djangohelp

Introduction

Welcome to the djangohelp repository! This project is designed to help learners understand the basics of Django, a powerful web framework for Python. Whether you are new to Django or looking to reinforce your skills, this repository provides a hands-on approach to learning.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Python 3.x installed on your machine
• Pip (Python package installer)

Installation

1. Clone the Repository

   git clone https://github.com/5pence/djangohelp.git
   cd djangohelp

2. Create a Virtual Environment

   python -m venv env
   source env/bin/activate   # On Windows, use `env\Scripts\activate`

3. Install Dependencies

   pip install -r requirements.txt

Running the Project

1. Navigate to the Project Directory

   cd mysite

2. Apply Migrations

   python manage.py migrate

3. Run the Server

   python manage.py runserver

   Open your browser and go to http://127.0.0.1:8000/blog to see your Django project in action.

Project Structure

• mysite/ - Main project directory containing settings and configuration files.
• blog/ - Example app directory demonstrating a simple blog application.
• manage.py - Command-line utility for interacting with the project.

Learning Resources

• Django Official Documentation
• Tutorial: Writing your first Django app
• Querysets
• Django Template Language
• Class-based generic views
• Extending the user model
• Also check out the PDF slides at the footer of this doc

Questions I've asked about this

How do I install python

Go here and download and install it:

• Python Download
• Once installed properly check with python3 --version in command line

How do I install git on my local machine

• Git download
• Once installed properly check with git in command line

How do I set up a virtual environment

• Goto directory you want to create one
• On Mac/Linux python3 -m venv my_venv
• On Windows py -m venv my_venv Then:
• On Mac/Linux source my_venv/bin/activate
• On Windows .\my_venv\Scripts\activate The shell/command line prompt will now include your virtual environment (my_venv) name/directory/on/computer:

Now how do I create a Django project

• python3 -m pip install Django You can check with:
• python3 -m django --version And then create the actual project:
• django-admin startproject projectname
• cd projectname
• python3 manage.py migrate
• python3 manage.py runserver It should then tell you where to go in your browser (localhost:8000) usually and show you 'The install worked successfully screen`

How do I do a profile

You extend the Django User model, I show you how here:

I usually name the Django Model as Profile:

from django.db import models
from django.contrib.auth.models import User

class Profile(models.Model):
    user = models.OneToOneField(User, on_delete=models.CASCADE)
    bio = models.TextField(max_length=400, blank=True)
    location = models.CharField(max_length=25, blank=True)

Now define signals so my Profile model will be automatically created and updated when I create/update User instances.

from django.db import models
from django.contrib.auth.models import User
from django.db.models.signals import post_save
from django.dispatch import receiver

class Profile(models.Model):
    user = models.OneToOneField(User, on_delete=models.CASCADE)
    bio = models.TextField(max_length=400, blank=True)
    location = models.CharField(max_length=25, blank=True)

@receiver(post_save, sender=User)
def create_user_profile(sender, instance, created, **kwargs):
    if created:
        Profile.objects.create(user=instance)

@receiver(post_save, sender=User)
def save_user_profile(sender, instance, **kwargs):
    instance.profile.save()

So by hooking the create_user_profile and save_user_profile methods to the User model, whenever a save event occurs. This kind of signal is called post_save.

How to create a 404 page

• How to create Django 404 and 500 page

How to make a ERD diagram

• Write it out and take a photo
• Or use some app
• Or try this - though it can be tricky at times (getting Django + extensions to draw it)
• Django-extensions

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Happy coding! If you have any questions, feel free to open an issue.

Slides from Lecture