Datta Able Django Template – Start with Docker

Django Datta Able - Open-source dashboard crafted with Docker and Django.
Datta Able Django – Free Dashboard

This article presents an open-source seed project crafted with Docker and Django on top of Datta Able Bootstrap 4 design (free version). The product can be used from simple eLearning projects to fully-fledged commercial products based on the permissive (MIT) License.

For newcomers, Django is a leading web framework coded in Python by experienced programmers using a “batteries-included” concept and Docker is a popular virtualization platform used to deliver software much faster.

Thanks for reading! Topics covered:

  • 👉 Section #1 – Short introduction to Django
  • 👉 Section #2 – What is Docker
  • 👉 Section #3 – Start Datta Able Dashboard in Docker
  • 👉 Section #4 – Compile Datta Able from Sources
  • 👉 Django Datta Able – source code (contains the DEMO link)

1# – Django Short Introduction

Django is a modern web framework crafted in Python language that provides modules and libraries for many common features required in modern web development. This amazing library is actively supported and versioned by a large open-source community using a batteries-included concept. Here is a short list with features provided by Django out-of-the-box :

  • Session-based authentication, Social Login via Google, Apple .. etc.
  • Out-of-the-box Admin Section with CRUD access for all tables
  • Abstract Database access via a powerful ORM
  • Powerful built-in security patterns (anti-CSRF, XSS attacks)
  • Helpers for almost anything: forms, data validation
  • A powerful command-line-interface to interact with the application

Django can be installed in many ways and the most recommended way is to use PIP, the official Python package manager. Let’s create a simple Django project.

Step #1 – Create a virtual environment (optional but recommended)

$ virtualenv env
$
$ # Activate the virtual environment
$ source env/bin/activate

Step #2 – Install Django via PIP, the official package manager for Python

$ pip install django // install latest version 

Step #3 – Build a simple Django project

$ mkdir my_django_project 
$ cd my_django_project
$
$ django-admin startproject config . 

Step #4 – Start the project

$ python manage.py runserver 

Once all the above commands are executed, we should see in the browser the default Django splash screen when accessing http://localhost:8000 .

Datta Able Template - built with Django and Docker by AppSeed and CodedThemes.
Django – Default Project Page

2# – What is Docker

According to the official documentation, Docker is virtualization software for developing, shipping, and running applications that provides a clear separation of applications from the infrastructure so we can deliver software much faster and reliable. Basically, Docker provides a way to bundle web apps and APIs into containers that are executable components built with applications source code and operating system software libraries.

Docker the virtualization layer used to code Django Datta Able Template.
Docker – Official Logo.

Once the containers are bundled, Docker provides also a control layer that enables full control over the software: deploy, start, stop, restart and update containers using simple commands. For more information about Docker feel free to access:

3# – Start Datta Able using Docker

Probably the most easier way to start and use the product is to use the Docker scripts shipped with product sources. The first step is to download the product from the official page or use Git to clone the product from Github. Once the sources are available on our workstation, we can build and start the product with ease:

Step #1 – Clone sources from Github

$ git clone https://github.com/app-generator/django-datta-able.git
$ cd django-datta-able

Step #2 – Start in Datta Able Django Docker

$ docker-compose pull   # pull dependencies 
$ docker-compose build  # build local packages
$ docker-compose up     # start Datta Able in Docker

If all the above commands are executed successfully, we can visit the app in the browser and interact with the UI:

Login page of an open-source seed project crafted in Django and Docker by AppSeed and CodedThemes.
Datta Able Django – Login Page

To access the private pages we need to register a new user and authenticate. Once the Sign IN is passed, we can access all private pages: dashboard, charts, transactions.

Chart page of an open-source seed project crafted in Django and Docker on top of Datta Able design by CodedThemes and AppSeed.
Datta Able Django – Charts PAge.

4# – Compile from sources

Another way to build Django Datta Able is to follow the build instruction provided by the official documentation and compile from sources. Here is the code:

Step #1 – Clone sources or download from the product page

$ git clone https://github.com/app-generator/django-datta-able.git
$ cd django-datta-able

Step 2 – Install app modules

$ virtualenv env
$ source env/bin/activate
$ 
$ pip3 install -r requirements.txt

Step 3 – Set up database (mandatory step)

$ python manage.py makemigrations
$ python manage.py migrate

Step 4 – Start the project

$ # Start the application (development mode)
$ python manage.py runserver # default port 8000

By visiting the app in the browser, we should be able to authenticate and use this simple Django Template.

Widgets page of an open-source dashboard crafted with Django and Docker on top of Datta Able design (free version).
Django Datta Able – Widgets Page.

Thanks for reading! For more resources, please access: