Django 2024: What’s Trending and Expert Insights

Welcome to DS BizTech 23!

With Python and Django as cornerstone technologies for our development team, we keep a close eye on everything happening in this space. In this issue, we invite you to explore the latest trends among Django developers and dive deep into developing APIs with Django REST Framework. Additionally, you'll find our latest news and some valuable intel for startups.

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The Pulse of the Community

With our focus on Python and Django trends, we couldn't miss the recent JetBrains survey of over 4,000 Django developers. A goldmine of industry insights.

Django remains the top choice for 74% of respondents. FastAPI and Flask are also popular, with a third of Django developers using at least one. This suggests that professionals working on multiple projects choose tools based on specific needs: feature-rich Django for complex apps, Flask for simpler ones (static sites) or microservices, and FastAPI for API endpoints with heavy I/O. The low overlap of all three (11%) suggests many developers use Flask and FastAPI for similar tasks, leaning towards FastAPI for its async capabilities.

Django is used for both full-stack and API development, with a growing focus on APIs.

Django Ninja is gaining traction, challenging DRF. It offers high performance and async features similar to FastAPI but within the Django ecosystem, making it easier to learn.?

By the way, this topic also caught our attention at DjangoCon Europe 2024.

Asynchronous programming adoption has reached 61% among Django developers. While FastAPI, built with async in mind, is preferred by 21%, Django's async support is also advancing.

In the frontend, TypeScript is closing the gap on JavaScript thanks to its static typing, enhancing code reliability. JavaScript frameworks like Vue, jQuery, and React are declining, while simpler options like htmx and Alpine.js are expanding. A shift towards Tailwind CSS over Bootstrap reflects a preference for more customizable styling approaches in web projects.

Further highlights are:

• PostgreSQL is the preferred database (76%), indicating a preference for robust, SQL-based systems for web applications. Redis is widely used for caching.
• Container orchestration adoption has surpassed 50%, with Amazon ECS/Fargate leading due to its ease of use and AWS integration. Self-managed Kubernetes (14%) attracts those seeking flexibility and control, along with easy migration and sharing between private and public clouds.
• GitHub Actions' growth as the leading CI tool due to its integration with GitHub and user-friendly pipeline management with YAML. Additionally, it supports custom hardware configurations for running larger jobs.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is used by 39% of respondents, highlighting a trend towards automation. Terraform is the most popular IaC tool, preferred by 20%.
• Team leads and fully employed developers prioritize migration features while expressing less enthusiasm for authentication, templates, and class-based views.

For more development insights, check out our article on choosing between Django and Flask for web development.

Inside Django Stars: Updates and Insights

• Our software development team values transparency and efficiency, aligning closely with client goals to deliver projects on time and exceed expectations. Check out our client feedback, which underscores the effectiveness of our collaborative approach, and consider the advantages of partnering with us.

• Explore our new infographic, which illustrates our client sector distribution and demonstrates how we drive business impact across industries such as fintech and e-commerce. Our expertise in anticipating trends and implementing best practices ensures reliable support for securing digital success.
• Dmytro Sichkar , Senior Backend Engineer & Tech Lead at Django Stars, explores the evolution of CRM systems through AI in his latest article. Learn about the shift from traditional to AI-powered CRMs, featuring predictive analytics and enhanced personalization, along with ethical considerations. Gain insights on optimizing CRM with AI to remain competitive.

Startups Corner: Joining Forces to Propel Innovation

We are pleased to announce our official technical partnership with the Swiss Startup Association (SSA) — raising the bar in our approach to providing exceptional IT support to startups and scale-ups.

Since 2008, we have been helping innovators turn ambitious ideas into successful digital products. Our portfolio, featuring leading industry names, highlights our experience in delivering high-quality solutions efficiently and within budget.

Our partnership with SSA is set to foster outstanding new projects within the Swiss startup ecosystem, driving innovation, growth, and success.

Blog Highlight: How to Develop APIs with Django REST Framework

REST APIs are essential in every application or software for integrating the backend and frontend components, and much more. Mastering this enables developers to create a wide variety of products. While many frameworks can facilitate the building of APIs for blog applications, the Django REST Framework (DRF), built on top of Django, is particularly notable for its convenience and numerous advantages:

• Its web-browsable API significantly enhances usability for developers.
• It supports a range of authentication policies, including packages for OAuth1 and OAuth2.
• Serialization is compatible with both ORM and non-ORM data sources.
• The framework is highly customizable, allowing the use of regular function-based views if the more advanced features are not required.
• DRF boasts extensive documentation and robust community support.
• It is trusted and used by globally recognized companies.

To master the Django REST Framework, follow our step-by-step tutorial, complete with executable command examples.

We will guide you through all the stages of building an API with DRF in detail: setting up your development environment, creating a Django project from a template, installing required packages, bootstrapping the database, and creating a blog application. Additionally, we will explore Test-Driven Development (TDD) of APIs, serializers, testing APIs with the browsable DRF interface, and other crucial aspects.

Dive into this comprehensive guide and unlock the full potential of Django REST Framework to boost your development skills.

Developer's Corner: More from the DS Blog

• Top 10 Django Development Companies for 2024 — Navigate the landscape of Django development by exploring the top companies poised to shape the industry in 2024. Discover why Django Stars is ranked among the best and how partnering with the right company can enhance your web development success.
• TOP 17 Mistakes when Working with Django ORM — Master the intricacies of Django ORM and avoid common pitfalls with our expert guide. Learn how Django Stars can help you navigate through these challenges to enhance your application's performance and maintainability.
• 10 Best IDEs and Code Editors for Python/Django Development — Unlock your development potential with our curated list of the top IDEs and code editors for Python and Django. Whether you're focusing on ML, AI, or Big Data, find out which tools are best suited for your needs and how they can streamline your coding process.