Interested in learning Django, a free and open-source Python web framework used in web development and data science? Our guide offers resources, insights about careers that commonly use Django, and ways to get started.
Django is a free and open-source Python web framework used in web development and data science. If you’ve always wanted to learn Django but can’t figure out how to get started, this guide is for you. Here, you’ll learn more about the various ways to learn Django, free resources to take advantage of, and the types of careers that commonly use Django.
Django is a popular, open-source Python web framework used to rapidly, efficiently, and securely develop websites and web applications. Django began in 2003 as a way for developers Adrian Holovaty and Simon Willison to quickly build Lawrence Journal-World’s multiple news sites, constantly churning out new content for various communities. Since the public first gained access to Django in 2005, developers worldwide have made use of this free framework and contributed to its advancement. Today, Django improvements are managed by the nonprofit Django Software Foundation.
Django streamlines the web development process by emphasizing reusable components. These components eliminate the need for developers to manually enter the same code repeatedly. The time Django saves developers empowers web development teams to increase scalability, meet deadlines, and build multiple websites and web applications in quick succession.
Read more about what Django is and why you should learn it.
Wondering what you can do with Django? Django has numerous use cases for web development, data science, and more. Django can build all sorts of websites, including a Content Management System (CMS), news site, social media platform, and more.
Python objects called models allow Django web applications to query and manage data. Django’s simple query API allows the associated database to be searched, enabling complex statements.
Django’s template systems allow developers to define an output document’s structure. It delivers content in nearly any format, including RSS feeds, HTML, XML, and JSON. Django supports its native templating system, the Jinja2 Python library out of the box, and can also be modified to support other systems.
Other things you can do with Django include:
Django is a Python web framework that professionals in various roles use to build websites, automate tasks, interact with APIs, and deploy projects using Git. Different jobs require very different use cases for Django. For example, a Data Scientist would primarily use Django to sort and analyze data. On the other hand, a Web Developer might use Django to automate an RSS feed, as Spotify does. Careers that use Django include:
Django was first developed in 2003 to manage the constant stream of new content published to the Lawrence World-Journal’s family of news sites. A web framework that began in the publishing industry now powers ecommerce sites, healthcare applications, social media platforms, content management systems, document management systems, and more. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that demand for positions such as Web Developers and Software Engineers will increase by 23 to 25% from 2021 through 2031, making Django a valuable skill for those in the technology sector.
Django is a free, open-source web framework that uses the Python coding language. Learning Django can advance your career as a Web Developer, Data Scientist, or Software Engineer. These jobs typically earn an estimated $80,000 to upwards of $100,000 annually and show strong demand growth for the coming decade. For example, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that data science jobs will see an astounding 36% growth in demand from 2021 through 2031.
Development teams use Django to work quickly, increase scalability, and create secure web applications. Learning Django provides you with a versatile skill set applicable to various industries, including technology, healthcare, finance, and more.
Read more about why you should learn Django.
Live classes include in-person and live online courses. Both class types are led by an expert instructor in real time. In-person Django classes benefit students by providing the equipment needed for the coursework and an opportunity to network with local professionals. Live online Django classes offer similar real-time feedback from an instructor but have the added advantage of letting students learn from any remote location. Remote access also allows students more choices regarding class subjects and schedules.
Some online Django courses use an on-demand model, also known as an asynchronous schedule. With this model, students self-pace through the course. This offers maximum flexibility as to how quickly students advance, when students complete assignments, and offers the opportunity to review material at any point. Disadvantages of the on-demand learning model include a lack of access to an instructor and a potentially outdated curriculum. Some courses offer office hours or email support for students to reach out to instructors, but this method of receiving feedback is slow and unreliable. This can make completing assignments and advancing through subjects difficult and frustrating.
Free resources such as learning hubs and video demonstrations provide an excellent way to learn more about a topic before committing to a paid course. Noble Desktop’s free Introduction to Python Fundamentals seminar and on-demand videos about Python coding provide an excellent introduction to the topic. For a deeper dive, Noble’s Django Learning Hub and Python Learning Hub feature articles, tutorials, and resources to help you explore Python and Django training options. You can also use Noble’s Classes Near Me tool to find in-person and virtual Django classes.
Read the full guide on how to learn Django.
Before committing to a full course, you can gain an overview of Django with free introductory courses online. Noble Desktop’s Intro to Python Fundamentals is a free online course introducing Python coding to beginners.
Other on-demand online courses include video courses found on sites like Udemy and Coursera. Coursera’s Programming For Everybody (Getting Started with Python) class is an on-demand video series from the University of Michigan. This and other Coursera courses permit a seven-day free trial before committing to a paid plan. Coursera also offers Python courses from Google, IBM Skills Network, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The subscription platform Udemy also offers a seven-day free trial for the subscription-based model. A Udemy subscription allows you to take as many courses as you please. You can also purchase a course for a flat fee and progress through it at your own pace without a subscription.
Read about more free Python videos and online tutorials.
Django is a challenging Python web framework to learn due to its complexities and many uses. Before learning Django, you must also develop a thorough understanding of certain prerequisites. If you have no prior experience coding, it is best to start by learning a simple programming language such as HTML or CSS. HTML and CSS also benefit those who wish to learn Django because HTML, CSS, and Django are used in web development. Before learning Django, you must also thoroughly understand Python coding fundamentals.
