Part-1
Setting Up Django Project Environment on Windows
Step 1: Install Python
• Why: Django is a Python-based framework. Python must be installed first.
• Where: Web browser
• How:
1. Go to: https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/
2. Download the latest Python version for Windows.
3. During installation, check the box: "Add Python to PATH".
4. Click Install Now.
Step 2: Verify Python Installation
• Where: CMD (Command Prompt) or PowerShell
• How:
bash
python --version
• Why: To check if Python is successfully installed.
Step 3: Install pip (Python Package Manager) (Optional if not auto-installed)
• Where: CMD or PowerShell
• How:
bash
pip --version
• Why: Pip is used to install Django and other packages. Usually, it's installed with
Python.
Step 4: Create a Project Folder
• Where: File Explorer or CMD
• How:
Example using CMD:
bash
mkdir DjangoProjects
cd DjangoProjects
• Why: To keep your Django projects organized.
Step 5: Create a Virtual Environment
• Where: CMD, PowerShell, or VS Code Terminal
• How:
bash
python -m venv env
• Why: Virtual environments keep your project dependencies isolated from global
Python installation.
Step 6: Activate the Virtual Environment
• Where: CMD or PowerShell
• How:
o For CMD:
bash
env\Scripts\activate
o For PowerShell:
powershell
.\env\Scripts\Activate.ps1
• Why: To use the environment where Django will be installed.
Step 7: Install Django
• Where: CMD, PowerShell, or VS Code Terminal (after activation)
• How:
bash
pip install django
• Why: Installs the Django framework into the virtual environment.
Step 8: Verify Django Installation
• Where: Terminal
• How:
bash
django-admin --version
• Why: Confirms Django is installed and ready.
Step 9: Start a Django Project
• Where: Terminal
• How:
bash
django-admin startproject proj1
cd proj1
• Why: Creates a new Django project folder with initial configuration files.
Step 10: Open Project in VS Code
• Where: CMD or PowerShell
• How:
bash
code .
• Why: Opens the current directory in Visual Studio Code.
Step 11: Run Django Development Server
• Where: VS Code Terminal (make sure environment is activated)
• How:
bash
python manage.py runserver
• Why: Starts a local server to test your project in the browser.
• Open your browser and go to: http://127.0.0.1:8000/
Step 12: Create a Django App (Optional but usually next step)
• Where: Terminal in project root folder
• How:
bash
python manage.py startapp gallery
• Why: Apps are components inside a Django project for better code organization.
Part-2
Steps to Set Up a Django Project Using PowerShell and VS Code
1. Create a New Django Project
In PowerShell, run:
powershell
django-admin startproject proj1
2. Open the Project in VS Code
Right-click on the proj1 folder and select "Open with Code"
Or use:
powershell
cd proj1
code .
3. Open the VS Code Terminal
Inside VS Code, press:
nginx
Ctrl + `
(This opens the terminal inside VS Code)
4. Run Initial Django Commands
In VS Code Terminal:
bash
python manage.py makemigrations
python manage.py migrate
Why: These commands prepare your database by applying the initial Django migrations.
5. Create a New App
Run:
bash
python manage.py startapp gallery
Why: This creates a reusable app component named gallery inside your project.
6. Register the App in settings.py
Open proj1/settings.py
Add the app in INSTALLED_APPS like this:
python
INSTALLED_APPS = [
'gallery.apps.GalleryConfig',
]
7. Create Static and Templates Folders
In your root project folder (proj1/), create two new folders:
cpp
static/
templates/
8. Set Static Directory in settings.py
In settings.py, add this:
python
STATICFILES_DIRS = [
BASE_DIR / "static",
]
Why: Tells Django where to look for additional static files (like CSS, JS, images).
9. Set Template Directory in settings.py
Find this block in TEMPLATES section:
python
'DIRS': [],
Replace it with:
python
'DIRS': [BASE_DIR / "templates"],
Why: Tells Django where your HTML template files are located.
10. Project is Now Set Up
You can now start building pages and functionality.
11. Create an index.html Page
Inside the templates/ folder, create a file named:
diff
index.html
You can now write your HTML code in it and render it from views.
Part-3
Continue Django Project Setup – Templates, URLs, Views
1. Create HTML Templates
Inside the templates/ folder, create:
• index.html
• login.html
Add basic HTML to test, e.g.:
html
<!-- index.html -->
<h1>Welcome to Home Page</h1>
html
<!-- login.html -->
<h1>Login Page</h1>
2. Edit Project's urls.py
Open proj1/urls.py and do the following:
Import include:
python
from django.urls import path, include
Update urlpatterns:
python
urlpatterns = [
path('', include('gallery.urls')),
]
Why: This tells Django to look for URLs inside the gallery app.
3. Create urls.py in the App (gallery/)
Create a new file named urls.py inside the gallery app.
Paste the following code:
python
from django.urls import path
from gallery import views # replace 'gallery' with your app name if
different
urlpatterns = [
path('', views.index, name='home'),
path('login', views.login, name='login'),
path('logout', views.logout, name='logout'),
]
Why: This defines URL routes handled by the views in your app.
4. Create View Functions in views.py
Open gallery/views.py and define the following functions:
python
from django.shortcuts import render
def index(request):
return render(request, 'index.html')
def login(request):
return render(request, 'login.html')
def logout(request):
return render(request, 'index.html') # or redirect to login/home as
needed
Why: These views handle requests for each URL and render the corresponding template.
