Definition of a “web framework”

A “framework” is a set of tools that helps you to achieve a task easily and quickly without too much hassle. A “web framework” is then a framework that allows a developer to build websites and web apps iteratively and quickly without needing to re-create everything from the beginning. For example, when you are developing a web app with a login page for users, you need to go through some steps, but with Django it is straight. Login and users functionalities are already built with it.

Why do I need to use a web framework?

First of all, you must know that you are not obliged to use a web framework in order to build your website or web app. You can develop what you want and the way you want. You can choose to start from scratch, you are free. But developing with a framework will save you a lot of time and is iterative.

What is Django Framework?

Django is a high-level Python Web Framework that helps to make a clean development with a pragmatic design. It is free and open source. It has been built by experienced developers so you won’t encounter any problem when writing your app.

Django helps developers to not make common security mistakes when developing. It is the fastest framework we have ever used and it helps us a lot in many of our apps at Razor Theory.
Django has a lot of built-in functionalities for registration, sessions, security, forms, users and others. In addition it is very easy to learn.

How to install Django and start development?

You have got three options for the installation of Django. They are all easy. So you can try to:

• Install an official release, which is good for users who want a stable version and don’t care if it is old or not
• Install the latest development version, which is the best choice for users who want the last features
• Install a version provided by the operating system you are using. It is a simple and fast option for those who has OS that distribute Django.

How to verify Django is installed?

You have to verify if Django can be seen by Python. You just have to type “python” from your shell. Then try to import Django at the Python prompt.

Django Web application tools

Django offers a set of tools needed to develop web applications:

• Authentication

• Caching

• Data validation
• Logging
• Messages framework
• Pagination
• Sending emails
• Sessions
• Sitemaps
• Serialization
• Static files management
• Syndication feeds

Django is really powerful and is free. It is written in Python and uses the model MVC which is a way to break an app into three parts: the model, the view and the controller. It is open source and even used by Google. So if you didn’t have an idea of the power of this framework now I think you do. We used it to build many websites and web app at Razor Theory and we recommend it to every developer who want to save time and work more by writing less.