Django

How to Install Django and Create a Project

Ensure Python and pip are installed. If not installed Download Python, or install PyEnv-Win.
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```
python --version
pip --version
```
In you project folder activate a virtual environment (recommended) Virtual Environment (venv)
Install Django
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pip install django
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Can verify installation by checking the current version
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```
django-admin --version
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It's a good habit (though optional) to save your installed packages.
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pip freeze > requirements.txt
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After installing Django you can create a project. Replace 'myproject' with whatever name you like.
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django-admin startproject myproject .
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Use the cd command to change your current location in the terminal to your project folder. This lets you work inside that folder where your Django project files are. Replace 'myproject' with the name that you used.
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cd myproject
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Once you are inside the folder containing manage.py (usually the project root), you can start the Django development server.
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python manage.py runserver
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Creating a new App

This command creates a new Django app named myapp within your project (you can name it whatever you like).
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python manage.py startapp myapp
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Add the new app to installed apps within the settings.py file
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```
python manage.py startapp myapp
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Django Database Management and Migrations

Detect model changes and prepare migration scripts.
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python manage.py makemigrations
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Use this to generate migration files only for the app you are working on, rather than scanning the entire project.
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python manage.py makemigrations myapp
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Check what migrations will be created (Optional) useful for debugging.
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python manage.py makemigrations --dry-run
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Update the database schema based on migration files.
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python manage.py migrate
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This command runs the database migrations only for the specified app (myapp), instead of applying migrations for all installed apps in the project.
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python manage.py migrate myapp
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View which migrations have been applied or are pending.
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```
python manage.py showmigrations
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Debugging Migrations

This command rolls back all migrations.
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python manage.py migrate zero
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This command rolls back all migrations for the specified app (myapp), returning it to its initial state.
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python manage.py migrate myapp zero
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Deletes all data from the database across all apps, while keeping the database schema and applied migrations intact.
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```
python manage.py flush
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Create a Superuser

Once you've created an app, you can create a superuser. An admin account with full access to the Django admin panel. This account includes a username, email, and password, which you'll use to log in.
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```
python manage.py createsuperuser
```

Quick Links
Django Cheat Sheet (Code Institute)	PDF
Django Documentation	DOCS
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