How much Python should one learn before learning Django?

None at all.  You can build a website that does stuff from just following the Django tutorial as a starting off point, and then adding more "Django" stuff as per the Django documentation.  You'll be using Python, even if you don't really know how it works.  I know that this is possible because I did this -- I started on a Django project with NO knowledge of Python whatsoever, and slowly picked the Python.  My main regret with this approach was not reading https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008/ from the start -- do this and you'll be mostly be okay.  You don't want to ever be writing code that you'll look back on later and feel like it should be completely re-written from scratch because it doesn't follow standard conventions. Here are some things to look out for if you want to ease into Python, that tripped me up args / kwargs import paths dictionaries always passed by reference And, beware of seeing all problems through the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_instrument.  There will be times where a deeper knowledge of python will allow a simpler solution.  For example, Python's advanced data structures and list comprehensions are really handy when you need them, but you have to know that you can use them.   If you're building a Django project of any complexity, you'll find that you eventually want to have an expert knowledge of Python.

Python is easy to learn, I think if you read the firsts chapters of Dive into Python[1], you will be ready to start with The Django Book [2] or the basic tutorial[3]. [1] http://diveintopython.org/ [2] http://www.djangobook.com/ [3] http://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/intro/tutorial01/

From personal experience, the toughest thing for a Python newbie in Django would be overriding default model/form etc behavior. And that's because of the way class initialization works in Python. Other than that, Antonio's points above are very correct.

Just start with python , and go around loops, variable, oops, in built functions, It is better if you can understand some python code done by others, if you are able to do it, just go ahead and learn python and django continuously. Note: No of Python framework > Python keywords. Make sure you choose Django with deep understanding. Else you need to look at pylons, turbogears, flask etc . . .and choose. You won't regret for choosing Django later.

I think the basic python knowledge + django tutorial will be fine. So start with http://docs.python.org/tutorial/ I think if you don't want to make complicated apps etc, it's good enough for you.

When I made the switch from PHP I didn't know hardly any Python.  Because Django is just Python, I used Django to learn Python.  Now I use Python to script everything.

Try learning Web2py. It is more pythonic. Developed keeping newbies in mind. 100% browser based development (which i like the most,though you can use text editors/IDE's.) No installation needed.Just download the zip file and start developing from browser window. And most importantly it is flexible beyond expectations, something you cannot expect with Django.