Add draft for extended project template

draft/0015-extended-startproject.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,211 @@
+=======================================
+DEP 15: Improved startproject interface
+=======================================
+
+:DEP: 15
+:Author: Tom Carrick
+:Implementation Team: Tom Carrick
+:Shepherd: Carlton Gibson
+:Status: Draft
+:Type: Feature
+:Created: 2024-10-26
+:Last-Modified: 2024-10-26
+
+.. contents:: Table of Contents
+   :depth: 3
+   :local:
+
+Abstract
+========
+
+The current method of starting a new Django project involves running the
+``startproject`` and ``startapp`` commands, which creates a project with
+multiple folders. This structure can be confusing to new users. This DEP
+proposes a new structure for the ``startproject`` command that includes an
+app by default. Additionally, a new command will be added to provide a
+multiple choice interface for setting up a new project using various
+useful templates.
+
+Further, documentation improvements will be made to use this new structure
+and explain how to create new apps within the project.
+
+Specification
+=============
+
+Currently, the ``startproject`` command creates a project with the following
+structure:
+
+.. code-block::
+
+   .
+   ├── manage.py
+   └── myproject
+      ├── __init__.py
+      ├── asgi.py
+      ├── settings.py
+      ├── urls.py
+      └── wsgi.py
+
+To get a working app, it's then necessary to run ``startapp``, which results
+in:
+
+.. code-block::
+
+   .
+   ├── manage.py
+   ├── myapp
+   │   ├── __init__.py
+   │   ├── admin.py
+   │   ├── apps.py
+   │   ├── migrations
+   │   │   └── __init__.py
+   │   ├── models.py
+   │   ├── tests.py
+   │   └── views.py
+   └── myproject
+      ├── __init__.py
+      ├── asgi.py
+      ├── settings.py
+      ├── urls.py
+      └── wsgi.py
+
+
+This DEP proposes that Django should include a template to be able to create a
+project with an app pre-installed. The new structure would look like this:
+
+.. code-block::
+
+   .
+   ├── manage.py
+   └── myproject
+      ├── __init__.py
+      ├── admin.py
+      ├── apps.py
+      ├── asgi.py
+      ├── migrations
+      │   └── __init__.py
+      ├── models.py
+      ├── settings.py
+      ├── tests.py
+      ├── urls.py
+      ├── views.py
+      └── wsgi.py
+
+The ``settings.py`` file will be updated to include the project directory in
+``INSTALLED_APPS``.
+
+A new command called ``new`` will be added to provide a user friendly interface
+for setting up a new project. This command may be a frontend of startproject.
+
+The current tutorial could then be updated to use this new command and
+structure.
+
+The initial templates proposed are:
+
+1. The structure above, with a combined project and app directory. This will be
+   the default for the ``new`` command, but not for ``startproject`` for
+   backwards compatibility.
+2. A minimal single file project for quick prototyping and testing. This might
+   be especially useful for contributors.
+3. A template suitable for writing a third party app.
+4. A "classic" project structure using the current ``startproject`` template.
+
+
+A URL can also be entered that works the same way as ``startproject``.
+
+If ``--noinput`` is passed to the command, it will select the default template.
+
+This command could be extended later either by contributions to Django or perhaps
+by third party packages.
+
+Motivation
+==========
+
+This proposal helps solve multiple problems currently encountered by Django
+users.
+
+New user experience
+-------------------
+
+New users often struggle to get off the ground when following the tutorial.
+Two known sticking points are:
+
+* Confusion around having multiple folders.
+* Confusion around having two ``urls.py`` files.
+
+It is also expected that by removing a step, the tutorial will be easier and
+faster to follow. This also has implications for improving other unofficial
+tutorials such as the Django Girls tutorial used in their workshops.
+
+Contributors
+------------
+
+Contributors often need to set up a new project to test their changes. It's
+not really documented anywhere how to do this, so there is no standard process.
+This can be a barrier to entry for new contributors. Examples of current
+methods include:
+
+1. Using a project using models from the test suite.
+2. The user maintains their own test project that expands over time.
+3. Spinning up a fresh project each time.
+4. Using a ready built site such as ``django-admind-demo``.
+5. Using one of the various single file templates from the web.
+
+Of these, this proposal makes 3 and 4 easier, and 5 unnecessary as the default
+structure will be faster to spin up and get working with, and the single file
+project will always work with the current branch.
+
+Third party apps
+----------------
+
+Setting up a third party app can be quite complex. Something as simple as
+running tests or the ``makemigrations`` command can be quite tricky to figure
+out.
+
+Developers
+----------
+
+Developers also benefit from this proposal as they get to a working state
+faster. They are still free to choose any layout they prefer, but by
+modernizing the default template it is hoped that projects will become more
+consistent and easier for people to find their way around.
+
+Rationale
+=========
+
+Another way to do this could be to modify the existing template. However, this
+would cause some disruption to the community. Some people like the existing
+template, and third party tutorials such as Django Girls would need to be
+updated.
+
+Simply adding a new template without a new command was also considered, but
+this makes it more difficult for people to find and use the new template. It
+also allows us to create a new default template, while still using the old
+template for ``startproject`` for backwards compatibility.
+
+Another benefit of this solution is that it will set a precedent for adding new
+templates into Django. This could be useful for other templates such as a
+more complete setup for a REST API, or a project with useful frontend
+components. This would allow Django to have a supported and suggested way to
+integrate a frontend framework without being tied to a single framework.
+However there are a lot of risks involved with this, so it is not proposed
+here.
+
+Relevant discussions
+====================
+
+* `Django New Project Structure/Name <https://forum.djangoproject.com/t/django-new-project-structure-name/9987>`_
+* `Updating the default startapp template <https://forum.djangoproject.com/t/updating-the-default-startapp-template/24193>`_
+* `Update startproject with default login/signup/logout options <https://forum.djangoproject.com/t/update-startproject-with-default-login-signup-logout-options/35175>`_
+* `The Single Folder Django Project Layout <https://noumenal.es/notes/django/single-folder-layout/>`_
+
+Reference Implementation
+========================
+
+TODO.
+
+Copyright
+=========
+
+This document has been placed in the public domain per the Creative Commons
+CC0 1.0 Universal license (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed).