.. _faq-install:

FAQ: Installation
=================

How do I get started?
---------------------

    #. `Download the code`_.
    #. Install Django (read the :ref:`installation guide <intro-install>`).
    #. Walk through the :ref:`tutorial <intro-tutorial01>`.
    #. Check out the rest of the :ref:`documentation <index>`, and `ask questions`_ if you
       run into trouble.

.. _`Download the code`: http://www.djangoproject.com/download/
.. _ask questions: http://www.djangoproject.com/community/

What are Django's prerequisites?
--------------------------------

Django requires Python_, specifically any version of Python from 2.3
through 2.6. No other Python libraries are required for basic Django
usage.

For a development environment -- if you just want to experiment with Django --
you don't need to have a separate Web server installed; Django comes with its
own lightweight development server. For a production environment, we recommend
`Apache 2`_ and mod_python_, although Django follows the WSGI_ spec, which
means it can run on a variety of server platforms.

If you want to use Django with a database, which is probably the case, you'll
also need a database engine. PostgreSQL_ is recommended, because we're
PostgreSQL fans, and MySQL_, `SQLite 3`_, and Oracle_ are also supported.

.. _Python: http://www.python.org/
.. _Apache 2: http://httpd.apache.org/
.. _mod_python: http://www.modpython.org/
.. _WSGI: http://www.python.org/peps/pep-0333.html
.. _PostgreSQL: http://www.postgresql.org/
.. _MySQL: http://www.mysql.com/
.. _`SQLite 3`: http://www.sqlite.org/
.. _Oracle: http://www.oracle.com/

Do I lose anything by using Python 2.3 versus newer Python versions, such as Python 2.5?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not in the core framework. Currently, Django itself officially
supports any version of Python from 2.3 through 2.6,
inclusive. However, some add-on components may require a more recent
Python version; the ``django.contrib.gis`` component, for example,
requires at least Python 2.4, and third-party applications for use
with Django are, of course, free to set their own version
requirements.

Please note, however, that over the next year or two Django will begin
dropping support for older Python versions as part of a migration
which will end with Django running on Python 3.0 (see next question
for details). So if you're just starting out with Python, it's
recommended that you use the latest 2.x release (currently, Python
2.6). This will let you take advantage of the numerous improvements
and optimizations to the Python language since version 2.3, and will
help ease the process of dropping support for older Python versions on
the road to Python 3.0.

Can I use Django with Python 3.0?
---------------------------------

Not at the moment. Python 3.0 introduced a number of
backwards-incompatible changes to the Python language, and although
these changes are generally a good thing for Python's future, it will
be a while before most Python software catches up and is able to run
on Python 3.0. For larger Python-based software like Django, the
transition is expected to take at least a year or two (since it
involves dropping support for older Python releases and so must be
done gradually).

In the meantime, Python 2.x releases will be supported and provided
with bug fixes and security updates by the Python development team, so
continuing to use a Python 2.x release during the transition should
not present any risk.

Do I have to use mod_python?
----------------------------

Although we recommend mod_python for production use, you don't have to use it,
thanks to the fact that Django uses an arrangement called WSGI_. Django can
talk to any WSGI-enabled server. Other non-mod_python deployment setups are
FastCGI, SCGI or AJP. See
:ref:`How to use Django with FastCGI, SCGI or AJP <howto-deployment-fastcgi>`
for full information.

Also, see the `server arrangements wiki page`_ for other deployment strategies.

If you just want to play around and develop things on your local computer, use
the development Web server that comes with Django. Things should Just Work.

.. _WSGI: http://www.python.org/peps/pep-0333.html
.. _server arrangements wiki page: http://code.djangoproject.com/wiki/ServerArrangements

How do I install mod_python on Windows?
---------------------------------------

    * For Python 2.4, grab mod_python from `win32 build of mod_python for
      Python 2.4`_.
    * For Python 2.4, check out this `Django on Windows howto`_.
    * For Python 2.3, grab mod_python from http://www.modpython.org/ and read
      `Running mod_python on Apache on Windows2000`_.
    * Also, try this (not Windows-specific) `guide to getting mod_python
      working`_.

.. _`win32 build of mod_python for Python 2.4`: http://www.lehuen.com/nicolas/index.php/2005/02/21/39-win32-build-of-mod_python-314-for-python-24
.. _`Django on Windows howto`: http://thinkhole.org/wp/django-on-windows/
.. _`Running mod_python on Apache on Windows2000`: http://groups-beta.google.com/group/comp.lang.python/msg/139af8c83a5a9d4f
.. _`guide to getting mod_python working`: http://www.dscpl.com.au/articles/modpython-001.html

Will Django run under shared hosting (like TextDrive or Dreamhost)?
-------------------------------------------------------------------

See our `Django-friendly Web hosts`_ page.

.. _`Django-friendly Web hosts`: http://code.djangoproject.com/wiki/DjangoFriendlyWebHosts

Should I use the official version or development version?
---------------------------------------------------------

The Django developers improve Django every day and are pretty good about not
checking in broken code. We use the development code (from the Subversion
repository) directly on our servers, so we consider it stable. With that in
mind, we recommend that you use the latest development code, because it
generally contains more features and fewer bugs than the "official" releases.
