# Django Development Workflow and Project Structure

## 1. Project Setup

```
my_project/
    manage.py
    my_project/
        __init__.py
        settings.py
        urls.py
        asgi.py
        wsgi.py
    apps/
        app1/
            __init__.py
            admin.py
            apps.py
            models.py
            tests.py
            views.py
            urls.py
            migrations/
            templates/
                app1/
            static/
                app1/
        app2/
            # Similar structure to app1
    templates/
    static/
    media/
    requirements.txt
    .gitignore
    README.md
```

## 2. Development Workflow

1. **Plan Your Project**
   - Define models, views, and URL structure
   - Create a list of features and prioritize them

2. **Set Up the Project**
   - Create a virtual environment
   - Install Django and other dependencies
   - Start a new Django project
   - Configure settings.py (database, static files, etc.)

3. **Create Apps**
   - Use `python manage.py startapp` for each major feature
   - Move apps into the `apps/` directory for better organization

4. **Define Models**
   - Design your data schema in `models.py`
   - Create migrations: `python manage.py makemigrations`
   - Apply migrations: `python manage.py migrate`

5. **Create Views and Templates**
   - Implement view logic in `views.py`
   - Create corresponding HTML templates

6. **Configure URLs**
   - Set up URL patterns in `urls.py` (both project and app level)

7. **Implement Forms**
   - Create forms for data input and processing

8. **Add Static Files**
   - Organize CSS, JavaScript, and images in static directories

9. **Set Up Admin Interface**
   - Customize `admin.py` for each app

10. **Write Tests**
    - Create unit tests for models, views, and forms
    - Run tests frequently: `python manage.py test`

11. **Implement Authentication and Authorization**
    - Set up user registration, login, and permissions

12. **Continuous Development and Iteration**
    - Regularly commit changes to version control
    - Refactor code as needed
    - Add new features incrementally

13. **Documentation**
    - Maintain a README.md with project setup instructions
    - Document complex parts of your code

14. **Deployment Preparation**
    - Set up production settings
    - Collect static files: `python manage.py collectstatic`
    - Configure your web server (e.g., Gunicorn, Nginx)

## Best Practices

- Follow PEP 8 style guide for Python code
- Use meaningful names for variables, functions, and classes
- Keep views thin, move business logic to models or separate service classes
- Use class-based views for reusable, DRY code
- Leverage Django's built-in features (forms, authentication, admin) when possible
- Use environment variables for sensitive information
- Regularly update dependencies and Django version