What Is Django?
What Django Is and How It Works
Django is a free, open-source web framework for building websites and web applications in Python. A web framework is a collection of ready-made parts, such as URL routing, database access, templates and user accounts, so developers do not have to build those basics from scratch.
Django follows a “batteries included” approach. Most common needs are covered by the framework itself, and its documentation describes one consistent way to organise a project. That consistency is one reason teams use it for sites that grow over time.
Built-in Components Developers Use Most
- Object-relational mapper (ORM): lets developers describe data as Python classes, which Django turns into database tables and queries. The ORM supports several database engines, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB and SQLite.
- Admin interface: a management panel generated from the data models, so staff can add and edit records without custom screens.
- Authentication: user accounts, passwords, login sessions and permission checks.
- Templates and forms: an HTML template language and tools for validating form input.
- Security defaults: protection against common threats such as cross-site request forgery and SQL injection, provided the ORM is used as intended.
How a Django Request Is Handled
Django maps each incoming URL to a view, which is a Python function or class that handles the request. The view can read or change data through models, which represent database tables, and then returns a response, often an HTML page built from a template.
The pattern is similar to model-view-controller, although Django names the parts model, template and view. The general idea is explained in how MVC architecture works.
A Typical Use Case: A Members-Only Site
Imagine a small association that wants a website with a public news section, member logins and a page where members can download documents. Django covers most of this without extra code: the user model handles logins, the admin lets staff publish news and upload documents, and templates generate the public pages.
The project also needs a host that can run Python. Django does not behave like a simple PHP script. It needs a Python environment, an application server such as Gunicorn behind a web server, and a database, so shared plans that only run PHP are usually not suitable.
Frequently asked questions
Does Django Need a Special Kind of Web Host?
Yes, in most cases. Django needs a supported Python version, a way to run a long-lived process that serves requests, a database, and the ability to install Python packages in an isolated environment. A plan that only serves static files or runs PHP will not run a Django project as it is.
Is Django the Same as Flask?
No. Both are Python web frameworks, but Django is a full-stack framework that includes an ORM, an admin panel and authentication. Flask is a microframework that provides routing and leaves other components to add-on packages. The trade-offs are covered in Django vs Flask.
Do I Need to Know Python to Use Django?
Yes. Django applications are written in Python, so basic knowledge of the language is required. Working with Django templates also requires some familiarity with HTML. Developers new to programming usually learn Python first and then the framework's conventions.