DRF installation and setup in Django - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does DRF stand for in Django?

DRF stands for Django REST Framework. It helps build web APIs easily using Django.

beginner

Which command installs Django REST Framework using pip?

Use pip install djangorestframework to install DRF.

beginner

After installing DRF, what must you add to your Django project settings?

Add 'rest_framework' to the INSTALLED_APPS list in settings.py.

intermediate

Why do you add 'rest_framework' to INSTALLED_APPS?

Adding 'rest_framework' lets Django know to include DRF features like serializers and views in your project.

intermediate

What is the first step to verify DRF is installed and working?

Run the Django development server and try creating a simple API view using DRF classes to check it works.

Which command installs Django REST Framework?

A pip install djangorestframework

B django-admin startproject restframework

C pip install django-rest

D python manage.py install drf

The correct command is pip install djangorestframework to install DRF.

Where do you add 'rest_framework' after installing DRF?

A In the INSTALLED_APPS list in settings.py

B In urls.py

C In the models.py file

D In the templates folder

You add 'rest_framework' to the INSTALLED_APPS list in settings.py to enable DRF.

What is the main purpose of Django REST Framework?

A To style Django templates

B To create Django admin pages

C To manage database migrations

D To build web APIs easily with Django

DRF helps build web APIs easily using Django.

Which file do you modify to add 'rest_framework' to your project?

A views.py

B manage.py

C settings.py

D wsgi.py

'rest_framework' is added to the INSTALLED_APPS list inside settings.py.

What should you do after installing DRF to check it works?

A Restart your computer

B Create a simple API view and run the server

C Delete the migrations folder

D Run database migrations only

Creating a simple API view and running the server verifies DRF is working.

Explain the steps to install and set up Django REST Framework in a new Django project.

Think about installation, configuration, and verification.

Why is it important to add 'rest_framework' to INSTALLED_APPS after installing DRF?

Consider how Django manages apps and features.

Practice

1. What is the first step to add Django REST Framework (DRF) to your Django project?

easy

A. Include DRF URLs in urls.py

B. Add rest_framework to INSTALLED_APPS

C. Install DRF using pip install djangorestframework

D. Run python manage.py migrate

Solution

1. Step 1: Install DRF package

   You must first install the Django REST Framework package using pip to add API features.

2. Step 2: Prepare for configuration

   After installation, you can add it to your Django settings and URLs.

3. Final Answer:

   Install DRF using pip -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   First step = Install DRF [OK]

Hint: Always install packages before configuring [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to add to INSTALLED_APPS before installing
• Skipping installation and expecting DRF to work
• Running migrations before installing DRF

2. Which line correctly adds Django REST Framework to your Django settings?

easy

A. 'rest_framework' in INSTALLED_APPS

B. 'rest_framework' in DATABASES

C. 'rest_framework' in TEMPLATES

D. 'rest_framework' in MIDDLEWARE

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate the correct settings list

   Django apps are added to the INSTALLED_APPS list in settings.py.

2. Step 2: Add DRF to INSTALLED_APPS

   Adding 'rest_framework' here enables Django to recognize DRF features.

3. Final Answer:

   'rest_framework' in INSTALLED_APPS -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   DRF goes in INSTALLED_APPS [OK]

Hint: Apps go in INSTALLED_APPS, not middleware or databases [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding DRF to MIDDLEWARE instead of INSTALLED_APPS
• Placing DRF in TEMPLATES or DATABASES sections
• Forgetting to add DRF to settings after installation

3. Given this urls.py snippet, what does it enable?

from django.urls import path, include

urlpatterns = [
    path('api-auth/', include('rest_framework.urls')),
]

medium

A. It registers all API views automatically

B. It adds API login and logout pages for DRF's browsable API

C. It disables Django admin interface

D. It sets up database migrations for DRF

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the included URL

   The rest_framework.urls include login and logout views for the browsable API.

2. Step 2: Recognize the effect on API interface

   This enables users to log in and out when using the DRF web interface.

3. Final Answer:

   It adds API login and logout pages for DRF's browsable API -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Including rest_framework.urls = API login/logout [OK]

Hint: Including rest_framework.urls adds API login/logout pages [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it registers API views automatically
• Confusing it with admin site URLs
• Assuming it runs migrations or database setup

4. You added rest_framework to INSTALLED_APPS but get an error: ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'rest_framework'. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. You forgot to install DRF with pip

B. You added 'rest_framework' to MIDDLEWARE instead of INSTALLED_APPS

C. You did not include DRF URLs in urls.py

D. You need to run python manage.py migrate first

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the error meaning

   ModuleNotFoundError means Python cannot find the DRF package installed.

2. Step 2: Check installation status

   This usually happens if you forgot to run pip install djangorestframework.

3. Final Answer:

   You forgot to install DRF with pip -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   ModuleNotFoundError = Missing pip install [OK]

Hint: ModuleNotFoundError means package not installed [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming adding to INSTALLED_APPS installs the package
• Thinking missing URLs cause this error
• Running migrate does not fix missing package

5. You want to enable the browsable API login/logout pages and have installed DRF and added it to INSTALLED_APPS. Which is the correct way to update your project's urls.py to achieve this?

hard

A. Add path('api-auth/', include('rest_framework.authentication')) to urlpatterns

B. Add path('api-auth/', include('django.contrib.auth.urls')) to urlpatterns

C. Add path('api-auth/', include('rest_framework.views')) to urlpatterns

D. Add path('api-auth/', include('rest_framework.urls')) to urlpatterns

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the correct URL include for DRF login/logout

   The DRF package provides rest_framework.urls for login/logout views.

2. Step 2: Add the correct path to urlpatterns

   Use path('api-auth/', include('rest_framework.urls')) to enable these pages.

3. Final Answer:

   Add path('api-auth/', include('rest_framework.urls')) to urlpatterns -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   DRF login/logout URLs = rest_framework.urls [OK]

Hint: Use rest_framework.urls for API auth URLs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using django.contrib.auth.urls instead of DRF URLs
• Trying to include authentication or views modules directly
• Forgetting to include URLs after installing DRF