So, you are looking for the best Django Books. LearnDunia is here to help with the 10 best Django books on the market. Read on to make educated decisions minus much due diligence.
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Django is a Python-based free web framework. This open-source web framework enables the development of secure and maintainable websites. It provides a massive load of libraries, which makes the task of web development more straightforward.
Some of the salient features of Django include:
- A Python Language
- Secure, fast, and reliable
- Python objects eliminate the need to write SQL queries
- Excellent documentation and a vast support community
- Open-source
- Suitable for both front-end and back-end
Considering the features, Django is a must-know for web developers. Learning Django is no mean a task and while learning it may take time, the enhancements it brings to websites are impressive.
Best Django Books
Even in the age of digital media, books are a reliable way to learn Django. If you are looking for books to learn Django, we have simplified the task by compiling the list of top 10 books on the subject.
1. Two Scoops of Django
Description: This book is an extensive guide to Django. In a step-by-step manner, the book covers a wide range of topics. What makes it one of the coveted Django books available is its sheer comprehensiveness. In all likelihood, this book will become your reference book for Django programming.
With a straightforward writing style, the book caters to both beginners and intermediate-level professionals. Even if you have already written your favourite project, you will still be tempted to tweak it after going through this book. The book’s formatting is also impressive. If you’re looking for a specific topic, you can access it quickly and easily.
- Originally Published: 2015
- Author: Audrey Roy Greenfeld, Daniel Roy Greenfeld
You can buy this book here.
2. Django for Beginners: Build websites with Python and Django
Description: Suitable for a complete beginner, this book is an excellent introduction to the language. This is a project-based book, written in an easy-to-read format. The author guides you through building five websites from scratch, including a blog and a newspaper website.
All of the essential aspects of Django are explained lucidly and engagingly. The presentation style of the author makes it an exciting read. Also, the class-based views are easier to understand than the function-based views.
With just 288 pages, this Django book can be a quick introduction to all things Django. If you find some of the topics a bit outdated, do opt for the ebook, which has the updated versions of the same topics.
- Originally Published: 2018
- Author: William S. Vincent
You can buy this book here.
3. Django for APIs
Description: This is one of the popular Django books out there. This is more of a practical guide to Django, ideal for beginners working for the first time with APIs.
The book guides you through building three backends — Todo API, Library API, and Blog API. Also, you come across elaborate lessons on connecting to a React JavaScript front end. Even if you require learning how to use routers for concise codes, the book keeps you covered.
The code examples in the book are thorough and very well written, which is a rarity for technical books. With just 155 pages, you can read it in a single sitting provided you have an intermediate level knowledge of APIs.
- Originally Published: 2018
- Author: William S. Vincent
You can buy this book here.
4. Mastering Django
Description: Mastering Django is a thorough reference book on Django. The primary objective of the book is to teach clean codes that help you create powerful Django websites. It is well-organized and written in an easy-to-follow format. The topics are discussed in-depth, and the template view model is used extensively.
The book is suitable for anyone from beginners to those looking to master Django. Anyone familiar with Python and programming will find this a helpful resource. The latest version of the book has been completely re-written from scratch to incorporate complete coverage of Django 2 and Django 3.
- Originally Published: 2015
- Author: Nigel George
You can buy this book here.
5. Django Design Patterns and Best Practices
Description: This beginner-friendly book revolves around design patterns and best practices in Django. However, it is not limited to those topics only.
If you know how to make a basic web app in Django work, this book will help you make it cleaner with design patterns and best practices. Many miscellaneous topics related to web development to Django are covered in the book like standard tools, deployment, testing, and more.
Even if you’re already a Django developer, there are several new things you’ll find worth learning in this comprehensive Django book.
- Originally Published: 2018
- Author: Arun Ravindran
You can buy this book here.
6. Django Unleashed
Description: “Django Unleashed” is a step-by-step guide to learn the core concepts of Django through the creation of a Django website from scratch. It’s a beginner-friendly book that discusses the concepts in detail.
What makes Django Unleashed such rage is its unique approach. The author first tells you the wrong way to do anything and then corrects you. The book starts with easier concepts and then subsequently builds on them to discuss progressive ideas. This might confuse you at the start but keep reading, and it will start making sense.
With over 800 pages, the book is a comprehensive guide to Django, but it still manages to provide a structured path to readers. Essentially, it is not a quick read but focuses on educating you on how Django works.
- Originally Published: 2015
- Author: Andrew Pinkham
You can buy this book here.
7. Beginning Django E-Commerce
Description: If you’re looking to build an e-commerce website with the help of Django, this is the book for you. It covers every aspect of website creation from scratch, which is why it’s on our list of best Django books.
The book is a reliable and hands-on guide to building websites complete with a shopping cart and a checkout and a payment processor. It also suggests SEO techniques to keep your website relevant in a competitive market.
Don’t be misled by the book’s title. The book’s content is not just limited to e-commerce. Rather, it is an introduction to Django featuring a wide variety of relevant content. Also, unlike other books, the author asks you to write codes by yourself and that too without deploying a third-party plugin.
- Originally Published: 2009
- Author: James McGaw, Jim McGaw
You can buy this book here.
8. Django for Professionals
Description: The third book in the Django Python series by William S. Vincent, Django for Professionals, is an advanced-level book. If you have read the previous two books — Django for Beginners and Django for APIs — this book is the natural successor. The book has tests for every functionality while all the information is provided in a simplified manner.
This book tries to fill the gap between knowing the basics of Django and making a finished web application. It is a best practice guide to building fast and secure websites. Building a bookstore website, writing comprehensive tests, adopting advanced security and performance, and other key topics are a part of the book. That’s why some call it the best Django tutorial.
- Originally Published: 2019
- Author: William S. Vincent
You can buy this book here.
9. Django 3 By Example
Description: This book takes a practical approach to teaching Django. The book guides you through building four end-to-end web projects and, in the process, introduces you to the features of Django 3.
All the concepts in the book are explained in an easy-to-understand manner. The amount of detailing in the book is such that each syntax and line is described extensively. The examples are designed to match a variety of cases.
It also does a great job of introducing intermediate and advanced-level readers to the tools, concepts, and latest version of Django. Even if you’re an advanced backend developer, this book can serve as a reference.
- Originally Published: 2020
- Author: Antonio Mele
You can buy this book here.
10. Lightweight Django
Description: Lightweight Django could prove helpful for both intermediate and advanced level developers. The author provides examples of complex applications and disassembles them into their components to help you understand better. In this way, the author offers a detailed explanation for each line of code. The presentation method makes the book compelling.
The book also provides a timeline history of all that has changed after the introduction of Django. Later, it focuses on giving insights into the latest version of Django. Mind you, this book requires you to have a basic knowledge of Python and JavaScript to fully capitalize on the information presented.
- Originally Published: 2014
- Author: Julia Elman, Mark Lavin
You can buy this book here.
Conclusion
The official documentation of Django is quite hard to follow, which makes it imperative to read books on the subject. Even if you learn through online tutorials, you should supplement your learning process with books. Most of these books are written by seasoned tech experts, which makes them an invaluable resource for learning.
If you’re trying to introduce yourself to Django, books like ‘Django for Beginners’ and ‘Two scoops of Django’ are the ideal ones. On the other hand, if you’re already aware of the basics and wish to take your knowledge of Django to the next level, books like ‘Django for APIs’ and ‘Django for Professionals are your best bet.
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