Learn Django online

Django is a web framework that makes web development in Python easier. Learning it can be a pathway to creating new websites, products, and innovations. Learn how an online Django course can help build your professional skills.

What is Django?

Django is an open-source web framework for Python maintained by the Django Software Foundation. A web framework is software that facilitates, aids, and speeds up the development of websites or web applications by fulfilling common development tasks such as coding generic components. Django is what’s known among programmers as “batteries included,” meaning that Django comes with everything needed to build a website.^{Footnote 1}

Django has a model-view-template (MVT) architecture. Architecture refers to the structure of software, how those elements connect to each other, and the nature of those elements and connections. In the case of Django, MVT architecture allows developers to create a model and a corresponding database table, set up views to interact with the database table, and create a front-end template to display responses to the user.^{Footnote 2}

This process of managing, responding to, and viewing data responses is something that’s employed frequently in web and application development. Learning Django can make performing this particular task, and web development in general, easier and faster.^{Footnote 3}

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Why learn Django?

Developers learn Django because it's fast, simple, secure, and scalable. It also supports both client-side (aka front-end) and server-side (aka back-end) development.^{Footnote 4} All this, in addition to being “batteries included,” can make learning Django a great choice for beginners. Python, which is required for using Django, is a popular programming language that is touted for its accessibility to beginners.

Django was publicly released in 2005, so there are many free and paid resources to develop the skills needed. Someone can learn Django at their own pace using a self-guided Django course. There is also documentation, podcasts, videos, forums, and more, for those concerned about how to learn Django online.

Learn Django with online courses and training

Django has a wide range of applications, so it may complement many different pursuits. Depending on a learner’s interests and experience, they may already be on track to learn Django. For example, someone working toward an online master's in data science can use Django to deploy machine learning algorithms. Alternatively, the curriculum for a bachelor’s in computer science requires studying programming, too. Learners who are interested in a shorter experience may find that boot camps offer more flexibility than traditional programs.

Django course curriculum

Django is a Python-based web framework, so a primary component of any Django curriculum will likely be programming in Python. Additional topics covered in a Django course could include:

Model-View-Template (MVT) architectures
Data models
Defining Class and Instances
User interaction and ModelForms
View methods

How long does it take to learn Django? The answer depends on how much time one has to dedicate to studying. An online Django course may run for five weeks or five months depending on its scope. Learning Django may also be part of a class about learning Python or general web programming, or a basic overview of Python may be part of a class dedicated solely to learning Django.

Explore Django jobs

A career as a programmer and web developer can bring professionals to all kinds of industries and fields. For example, a professional could use Django to improve a music software's ability to recommend music or build applications that help NASA explore space.^{Footnote 5} ^{Footnote 6} Some job postings that may ask for Django experience include:

Machine learning engineer
UI developer
Data scientist
Software engineer
Webmaster
Full-stack web developer
Python developer

How to begin a Django career online

A bachelor’s in computer or data science or a master’s in data science could lead to job opportunities where Python, and therefore Django, would be used. Coding boot camps are another pathway to gaining programming and web development skills. Since learning Django requires understanding Python, the first step to Django developer jobs is often learning Python.

In addition to studying programming, other ways to start a programming career could include internships; programming one’s own applications or building one’s own websites; being active on forums dedicated to programming; writing about programming; teaching programming; entering programming competitions; and more.^{Footnote 7}

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Django FAQ

What is Django used for?

Django makes coding in Python easier and faster by automating commonly performed tasks. Django can be used for both server and client-side development. Since Python is widely used, Django has many applications, ranging from improving the accuracy with which machine learning makes recommendations to helping NASA explore space.

How long does it take to learn Django?

Since learning Django requires understanding Python, how much Python one knows will impact how long it takes to learn Django. In general, a Django course could take roughly five weeks to five months to complete depending on the depth of study and if one follows how many hours the Django course recommends studying every week.

Is Django hard to learn?

Django’s difficulty for individual programmers will likely depend on factors such as programming experience, web development skills, and motivation for the task. Django is used to make Python development easier and faster, so it is important for learners to understand some Python first.

How do I learn Django?

Learning Django can begin with consuming content about Django and Python to get an overview of the basics. Some might find it easier to learn Django by having a robust understanding of Python first, but it is possible to learn Django with only basic Python knowledge and then learn both together. Whatever the route, using Django will require knowing Python.

What are the basics of Django?

Django is a web framework, which is software that aids, facilitates, and speeds up coding (in this case coding in Python). Django has everything someone needs to create a web app or website, which is known by programmers as being “batteries included.” Django is celebrated for its speed, simplicity, security, and scalability.

How are Python and Django related?

Django is used to make coding in Python easier by taking care of tasks one would frequently perform when coding in Python. As a result, Django is often taught in Python classes or general coding boot camps since Django is so often used. Similarly, jobs, where Python is used, may entail using Django as well.

Last updated January 2024