News

Open Source Web App Framework Django Updated to Version 1.6

• By Becky Nagel
• November 6, 2013

On Wednesday the Django Project announced the release of Django 1.6, the latest version of the free, open source, Python-based Web application framework.

Django, which is used by sites such as Instagram, Pinterest and Disqus, is billed as a "high level" framework that allows for "rapid" development via a clean and easy-to-use design. It offers features like non-framework-limited URL structures, templated language and the ability to define data models from within Python.

Version 1.6 of the software provides a number of new features, including support for persistent database connections, "modernized and simplified" default templates and an overhauled translation management system.

The update can be downloaded here (released under the BSD license). Note that some changes, including those in the new transaction management model and custom user models in tests, are not backwards compatible; Django's deprecation timeline can be viewed here.

Django Release Manager James Bennet wrote in his post announcing the update that the release is dedicated to open source contributor Malcolm Tredinnick, who passed away earlier this year. "This one's for Malcolm," the post starts. He continues:

Earlier this year, the Django community lost a member, a developer and a friend; Malcolm Tredinnick was a long-time contributor to many open-source projects, including Django, where he served as a committer from 2006 onward. More importantly, he was a brilliant mind, a beloved and respected member of our community, a patient mentor and a dear friend. The news of his passing, in March of this year, was a shock to the Django community and to everyone who'd known and worked with him over the years. He is and will long continue to be missed.

Django 1.6 is dedicated to Malcolm, and the DSF has additionally created the Malcolm Tredinnick Memorial Prize, to be given to a community member who best exemplifies the spirit of what Malcolm brought to our community. The inaugural award was made on November 4.

More information about the Django Software Foundation can be found here.