Vue.js and Django - are they sound together?

Maria Chojnowska

23 January 2023, 7 min read

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What's inside

  1. Intro
  2. What is Vue.js, and what is Django?
  3. Is Django and Vue a good combination?
  4. Final remarks
  5. Contact us
  6. Read more

Intro

Django and Vue.js both have unique front-end strengths.

Django has context-driven template views and offers rapid page development directly from back-end model content.

Vue.js has modern reactive components that provide powerful tools for building complex UIs within the rich JavaScript ecosystem.

The objective of this piece is for you to gain familiarity with what Django and Vue.js are and their unique features. Also, to get to know if these two are good together.

Let’s start from the beginning.

What is Vue.js, and what is Django?

What is Vue.js?

Vue.js is one of the most popular JavaScript frontend frameworks. Some say that it is also one of the greatest and with many similarities to React.js.

Evan You, the creator of Vue.js, said:

"Vue.js is a more flexible, less opinionated solution. It’s only an interface layer, so you can use us as a light feature in pages instead of a full-blown SPA”.

It is lightweight and very intuitive, with the benefit of extensive HTML functionality.

Like all the best, Vue.js is open-source. It is characterized by a model-view-viewmodel (MVVM) architectural pattern. Thanks to that, it allows the business logic and model to be separated from the graphical UI and view.

It is popular to use Vue.js to build single-page applications and design user interfaces. Vue.js is compatible with different libraries and supported by all major browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.).

Why should you work with Vue?

JavaScript is the best choice for web dev, but Vue.js is used not only for that. It is a framework that can be used in

  • creating a mockup of your web design and prototyping in general
  • building a stock UI project since it can be utilized only with the standard HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
  • adding functionality to already existing apps.

Additionally, you can use a Capacitor (credit to Ionic) software development kit (SDK) for cross-platform mobile development. You can use it with Vue.js and make native iOS and Android apps or progressive web apps (PWAs).

Due to its components and being a lightweight framework, Vue.js can be used basically in any web UI project.

You should use Vue j.s whenever possible because it relies only on JavaScript and does not need other tools. It allows you to write the templates as you wish: using HTML, JS, or JSX (JavaScript XML).

Over 3000 companies are listed as a firm operating Vue.js. These are, to name a few: Trustpilot, Trivago, Accenture, and Statista.

What is Django?

Django is a high-level and open-source Python web framework. It encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic visuals.

It is referred to as “ridiculously fast.” It was made to help developers create an app as soon as possible. Besides being fast, it also includes plenty of extra features, e.g., taking care of user authentication, content administration, site maps, RSS feeds, and the list can go on and on.

Django is reassuringly secure, and it helps to avoid a lot of security mistakes. It’s used on many globally known sites (from social media to scientific computing platforms) because it can handle even the heaviest traffic.

A real advantage is a very active community built around the framework and easy access to excellent documentation. There is also a possibility to take advantage of free and paid-for support.

Why should you work with Django?

Django is perfect in web development cases like

  • deploying the application fast
  • developing a Web App or API Backend
  • developing a secure single-page application for retrieving and posting the data

Besides that, Django is excellent if you require rapid web app development. It is also a perfect ORM for working with databases.

To quote the official Django website:

Django was invented to meet fast-moving newsroom deadlines while satisfying the tough requirements of experienced web developers.

So, if you find yourself with a tight deadline, you can use Django and be done with your tasks in a matter of hours. If you want your app to be built fast - there is no better choice of a framework than Django. All the features are included - that is why it is called a “framework with the battery included.”

Let’s remember that the demand for Django Developers and Python Developers - with Django skills - remains at a very high level all the time. There are a lot of projects for developers who are experienced in Django and have a good grip on Python.

The best are using Django - Instagram, Disqus, Pinterest, Mozilla Firefox, Spotify, or YouTube - why shouldn’t you?

Is Django and Vue a good combination?

You know that if you are using a JavaScript framework such as Vue.js for the front end, it does not mean that you must use Node js for your app's backend.

Vue.js is compatible with many backend technologies, for example:

  • Laravel (PHP)
  • Express.js
  • Ruby on Rails

and the essence of this piece - Python's Django.

Python is mature, famous for its ease of use, and stable language with an extremely great community. There are plenty of tutorials and courses available on the Internet for free.

You should choose to work with Vue.js and Python together if you are an experienced Python developer.

If you are already familiar with the Python language, you can save yourself some time and go with it. For sure, there are more important things to take care of.

The question that may arise is, does Python need Vue.js? Since Python on its own can be used for all sorts of tasks (read our article "Who can use Python?"] - working with data, web scraping, automation, etc. The majority of these Python scripts could be run from a command line.

You need a front end when you decide to make a web app. And this is where frameworks come into action.

Using Python/Django with Vue.js is possible in two ways:

  • incorporating Vue.js in Django and loading Vue.js code as a script
  • making a REST API with Django & making a client app with Vue.js

In the first case - using the Django template and having a Vue.js and Jinja solution - it is possible to use Vue.js only where you may need it. Vue.js is known for being progressive, which means you can make only some pages with Vue.js.

It is considered convenient to make a complete app with Django and Vue.js - use Vue.js to build a SPA connected to the Django project. Templates of Django reload the whole page in the background, and in case of minor changes, thanks to Vue.js, only changed pages will be reloaded. Using Vue.js will definitely enrichen the UX.

In the case of making a REST API with Django and a client app with Vue.js, it is going to be two separate projects. First, you'll develop the backend part with Python's framework, and the whole client side of the app will be built with Vue.js. API's endpoints will trigger the backend, and Vue.js will make a complete application by sending data to the right endpoint of the Django application.

Luckily, using Django templates and Vue.js doesn't compromise the strengths of either. It is possible to successfully use both and make the most out of them wherever you find them useful in your project.

Final remarks

To sum up: Vue.js might be tiny, but it has a kick. It is fast, simple, and has the support of libraries and a vast community of developers.

Python doesn’t need any introduction - fantastic language, compelling, easy to use, and versatile — an excellent choice for beginners and experts alike.

To answer the question at the beginning of this piece - is the Django framework and Vue.js a good combination?

Yes. Absolutely.

Django is a brilliant framework, and so is Vue.js. Both are considerably easy to learn and use, and overhead is relatively minimal.

Contact us

At Sunscrapers, we have a team of developers and software engineers with outstanding technical knowledge and experience. We can build your project successfully.

Talk with us about hiring Python and Django developers and work with the best. Sunscrapers can help you make the most out of Python, Django, and other technologies to put your project to the next level.

Contact us at hello@sunscrapers.com

Read more

  1. 6 benefits and 3 challenges of Vue.js

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vuejs
Django
Python

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