How to install the Django framework

What is Django?

Django is a free toolkit for building websites with Python. Python is a popular programming language. A framework is like a box of ready-made parts. You build your site faster because you do not start from zero.

Before you start

• You need SSH access to your server. SSH lets you type commands on a remote computer.
• You need Python 3 installed. Check with python3 --version.

Steps

1. Log in to your server over SSH.
2. Install pip and the virtual environment tool. On Ubuntu or Debian use this command.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y python3-pip python3-venv

On CentOS or RHEL use sudo yum install -y python3-pip instead. Pip is the tool that downloads Python add-ons.

3. Make a folder for your project and go into it.

mkdir mysite
cd mysite

4. Create a virtual environment. This is a private box for your project's add-ons. It keeps them apart from the rest of the server.

python3 -m venv venv

5. Switch it on.

source venv/bin/activate

Your prompt now starts with (venv).

6. Install Django.

pip install django

7. Check the version.

python -m django --version

8. Start a new project. The dot at the end puts the files in the current folder.

django-admin startproject config .

9. Create the starting database tables.

python manage.py migrate

10. Start the test server.

python manage.py runserver 0.0.0.0:8000

Open http://YOUR-SERVER-IP:8000 in your browser. You should see the Django welcome page. If the page does not load, your firewall may block port 8000.

If the browser says "DisallowedHost", open config/settings.py. Add your server address to the ALLOWED_HOSTS list.

Quick recap

• Install Python 3, pip and venv.
• Create and activate a virtual environment.
• Install Django with pip install django.
• Start a project and run migrate.
• Use runserver for testing only.