Django 5 by Example preface
The story of my experience in writing the preface of the book “Django By Example” by Antonio Melé.
Having been part of the Python and Django community for quite some time, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many individuals who are passionate about sharing their knowledge. When you engage with them, it feels like reconnecting with an old friend.
That’s exactly how I felt when Antonio reached out to me last December, asking me to write the preface for the latest edition of his renowned book, “Django 5 By Example”.
I was already familiar with Antonio’s previous editions and admired the hands-on approach to learning Django by working through various practical examples.
In the months leading up to the release of the new edition, I received updated chapters and was impressed by the thorough updates to existing content and the addition of new Django 5 features.
I was thrilled when Antonio expressed his appreciation for the preface I wrote. I hope it adds value to his outstanding work.
As someone who had never been published before, I was overjoyed when the new edition finally hit the shelves, knowing that many digital and physical copies were being circulated.
I want to extend my gratitude to Antonio for entrusting me with this opportunity and allowing me to embark on a new Django-related experience.
Preface
For those who are interested, below is the preface.
“Django is a high-level Python web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design.”
This is the description of Django that you find on its website and on its Git repository, and I think it defines it in a concise but complete way.
In the almost twenty years since the first Django release, there have been many new web frameworks that have arisen and grown rapidly, based on Python and other languages, occupying their specific niche and exploiting new technologies.
Despite everything, Django has continued its growth. It has improved its functionality, ensured its stability and innovated in an iterative but inexorable way, version after version, all the way up to its latest released.
I started using Django from version 1.3, after having used Zope and Plone, and I was immediately impressed by how much it helped me build real-world applications in a fast yet effective way. Over the years, the characteristics of the web applications I have created have changed, but Django has always remained a valid tool for responding to technical challenges.
Over the years, I have tried writing down my experiences of the Django features that I appreciate most, trying to demostrate them with examples. When I discovered this book, I immediately saw myself in Antonio’s approach, which suppements your discovery of Django with concrete applications that you create along the way.
In addition to the many commonly used Django features, I appreciate how this book presentes useful packages, such as Django REST framework or Django Debug Toolbar, and that there are also examples of using more advanced features, such as full-text search with PostgreSQL (which I’m very fond of) and cache integration with Redis.
Furthermore, in this new edition, you will find many of the new features introduced in Django 5.0, such as database-computed default values, admin facets, and simplified templates for form field rendering.
The projects from the old edition have also been revised with Python 3.12, updated third-party packages, and updated setup instructions. I found nice additions like explanatory diagrams and advanced DRF functionality.
When I was young, I started learning HTML, trying to edit web pages I visited with a text editor, and I have always remained fond of a hands-on approach to learning technologies. I like getting my hands dirty before studying a technology and I like doing it by trying to create something concrete. I recommend this approach to you, too.
This book will take you on a similar journey, in which you will alternate between the study of a Django functionalities and their use in concrete examples. Get ready to get your hands dirty!
Book
You can visit the dedicated book page to make a purchase: