Introduction
Django is an open-source web framework that was released in 2005. It is a high-level Python-based web framework that allows rapid development with clean and pragmatic designs.
Django is popular among developers as it minimizes the hassles of web development with faster implementation due to its built-in components. Moreover, Django is feature-packed with standard web development functionalities such as authentication, content administration, site maps, RSS feeds, and many more.
In addition, Django ensures optimum security by helping developers avoid common security issues such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and clickjacking with its unique user authentication system that provides a secure way of safeguarding user accounts and passwords.
With scalability to meet the heaviest internet traffic demands, Django is one of the most versatile and highly preferred frameworks in companies, organizations, social network platforms, or even scientific computation.
Adding Django to the skill set thus provides an additional boost to the careers of web developers. Therefore, it is highly essential to opt for a value-added certification course to enhance the knowledge and practical expertise to use Django effectively for faster web development.
Related reading: Top 9 Angular Online Courses
Top 10 Django Courses
1. Learning Django – LinkedIn Learning
Learning Django is a beginner-oriented course on LinkedIn Learning. The course covers the essentials for Django concepts for building applications.
The instructors walk through the introductory concepts to build a brand-new Django project, define data models and their relevant fields, query a database, and use the framework’s built-in components such as URL handlers, views, and templates for structuring the back end. In addition, the learners can expect to incorporate CSS and JavaScript for better styling and usability of the Django templates.
Given below is the curriculum of the course:
- Introduction
- Set up a Django Project
- Work with Django Models and Admin
- Build URL Handlers and Views
- Build Django Templates
- Conclusion
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Caleb Smith
Level: Beginner
Video Lectures: 24
User Review: NA
Price: 1 Month Free Trial ($12.5 approximately to buy the course after the trial period ends)
2. Django for Everybody Specialization – Coursera
This Django course is a specialization course offered by the University of Michigan on the Coursera platform. The course is divided into four modules covering HTML, CSS, SQL, Django, JavaScript, jQuery, and JSON web services. During the course, the learners will be exposed to hands-on projects to build online websites using Django, and these projects are taken into consideration for grading purposes throughout the course.
This course forms an excellent foundation to master web application development with other technologies such as PHP, Flask, or Ruby on Rails. For absolute beginners, it is suggested to take the Web Design for Everybody Specialization by the same University before enrolling for this particular course. Here is the complete curriculum of the course:
Module 1: Web application technologies and Django
In this course, the learners will explore the basic structure for building web applications and understand the web browser’s interaction with a web server.
There are introductory concepts on the HTTP request, response cycle, and GET/POST and Redirect. Furthermore, HTML concepts are covered in-depth, including the overall structure of the Django application. Finally, the learners will explore the MVC pattern for web applications and its relation to Django alongside deploying a Django application using services like PythonAnywhere.
Module 2: Building web applications in Django
The second module provides the learners more insights into how Django communicates with databases through model objects. Some of the essential concepts covered are ORM for database access and learning the Django model implementation.
Object-oriented patterns using web development programming languages such as Python are covered comprehensively, including SQL and database modeling and understanding the one-to-many and many-to-many relationships precisely.
The uses of these concepts for SQL and Django models and the functionality of Django console and scripts are covered in-depth to understand how they can be used with the applications and objects interactively.
Module 3: Django features and libraries
In this module, Django-based web application development for end-users is covered. Additionally, critical concepts about cookies, sessions, and the authentication process are provided with a practical approach.
The learners can expect this module to be more practical oriented and understand how navigation can be built for application, and explore ways for overall improvement of the user interface of Django applications.
At first, the learners will understand the basics of developing a simple web application with support for a classified ads-based website and understand the issues and techniques encountered in web development from the developmental phase to production.
Module 4: Using JavaScript, jQuery, and JSON in Django
The final module covers the concepts of JavaScript languages, the support for object-oriented patterns, and the unique aspects of the approach. The learners gain an insight into the jQuery library used for in-browser manipulation of DOM and event handling. There is also an introduction to JSON and its basic syntaxes and concepts on data exchange between codes running on the server and the browser.
