with some experience in web development who want to add Django to their toolkit.

- Anyone looking for a structured, practical introduction to Django’s core features.

### What to expect

This workshop is hands-on and interactive, with guided examples and exercises to reinforce learning. By the end of the session, you’ll have built a small but complete Django application, gaining the confidence and knowledge to start creating your own projects.