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Understanding Django Architecture

What is the Request and Response Cycle?

At the heart of Django's architecture lies the request-response cycle. It is the basic communication pattern in computer networks. It starts with the client (e.g., a web browser) requesting a resource (e.g., a home page) from a server (e.g., Django development server) and then the server responding with the requested resource.

What are the Components of the Django Architecture?

The process flow covers the request-response cycle between a client and Django's development server.

1. A client sends an HTTP request to the Django development server.

For example, a user attempting to login in a web application by submitting his/her username and password is a form of HTTP request.

2. Django handles the HTTP request as an HttpRequest object.

When a resource is requested, Django creates an HttpRequest object that contains metadata about the HTTP request.

3. Django forwards the HttpRequest object to the middleware.

The middleware preprocesses the HttpRequest object (i.e., from SecurityMiddleware to XFrameOptionsMiddleware) before pushing it to the view.

4. Django routes the HttpRequest object to the view.

Once the middleware processes the request, Django’s URL dispatcher determines which view function should handle the request.

5. The view processes the HttpRequest object and generates the HttpResponse object.

The view is a Python function or class that handles the core logic of the request. The view can do the following and more:

  • Processes the HttpRequest object
  • Interacts with models (optional) to retrieve or manipulate data
  • Uses templates (optional) to generate any text-based format (HTML, XML, CSV, etc.)
  • Returns an HttpResponse object (required)

6. Django forwards the HttpResponse object to the middleware.

Before the HttpResponse object reaches the client, Django passes it through the middleware again in reverse order (i.e., from XFrameOptionsMiddleware to SecurityMiddleware).

7. Django sends the HttpResponse object to the client.

Django converts the HttpResponse object into an HTTP response, which the browser can ingest and use to display the result to the user.