5 top IDEs best suited for Django development!

“The importance of a good Integrated Development Environment (IDE) can never be let alone, for they render comprehensive facilities to developers in the entire process of software development life cycle. Its integrated build-in automation tools, a source code editor, and a debugger help improving the way programmers execute their projects here we are considering Django Python projects. While there are several performance-driven choices available for Django, the IDEs that enable smooth visual programming and make software development a fun experience are largely admired these days. Out of many, listed below are our picks for the top 5 IDEs for Django. They are not only user-friendly software applications, but also wrapped up with the necessary tools and functions that make development an interesting task”.

Vim

The most powerful IDE for Python that literally transmogrifies the way programmers work on their projects. Vim is an advanced code editor that offers the benefits of UNIX editor ‘Vi.’ Though it takes a couple of months to learn this IDE; the software application is incredible for anyone who seeks an effectual yet super smooth programming experience. An easy-to-understand interface further fetches extra points. Having unique and useful features makes the IDE truly the best among the rest. With Vim, you can get enough scope for Code Folding, Window splits, and Snippets etc. Moreover, Versioning is also possible with Vim! You can view your Codebase history using Vim IDE and it makes the IDE work like a small versioning software tool. Besides these features, it enables the Django developers to get better coding experience with AutoFill, Suggestions, and Validations etc. Syntax Highlighting is also there to make the developer find bugs easily as with any other IDEs. The Django developer can also navigate around the code with features like Searching, Go- To- Definition and Fuzzy text file search options. The best part about Vim is its support; it gets support from the most trusted Git! Above all, it enables Python developers to test the application with Django nose and Py.test, etc. All in all, it’s an amazing package for the Python developers.

Komodo

This one stands distinguished for the incredible support it brings to surface for different languages. Komodo is a renowned name for most of the IT developers working in different languages and technologies. May it be PHP, ASP or JSP; Komodo is there to support. It is one of the oldest yet powerful IDE of the industry. The integrated development environment application features a clean user interface and lends enhanced support to OS X as well. The tool even gets noticed for its code completion for templates and syntax highlighting (although, it nowhere works for the cocoa textbox shortcuts by default). It has better Syntax highlighting features along with smarter indentation for different templates. Debugging with Komodo is no less than a funny operation for the Python developers. Auto Code completion and Django template tags and filters are yet another top feature of Komodo IDE. In Komodo, there is another buzz for the Python developers that enables them to search file directly with Go- To- File search option. With Hyperlinks, it can make you traverse around the application on the fly and reach at the destination with a click. So, overall, Komodo is a great IDE for programmers who need support for multiple languages yet need simple programming.

PyCharm

Designed for increased productivity, PyCharm makes coding a quick, result-oriented experience. It is one of the most advanced IDE available in current industries. There are many features of JetBrain’s PyCharm to make the coding experience not only beautiful but also interesting. The charm starts with Code Assistance tricks like Auto Complete feature, Auto Indentation, Syntax Highlighting, comment or un-comment a statement etc. Code snippets and code folding is yet two major smart features of this IDE. Along with coding assistance for Python, it also provides support for other web languages like JavaScript, HTML and CSS etc that makes it perfect for the Python web developers. It also provides support for Django Internationalization or I18N i.e. helpful in creating multilingual and multicultural web applications. It has reStructuredText markup and Epydoc for highlighting and code completion for tags and tag parameters. There’s integrated support for Smart Code Navigation that allows users to conveniently leap into or skip any place of their code by using Go to Class or file or symbol, etc. The IDE features Intelligent Coding Assistance that lends support to auto-completion and a wide range of development tools, including database querying, SVN, Git, terminal, and debugging tools. As a whole, PyCharm is a great IDE choice (not to forget, its super fast code refactoring function).

Sublime

We could not afford to skip Sublime as such a well-designed IDE for Django. The IDE is also known as Sublime Text 3 in the industry. This is more for Python Django web developers since it has most features that will attract web developers on its first sight. Features like web language support, Split layouts, Chrome like Tabs, etc. makes it fit for the cyber industry. With st3_split_screen, the web developer can create multiple views over the platform that enables the web developers in viewing his code along with browser at once. It also enables the developer to test the application in one view while modifying the source code in the other. This works like a charm for the developers who offer expert Django development services. The multi-purpose tool comes with its personal, unique package manager that basically lets users install add-ons, additional styles, and plug-ins. It even supports several languages and is widely popular amongst web programmers. Along with that, it has almost all the features of any other Python IDE that are obviously common.

