Explore the world of Django, a popular Python web framework that streamlines web development and opens doors to careers such as Web Developer, Full Stack Developer, and Data Scientist. Discover the benefits, challenges, and learning resources for Django, plus how it compares to other frameworks like JavaScript and Flask.
Key Insights
- Django is a Python web framework used for rapid, efficient, and secure development of websites and web applications, emphasizing reusable components to save time.
- Django can be utilized in various fields like web development and data science, enabling the creation of diverse websites including news sites, social media platforms, and more.
- Learning Django requires a solid understanding of Python programming fundamentals, and students new to coding are advised to start with HTML and CSS.
- Compared to other frameworks, JavaScript is generally considered easier to learn than Python, and Flask, another Python web framework, is often used for smaller-scale websites.
- Knowledge of Django can lead to career opportunities as Web Developers, Full Stack Developers, Data Scientists, and more, as it enhances efficiency in web development workflows.
- Noble Desktop offers hands-on training courses for Django, including the Software Engineering Bootcamp and Python Developer Certificate, to help students apply theoretical concepts to real-world projects.
Are you curious about learning Django but worried it might be too hard? Of course, the difficulty that comes with learning a new skill is somewhat subjective. The challenges of learning Django depend on factors like whether you know another programming language, have existing Python coding experience, and how you intend to use Django (for example, data science uses differ from Django web development uses).
No matter your current schedule or comfort level with Django, plenty of tools are available to help make learning more manageable than you might think.
What is Django?
Django is a popular, open-source Python web framework used to rapidly, efficiently, and securely develop websites and web applications. Django began in 2003 as a way for developers Adrian Holovaty and Simon Willison to quickly build Lawrence Journal-World’s multiple news sites, constantly churning out new content for various communities. Since the public first gained access to Django in 2005, developers worldwide have made use of this free framework and contributed to its advancement. Today, Django improvements are managed by the nonprofit Django Software Foundation.
Django streamlines the web development process by emphasizing reusable components. These components eliminate the need for developers to manually enter the same code repeatedly. The time Django saves developers empowers web development teams to increase scalability, meet deadlines, and build multiple websites and web applications in quick succession.
Read more about what Django is and why you should learn it.
What Can You Do with Django?
Wondering what you can do with Django? Django has numerous use cases for web development, data science, and more. Django can build all sorts of websites, including a Content Management System (CMS), news site, social media platform, and more.
Python objects called models allow Django web applications to query and manage data. Django’s simple query API allows the associated database to be searched, enabling complex statements.
Django’s template systems allow developers to define an output document’s structure. It delivers content in nearly any format, including RSS feeds, HTML, XML, and JSON. Django supports its native templating system, the Jinja2 Python library out of the box, and can also be modified to support other systems.
Other things you can do with Django include:
- Collecting user data with HTML forms
- Manage a user permission and authentication system
- Create an administration site
- Serialize data
What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Django?
Django requires certain prerequisites to begin learning. You must first have a firm handle on the basics of Python programming. Django is a Python web framework and cannot be understood without first understanding the fundamentals of the Python programming language. And before learning Python, students would benefit from gaining experience in another programming language.
For this reason, students new to coding may wish to begin by learning HTML and CSS. If you intend to learn Django for web development, HTML and CSS are essential skills to become a Web Developer. Knowing these programming languages also provides a sturdy foundation for learning Python. After learning HTML and CSS, you should master the fundamentals of Python coding. Once you understand Python coding basics, you can advance to learning Django and other Python frameworks.
Even experienced coders, however, may find learning Django a challenge. Taking an instructor-led course such as an in-person Django class or live online class ensures you have a mentor to explain key concepts, answer your questions, and assist with hands-on learning assignments.
How Does Learning Django Compare to Other Frameworks?
Web Developers use Python to build websites and web applications. JavaScript is another essential programming language for Web Developers to know. Web Developers use JavaScript to create and maintain dynamic website content, for example, animated graphics. Noble Desktop teaches several JavaScript frameworks, including React and Node.js. React is a front end JavaScript library maintained by Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram. Developers use React to build user interfaces. Node.js is a back end JavaScript runtime used for building scalable network applications.
JavaScript is generally considered easier to learn than Python. Aspiring Web Developers often learn both of these coding languages. You can learn more about JavaScript and its frameworks with Noble Desktop’s JavaScript Learning Hub.
Flask is another Python web framework and a popular Django alternative. Django uses a Monolithic workstyle, while Flash involves a diversified workstyle. Flask also supports APIs, while Django cannot. Another key difference is that flask is a WSGI framework compared to Django, which is a full stack web framework. Developers primarily use Flask to build smaller-scale websites.
If you intend to learn multiple web development languages or multiple Python frameworks, you can save money by enrolling in a certificate course covering all the skills you wish to learn. Noble Desktop’s Full Stack Web Development Certificate program, for example, covers multiple web development languages and tools. Read more about web development with Noble’s Web Development Learning Hub.
What Makes Learning Django Worthwhile
Although there are challenges with learning Django, knowledge of this Python web framework can open doors to starting a new career or advancing your current one. Web Developers, Full Stack Developers, Data Scientists, and more use Django regularly. Django was initially designed for building multiple websites and web applications rapidly and securely. This greatly improves the web development workflow, increasing personal and team efficiency.
Learn Django with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop
Learning Django not only requires learning the principles and applications of this framework but applying those concepts to real-world, hands-on projects. In-person and live online Django classes provide the opportunity to put theory into practice. Courses led by an instructor also grant you direct access to an expert that can help you overcome obstacles, answer your questions, and provide mentorship as you develop your Django skills.
You can learn Django with Noble Desktop’s hands-on training options like the Software Engineering Bootcamp, Python Developer Certificate, the Python Django Development course, and other Python classes and bootcamps.
The Software Engineering and Python Developer certificate programs teach Django as part of a broader curriculum. The Software Engineering Certificate prepares students to become Full Stack Developers or Software Engineers with sections dedicated to front end development, JavaScript development, and Python development with Django. The Python Developer Certificate teaches beginners to use Django, Django REST, Git, SQL, and more.
Students already familiar with Python but wishing for a deeper dive into Django can enroll in the Python Django Development course. This class covers the fundamentals of Django and how to use Django REST, which is used to build web APIs.
Noble’s small class sizes ensure you receive personal feedback from your instructor. Courses include free retakes and offer flexible payment plans so you can finance your new career without paying the full tuition upfront. Certificate courses also include one-on-one mentorship and the creation of professional portfolios to help you find a job in your new field.
