Video Course - Serverless Django Applications With Lambda

Why Go Serverless? Understanding Zappa's Benefits

About the Author

Class Details

Introduction

Creating and Configuring an AWS Account for Zappa Deployment

How to Set Up an AWS Lambda-Like Environment with Docker

Understanding the Basics of Django and Zappa Development

Activating the Environment

Getting Started

Setting Up a Zappa Development Environment

How to Deploy a Django App to the Cloud with AWS Lambda

What You Need to Know About AWS Lambda Deployments

Dive into Zappa

Django Tutorial - What are Static Files?

Two Ways to Handle Django Static Files

Configuring WhiteNoise with Django for Static Files

How to Set Up S3 Buckets to Serve Static Files from Django

Final thoughts on static files

Hosting static files

A Quick Overview of HTTPS and Custom Domain Names

Setting Up a Domain Through AWS Route 53 for a Django App

Not using AWS services

Domain Handling with Zappa - WWW and Non-WWW Options

Custom Domain Names

Creating a Cloud Database and Connecting It to a Django App

A Detailed Walkthrough for Creating Your First RDS with AWS

Connecting a Django App to a PostgreSQL Database

An Introduction to Creating Django Models [with Examples]

Final thoughts on databases

Connecting a Database

A Primer on Securing Serverless Apps in AWS

Creating a Virtual Private Cloud in AWS for a Relational Database

Securing an AWS Virtual Private Cloud for Django Deployment

Get Ready for Production

Whether you are a solo developer working on your next startup idea or a team of folks working with Django, this course shows you the way to simplify your operations overhead while saving money.  The open source Zappa utility paves the way to migrate your Django application away from old-school servers and onto the AWS Lambda serverless platform.  It's almost like having your own private Infrastructure team!

No need to watch for OS security patches or tweak Apache settings -- just focus on delivering value to your users.  All this with minimal changes to your Django application.  Leverage the power of AWS to rapidly respond to spikes in user traffic, while saving money by only paying for the web requests actually needed.

For folks ready for serverless Django, this course covers:

* Which Django apps are best to migrate and how to prepare them
* Configuring a generic and portable development environment easily set up by new developers in minutes
* Deploying and updating your code to AWS Lambda
* Best practices in serving Django static files
* Leveraging AWS services to secure your site with HTTPS and your own custom domain name
* Learning how to configure a secure network environment in AWS VPC
* Connecting your Django application to a hosted RDS database

All this while leveraging the AWS Free Tier.  While there are some lessons that may have additional cost to complete (e.g. bring your own domain name), the vast majority of this course will be using the AWS Free Tier and won't cost anything.

It's taught by Edgar Román. I was introduced to Django in 2009 and I consider it my go-to web framework. With continuous support from a vibrant community in addition to an incredibly rich ecosystem, I would be hard pressed to find another framework that matches up.

I've been using Zappa to host my Django applications for several years now, and I have found no other solution that is as powerful and cost-effective as serverless Django hosting on AWS -- especially for the solo developer working to get a product to market.

I hope you enjoy this course and harness the power of serverless Django with Zappa in your projects!

Learn how to migrate your Django application to a serverless environment hosted by AWS Lambda.

Serverless Django with Zappa

How to migrate your Django project to the AWS serverless environment

Adapt your code to changes necessary for running in the cloud

How to setup a reliable and consistent local development environment for serverless projects

How to setup and connect to a hosted RDS database

Learn about setting AWS IAM permissions for serverless projects

How to map a custom domain name to your Django project

Effectively serve Django static files via S3 or AWS Lambda

How to navigate the AWS Console to host multiple domain names

Learn about setting up a secure network environment using AWS VPC

There a number of additional details we'd like to cover about this course.

This class is targeted at folks who already have a familiarity with:

In addition, we will make heavy use of Docker. Don't worry! We'll walk you through all you need to know. But you will need to download and install Docker Desktop.

Are there additional fees during this course?

For this course, we will be using Amazon Web Services (AWS). Fortunately, AWS offers a generous free tier that allows us to deploy our Zappa projects for no cost. Even when we create our database, we'll have a year free. However, there are a few modules in this course where you may be charged for AWS services.

In Module 3, where we map a custom domain name, you'll need to purchase and register a domain name. You can use any name registrar including AWS itself. Once you have that, then you'll be subject to 

 which should be a few dollars per month.

In Module 6, where we establish a secure network environment, if your Django project will need Internet access to fulfill web requests, then you may need an optional NAT gateway and thus subject to 

It's totally natural to have questions during the course. We strive to cover all the bases in the course material, but nothing is perfect. We encourage you to join the Newline Discord Server and ask questions on the 

Within every lesson in the Newline platform exists a 

 tab where you're able to ask a question at a certain timestamp within a video or on the page.

We'll try to respond to these comments in a timely manner.

, we do try to keep our courses quite accurate. Please reach out using one of the methods mentioned above and we'll try to resolve the problem.

Some of the tasks shown in the videos may take from 30 seconds to 45 minutes. For the short duration waits, the video has been edited to save student viewing time. Long duration waits are called out in the video itself.

Occasionally, we mention an outside vendor or additional service that you may wish to integrate into your project.

Any external links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the authors of any of the products or services. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.

Note that there is minimal source code because we are using a very simple Django project as an example. Most of the course focuses upon the Serverless environment and how to properly integrate the concepts into 

Once registered, students can download the complete set of code for this course 

---
title: Class Details
description: And code download links!
role: 'INTRODUCTION'
privateVideoUrl: https://fullstack.wistia.com/medias/3a83ntpya5
isPublicLesson: true
---

There a number of additional details we'd like to cover about this course.

