Django vs Django CMS: What are the differences?

Key Differences between Django and Django CMS

Introduction

Django is a high-level Python web framework that allows developers to build web applications efficiently and quickly. It provides all the necessary tools and libraries for handling common web development tasks, such as database management, user authentication, and URL routing.

Django CMS, on the other hand, is a content management system built on top of Django. It adds several features to Django that make it easier to manage and create content-rich websites.

1. Template Management:

Django: In Django, templates are used to define the structure and layout of a web page. Developers have complete control over the design and can create custom templates according to their requirements.

Django CMS: Django CMS provides a drag-and-drop interface for managing templates. Users without technical knowledge can easily create and modify templates by simply rearranging blocks on the page.

2. Content Editing:

Django: In Django, content editing is primarily handled by developers. They define the models and forms for managing content, and also implement the logic for editing and saving the content.

Django CMS: In Django CMS, content editing is performed by non-technical users through a user-friendly interface. Users can easily edit content directly on the page using the frontend editing feature.

3. Plugin Architecture:

Django: Django has a robust and extensible plugin architecture that allows developers to create reusable components and integrate third-party plugins seamlessly.

Django CMS: Django CMS provides a wide range of pre-built plugins for common web development tasks, such as image galleries, forms, and social media integration. These plugins can be easily added to pages and customized as per the requirements.

4. Multilingual Support:

Django: Django has built-in support for handling multilingual websites. Developers can easily define multiple language options and translate content using Django's internationalization features.

Django CMS: Django CMS takes multilingual support a step further by providing a built-in translation interface. Users can easily manage translations for different languages directly in the CMS, making it easier to create and maintain multilingual websites.

5. Page Management:

Django: Django does not provide a built-in page management system. Developers need to implement their own logic for creating and managing pages.

Django CMS: Django CMS has a powerful page management system that allows users to create, organize, and manage pages easily. Users can hierarchically arrange pages, create menus, and set permissions for different user groups.

6. Workflow Management:

Django: Django does not include built-in workflow management features. Any workflow functionality needs to be implemented by developers using additional libraries or custom code.

Django CMS: Django CMS includes workflow management features out of the box. Users can define custom workflows for content publishing, approval processes, and version control, making it easier to collaborate on content creation.

In Summary, Django is a powerful web framework while Django CMS is a content management system built on top of Django, providing additional features such as template management, frontend editing, plugin architecture, multilingual support, page management, and workflow management.