Like every other web developer, Django developers also make mistakes. Despite expertise, skills and professionalism Django developers are prone to do mistakes. Due to this, the Django project gets an inefficient result. If you are also among developers who find difficulties in developing Django-based websites/applications or even experiencing errors about “templates do not exist Django”, read this guide.
Below we are highlighting common development errors that Django developers make. And to make websites and applications efficient based on the same framework, opt for Django hosting solutions. MilesWeb offers a prominent and robust hosting infrastructure to scale Django applications. Coming back to the topic, without further ado, it’s time to scroll down in this tutorial
What Is Meant By Django?
Django is an open-source Python-based framework solving common web development challenges. It is used to build flexible, and well-structured applications because the framework comprises modern features. These features include Admin, Object Relational Mapping tool (ORM), Routing, and Templating features.
Django includes the robust ORM that covers all major databases and supports major SQL instructions/ functions. Therefore, many developers choose this framework for their convenience. To get maximum output from the application, the Django platform is the right one. However, mistakes are still possible from the developer’s end and therefore, we are highlighting them below so next time Django projects will be error-free.
Common Django Web Development Mistakes
If you know “How to Create Project in Django?” These are some mistakes that many developers make.
1. Monolith Application Structure
An application created on Django is made up of one or more apps. It is a fundamental unit of Django projects. Therefore, seasoned Django developers make the mistake of containerization of applications. As a result, the entire structure of the application turns out to be a monolith and testing of applications is failed. Remember that Django in python modules have static files, database migrations, management commands, unit tests and other elements.
As a developer, it is recommended to divide projects into small and reusable logic that anyone can understand. Mixing all commands or loops will lead to confusion. So, avoid it!
2. Avoiding Pinning Project Dependencies in a ‘requirements.txt’ File
Always start with an isolated environment ‘requirement.txt’ in a Python project. While installing packages through pip/easy_install, don’t forget to add them in your pip/easy_install. Because of this, if you have to deploy projects on servers, the task is easier.
Different package versions are available that offer different parameters, modules, and functions. Making any changes to them can break your package. Therefore, pinning specific versions of your dependencies in your ‘requirement.txt’ file s essential. You can do the same with command-line tools. Many Django developers overlook this step and find themselves in a trouble!
3. Using Outdated Python Functions
With time developers also need to opt for advanced functions. Generally, Django developers use function views.py for utility views. However, experts recommend using CBV (Class-Based Views). CBVs are generic views providing abstract classes covering all common behaviours. It has a structured API that helps in building object-oriented programming and source code more clear and readable.
4. Writing Fat Representations and Thin Models
Django’s architecture majorly consists of Model-Template-View (MTV) and Model-View-Template (MVT). In both these models, your business logic is there. Moreover, they include database queries that pass results to your view and template layers knowns as model.py. Then, views have codes dealing with user interactions like CTA (Call To Action). They are defined as views.py.
Not writing application logic in models and using views means you’ve written your code in a model based on the view. As a result, views become stuffy and “fat” with “skinny” models. Django developers who are using the latest Django version must do vice-versa. That means fat models and thin representations.
Related: Node.Js Vs Django: The Head-to-Head Differences
5. Models Not Adding Indexes
Even experienced Django programmers overlook indexes. Do include indices in your models, please! Contrarily, avoid indexing everything because doing so will make inserts, updates, and deletions take longer. You should always create an index for any data that you plan to filter or join. Determine where indexes are required by analysing your query sets.
6. Inconsistent Data Validation
Django models are associated with one or more forms. These are used to create and update model instances. Forms have default behaviour which is controlled by model properties. Many properties of the model exist only to control the forms as a default behaviour.
Django developers often forget that the model can be modified in more than one way. In addition, they forget to keep track of which constraints are where. Is it non-null? The model contains that information. Enumerate the values that can be entered in a field. The form has that information. Uniqueness? On the model. And so on.
Forms are pre-populated with existing data for an object but are unable to submit because the existing data is invalid, as a result of this inconsistent validation.
7. Reinventing The Wheel
Django and Python have many integrated solutions that developers use at them anytime. But before starting the Django project Google and research. Make things simpler for development, then install, do the Django download, configure, extend and integrate into the project. Instead of making things cluttered, start your public packages for Django. Make most of Django Macros URL, Django Templates Names and django-split-settings to organize your Django projects.
8. Pure Python Scripts For Utilities Or Scripts
There is one prominent feature in Django called Management Commands. Use it instead of writing Python scripts from scratch. Moreover, check the Django Extension packages which are a collection of custom extensions for Django.
9. Confusion Between STATICFILES_DIRS and STATIC_ROOT in Django
There are mostly 2 JavaScripts (STATICFILES_DIRS, and STATIC_ROOT), and other elements like CSS, images, fonts and others. Both JavaScript has their unique functions and abilities. On failure, Django uses django.contrib.static files.finders.AppDirectoriesFinder. Each installed application’s static folder is examined. Static files can be used to ship reusable applications.
If you use Django’s static management command python manage.py collectstatic, you can copy files from static folders as well as from STATICFILES_DIRS to the STATIC_ROOT directory you specify.
Django is easier to build and scale software applications as much as possible. But making the above-mentioned mistake will lead to fewer application efficiency. Research well and start your web development task. This guide would have helped you in Django web development with no hassles.