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Charles Russell Severance
Level: Intermediate
Video Lectures: 133
User Review: 4.7/5
Price: Free Enrollment (Additional fee may apply for Certificate)
3. Python Django Training and Certification – Edureka
The course can be accessed from the Edureka platform. It is an extensive course designed to gain expertise on Django, REST frameworks, Django Models, Django AJAX, jQuery, and much more. The learners can understand the Django web framework in-depth with the help of real-time use cases and projects. In this course, the learners can opt for instructor-led live online classes divided into different time slots.
This course provides the basics and the advanced concepts on Django using Python scripts, file operations in Python, and databases. In addition, concepts on views, templates, forms, Django models, and REST API in Django are covered with practical examples. Another critical aspect of this course is the provision of lifetime access on enrollment.
The course contents are hereunder:
- Introduction to Python
- Sequences and File Operations
- Deep dive into Functions, Sorting, Errors, and Exceptions, Regular Expressions and Packages
- OOP in Python
- Debugging, Databases, and Project Skeletons
- Introduction to Django Web Framework
- Templates and Forms
- Models and Dynamic Web Pages
- Serialization
- Parsing XML and JSON with Python
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Industry Professional
Level: Intermediate
Video Lectures: NA
User Review: 5/5 (By learners on the platform)
Price: $200 Approximately
4. Full Stack Foundations by AWS – Udacity
This is a free course offered by Amazon’s AWS on Udacity. The course offers the fundamentals of back-end web development and to learn to create a web application. The learners will understand how web applications can be used to query databases for restaurant menus and dynamically general the menus in web pages and API endpoints.
Furthermore, learners can explore how to interact with a database from a web application using the ORM layer and the concepts on GET and POST requests. FLASK framework is introduced in the course alongside other techniques to speed up web development.
The final phase of the course will allow learners to develop their web applications from the ground up with the help of an iterative development process. Although it is a free course, the learners can move to the advanced stages and convert them into a Nanodegree program equivalent to specialization on other platforms. However, there are specific prerequisites for understanding Python, SQL, familiarity with HTML, CSS, and relational databases. The essential components of the course are listed below.
- Working with the CRUD
- Making a Web Server
- Developing with Frameworks like Django and Ruby on Rails
- Iterative Development
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Lorenzo Brown
Level: Intermediate
Video Lectures: NA
User Review: NA
Price: Free
5. Python Django 2021 – Udemy
This is a comprehensive course on web development using Django. It is offered on Udemy and has a strong emphasis on Python programming language.
The course focuses on providing the foundations of Django to core concepts of deployment and on building fully functional websites. In addition, the learners can learn new website features such as messaging other users and adding comments and ratings.
The second phase of the course works on a voting system, messaging and emails, and building an API. By the end of the course, the learners will be well-equipped with the knowledge of building a website from the ground up, hosting a website on a live server, building a review and voting system, designing databases with Django, user registration and authentication, and building REST API and much more.
The course contents are:
- Introduction
- The Basics
- Building our Database
- Create Update Delete (CRUD)
- Static Files and Theme Installation
- Add More Apps
- Authentication
- User Actions
- Search and Pagination
- Review and Messages
- Sending Emails and Password Reset
- Building an API
- Production Preparation and Deployment
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Denis Ivy
Level: Intermediate
Video Lectures: 44
User Review: 4.8/5
Price: $6.5 (Price can vary according to the region)
6. Code School: Digging into Django – Pluralsight
The course is for learners that have some familiarity with the basics of Python and Django. It is available on the Pluralsight platform. This course enables learners to build a fully functioning and scalable web application at the end of the course.
