====== Install Django ======
We will install django on home ~ dir.
<code>
mkdir ~/src
cd ~/src
wget http://www.djangoproject.com/download/1.3.1/tarball/ -O django.tar
tar xvf django.tar
cd Django-1.3.1
</code>

Install python and django in a specific directory. This will create bin & lib containing python&django in specified directory.
<code>
python setup.py install --home=~/devfs/opt/
</code>

Or install django on system's python directory (preferred):
<code>
sudo python setup.py install
</code>

This will install django to 
<code>
[td@td-fed tutorial]$ ls /usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/django/
</code>

set the PYTHONPATH env variable:
<code>
export PYTHONPATH=$HOME/lib/python
export PATH=$HOME/bin:$PATH
</code>

Now verify that Django is installed and the right version is in your path:
<code>
python
>>> import django
>>> print django.get_version()
1.3.1
</code>

====== Virtualenv ======
Virtualenv/Sandbox for python env to provide consistent project settings.

=== Prerequisites ===
    yum install python-pip.noarch
    yum install python-virtualenv.noarch

=== Enter virtualenv ===
    $ virtualenv mysite-env
    $ source mysite-env/bin/activate
    (mysite-env)$
    
=== Install python packages ===
    (mysite-env)$ pip install Pinax


====== Creating a project ======
source: django tutorials.

Start Project:
    $django-admin.py startproject mysite    
    
Run webserver:    
    $python manage.py runserver
    
Configure Database:
    $vim mysite/settings.py
    ... edit DATABASE section...

Create tables:
    $python manage.py syncdb
    
====== Get dirty ======

Create Model:
    python manage.py startapp polls
    ...edit polls/model.py...
    
<code>
class Poll(models.Model):
    question = models.CharField(max_length=200)
    pub_date = models.DateTimeField('date published')

class Choice(models.Model):
    poll = models.ForeignKey(Poll)
    choice = models.CharField(max_length=200)
    votes = models.IntegerField()
</code>

Activate model:

Edit settings.py, add 'polls'.

<code>
INSTALLED_APPS = (
    'django.contrib.auth',
    'django.contrib.contenttypes',
    'django.contrib.sessions',
    'django.contrib.sites',
    'django.contrib.messages',
    'django.contrib.staticfiles',
    # Uncomment the next line to enable the admin:
    # 'django.contrib.admin',
    # Uncomment the next line to enable admin documentation:
    # 'django.contrib.admindocs',
    'polls',
)
</code>

See SQL code for 'polls':

    python manage.py sql polls
    
Play around

  *  python manage.py validate -- Checks for any errors in the construction of your models.
  *  python manage.py sqlcustom polls -- Outputs any custom SQL statements (such as table modifications or constraints) that are defined for the application.
  *  python manage.py sqlclear polls -- Outputs the necessary DROP TABLE statements for this app, according to which tables already exist in your database (if any).
  *  python manage.py sqlindexes polls -- Outputs the CREATE INDEX statements for this app.
  *  python manage.py sqlall polls -- A combination of all the SQL from the sql, sqlcustom, and sqlindexes commands.

Update DB:
    python manage.py syncdb
    
Python API:
    python manage.py shell
    
    >>> from polls.models import Poll, Choice
    ...see django cheatsheet for DB built-in functions...
    ...type Poll + <tab> to see how you can start... cool!!
===== Working with models =====
  * function __unicode()__

It's important to add __unicode__() methods to your models, not only for your own sanity when dealing with the interactive prompt, but also because objects' representations are used throughout Django's automatically-generated admin.

  * __str__()?

<code>
class Poll(models.Model):
    *** use <spaces> not <tabs> or python will throws unexpected indentation.
    *** vim's :retab is useful for this.
    # ...
    def __unicode__(self):
        return self.question

class Choice(models.Model):
    # ...
    def __unicode__(self):
        return self.choice
</code>

  * my_custom_function()

<code>
import datetime
from django.utils import timezone
# ...
class Poll(models.Model):
    # ...
    def was_published_recently(self):
        return self.pub_date >= timezone.now() - datetime.timedelta(days=1)
</code>
====== resources ======