**Course Title:** Mastering Django Framework: Building Scalable Web Applications **Section Title:** Version Control and Deployment **Topic:** Deploying Django applications to cloud platforms (Heroku, AWS) **Overview** In this topic, we will explore the process of deploying Django applications to cloud platforms, specifically Heroku and AWS. We will cover the necessary steps, tools, and best practices to ensure a smooth and scalable deployment process. **Prerequisites** * Familiarity with Django framework * Basic understanding of Git and GitHub * Familiarity with Heroku and AWS platforms (optional but recommended) **Deploying to Heroku** Heroku is a popular cloud platform that provides a simple and efficient way to deploy web applications. Here's a step-by-step guide to deploying your Django application to Heroku: 1. **Create a Heroku account**: Sign up for a Heroku account if you haven't already. You can do this by visiting the Heroku website and following the registration process. 2. **Install the Heroku CLI**: Install the Heroku CLI on your local machine by following the instructions on the Heroku website. 3. **Create a new Heroku app**: Run the command `heroku create` to create a new Heroku app. This will generate a unique app name and provide you with a Git remote URL. 4. **Configure your Django project**: In your Django project, create a new file called `requirements.txt` and add the following line: `gunicorn==20.1.0`. This will specify the Gunicorn web server that Heroku uses. 5. **Create a Procfile**: Create a new file called `Procfile` in the root of your project and add the following line: `web: gunicorn myproject.wsgi:application`. This will specify the command to run your Django application. 6. **Commit and push changes**: Commit your changes and push them to your Heroku app using the command `git push heroku main`. 7. **Verify deployment**: Visit your Heroku app URL to verify that your Django application is deployed successfully. **Deploying to AWS** AWS is a comprehensive cloud platform that provides a wide range of services for deploying web applications. Here's a step-by-step guide to deploying your Django application to AWS: 1. **Create an AWS account**: Sign up for an AWS account if you haven't already. You can do this by visiting the AWS website and following the registration process. 2. **Create an EC2 instance**: Create a new EC2 instance by following the instructions on the AWS website. This will provide you with a virtual server to deploy your Django application. 3. **Configure your Django project**: In your Django project, create a new file called `requirements.txt` and add the following line: `gunicorn==20.1.0`. This will specify the Gunicorn web server that AWS uses. 4. **Create a WSGI file**: Create a new file called `wsgi.py` in the root of your project and add the following code: `from django.core.wsgi import get_wsgi_application application = get_wsgi_application()`. This will specify the WSGI application to run your Django application. 5. **Create a systemd service file**: Create a new file called `myproject.service` in the `/etc/systemd/system` directory and add the following code: `[Unit] Description=Django Application [Service] User=myuser ExecStart=/usr/bin/gunicorn --workers 3 --bind unix:/run/gunicorn.sock myproject.wsgi:application Restart=always [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target`. This will specify the systemd service to run your Django application. 6. **Commit and push changes**: Commit your changes and push them to your AWS EC2 instance using the command `git push aws main`. 7. **Verify deployment**: Visit your AWS EC2 instance URL to verify that your Django application is deployed successfully. **Best Practices** * Use a version control system like Git to manage your codebase. * Use a cloud platform like Heroku or AWS to deploy your Django application. * Use a web server like Gunicorn to serve your Django application. * Use a WSGI file to specify the WSGI application to run your Django application. * Use a systemd service file to specify the systemd service to run your Django application. **Conclusion** Deploying a Django application to a cloud platform like Heroku or AWS requires careful planning and execution. By following the steps outlined in this topic, you can ensure a smooth and scalable deployment process. Remember to use a version control system like Git to manage your codebase, and use a cloud platform like Heroku or AWS to deploy your Django application.