Building Web Applications in Django

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/django-build-web-apps

Introduction

# Course Review: Building Web Applications in Django on Coursera Django has emerged as one of the most popular web frameworks for Python developers due to its simplicity, versatility, and robustness. If you're looking to dive into building web applications using this powerful framework, the "Building Web Applications in Django" course on Coursera offers a comprehensive curriculum that guides you through the essential components of Django development. ## Overview The course offers a structured approach to learning how Django interacts with databases using model objects, specifically focusing on Object-Relational Mapping (ORM). It takes a hands-on approach to understanding the intricacies of data modeling, database management, and web application construction, making it ideal for both beginners and those looking to enhance their skills in web development. ### Who Is This Course For? This course is suitable for: - Beginners with a foundational understanding of Python programming. - Intermediate developers looking to expand their web development skills. - Anyone interested in learning about database management and web application design using Django. ## Course Structure The course is divided into several key modules that collectively provide a thorough grounding in Django development: ### 1. Data Models The course kicks off with an introduction to data models, focusing on how to define models in Django. Here, you will learn to build effective data models and explore the administration interface for your applications. Understanding data models is vital, as it is how Django interacts with the underlying database—a crucial skill for any web developer. ### 2. Django Views Moving forward, the course delves into Django views, the backbone of any web application. Views determine what content users see when they visit a page. You'll gain insights into how views function within architecture and how to effectively implement them to create dynamic web pages. ### 3. Django Generic Views In this module, you'll learn about generic views, which simplify many common tasks in web development. The course will guide you through Python Object Orientation—an essential concept for structured programming—and help you extend Django classes to build new view classes, thus enhancing your flexibility as a developer. ### 4. Forms in HTTP and HTML Forms are a critical aspect of web applications, enabling user interaction. In this section, you will learn how to handle GET and POST requests, construct HTML forms, and protect your application against potential threats like Cross-Site Scripting Forgery (CSRF). You'll also understand how to manage browser refreshes effectively after submitting forms. ## Why You Should Take This Course - **Comprehensive Curriculum:** The well-structured syllabus covers both the foundational and advanced concepts necessary for mastering Django. - **Hands-On Approach:** The course emphasizes practical exercises and projects that help reinforce learning. - **Flexibility:** Accessible to anyone with a basic knowledge of Python, this course allows you to learn at your own pace. - **Supportive Community:** Coursera provides access to a global community of learners and instructors, fostering engagement and collaboration. ## Conclusion and Recommendation The "Building Web Applications in Django" course on Coursera is an excellent investment for anyone serious about web development with Python. Its focus on fundamental concepts like data models, views, and forms ensures you gain a solid understanding of the Django framework. Additionally, the hands-on approach ensures you're not just memorizing concepts but actively applying them in real-world scenarios. Whether you are looking to build your first website or enhance your existing skills, I highly recommend enrolling in this course. It's a well-rounded introduction to Django that will leave you empowered to create engaging, data-driven web applications. Get started on your web development journey today!

Syllabus

Data Models

This section explores how we define models in Django and then we build the data models and explore the administration interface for our application. Data models are how Django interacts with the underlying database to store and retrieve data.

Views are the aspect of Django applications that produce the web pages that are shown to our users. Views are one of several core elements of Django applications.

We review Python Object Orientation and look at the generic views capability within Django. We use generic views by extending Django classes to make a new view class.

We cover how GET and POST work, how forms are constructed from HTML, how we protect our applications against Cross-Site Scripting Forgery (CSRF), and how we handle browser refreshes after POST.