How to Install Django 4 on AlmaLinux

Django is one of the most popular Python frameworks for building robust, scalable web applications. With its “batteries-included” approach, Django offers a range of tools and features to streamline web development, from handling user authentication to database migrations. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to install Django 4 on AlmaLinux, a stable and secure enterprise Linux distribution derived from RHEL.

Why Choose Django 4?

Django 4 introduces several enhancements and optimizations, including:

1. New Features:
   • Async support for ORM queries.
   • Functional middleware for better performance.
2. Enhanced Security:
   • More secure cookie settings.
   • Improved cross-site scripting (XSS) protection.
3. Modernized Codebase:
   • Dropped support for older Python versions, ensuring compatibility with the latest tools.

Django 4 is ideal for developers seeking cutting-edge functionality without compromising stability.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have the following:

• AlmaLinux installed: This guide assumes you have administrative access.
• Python 3.8 or newer: Django 4 requires Python 3.8 or higher.
• Sudo privileges: Many steps require administrative rights.

Step 1: Update the System

Start by updating your system to ensure you have the latest packages and security updates:

sudo dnf update -y

Step 2: Install Python

Django requires Python 3.8 or newer. AlmaLinux may not have the latest Python version pre-installed, so follow these steps to install Python.

Enable the Required Repositories

First, enable the Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) and CodeReady Builder (CRB) repositories:

sudo dnf install -y epel-release
sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled crb

Install Python

Next, install Python 3.9 or a newer version:

sudo dnf install -y python39 python39-pip python39-devel

Verify the Python Installation

Check the installed Python version:

python3.9 --version

You should see an output like:

Python 3.9.x

Step 3: Install and Configure Virtual Environment

It’s best practice to use a virtual environment to isolate your Django project dependencies. Virtual environments ensure your project doesn’t interfere with system-level Python packages or other projects.

Install venv

The venv module comes with Python 3.9, so you don’t need to install it separately. If it’s not already installed, ensure the python39-devel package is present.

Create a Virtual Environment

Create a directory for your project and initialize a virtual environment:

mkdir my_django_project
cd my_django_project
python3.9 -m venv venv

Activate the Virtual Environment

Activate the virtual environment with the following command:

source venv/bin/activate

Your terminal prompt will change to indicate the virtual environment is active, e.g., (venv).

Step 4: Install Django 4

With the virtual environment activated, install Django using pip:

pip install django==4.2

You can verify the installation by checking the Django version:

python -m django --version

The output should show:

4.2.x

Step 5: Create a Django Project

With Django installed, you can now create a new Django project.

Create a New Project

Run the following command to create a Django project named myproject:

django-admin startproject myproject .

This command initializes a Django project in the current directory. The project structure will look like this:

my_django_project/
├── manage.py
├── myproject/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── asgi.py
│   ├── settings.py
│   ├── urls.py
│   └── wsgi.py
└── venv/

Run the Development Server

Start the built-in Django development server to test the setup:

python manage.py runserver

Open your browser and navigate to http://127.0.0.1:8000. You should see the Django welcome page, confirming that your installation was successful.

Step 6: Configure the Firewall

If you want to access your Django development server from other devices, configure the AlmaLinux firewall to allow traffic on port 8000.

Allow Port 8000

Run the following commands to open port 8000:

sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=8000/tcp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Now, you can access the server from another device using your AlmaLinux machine’s IP address.

Step 7: Configure Database Support

By default, Django uses SQLite, which is suitable for development. For production, consider using a more robust database like PostgreSQL or MySQL.

Install PostgreSQL

Install PostgreSQL and its Python adapter:

sudo dnf install -y postgresql-server postgresql-devel
pip install psycopg2

Update Django Settings

Edit the settings.py file to configure PostgreSQL as the database:

DATABASES = {
    'default': {
        'ENGINE': 'django.db.backends.postgresql',
        'NAME': 'mydatabase',
        'USER': 'myuser',
        'PASSWORD': 'mypassword',
        'HOST': 'localhost',
        'PORT': '5432',
    }
}

Apply Migrations

Run migrations to set up the database:

python manage.py migrate

Step 8: Deploy Django with a Production Server

The Django development server is not suitable for production. Use a WSGI server like Gunicorn with Nginx or Apache for a production environment.

Install Gunicorn

Install Gunicorn using pip:

pip install gunicorn

Test Gunicorn

Run Gunicorn to serve your Django project:

gunicorn myproject.wsgi:application

Install and Configure Nginx

Install Nginx as a reverse proxy:

sudo dnf install -y nginx

Create a new configuration file for your Django project:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/conf.d/myproject.conf

Add the following configuration:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name your_domain_or_ip;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8000;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
    }
}

Restart Nginx to apply the changes:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

Step 9: Secure the Application

For production, secure your application by enabling HTTPS with a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt.

Install Certbot

Install Certbot for Nginx:

sudo dnf install -y certbot python3-certbot-nginx

Obtain an SSL Certificate

Run the following command to obtain and configure an SSL certificate:

sudo certbot --nginx -d your_domain

Certbot will automatically configure Nginx to use the SSL certificate.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you’ve successfully installed Django 4 on AlmaLinux, set up a project, configured the database, and prepared the application for production deployment. AlmaLinux provides a secure and stable platform for Django, making it a great choice for developing and hosting web applications.

Django 4’s features, combined with AlmaLinux’s reliability, enable you to build scalable, secure, and modern web applications. Whether you’re developing for personal projects or enterprise-grade systems, this stack is a powerful foundation for your web development journey. Happy coding!