Django is a well-known Python framework. Why is it so popular? What should one consider when using it?
Django: the essence, benefits, and drawbacks
The huge popularity of Python associated with its wide use is the main reason why crowds of new programming adepts tend to start their path with this technology. However, Python would not have such a strong position if it were not for the rich library of frameworks that maximize the effects of working with this language. Get to know Django – a Python framework and its potential related to creating web applications. Nowadays, websites built with Django are really widespread, so it is worth taking a more detailed look at it.
What is Django?
Do you want to build a large web application or website that uses modern technologies for integration with multiple databases, additional extensions, and components that guarantee the security of interaction at the application-customer level, and you don’t know how to do it simply? Try the Django framework, based on Python.
Django is one of the most popular free frameworks that has been developing in the Model-View-Template model since 2005. Django provides ready-made solutions that we can adapt to our needs in new web applications and sites written in Python. It is Django and Flask that are responsible for the efficiency of the built applications, their simplicity, and perfect structure, which is not always possible to achieve with the help of other technologies.
Why should you consider using Django in your project?
Django is a framework that contains tools to facilitate the creation of advanced and extensive web applications and sites. Why do we focus on big websites? Due to the use of the tool. Of course, nothing stands in the way of building even small websites based on Django, but in many cases, it will be more profitable in terms of technology to use the second framework – Flask, which is dedicated to smaller projects.
However, if our current project seems to be a complex creation from the concept stage, Django will be great for it. One of the most popular advantages mentioned by teams creating and dealing with extensive web applications is the extremely legible administration panel that facilitates the entire process of managing the application every day. Such an interface, resembling a Content Management System, does not require any code development – all processes are performed using a graphical user panel, which facilitates daily maintenance even for those who do not have much to do with Python.
Why is Django good for large and scalable projects?
Large projects requiring the participation of many programmers usually have further delays at an early stage, among others, due to the lack of competence in using the new framework. In the case of Django, this problem is visible, but to a marginal extent. Just like Python itself, Django is not a difficult technology to learn, which is additionally supported by a huge community and well-prepared technical documentation that answers every question and doubt.
The largest projects created by a dispersed group of developers often struggle with the problem of lame security. Especially when our application uses numerous coexisting technologies, such as database management systems, application security should be the main priority. Django meets these expectations, both thanks to the framework architecture and automatisms that have been implemented on the back-end side of the written applications.
What are the advantages of the Django framework?
Let’s move on to the basic advantages of using the Django framework in your projects. We have already talked about some of the benefits. Django is a technology that prioritizes the security of the created applications, as evidenced by the positive feedback from programmers who use Django on a daily basis. In case of any problem, we can quickly get satisfying answers on Stack Overflow or another community that is very active in the technical area related to the Django framework, but also Flask.
Django is ultimately intended for the largest projects. Still, it is actually an extremely versatile technology that one can use for static business card pages, company blogs, as well as huge platforms using several database systems and integrated with numerous external services. Over the past 15 years, Django has become the first choice of developers operating in the field of creating and developing web applications.
What are the disadvantages of Django?
The great popularity of the Django framework does not mean that it has no flaws. On the contrary, the disadvantages exist and are widely reported in the industry media. What exactly are we talking about?
First of all, relatively little use for small projects. Of course, we can use Django even to create micro web services, but Flask will prove to be a better choice in this situation. Flask is the optimal choice for a small website or non-relational database configuration.
In addition, Django is great for projects that are re-creative work or duplication of previously published and created ideas. Wherever the work is mainly focused on the author’s website development, Flask will be a better choice.
The largest companies use Django – examples
The popularity of a given technology is best demonstrated by the websites and companies that use it. In the case of Django, the portfolio of well-known applications used by millions of users every day is the ultimate confirmation that the framework is at the peak of its popularity and not by accident.
Django is widely used in the development of cross-platform applications, SaaS, E-commerce platforms, financial services, and social media. Stopping on the last category, it is enough to mention that Instagram and YouTube, among others, are written using Django.
Also, all of us know Spotify – a giant with over 100 million regular customers. Django ensures the performance and scalability of such a large system. In addition, we should also mention other powerful brands based on Django, such as Mozilla Firefox, NASA, Pinterest, and Dropbox. If you need help developing your site or app, SECL experts will gladly help you! They will help you choose the most suitable programming language, framework, and more.
Also Read: Tips for creating a good website