Django training costs depend mainly on the type of Django class you take. You can find free trials and introductory Python programming courses online. On-demand Python and Django classes can cost as little as $20 to $50 per month for a learning platform subscription such as Coursera or Udemy. Instructor-led Django classes cost far more but offer more in-depth training, personalized feedback, job assistance, mentorship, and other benefits that make learning Django and preparing for a Django career easier. In-person Django classes and live online Django classes cost anywhere from $500 to $20,000, depending on the school, course length, depth and breadth of the curriculum, and other factors. Many certificate programs that include Django range from around $1,500 to $5,000.
Read about how difficult it is to learn Django.
Web Developers use Python to build websites and web applications. JavaScript is another essential programming language for Web Developers to know. Web Developers use JavaScript to create and maintain dynamic website content, for example, animated graphics. Noble Desktop teaches several JavaScript frameworks, including React and Node.js. React is a front end JavaScript library maintained by Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram. Developers use React to build user interfaces. Node.js is a back end JavaScript runtime used for building scalable network applications.
JavaScript is generally considered easier to learn than Python. Aspiring Web Developers often learn both of these coding languages. You can learn more about JavaScript and its frameworks with Noble Desktop’s JavaScript Learning Hub.
Flask is another Python web framework and a popular Django alternative. Django uses a Monolithic workstyle, while Flash involves a diversified workstyle. Flask also supports APIs, while Django cannot. Another key difference is that flask is a WSGI framework compared to Django, which is a full stack web framework. Developers primarily use Flask to build smaller-scale websites.
If you intend to learn multiple web development languages or multiple Python frameworks, you can save money by enrolling in a certificate course covering all the skills you wish to learn. Noble Desktop’s Full Stack Web Development Certificate program, for example, covers multiple web development languages and tools. Read more about web development with Noble’s Web Development Learning Hub.
When deciding how best to learn Django, consider the top goal you wish to accomplish by learning this Python framework. For example, you may wish to start a new career that requires Django skills, advance your existing career by adding Django to your resume, or create a more efficient workflow for yourself or your team. You will also want to consider whether you prefer an in-person or online course.
In-person classes provide all necessary equipment and allow students to network with other local professionals. Like in-person classes, live online courses are led by an expert instructor in real-time. Online classes offer some advantages over in-person classes, such as allowing students to learn remotely and offering more flexible scheduling options.
If your goal is to start a new career, you will need to learn Django as part of a broader skill set. Noble Desktop’s Python Developer Certificate and Software Engineering Certificate teach Django as part of the Python development curriculum. Both of these certificate programs prepare students for development careers. The two programs differ in that the Python Developer Certificate focuses specifically on Python programming while the Software Engineering Certificate teaches Python programming in addition to JavaScript and front end development. Both certificate programs offer flexible payment plans, live online instructors who offer real-time feedback, one-on-one mentoring, and a free retake.
If you are brand new to Django, you may wish to gain a high-level overview before committing to a paid course. Free introductory classes such as Noble Desktop’s Intro to Python Fundamentals seminar teaches the origins and use cases of Python programming, how to install Python, what Python coding looks like, and more.
Those wishing to focus specifically on learning Django who already have a grasp on the Python fundamentals can learn about Noble’s Python Web Development with Django course. This bootcamp reviews Python programming basics and provides hands-on lessons on Django REST. By the end of this bootcamp, you will know how to work with images, manage authentication, and use API endpoints with Django REST.
Learning Django not only requires learning the principles and applications of this framework but applying those concepts to real-world, hands-on projects. In-person and live online Django classes provide the opportunity to put theory into practice. Courses led by an instructor also grant you direct access to an expert that can help you overcome obstacles, answer your questions, and provide mentorship as you develop your Django skills.
You can learn Django with Noble Desktop’s hands-on training options like the Software Engineering Bootcamp, Python Developer Certificate, the Python Django Development course, and other Python classes and bootcamps.
The Software Engineering and Python Developer certificate programs teach Django as part of a broader curriculum. The Software Engineering Certificate prepares students to become Full Stack Developers or Software Engineers with sections dedicated to front end development, JavaScript development, and Python development with Django. The Python Developer Certificate teaches beginners to use Django, Django REST, Git, SQL, and more.
Students already familiar with Python but wishing for a deeper dive into Django can enroll in the Python Django Development course. This class covers the fundamentals of Django and how to use Django REST, which is used to build web APIs.
Noble’s small class sizes ensure you receive personal feedback from your instructor. Courses include free retakes and offer flexible payment plans so you can finance your new career without paying the full tuition upfront. Certificate courses also include one-on-one mentorship and the creation of professional portfolios to help you find a job in your new field.
Learn the skills needed to become a Python Developer, from Python programming fundamentals to web development with Django and Django REST. Develop in-demand skills with Django, a popular Python web framework used for back end web programming, and build a portfolio of projects under the guidance of the lead instructor.
Learn front end development with HTML & CSS, JavaScript, and React, and back end development with Python, Django, and Node.js. Get 1-on-1 mentoring and a structured curriculum to become a skilled Software Engineer or Full Stack Developer.