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Learn Django

Django is a popular framework that streamlines Python-based web development. Learn about this framework and explore online Django courses on edX.

Python is one of the most common coding languages for back-end web development. Yet, a good deal of web developers don't actually code their web application structures from scratch. They instead use frameworks, such as Django, that allow them to focus their coding time on building unique functionality rather than recreating standard tools required for nearly every web app.

Discover Django and grow your back-end web development skills with online programs on edX.

What is Django?

Django is an open-source, Python-based web development framework that developers can use to build apps and websites. This high-level framework prioritizes speed and ease of use, aiming to reduce technical barriers between application ideation and development.

As a Python framework, Django powers back-end functionality, including databases and servers. Many well-known organizations build apps using Django, such as:

  • Instagram
  • Disqus
  • Pinterest
  • OpenStack
  • Open Knowledge Foundation
  • National Geographic

For example, if you think of Python as the material and molds used to form building blocks, Django stacks the building blocks to create the frame for the back-end of a web app.

Django

  • A web development framework written in Python.
  • Used to build the back-end of apps with less coding from scratch.
  • Consists of prewritten code that accomplishes tasks like data storage.

Python

  • A general-purpose programming language.
  • Powers many application frameworks, including Django.
  • Typically requires more coding from scratch without frameworks or libraries.

Should you learn Django?

  • Easy for Python users: If you already have a solid understanding of Python, learning Django is relatively straightforward.
  • Transferable skill: A broad range of organizations use Django in their web applications, allowing you to pursue Django-related web development roles across industries.
  • In-demand skill: Because so many organizations use Django, learning it may make you a more qualified, sought-after candidate.
  • Suitable for many projects: Django offers features that developers can apply across a range of projects, including social media apps and e-commerce sites.
  • Reduces coding time: One of Django's main goals is to minimize the time between application ideation and launch.

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What's covered in Django programs?

Online Django courses can provide the knowledge you need to understand Django, its capabilities, and its uses. If you want to master the framework and gain the ability to develop projects independently, consider edX's Professional Certificate programs, which offer a more comprehensive overview of web development with Django.

In these online Django programs, you can learn how to:

  • Create the structure of a web application
  • Build data models
  • Interact with SQL databases
  • Implement object-relational mapping (ORM)

Skills learned in Django classes

Django courses offer many technical and nontechnical professional skills that you can bring with you to the workplace, including:

Soft skills

Hard skills


Which careers use Django?

Web developers

Web developers build and maintain online, browser-accessible applications. They use Django to communicate with servers, supporting tasks such as data collection, data management, user authentication, and permissions.

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) median annual salary (2024): $95,380
  • Job outlook (2024-34): +7%
  • Recommended education: Bachelor's degree

Where do you start learning Django?

1. Learn Python

Django is a Python framework, so you need to have an understanding of the language before you can start using Django. You can start learning Python with edX's online courses, which offer structured instruction for beginners.

Need more guidance on your Python journey? Audit an edX online course or upgrade to earn a verified certificate that demonstrates your Python proficiency.

2. Create a project in Django

Because Django requires less from-scratch coding, many people can learn to use it through hands-on experimentation. As a result, you'll need to establish a basic Django project very early in the learning process. This involves generating code for the project structure and bootstrapping it into a Django project.

3. Understand data management tools in Django

One of the features that makes Django so useful for software developers is its ORM tool. ORMs allow you to design database models in Python code, reducing the amount of from-scratch coding required for a new project. You can then run the Django command-line tools, which automatically create database tables.

4. Develop applications for your project

Once you've created a project and understand how it works within the framework, you can begin developing applications. Applications are the various components that you can add to a project to expand its functionality. This step involves coding new features and building out the project's capabilities over time.

As you continue to add new functionalities to your Django project, you can then refine and expand your data models, add applications, and develop new views, which are essentially web pages.

5. Test your applications

A crucial and continuous step in the Django learning process is testing the results of your applications. These tests highlight errors, allowing you to proactively fix them before introducing new, external users. The more tests you run, the better understanding you'll have of how your project functions.

Learn Django with edX

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Frequently asked questions

What is Django mostly used for?

Django is mostly used to develop the back-end of web applications. It is a Python framework that allows users to create projects and add functionalities without having to code an entire back-end from scratch.

How long does it take to learn Django?

The time it takes to learn Django depends on your goals and experience with Python. On edX, introductory Django courses can take 2 to 6 weeks to complete, while professional certificate programs that cover Django alongside Python and web development concepts may take 8 to 12 weeks. Building proficiency typically involves completing coursework and applying your skills through hands-on projects.

Is Django used for front-end or back-end development?

Django is mostly used for back-end development, specifically for web-based applications. While it does offer some basic front-end development capabilities, it's better suited for back-end functions and data management than for front-end tasks such as user experience.

Will AI replace Django developers?

AI is unlikely to replace Django developers. While AI can assist in writing code and problem-solving, developers are still necessary to design, organize, and maintain applications. AI is more commonly used as a support tool rather than a replacement.

What is the difference between Python and Django?

Python is a programming language, while Django is a web development framework written in Python. Django is not a language; it is a tool that helps streamline the development of web applications using Python.