In this section, we will delve into the structure of a Django project. Understanding the project structure is crucial for efficiently navigating and managing your Django applications. We will break down each component and explain its purpose.

When you create a new Django project, several files and directories are generated. Here is a typical structure:

• Purpose: A command-line utility that lets you interact with your Django project.
• Common Commands:
  • python manage.py runserver: Starts the development server.
  • python manage.py migrate: Applies database migrations.
  • python manage.py createsuperuser: Creates a superuser for the admin interface.

• Purpose: Contains the settings and configuration for your Django project.
• Files:
  • __init__.py: An empty file that indicates that this directory should be treated as a Python package.
  • settings.py: Contains all the settings and configurations for your project.
  • urls.py: Defines the URL routing for your project.
  • wsgi.py: An entry-point for WSGI-compatible web servers to serve your project.

settings.py

• Purpose: Central configuration for your Django project.
• Key Sections:
  • DEBUG: A boolean that turns on/off debug mode.
  • INSTALLED_APPS: A list of all Django applications that are activated in this project.
  • MIDDLEWARE: A list of middleware components to be used.
  • DATABASES: Configuration for database connections.
  • TEMPLATES: Configuration for template engines.

urls.py

• Purpose: Maps URLs to views.
• Example:

  from django.contrib import admin
  from django.urls import path
  
  urlpatterns = [
      path('admin/', admin.site.urls),
  ]
  

  • Explanation: This example maps the URL /admin/ to the Django admin interface.

wsgi.py

• Purpose: Serves as the entry point for WSGI-compatible web servers.
• Example:

  import os
  from django.core.wsgi import get_wsgi_application
  
  os.environ.setdefault('DJANGO_SETTINGS_MODULE', 'myproject.settings')
  application = get_wsgi_application()
  

  • Explanation: This script sets the default settings module and gets the WSGI application callable.

Let's create a new Django project to see the structure in action.

1. Install Django:

   pip install django
   

2. Create a New Project:

   django-admin startproject myproject
   

3. Navigate to the Project Directory:

   cd myproject
   

4. Run the Development Server:

   python manage.py runserver
   

   • Output: You should see output indicating that the server is running, and you can visit http://127.0.0.1:8000/ in your web browser to see the default Django welcome page.

1. Task: Open the myproject directory and examine each file.
2. Questions:
   • What is the purpose of manage.py?
   • What settings can you find in settings.py?
   • How are URLs mapped in urls.py?

1. Purpose of manage.py: It is a command-line utility for interacting with the Django project.
2. Settings in settings.py: Includes configurations like DEBUG, INSTALLED_APPS, MIDDLEWARE, DATABASES, and TEMPLATES.
3. URL Mapping in urls.py: URLs are mapped to views using the path function.

Understanding the structure of a Django project is fundamental for effective development. Each component has a specific role, from configuration in settings.py to URL routing in urls.py. By familiarizing yourself with these components, you can navigate and manage your Django projects with confidence.

In the next module, we will explore Django apps and how they fit into the overall project structure.