■ Django Basics – Complete Detailed Notes
1. Introduction to Django
----------------------------
Django is a high-level Python web framework that encourages rapid development, clean design,
and strong security.
It is widely used to create dynamic and scalable web applications.
Key Features:
- MTV (Model–Template–View) architecture.
- Built-in Admin Panel for managing database objects.
- ORM (Object Relational Mapper) for database operations using Python instead of SQL.
- Security: CSRF protection, SQL injection prevention, authentication system.
- Scalability: used by companies like Instagram, Pinterest.
2. Installing Python and Django
--------------------------------
Step 1: Install Python
> python --version
Download from: python.org
Step 2: Install Virtual Environment (isolates dependencies per project)
> python -m venv myenv
Activate:
On Windows: myenv\Scripts\activate
On Mac/Linux: source myenv/bin/activate
Step 3: Install Django
> pip install django
Verify installation:
> django-admin --version
3. Setting up a Project in Editor (VS Code Recommended)
--------------------------------------------------------
- Install VS Code.
- Install extensions: Python, Django (for syntax highlighting).
- Open your project folder in VS Code.
- Use integrated terminal for Django commands.
4. Projects and Apps Overview
-------------------------------
- Project: The entire website configuration (settings, database, URLs).
- App: A component/module inside project that handles specific tasks.
Analogy:
Project = College, Apps = Departments (CSE, Mechanical, Civil)
5. Project Structure
---------------------
After: django-admin startproject myproject
myproject/
manage.py
myproject/
__init__.py
settings.py
urls.py
asgi.py
wsgi.py
File Roles:
- manage.py → Command-line tool to manage/run project.
- __init__.py → Marks folder as Python package.
- settings.py → Configurations (DB, apps, middleware, security).
- urls.py → URL routing system.
- asgi.py/wsgi.py → Deployment entry points.
6. Creating Your First Project
-------------------------------
Commands:
> django-admin startproject myproject
> cd myproject
> python manage.py runserver
Visit: http://127.0.0.1:8000/ → Django Welcome Page (rocket ■).
7. Django-admin & manage.py Commands
-------------------------------------
Common django-admin commands:
- startproject projectname → Creates project.
- help → Shows available commands.
Common manage.py commands:
- runserver → Runs development server.
- startapp appname → Creates a new app.
- makemigrations → Prepares DB changes.
- migrate → Applies DB changes.
- createsuperuser → Create admin user.
- shell → Opens Python shell with Django loaded.
8. App Structure
-----------------
After: python manage.py startapp home
home/
admin.py
apps.py
migrations/
__init__.py
models.py
tests.py
views.py
File Roles:
- admin.py → Register models for admin panel.
- apps.py → App configuration.
- migrations/ → Database migration files.
- models.py → Database structure via Python classes.
- tests.py → Unit tests.
- views.py → Business logic (request → response).
9. Creating an App (Step-by-Step)
---------------------------------
1. Create app:
> python manage.py startapp home
2. Register app in settings.py → INSTALLED_APPS.
3. Define a view in home/views.py:
from django.http import HttpResponse
def index(request):
return HttpResponse("Hello Shekhar! Welcome to Django ■")
4. Create home/urls.py and connect:
from django.urls import path
from . import views
urlpatterns = [ path('', views.index, name='index'), ]
5. Connect in project urls.py:
from django.urls import path, include
urlpatterns = [
path('admin/', admin.site.urls),
path('', include('home.urls')),
]
Run server → http://127.0.0.1:8000/ → Output: Hello Shekhar!
10. Views in Django
---------------------
A view is a Python function or class that takes a request and returns a response.
Example:
from django.http import HttpResponse
def home(request):
return HttpResponse("Hello World!")
11. Mapping Views to URLs
---------------------------
Project urls.py:
from django.urls import path
from myApp import views
urlpatterns = [ path('', views.home, name='home') ]
12. Views with Logic
----------------------
Example:
def add_numbers(request):
x, y = 5, 10
return HttpResponse(f"Sum = {x+y}")
URL:
path('add/', views.add_numbers)
13. HTTP Requests in Django
-----------------------------
request.method → GET/POST
request.GET → Query params (?name=Shekhar)
request.POST → Form data
Example:
def greet(request):
name = request.GET.get('name', 'Guest')
return HttpResponse(f"Hello {name}!")
URL:
path('greet/', views.greet)
14. Responses in Django
-------------------------
- HttpResponse: Plain text/HTML response.
- JsonResponse: JSON data for APIs.
Example:
def api_data(request):
return JsonResponse({"id": 1, "name": "Shekhar"})
15. Dynamic URLs & Params
---------------------------
Example:
def user_profile(request, user_id):
return HttpResponse(f"User ID: {user_id}")
URL:
path('user//', views.user_profile)
Types of Converters:
- int → integer
- str → string
- slug → slug format
- path → full path
16. Regular Expressions in URLs
--------------------------------
Use re_path for regex based matching.
Example:
re_path(r'^articles/(?P[0-9]{4})/$', views.article)
17. Error Handling
-------------------
Custom error pages:
def page_not_found(request, exception):
return render(request, '404.html', status=404)
def server_error(request):
return render(request, '500.html', status=500)
urls.py:
handler404 = 'myApp.views.page_not_found'
handler500 = 'myApp.views.server_error'
18. Assignment Implementation
-------------------------------
View with Query Params:
URL: /info/?name=Ajay&age;=22&city;=Delhi
Output: "Hello, my name is Ajay. I am 22 years old and live in Delhi."
Regex Based View:
URL: /product/mobile123/
Output: "You requested product mobile with ID 123"
Regex ensures product_name = alphabets, product_id = digits.
■ Summary
Views = Functions/classes → responses
URLs = Map paths to views
Requests = method + data
Responses = text, HTML, JSON
Params = dynamic or ?query=params
Regex = advanced URL matching
Error Handling = custom 404/500
