Intro to Django Live Training

This is the code for the O'Reilly Live Training - Intro to Django presented by Arianne Dee

Note: If you're looking for the project code for a specific date in the past, look for the specific class here

Before the class, please follow these instructions:

1. Install Python
2. Check that Python was installed properly
3. Choose an IDE
4. Download the code
5. Create a virtual environment
6. Install Django
7. Download the resources

Set up instructions

Please complete these steps prior to the course. Email [email protected] if you have any questions.

1. Install Python 3.6 or higher

To install the latest version of Python:

1. Go to https://www.python.org/downloads/
2. Click the yellow button at the top to download the latest version of Python.

On Mac or Linux

Follow the prompts and install using the default settings.

On Windows

The default settings don't add Python to your PATH so your computer doesn't know where to look for it when Python runs (for some inexplicable reason).

If you're just installing Python now

Follow the instructions here: Windows Python installer instructions

If you've already installed Python with the default settings

Follow the instructions here: Add Python to PATH variable in Windows

2. Make sure that Python is properly installed

1. Open the Command Prompt application in Windows or Terminal on Mac or Linux

2. Type python --version and press enter

3. Type python3 --version and press enter

4. One or both of those commands should print a Python version of 3.6 or higher (whichever version you just downloaded). If it doesn't, you have to follow instructions to add Python to your PATH variable.

Note: You can now type just the python or python3 command in Command Prompt or Terminal to run the Python interpreter. You can also run a .py file by running python filename.py

3. Choose an IDE

PyCharm or VS Code are recommended.

For Django development, I recommend using PyCharm Professional Edition (paid). There is a 30-day free trial if you would like to try it out.

In the course I'll be using the free PyCharm Community Edition but will demo a couple of useful features in the professional edition.

Download here either version here: https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/

Install, open, and use the default settings.

4. Download the course files

If you're viewing this on GitHub already, stay on this page. Otherwise, go to the GitHub repository: https://github.com/ariannedee/intro-to-django

If you know git:

Clone the repository.

If you don't know git:

1. Click the green "Code" button at the top-right of the page
2. Click "Download ZIP"
3. Unzip it and move the intro-to-django-main folder to a convenient location

5. Create a virtual environment

1. In your console, navigate to the project folder (if you open the project in PyCharm or VSCode, the Terminal pane should already be located there)
2. Using the python command from step 2, create a virtual environment python -m venv django_venv or python3 -m venv django_venv
3. Activate your virtual environment
   • Mac/Linux: source django_venv/bin/activate
   • PowerShell: venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
   • CommandPrompt: venv\Scripts\activate.bat

If you are new to virtual environments, please watch this video lesson

6. Install Django

Once your virtual environment has been activated, install Django 3 using pip:

• pip install django to install the latest version of Django

OR

• pip install "django>=3.0,<4" to install the latest Django 3 version (once version 4 is released)

7. At the beginning of class, download the resources

When you have signed in to the class, download the PDF files in the Resources widget.

FAQs

Can I use Python 2?

No. Django 3, does not support Python 2 or Python < 3.6.

PyCharm can't find Python 3

On a Mac:

• Go to PyCharm > Preferences

On a PC:

• Go to File > Settings

Once in Settings:

1. Go to Project: intro-to-django > Project Interpreter
2. Look for your Python version in the Project Interpreter dropdown
3. If it's not there, click gear icon > Add...
4. In the new window, select System Interpreter on the left, and then look for the Python version in the dropdown
5. If it's not there, click the ... button and navigate to your Python location
   • To find where Python is located, look in these directories
   • You may have to search the internet for where Python gets installed by default on your operating system

How do I set up my IDE to use Django?

Here are some links to configure your Django project in the following IDEs

• PyCharm Professional

  • My IDE of choice for working in Django

• PyCharm Community

• VS Code

Do you offer private Python help?

Not at the moment, as I am currently taking care of a new human.

If you might be interested in some private training for the future, email [email protected] so that I can inform you when I start taking on new clients.