Build reliable habits in the Python playground—the same debugging loop transfers to local Django with python manage.py runserver and your IDE.
Recommended workflow
- Read the concept section before editing code.
- Click Run to execute Python on the dev runner.
- Use
print()for values; use dicts and classes to simulate Django patterns. - Change one idea at a time—one queryset filter, one URL pattern, one model field.
- When lessons show
manage.pycommands, run them locally afterpip install django. - Reset the editor if you drift far from the lesson goal.
What the runner can and cannot do
- Can — Python 3 syntax, classes, dicts/lists, simulated ORM/queryset logic
- Conceptual —
settings.py, migrations, templates, admin, full HTTP cycle - Needs local setup — real Django project, PostgreSQL,
runserver, static file serving in production
Review HTML forms if GET vs POST feels fuzzy—Django views read the same request data.
Self-check
- Why does this track simulate ORM in plain Python?
- When should you install Django on your machine?
Challenge
First run
- Click Run with the default code.
- Confirm the Python version prints in the output.
- Add a second
print()with a custom message.
Done when: the terminal shows the Python version and your custom message.