Django: How to start working on your project

django_postgres_start_guide.md

Django 1.8 & PostgreSQL 9.4

The following are actual (suggested) steps for starting to work on a Django/PostgreSQL project. It does not cover configuring the settings of your app and database. It serves more as a reminder for what to do to get your app back up and running for development.

Step One

Activate your Python virtual environment (you are using one, right?). Then, make sure you change directories into your top-level project directory.

$ workon kanban
$ cd ~/path/to/project

Step Two

Start the PostgreSQL server on the default port. If you have lunchy installed, you can use 2 alternate commands.

# without lunchy...
$ pg_ctl start -D /usr/local/pgsql/data

# with lunchy...
$ rvm use default
$ lunchy start postgresql

Step Three

Start the Django app.

$ python manage.py runserver

Step Four

When you're done with any development or testing, be sure to stop both servers. Django can be stopped using Ctrl+c.

# without lunchy...
$ pg_ctl stop -D /usr/local/pgsql/data

# with lunchy...
$ lunchy stop postgresql

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If you add any information to your models that will need to change your database structure, you will need to use the new "migrate" feature.

# create a migration file...
$ python manage.py makemigration

# migrate your database changes...
$ python manage.py migrate