The concepts of templates and inheritance, forms, image uploading, and user authentication are covered. In addition, the course also explores how Ajax is used for creating the “like” button on the website. The course curriculum includes:
- Templates and Inheritance:
- Delving into Grids and Details
- Inspecting Template Inheritance
- Forms:
- Digging up Forms
- Smarter Forms with the MetaClass
- Image Uploads:
- The Image Field
- Users:
- User Model
- User Authentication
- Logging Out
- Ajax:
- Creating a Like Button
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Sarah Holderness
Level: Intermediate
Video Lectures: 10
User Review: 4.8/5
Price: 10-Day Free Trial (Charges apply after the free trial ends)
7. Build Python Web Apps with Django – Codecademy
In this course, the learners will be introduced to the Django framework for enhancing rapid web developmental skills. This course is offered by Codecademy. The learners get exposure to Django models, build user interfaces, and understand building apps from scratch.
Furthermore, the learners can upskill themselves with Python programming skills while working with the Django framework and deploying them successfully. Some of the crucial concepts that are covered in this course are:
- Introduction to the web
- Introduction to Django
- Templates in Django
- Data in Django
- Views
- Forms
- Accounts and Authenticity
- Deploying Django Project
- Build Python Web Apps with Django Capstone Project
Instructor: Industry Professional
Level: Beginner
Video Lectures: NA
User Review: NA
Price: Free Trial (Charges may apply for Certificate)
8. Python and Django Full Stack Web Development Bootcamp – Udemy
This course is available on Udemy. Everything related to web development, including the technologies and web development programming languages, is covered in this course.
The course is designed to provide a complete web development course with front-end technologies like HTML and JavaScript while covering Django basics, Python, and other functionalities of Django components. At the end of the course, the learners will gain expertise in:
- HTML
- CSS3
- jQuery
- Bootstrap 3 and 4
- Documents Object Model
- Python
- Django Fundamentals
- Django Templates
- Django Forms
- Django Admin Customization
- ORM
- Class-Based Views
- REST API
- User Authentication
In addition, the learners will understand the uses of JavaScript to interact with sites on the front-end, use Python programming for coding web applications, implementation of full Models-Views-Templates structure on the site, Django for the back end of the websites, and DOM concepts in detail. The course contents are:
- Introduction
- Front-End
- HTML Level 1 and 2
- CSS Level 1 and 2
- Capstone 1
- Bootstrap Overview
- JavaScript Level 1 and 2
- Document Object Model
- JQuery
- Back-end Introduction
- Python Level 1 and 2
- Django Level 1-5
- Django Deployment
- Advanced Topics- CBVs
- First Clone Project
- Social Media Clone Project
- Debug Toolbar
- Customizing Django Admin
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Jose Portilla
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Video Lectures: 198
User Review: 4.6/5
Price: $6.5 (Price can vary according to the region)
9. Python Django Dev to Deployment – Udemy
This Django course is available on Udemy. The learners can expect to master the core fundamentals of Python and the basic syntax, learn about apps, templates, models, and migration, including admin customization and much more.
This course provides optimal exposure to build practical expertise of working with Django and building applications for real estate using Django framework and Postgresql. Finally, the learners will have a clear idea about building the virtual environments and deploying using Gunicorn and Nginx. Some of the essential components of the course curriculum include:
- Setup
- Python Fundamentals
- Project Specification and Getting Started
- Apps, URLs, and Templates
- Models, Migrations, and Admin
- View Methods, Display, and Search
- Accounts and Authentication
- Contact Inquiries on Website
- Django Deployment
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Brad Traversy
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Video Lectures: 70
User Review: 4.6/5
Price: $6.5 (Price can vary according to the region)
10. Developing Applications with SQL, Databases, and Django – Coursera
IBM offers the course on Coursera. This is one of the top-rated courses on the platform and is also available as part of the IBM full-stack cloud developer course.
In this course, the learners will understand the essentials of application development and accessing and processing data from various databases, either on-premise or the cloud. The learners will also gain insight into how to perform these concepts via programming languages. There is a provision for SQL basics and cloud database fundamentals with hands-on experience.
The learners will learn how to use ORM and OOP languages to work with databases and build complete full-stack Django skills. In Django concepts, the learners will understand how to create Django web apps for persisting, processing, and presenting data.
