django faq

faq.md

Frequently asked questions:

• Why shouldn't i use mysql? / mongo?
• Should I use jinja, I read it's faster?
• Should I use sqlalchemy, I read it's superior?
• How do i make this thing happen in parallel/not wait for xxx to finish?
• Why does django ask for a default? (But my table has no data in it wtf django!?!)
  • FunkyBob | I think, perhaps, it's time I wrote a blog post on "why does a migration adding a field need a default?"
• Why do I need to commit my migrations? Why can't I just run makemigrations on the server?
• migrations are source, makemigrations is a helper which takes you part way
• i've seen people accidentally lose their migrations on production…  oops now what?
• Why can't I just use locals() for template contexts?

Frequently encountered issues:

• lack of trailing slash: redirect causing issues with comparisons & tests; POSTs…
• staticfiles_dirs contains static_root

Some extra FAQ's that I see regularly on irc for a future MelbDjango: (ideally I'd like to survey people in the room to provide more meaningful answers to people who ask these questions)

• Which editor/development environment should I use?
• How do I debug my django project anyway? (logging, debuggers, DjDT)

What's the deal with static files anyway? Should I have a static directory in my PROJ_ROOT, or should I put them in my apps?

Where should I put my project-wide base.html?