## For whom is this class?

This class is targeted at folks who already have a familiarity with:

-   **Python** - you should be familiar with writing code in Python 3
-   **Django** - it would be best if you've written a handful of Django apps before and have some in production. This will give you the best perspective of how easy using Zappa will be. In this course, we will be writing simple views and models in addition to running various management commands.
-   **Virtual Environments** - Zappa depends on using virtual environments, so you'll find it easier if you've used them before. If not, then you'll have to be very careful to follow the instructions closely!
-   **Amazon Web Services (AWS)** - You'll need an AWS account and the permissions to manipulate a number of services. We'll introduce and discuss permissions in the course. All AWS console work will be carefully guided and demonstrated.

In addition, we will make heavy use of Docker. Don't worry! We'll walk you through all you need to know. But you will need to download and install Docker Desktop.

## Are there additional fees during this course?

For this course, we will be using Amazon Web Services (AWS). Fortunately, AWS offers a generous free tier that allows us to deploy our Zappa projects for no cost. Even when we create our database, we'll have a year free. However, there are a few modules in this course where you may be charged for AWS services.

### Module 3 - Domain names

In Module 3, where we map a custom domain name, you'll need to purchase and register a domain name. You can use any name registrar including AWS itself. Once you have that, then you'll be subject to [Route 53 pricing](https://aws.amazon.com/route53/pricing/) which should be a few dollars per month.

### Module 6 - Getting Ready for Production

In Module 6, where we establish a secure network environment, if your Django project will need Internet access to fulfill web requests, then you may need an optional NAT gateway and thus subject to [NAT gateway](https://aws.amazon.com/vpc/pricing/) pricing.

## What if I have questions?

It's totally natural to have questions during the course. We strive to cover all the bases in the course material, but nothing is perfect. We encourage you to join the Newline Discord Server and ask questions on the `#serverless-django-with-zappa channel`.

:::tip

🎳 Join us over at the `#serverless-django-with-zappa channel` in our Discord organization - [here](https://discord.gg/aWu7YxG).

:::

Within every lesson in the Newline platform exists a `Discussion` tab where you're able to ask a question at a certain timestamp within a video or on the page.

We'll try to respond to these comments in a timely manner.

## What if I find an error?

While we don't have [Knuth bucks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knuth_reward_check), we do try to keep our courses quite accurate. Please reach out using one of the methods mentioned above and we'll try to resolve the problem.

## Note about the videos

Some of the tasks shown in the videos may take from 30 seconds to 45 minutes. For the short duration waits, the video has been edited to save student viewing time. Long duration waits are called out in the video itself.

## Disclaimer

Occasionally, we mention an outside vendor or additional service that you may wish to integrate into your project.

Any external links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the authors of any of the products or services. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.

## Code Downloads

Note that there is minimal source code because we are using a very simple Django project as an example. Most of the course focuses upon the Serverless environment and how to properly integrate the concepts into **your** projects.

:::tip Download Class Source Code

Once registered, students can download the complete set of code for this course [here](https://api.newline.co/assets/protected/courses/serverless-django-with-zappa/module_01/lesson_01.04/protected/assets/serverless-django-with-zappa-code.zip)

:::


Learn

The newline Guide to Building Your First GraphQL Server with Node and TypeScript

Teach

Amelia Wattenberger

Author of Fullstack D3

Community

Serverless Django with Zappa

Module 1: Introduction

Introduction:

Start Here

Introduction: (3:25)

Video Course - Serverless Django Applications With Lambda

Introduction: (5:34)

Why Go Serverless? Understanding Zappa's Benefits

Introduction: (1:20)

About the Author

Introduction: (3:53)

Class Details

Module 2: Getting Started

Lesson 1:

Creating and Configuring an AWS Account for Zappa Deployment

Lesson 2: (10:37)

How to Set Up an AWS Lambda-Like Environment with Docker

Lesson 3:

Understanding the Basics of Django and Zappa Development

Lesson 4: (1:12)

Activating the Environment

Module 3: Dive into Zappa

Lesson 1:

Setting Up a Zappa Development Environment

Lesson 2: (7:16)

How to Deploy a Django App to the Cloud with AWS Lambda

Lesson 3:

What You Need to Know About AWS Lambda Deployments

Module 4: Hosting static files

Lesson 1:

Django Tutorial - What are Static Files?

Lesson 2:

Two Ways to Handle Django Static Files

Lesson 3:

Configuring WhiteNoise with Django for Static Files

Lesson 4:

How to Set Up S3 Buckets to Serve Static Files from Django

Lesson 5: (1:55)

Final thoughts on static files

Module 5: Custom Domain Names

Lesson 1: (2:32)

A Quick Overview of HTTPS and Custom Domain Names

Lesson 2: (6:07)

Setting Up a Domain Through AWS Route 53 for a Django App

Lesson 3: (1:22)

Not using AWS services

Lesson 4: (6:47)

Domain Handling with Zappa - WWW and Non-WWW Options

Module 6: Connecting a Database

Lesson 1:

Creating a Cloud Database and Connecting It to a Django App

Lesson 2: (4:40)

A Detailed Walkthrough for Creating Your First RDS with AWS

Lesson 3: (7:37)

Connecting a Django App to a PostgreSQL Database

Lesson 4: (8:26)

An Introduction to Creating Django Models [with Examples]

Lesson 5: (1:05)

Final thoughts on databases

Module 7: Get Ready for Production

Lesson 1: (6:23)

A Primer on Securing Serverless Apps in AWS

Lesson 2: (11:50)

Creating a Virtual Private Cloud in AWS for a Relational Database

Lesson 3: (10:02)

Securing an AWS Virtual Private Cloud for Django Deployment

Class Details