Reviews for The Definitive Guide To Django: Web Development Done Right 2nd Edition (Expert's Voice in Web Development)

1. Excellent resource for seasoned phython programmers

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, January 12th, 2010

   This book is packed with just the information you need if you are undertaking a major django project. It's not an introduction. I recommend Bennett (Practical Django Projects) if you are just getting started. You also need to be fluent in Python. See some of my other reviews for python books.
   
   If you are up to the task of writing production django code then you will find that this book covers all the bases and a lot of common special-purpose topics ranging from PDF and RSS to security, caching and internationalization. In short, everything you need to know once you conquered the basics.

2. Great book... - so long as you have some existing programming skills

   Rated 4 out of 5 stars, September 12th, 2009

   This is a great book. Django has now stabilised sufficiently that it is possible to write a book covering its usage and worth buying such a book. If you have good linux sys admin skills you can pick it up and easily work through it. I recommend you purchase another book like 'Practical Django Projects' and start working through those projects after you have finished 'The Definitive Guide to Django'. The definitive guide covers a lot of ground and you will certainly need to concentrate but I doubt you will find a better book with which to learn Django so long as you already have some experience in the programming, web development sys admin area. If you are a beginner I would start somewhere else.

3. Should be called "Hit the ground running"

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, July 12rd, 2009

   This book is great. I'm a web developer by trade but hadn't put much time into Django. This book would be suited for all types of web-person, with clearly laid out bits to type in and explaining the settings as you go.
   
   I got a full working site up and running in about 8 hours and that includes learning Django and deploying to a server.
   
   I've learned both Django and Ruby on Rails and I'll be chucking my Rails book in the bin!

4. Definitive Django Guide done right!

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, March 12th, 2008

   Forget Rails...been anticipating this book for some 6 months now and it's most definitely not a disappointment. Logically laid out and written in a style that shares enthusiasm for what is a fine web framework. If you're starting out in Django or need a desktop reference pick this up and get cracking. You'll undoubtedly be surprised how easy it is to build websites with Django, I'm not a programer, a web designer by trade and it impressed me with how much can be accomplished with only a basic knowledge of the framework. Highly recommended, what are you waiting for??

5. Great book, but beware of outdated sections

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, February 12th, 2008

   This book is a fine and comprehensive romp through the essential workings and features of the Django python web development framework.
   
   The book is divided into three parts. Part 1, 'Getting started', takes you from the concept of MVC through installation to the mechanics of getting a basic database-backed site up and running. Part 2, 'Subframeworks', goes on to discuss more advanced topics like the awesome generic views, caching, middleware, internationalisation and linking up with legacy databases. Part 3 consists of 8 reference appendices.
   
   I love the tone of the writing in this book. It's concise, detailed where necessary, and occasionally irreverent (particularly when discussing Java and PHP!). Visually it looks great, following the current design of other Apress books.
   
   On the negative side, Django is a fast moving project, and in a state of flux at the time of publishing (Dec '07). Chapter 7, Form Processing, seems to suffer most as the section on automatic form classes uses deprecated functions (according to the website), and their replacement, ModelForms, doesn't even get a mention. Also, there is only talk of the now-implemented 'auto-escaping' of browser input, so keep an eye on the Django project docs. Finally, there is the odd place where it's not quite clear into which file a particular code extract should go, and here and there I'd like to see more example usage.
   
   Aah, the joys of book publishing. Still, I can't wait for a second edition when development has calmed down a bit!
   
   Fortunately, given the unique way in which this book was written (do a web search for 'djangobook' and you'll see what I mean), you can give very precise feedback on a paragraph-by-paragraph basis, or get technical feedback provided by other readers. You might even get a credit in the next edition!
   
   Overall, this book is essential for anyone getting into Django web development. Four stars + 1 for the way in which you can contribute back to the book.