Jeff Forcier - Python Web development with Django (Covers Django 1.0)

Jeff Forcier
Paul Bissex
Wesley Chun

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Forcier, Jeff, 1982
Python web development with Django / Jeff Forcier, Paul Bissex, Wesley Chun.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN-10: 0-13-235613-9 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-235613-8 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Web site development. 2. Django (Electronic resource) 3. Python (Computer program language) 4. Web sitesAuthoring programs. I. Bissex, Paul. II. Chun, Wesley. III. Title.
TK5105.8885.D54F68 2009
006.76dc22
2008037134

Copyright 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.

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ISBN-13: 978-0-13-235613-8
ISBN-10: 0-13-235613-9

Text printed in the United States on recycled paper at RR Donnelley in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

First printing October 2008

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To Brian Levine, for introducing me to Python, a small thing that has made a big difference. To my parents, for allowing me to monopolize the family computer while growing up. And to my wife, for her loving support and understanding.

Jeff Forcier

To my late father Henry, who taught me to tinker; to my mother Glenda, who taught me to write; and to my wife Kathleen, a brilliant star in my life.

Paul Bissex

To my wonderful children, Leanna Xin-Yi and Daylen Xin-Zhi, for whom Ive had to develop multiple pairs of eyes with which to keep watch over, and who are miraculously able to temporarily transport me back in time to remind me of what childhood and its amazing wonders were like.

Wesley Chun

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Greetings, and welcome to Django! Were glad to have you along on our journey. You will discover a powerful Web application framework that lets you do everything rapidlyfrom designing and developing the original application to updating its features and functionality without requiring major changes to the codebase.

Several Django books are already on the market, but ours differs from most in that we focus equally on three areas: Django basics, a variety of example applications, and advanced Django topics. Our intent is to make this the most well-rounded book on the subject, one you find useful regardless of background, and which will give you a complete picture of the framework and what you can do with it.

In , you see recommended starting points for your reading depending on your Python and Django experience. Of course, we recommend a cover-to-cover treatment, but the diagram will help if time is not on your side. Regardless of your experience, you are always welcome to look at the applications because reading and studying code is one of the best ways to learn. We also provide this chapter-by-chapter reading guide to further help direct you to where you need to read.

Figure 0.1. Suggested reading guide based on your Python and/or Django experience

, Starting Out, even to advanced readers.

This chapter is an introduction for readers who are new to Python. In one comprehensive chapter, we show you not only the syntax, but also go a bit more in-depth and expose you to Pythons memory model and data types, especially constructs commonly used in Django.

This is a chapter for those who want to skip any Python introduction and want to dive immediately into a Django application that can be completed in 15-20 minutes. It gives a good overview of whats possible with the framework.

For those with a bit more patience, this chapter serves as an introduction to all the foundations of developing Web-based applications (useful both for newbies and experienced coders alike). Once the formalities are over, we describe how each concept fits into the world of Django as well as what its philosophies are and how it may differ from other Web application frameworks.