Django is a high-level Python web framework that has gained immense popularity among developers due to its robust features and ease of use. One of the primary reasons for its leading position in web development is its emphasis on convention over configuration, which streamlines the development process. This framework follows the MVT (Model-View-Template) architecture, allowing developers to easily manage different components of their applications. Furthermore, Django comes with a rich set of built-in features such as an authentication system, an ORM (Object-Relational Mapping), and automatic admin interface generation, all of which drastically reduce development time and effort.

Another aspect that sets Django apart is its strong focus on security. The framework is designed to help developers create secure websites by providing default protections against common security threats, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and cross-site request forgery. Additionally, Django promotes best practices for managing sensitive data, ensuring that your web application remains resilient against vulnerabilities. With a strong community backing and comprehensive documentation, Django not only makes web development more accessible but also provides the necessary tools for building scalable and maintainable applications.

Django, a high-level Python web framework, is packed with features that can significantly enhance your web development projects. Here are the top 10 features of Django that are sure to transform your web applications:

1. MVC Architecture: Django follows the Model-View-Controller architecture, promoting a clean separation of business logic and presentation, which leads to more maintainable code.
2. Automatic Admin Interface: With Django's built-in admin panel, developers can quickly create functional and stylish administrative interfaces for managing application data, saving valuable development time.
3. ORM (Object-Relational Mapping): Django's ORM allows developers to interact with the database using Python code instead of SQL, making database manipulation seamless.

Furthermore, Django ensures scalability and security, making it ideal for applications of all sizes. Here are more standout features:

4. Authentication System: Built-in user authentication enables quick setup of secure user login, registration, and permissions.
5. URL Routing: Django's powerful URL routing system simplifies the process of mapping URLs to views, enhancing the user experience.
6. Templating Engine: The templating engine allows developers to create dynamic HTML pages easily, promoting clean separation of HTML and Python code.
7. Support for WebSockets: Django Channels extends Django to handle asynchronous protocols, opening the door for real-time applications.
8. Third-Party Packages: With a robust ecosystem, developers can easily integrate third-party packages for added functionality, boosting productivity.
9. Comprehensive Documentation: Django boasts extensive documentation that provides a clear guide for both beginners and experienced developers.

Django is a powerful and popular web framework for building robust applications using Python. If you're a beginner looking to get started with Django, the first step is to install Python on your machine. You can download the latest version of Python from the official website. Once Python is installed, you can use pip, Python's package installer, to install Django. Run the command pip install Django in your terminal or command prompt. After the installation, confirm that Django is installed correctly by running django-admin --version to check the version number.

Once you have Django installed, it's time to create your first project. You can do this by executing the command django-admin startproject myproject, where 'myproject' is the name you want to give your project. This command generates the necessary directory structure and files for your new project. Next, navigate into your project folder with cd myproject, and start the development server using python manage.py runserver. Now, you can visit http://127.0.0.1:8000/ in your web browser to see your new Django project live. As you progress, explore the official Django documentation and tutorials to deepen your understanding and enhance your skills.