Wing

And of course, the one with more than 15 years in development and many more to welcome! Wing is an innovative, feature-rich IDE for Django - the highlighting aspect being its debugging tool. The tool enables extensive Python development, embeds auto refactoring tool with no errors, and high customization with several choices, key bindings, and user interface customizations. It even allows developers to introduce variables for expression, smoothly build blocks of existing code, and experience quick coding through ‘Go To’ code feature. Although it has dated UI and UX, Wing is a great IDE choice for Django developers (thanks to its embedded Pylint Tool and Auto Completion functions as well).

Mindfire Solutions has over a period of more than 9 years successfully executed a gamut of Django web development projects that have catered to various industries and geographies. To learn more about how we can help you with web development projects using Django mail your requirements to sales at Mindfire Solutions dot com.

An Introduction to Django REST Framework

As a set of programming instructions, protocols and standards, application programming interfaces (APIs) are used widely by modern software developers. An API defines how the software application will web tools and web-based applications. Thus, a software application sends request to other applications through APIs to perform specific things.

The programmers must be able to read and understand the API to effectuate communication and interactions between different software applications. Django REST framework (DRF) is designed as a powerful and flexible toolkit to help programmers to create APIs rapidly. Also, it makes it easier for developers to build web APIs that can be accessed through a web browser directly.

Important Features of Django REST Framework

Web-browsable API

As noted earlier, the web programmers must be able to read the API to effectuate communication between applications. DRF can be used as a powerful toolkit for developing APIs that are readable for programmers. When HTML format is requested, DRF generates HTML output for each resource. The HTML output can be read by the programmers as well as web browsers. The programmers can further browse through the resources easily, and submit data to the resources through PUT, POST and DELETE.

Serialization

DRF is designed with a built in model serialization. The model serialization enables developers effectuate representation of data without writing longer lines of code. At the same time, it further allows programmers to get the data delivered in a number of formats. The latest version of DRF also comes with simpler model serializers that are both easy to understand and easy to debug. The model serializers further allow programmers to switch between the explicit Serializer class and implicit ModelSerializer class.

Authentication Policies

To protect the website, developers have to check the incoming requests based on specific identifying criterions like who is making the request or if the request is properly signed. The developers mention a set of identifying criterions to decide about permitting or declining a request. DRF allows programmers to avail a set of predefined authentication schemes. The developers also have option to create and implement custom authentication themes. Whenever the view starts, DRF run the authentication scheme immediately. Thus, each time the authentication is performed before the proceeding of other code begins.

Customization

DRF allows programmers to use the class based as well as function based views. The regular function based views make it easier for developers to customize request processing. They can use the function based views to receive an instance of Request instead of the normal Django HTTPRequest. Likewise, the views can also be used to return a Response instead of the normal Django HTTPResponse. At the same time, the developers can use the api_view decorator to define a set of HTTP methods that the view will respond to. Thus, it becomes easier for programmers to configure request processing according to their specific needs.

Extensive Documentation

While using DRF, programmers can save time and efforts by referring to the extensive documentation, and availing the support of a large community. At the same time, they also have option to choose from several approaches to API documentation. Likewise, the Django REST framework can also be integrated with a variety of popular API documentation tools like Swagger and Apiary. Thus, the skilled Django developers can use these tools to make the browsable APIs self-describing and reusable.

The version 3.0 of the Django REST framework also comes with several new features including a new BaseSerializer class, simple model serializers, and printable illustrations on serializers. It further enables web developers to customize the requests handled by the APIs using a Meta API. So the developers can use Django REST framework version 3 to create, maintain and debug their application in a faster and more efficient way.

Mindfire Solutions provides expert Django development services from India, gaining its expertise from years of experience in Python/Django based web and application development. If you have any Django development project in mind, you are at the right place. Please write to us at sales at MindfireSolutions dot com and we will be replying to you in one business day.