What is Django?

Definition

Django is a free, open-source Python web framework that follows the model-template-view (MTV) architectural pattern. Created in 2003 and publicly released in 2005, it was designed to help developers build complex, database-driven websites quickly.

Django's motto is "The web framework for perfectionists with deadlines." It provides nearly everything needed for web development out of the box: ORM, authentication, admin interface, form handling, and more.

Key Features

• ORM (Object-Relational Mapper): Define database models in Python and interact with databases without writing SQL.
• Admin interface: Automatic, production-ready admin panel for managing application data.
• Authentication system: Built-in user authentication with permissions, groups, and session management.
• URL routing: Clean, elegant URL configuration with regular expressions or path converters.
• Template engine: Built-in template language for generating HTML with inheritance and filters.
• Security: Protection against CSRF, XSS, SQL injection, and clickjacking by default.
• Migrations: Database schema versioning and migration system.

When to Use Django

Django is ideal for:

• Full-stack web applications: When you need server-rendered pages alongside APIs.
• Content management systems: The admin interface makes content management straightforward.
• E-commerce platforms: Robust security and ORM handle complex data relationships well.
• Rapid MVP development: Batteries-included approach speeds up initial development significantly.
• Projects requiring authentication: Built-in auth system saves considerable development time.

For pure API backends or microservices, consider FastAPI for better async performance and lighter footprint.

Code Example

# models.py
from django.db import models

class Article(models.Model):
    title = models.CharField(max_length=200)
    content = models.TextField()
    published = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)

    def __str__(self):
        return self.title

# views.py
from django.http import JsonResponse
from .models import Article

def article_list(request):
    articles = Article.objects.all().values('title', 'published')
    return JsonResponse(list(articles), safe=False)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Django still relevant?

Absolutely. Django powers major platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Disqus. It continues to evolve with async support (Django 4.1+), improved type hints, and a vibrant ecosystem. For full-stack web development in Python, Django remains the go-to choice.

Can Django be used for APIs only?

Yes, with Django REST Framework (DRF), Django becomes a powerful API-only backend. DRF adds serialization, viewsets, authentication, and browsable API features. However, for pure API projects, FastAPI may offer better performance and developer experience.