Finally, the learners will explore the deployment of the Django web app on the cloud platform. The prerequisites of the course include GitHub, HTML and CSS, and Python.
The course curriculum includes:
- Getting Started with SQL and Relational Databases
- ORM: Bridging the Gap between the Real World and Relational Model
- Full Stack Django Development
- Consolidate and Deploy Django App
- Final Project: Enhance Online Course App with New Features
COURSE DETAILS:
Instructor: Yan Luo and Rav Ahuja
Level: Intermediate
Video Lectures: NA
User Review: 4.8/5
Price: Free Enrollment (Additional fee may apply for Certificate)
Essential Information on Django
Now that some of the top courses are listed out, it is helpful to get a head start with the essentials of Django and learn its advantages and disadvantages.
Documentation
One of the most crucial features of Django is the availability of documentation. Although many open-source technologies are prevalent today, each of them does not boast of well-documented information.
The documentation acts as a library for developers wherein every crucial information and function can use the framework efficiently. Django has precise and clear documentation with the provision of acquiring it in multiple languages.
Packaging of the Framework
Python is among the most popular programming languages available today. As Django is written in Python, it is easy to understand and very simple to use. The Django framework is also continuously tested and improved by an active community.
Another vital aspect of Django is the availability of 10,000 Django packages which covers anything that a developer requires to build web applications. The packages include APIs, content management systems, user authentication, form validation, and new functionalities like CAPTCHA protection.
Optimization
In the past few years, SEO has gained prominence to gain more visibility of the content and website. Django can be used for SEO optimization as websites can be maintained with the help of URLs instead of IP addresses on the server. This option ensures that SEO experts add the website to the server more efficiently without developers converting URLs into numerical forms.
MVT Architecture
The MVT architecture of the Django framework is very effective for developers as they can work on the visual aspects and the business logic part of the app individually. Therefore, there is no intervention between two integral parts of the architecture. The layers of the MVT architecture are responsible for different tasks.
As per Django’s official documentation, each model is linked with a single database table. Django models contain essential information of the fields and behavior patterns of the data being stored, and the support for MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and SQLite ensures optimal processing of the data from databases. Besides, the Django layers allow communication via API.
The models contain information about business logic, properties, data manipulation information, and custom methods. As a developer, these models are used to create, read, update and delete data sets in the database, whereas the view is responsible for extracting the data from a model and processing the data in advance or providing access to the templates to a specific set of data.
Advantages of Django
- Django allows the import and implementation of the packages quickly, without the need for additional codes.
- Django reduces the developmental time for web applications with a host of features that are offered.
- With numerous packages like auth package, admin package, sessions package, sitemap package, and Postgres package, Django makes it very simple to include authentication, admin interface, manage sessions and offer Google sitemaps and Postgres features to the web applications.
- Custom web applications can be created with tons of features in Django.
- There is compatibility with major operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- There is a vast community of developers engaged with the improvement of Django.
- Django allows scalability, customization and provides built-in security features for making web applications more secure.
- Creating dynamic pages with Django templates is more efficient than building from scratch.
Disadvantages of Django
- The availability of advanced features in Django may work well for large web applications but might not be feasible for more minor web application requirements.
- Django does not have a provision for handling multiple requests for each process.
- There is much dependability on the ORM system.
- There is a lack of overall optimization. Thus it may slow down websites.
Conclusion
Given the fact that the majority of the businesses are conducted online, web pages or web applications have increased demand. Digitization of business is likely to grow in the next decade; therefore, the demand for web developers is constantly on the rise.
Within a competitive job market, it is essential to keep upgrading as per the trends in the market, especially in the field of web development. Thus, developers are required to upskill themselves to remain competitive in the market.
This is not an easy task as there are endless courses available on the online platform today. It is crucial to opt for value addition in terms of an acceptable industry-recognized certification, including equal exposure to practical and theoretical knowledge. Therefore, this article highlighted some of the top courses for enhancing Django skills to provide a career boost to the next level.
