Django Web Framework for Python

About this Course

This hands-on overview focuses on the core skills and patterns needed to build maintainable, secure web applications with Django and Python. It pairs concise conceptual explanations with practical examples so you can move from initial project setup to implementing production-ready features. Key areas covered include Django’s application structure and MVT architecture, the ORM for data modeling, URL routing and view design (function- and class-based), template-driven rendering, secure form handling, and deployment best practices.

Learning Outcomes

Architectural foundations

Grasp Django’s Model-View-Template (MVT) approach and how it organizes code for clarity and reuse. Learn to define app boundaries, separate concerns, and keep business logic testable and modular for long-term maintainability.

Data modeling and the ORM

Design expressive models and relationships, run safe migrations, and write efficient queries with Django’s ORM. Learn practical strategies for validation, indexing, and preserving data integrity while reducing common performance pitfalls.

Routing, views, and presentation

Master URL configuration and view patterns so requests are routed to the right handlers. Use function- and class-based views effectively, and build reusable page layouts with Django templates and template inheritance while preventing common XSS vectors.

Forms, validation, and user flows

Implement secure form handling using ModelForms, formsets, and custom validators. Cover essential user flows such as authentication, authorization, CRUD operations, file uploads, and session-aware interactions to create smooth, reliable UX.

Deployment and production readiness

Prepare Django apps for production with practical guidance on static/media handling, secure configuration patterns, caching basics, logging, and recommended strategies for deploying with WSGI/ASGI servers and reverse proxies.

Who Should Use This Guide

Suitable for beginner-to-intermediate developers: those new to web development who need a structured, example-driven introduction to building web apps with Django; Python developers adopting Django idioms and project organization; and experienced practitioners seeking concise refreshers on security, optimization, and customization. Basic Python knowledge is assumed.

Practical Projects & Exercises

• Build a user-authenticated blog to practice models, views, permissions, and template inheritance.
• Create a to-do or contact manager to apply forms, CRUD patterns, validation, and URL design.
• Prototype a minimal e-commerce flow to explore product modeling, order processing, and checkout logic, highlighting transactional integrity and security checks.

Common Pitfalls & Best Practices

• Organize URLs and views: Keep URL patterns clear, favor small focused views, and use class-based views to encapsulate reusable behavior.
• Reuse templates: Leverage template inheritance and include tags to avoid duplication and maintain consistent layouts.
• Secure by default: Validate inputs, use Django helpers (e.g., get_object_or_404), protect secrets, and follow allowed-hosts and CSRF best practices.
• Optimize DB access: Use select_related() and prefetch_related() to reduce queries and profile database access during development.

Why This Guide Helps

The guide emphasizes repeatable patterns—built-in admin, reusable apps, and the ORM—so you can iterate quickly while keeping security and maintainability in focus. Clear examples and exercises make it straightforward to adapt samples into real projects and scale them toward production readiness.

Next Steps

Work through the exercises, adapt sample projects to your own ideas, and use the guide as an on-demand reference during development, testing, and deployment. Pair hands-on practice with the patterns shown here to accelerate productivity with Django.