Django is a high-level Python web framework that simplifies the process of building robust web applications. If you’re using CentOS as your operating system, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of installing Django and setting up a development environment.

Step 1: Update System Packages
Before installing any software, it’s essential to ensure that your CentOS system is up to date. Open a terminal and run the following command:

sudo yum update

Step 2: Install Python and pip
Django requires Python to be installed on your system. Execute the following command to install Python and pip (Python package installer):

sudo yum install python3 python3-pip

Step 3: Create a Virtual Environment
Creating a virtual environment is a best practice for isolating your Django project’s dependencies. Change to your desired project directory and create a new virtual environment by running the following command:

python3 -m venv myenv

Replace “myenv” with the name you prefer for your virtual environment.

Step 4: Activate the Virtual Environment
Activate the virtual environment by executing the appropriate command based on your shell:
For Bash or Zsh:

source myenv/bin/activate

For Fish:

source myenv/bin/activate.fish

Step 5: Install Django
With the virtual environment activated, you can now install Django using pip:

pip install django

This command will install the latest stable version of Django.

Step 6: Verify the Installation
To verify that Django is installed correctly, run the following command:

django-admin --version

If Django is installed successfully, it will display the version number.

Step 7: Start a New Django Project
Navigate to your desired project directory and create a new Django project using the following command:

django-admin startproject myproject

Replace “myproject” with the name you prefer for your Django project.

Step 8: Run the Development Server
Change into the project directory:

cd myproject

Start the development server by executing the following command:

python manage.py runserver

By default, the development server will run on http://127.0.0.1:8000/.

Step 9: Access Your Django Application
Open a web browser and enter http://127.0.0.1:8000/ in the address bar. You should see the default Django welcome page, indicating that your Django installation is successful.

Conclusion:

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Django on your CentOS system and set up a development environment. You can now start building powerful web applications using the Django framework. Take advantage of Django’s extensive features and documentation to create dynamic and scalable projects.