Welcome developers, those starting their coding journey and those more experienced. Today, we explore one of the most streamlined and effective Python frameworks — Django. As we delve deeper into the world of Django Python, we’ll unravel its ties to game development, making it both a fun and advantageous framework to learn.
Table of contents
What is Django Python?
Django is an open-source web application framework written in Python. It follows the Model-View-Control (MVC) architectural pattern and emphasizes the DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) principle, promoting code reusability with less code.
Primarily, Django is used for building high-performing, elegant web applications. However, it’s not limited to web development. Django’s applicability spans even to game development, offering tools for making simple browser-based games.
Why learn Django Python?
The power of Django lies in its simplicity and scalability. Learning Django Python not only enhances your Python skills, it also opens doors to diverse projects, ranging from website creation to game development. Whether you’re an entrepreneur aiming to build your own game or seasoned developer looking to scale your skills, Django offers a robust and efficient platform to realize these goals.
Additionally, with Python ranking as one of the most popular programming languages, knowledge of Django, a framework written in Python, is not just beneficial, it’s a smart career move.
That’s a peek at what Django Python is all about. Next, we’re going to dive into a hands-on coding tutorial, demonstrating easy yet exciting examples for you to get your teeth into. Buckle up, because the world of Django awaits. Stay tuned!
Getting Started with Django
Before delving into examples, we must ensure Django is installed in your Python environment. To install Django, open your terminal and run the following command:
pip install Django
Creating Your First Django Project
Upon successful installation, you can now create your first Django project. Use the below command to create a project named mysite:
django-admin startproject mysite
Running the Development Server
Once the project setup is complete, navigate into your new project directory and start the development server:
cd mysite python manage.py runserver
This will start your Django server, and you should be able to view your site at http://127.0.0.1:8000/
Creating an Application
Django projects can contain multiple applications. Let’s create our first application named blog:
python manage.py startapp blog
Defining Models
Models in Django act as the single source of truth for your data. Let’s start by creating a BlogPost model:
from django.db import models
class BlogPost(models.Model):
title = models.CharField(max_length=200)
content = models.TextField()
def __str__(self):
return self.titleCreating Views
Views in Django are responsible for processing a request and producing a response. Let’s create a view to display our blog post:
from django.http import HttpResponse
from .models import BlogPost
def blogpost(request):
blogposts = BlogPost.objects.all()
output = ', '.join([post.title for post in blogposts])
return HttpResponse(output)Stay tuned for the third part of this tutorial, where we will continue learning, exploring URL mapping and templates usage in Django.
URL Mapping
After creating our blogpost view, it’s time to map it to a URL. Django uses URLconfs (URL configurations), which is a URL mapping mechanism. Let’s create a URLconf within our blog app:
from django.urls import path
from . import views
urlpatterns = [
path('blogposts/', views.blogpost, name='blogpost'),
]Include Blog URLconf in the Project URLconf
Next, we’ll point the root URLconf towards our blog URLconf. We’ll open mysite/urls.py and add an import for django.urls.include, insert it into the urlpatterns list, so you have:
from django.contrib import admin
from django.urls import include, path
urlpatterns = [
path('blog/', include('blog.urls')),
path('admin/', admin.site.urls),
]Database Migrations
Next, we run database migrations. Django comes with a built-in migrations system that tracks the changes made to your models and allows you to propagate these changes into your database schema.
python manage.py makemigrations blog
python manage.py migrate
Using Templates
Django allows you to separate content from presentation by using templates. Let’s edit our view to use a template:
from django.shortcuts import render
from .models import BlogPost
def blogpost(request):
blogposts = BlogPost.objects.all()
return render(request, 'blog/blogpost.html', {'blogposts': blogposts})Creating Templates
Finally, let’s create a template for our blog posts. In your blog application directory, create a templates directory. Inside templates, create another directory named blog, and inside it create a blogpost.html file:
// Inside blogpost.html
<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Blog</title>
</head>
<body>
<h2>Our Blogposts</h2>
{% for blogpost in blogposts %}
<h4>{{ blogpost.title }}</h4>
<p>{{ blogpost.content }}</p>
{% endfor %}
</body>
</html>Now, all the components of your Django application are in place. In the fourth part of this tutorial, we will explore how to create Admin interfaces, forms, and deploy the project.
Where to Go Next?
With the Django knowledge that you have gained so far, you are well on your way to becoming a proficient web and game developer. However, a programmer’s journey never truly ends – there’s always more to learn!
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This comprehensive program is suitable for beginners and experienced programmers alike, offering flexible learning options that cater to various learning styles. Furthermore, Python skills are highly coveted in the job market, especially in fields like data science. By mastering Python, you pave the way for a myriad of career opportunities.
Our courses are routinely updated to keep pace with the dynamic landscape of the tech industry. By joining Zenva, you get the opportunity to alter your career trajectory, land your dream job, or even start your own coding venture.
We also have a broader collection of Python courses that provide specialized content for learners who have already mastered the basics and wish to delve deeper.
Conclusion
Django, with its robust and scalable nature, solidifies your role as a web and game developer. From crafting high-functioning websites to constructing engaging games, Django spells possibilities galore, and with Python at its core, this potent blend of usability and versatility is tough to ignore.
At Zenva, we’re eager to help you make the most of these possibilities. Whether you’re just starting off or nurturing a seasoned coding expertise, our comprehensive courses, such as the Python Mini-Degree, cater to your learning needs. Kickstart your Django journey now, and let’s conquer the horizon of game and web development together!
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