Overview of Two Scoops of Django 1.11: Best Practices for the Django Web Framework Link to heading

Summary Link to heading

“Two Scoops of Django 1.11: Best Practices for the Django Web Framework” is a comprehensive guide aimed at providing developers with the best practices for working with the Django web framework, focusing specifically on version 1.11. Authored by Audrey Roy Greenfeld and Daniel Roy Greenfeld, it covers a wide range of topics including project setup, application structure, working with models, forms, views, and templates, as well as testing and deployment strategies. The book is designed for both intermediate and experienced Django developers who wish to deepen their understanding of Django and improve their coding practices.

Review Link to heading

The book is well-regarded within the Django community for its thoroughness and practical approach. It is lauded for its clear explanations and actionable advice, which are based on the authors’ extensive experience in web development. Its structure, with numerous code examples and real-world scenarios, helps reinforce the concepts discussed. A potential critique is that the book is tied to version 1.11, which might not cover features in later Django versions. Nevertheless, many of the principles and practices discussed are applicable across different versions.

Key Takeaways Link to heading

• Project Setup: Emphasizes organizing projects using the most effective directory structures and configuration practices to facilitate scalability.
• Models and Database Management: Covers best practices in designing Django models and interacting with databases to ensure efficient data processing.
• Forms and Views: Offers advice on optimizing forms and handling them in views, emphasizing security and user experience.
• Templates: Advocates for clean and maintainable template usage, along with leveraging Django’s built-in template features.
• Testing: Highlights the importance of testing in Django applications and suggests techniques for writing effective tests.
• Deployment: Provides strategies for deploying Django applications in production environments, ensuring reliability and performance.

Recommendation Link to heading

“Two Scoops of Django 1.11” is highly recommended for Django developers who are past the beginner stage and looking to refine their skills. It is particularly useful for those working on projects in Django 1.11 who are keen on adopting industry-standard practices to build robust, scalable web applications. Despite its focus on a specific version, developers working on other versions of Django can also benefit from many of the underlying principles discussed.