Django is a powerful and versatile web application framework that can help developers create sophisticated, dynamic websites and applications. However, as with any software development project, there are potential pitfalls and mistakes that can be made when working with Django. In this article, we will look at some of the most common developer pitfalls and mistakes made when working with Django.

 

Do not master the Django from the beginning

Django is a complex system and understanding how it works and how to use it effectively can take some time. Developers who do not take the time to understand the framework can find themselves running into a lot of issues and making a lot of mistakes.

1. Not taking the time to read the official Django documentation: Take the time to read the official Django documentation thoroughly and understand the framework before starting.

Ex: Charfield has null and blank options, but each has its own meaning and effect. Mixing this would lead to inconsistent record in the database.

2. Not using the right version of Django: Make sure you are using the most recent version of Django for your project.

3. Not setting up virtual environments: Set up virtual environments for each Django project to prevent conflicts between packages and other versions of Django.

4. Not testing regularly: Make sure to regularly test the code to ensure that everything works properly. Writing unit/automation test is an option to avoid this mistake.

5. Not using the right database: Choose the right database for your project and take the time to configure it properly.

6. Not taking the time to learn the best practices: Take the time to learn the best practices for Django development, such as using class-based views and using the Model-View-Template pattern.

A recommended book: Django Two Scoops

7. Not using the right tools: Use the right tools for the job, such as using the Django Debug Toolbar to debug your code. This is extremely useful for web page debugging and monitoring.

 

8. Not using the right security measures: Ensure that the site is secure by using the right security measures, such as using HTTPS and using a secure password.

Do not configure Django properly

Django is a complex framework and it requires proper configuration in order to work properly. Developers should take the time to properly configure Django to ensure that the application runs smoothly.

1. Not setting up the proper database configurations: Be sure to set up the right engine, user, and password for your database when configuring Django. 
2. Not utilizing migrations: Use migrations to ensure that your database is properly configured with the correct data.
3. Not setting up logging: Logging allows developers to track errors and identify potential issues. Set up logging in Django to capture errors and debug more quickly.
4. Not enabling secure connections: Use SSL to ensure that your application is secure and encrypted. 
5. Not setting up the proper template settings: Set up the right template settings when configuring Django to ensure that the right templates are used for the right pages. 
6. Not utilizing caching: Use caching to increase the performance of your application. Set up caching in Django to reduce page load times. 
7. Not using a test suite: Use a test suite to ensure that your application is working correctly. Set up a test suite when configuring Django to catch any potential errors.

Do not test the application regularly

Testing is an important part of any software development project and it is especially important for Django projects. Developers should take the time to properly test their applications to ensure that they are working correctly before releasing them.

1. Not using the correct Django version: When developing an application in Django, it is important to make sure that the correct version of Django is being used. This can be done by checking the documentation for the version compatibility of the application.

2. Not using the proper database settings: Django applications require the correct database settings in order to function properly. This can be done by researching and configuring the database settings appropriately.

Tips: Checkout this dj-database-url package for a secure database configuration 

3. Not writing tests: Writing tests is an important part of application development. This helps to ensure that the application is functioning properly and can be used in the production environment.

Tips: Checkout those packages for better test management unittest, django-pytest

4. Not using the latest security patches: Security patches are important for applications to be able to stay secure and up to date. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the latest security patches are always applied and updated. 

5. Not taking the time to properly test an application: It is important to take the time to properly test an application before deploying it to production. This can be done by testing the application in different environments, such as development, staging, and production. Additionally, using automated testing tools (playwright, selenium) can help to ensure the application is functioning correctly.

 

Do not manage the dependencies properly

Django is built on top of a lot of other frameworks and libraries and managing them can be tricky. Developers should take the time to properly manage dependencies to ensure that their applications are running smoothly.

1. Not using Django’s built-in application structure: Django provides a built-in application structure which makes managing dependencies easier. To avoid this mistake, use the built-in structure for your Django applications.

2. Not using virtual environments: Virtual environments are useful for isolating projects and their dependencies. To avoid this mistake, use virtual environments to keep your dependencies isolated from each other. Recommended packages are pyenv, virtualenv, pyenv-wrapper

3. Not using pip to install dependencies: Pip is the official package manager for Python and is the recommended way to install Django dependencies. To avoid this mistake, use pip to install all of your Django dependencies. 

4. Not using a version control system: Version control systems like git help keep track of changes to your codebase and make it easier to deploy and manage your application. To avoid this mistake, use a version control system like git to manage your Django application, ex: Github, Gitlab

5. Not keeping your dependencies up to date: Dependencies can become outdated over time and can sometimes lead to security vulnerabilities. To avoid this mistake, regularly update your dependencies to ensure that your application is secure and up to date. 

6. Not properly managing dependencies in Django: Django provides a built-in dependency management system which makes it easy to manage dependencies. To avoid this mistake, use Django’s dependency management system to manage your dependencies.

Some helpful packages/tools:
- https://docs.python-guide.org/dev/virtualenvs/#virtualenv
- https://docs.python-guide.org/dev/virtualenvs/#virtualenvwrapper
- https://www.docker.com/

Conclusion 

These are just some of the most common mistakes that developers make when working with Django. Understanding how to use the framework, properly configuring Django, validating user input, testing applications, and managing dependencies are all important steps in creating a successful Django application. Taking the time to understand and properly use the framework will help developers avoid these pitfalls and ensure that their applications are successful.