Django REST Framework Course by Bobby Stearman

Introduction

• Instructor: Bobby Stearman, senior software engineer
• Platform: freeCodeCamp
• Course Focus: Building web APIs using Django REST framework
• Duration: ~1.5 hours
• Modules: 8

What is Django REST framework?

• A toolkit to build web APIs using Python
• Allows handling of requests (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
• Validates incoming information and responds to users
• Can be used as a backend with frontend frameworks (React, Vue)

Course Outline

Module 1: Initial Setup

• Prerequisites: Python 3.10, Docker, Docker Compose
• Setup Steps:
  • Clone repository from GitHub
  • Create a directory drf_course
  • Install necessary extensions and tools (VS Code, Docker)
  • Structure: backend, steps, various configuration files
• Commands:
  • Create virtual environment: python -m venv venv
  • Activate virtual environment: venv\Scripts\activate.bat (Windows)
  • Install dependencies: pip install -r backend/requirements.txt
  • Start Django project: django-admin startproject backend/drf_course
• Files: settings.py, manage.py, .env template

Module 2: Setup Configurations

• Add Core App: python manage.py startapp core in backend directory
• Configure Settings: .env variables, installed apps, REST framework settings
• Add URLs: Configure URL routing for core app
• Database Migration: python manage.py makemigrations and python manage.py migrate
• Run Server: python manage.py runserver
• Check Endpoint: Check default Django page at localhost:8000

Module 3: Building Core App

• Models: Define contact model
• Serializers: Create contact serializer
• Views: Handle API logic (POST requests for contact)
• URLs: Map URLs to views
• Testing: Use HTTPie to test API endpoint
• Docker Integration: Use Docker to run and test the project

Module 4: Testing Core App

• Write Tests: Create test cases for core functionality
• Run Tests: Use python manage.py test to run tests
• Database Validation: Verify data using Django shell

Module 5: Token Authentication

• Add Token Auth: Update settings for token authentication
• Setup Signals: Automatically create token for new users using signals
• Create Superuser: Add admin user and check token creation
• Test Endpoint: Get token using HTTPie

Module 6: E-commerce App Setup

• Create Models: Define item and order models
• Serializers: Create serializers for item and order
• Migrate DB: python manage.py makemigrations and python manage.py migrate
• Admin Interface: Add models to admin for easy testing

Module 7: E-commerce Views and Routers

• Views: Define views for listing items and orders
• Routers: Configure routers for e-commerce views
• Permissions: Set up permissions for authenticated access

Module 8: Testing E-commerce App

• Write Tests: Create extensive test cases for e-commerce endpoints
• Run Tests: Ensure all functionality works as expected
• Final Testing: Use HTTPie to make requests and validate responses

Conclusion

• Final Configuration: Validate final directory structure
• Key Takeaways: Fully functional API with authentication, dynamic endpoints, error handling
• Acknowledgements: FreeCodeCamp for platform support and promotion

Additional Resources

• Instructor Channel: DidCoding on YouTube
• Documentation: Django REST framework Docs