If you’re starting your Python web development journey and want to strengthen your SQL skills along the way, the best way is learning by building. Here’s a structured roadmap of 5 projects that will take you from beginner to expert, each with a GitHub repo you can clone, explore, and extend.
1. Flask To-Do (Beginner)
- Stack: Flask, SQLAlchemy, SQLite
- Why: A perfect CRUD starter project—learn how routes, forms, templates, and ORM models work together.
- Stretch ideas: Add due dates, categories, pagination, and unit tests.
- GitHub: patrickloeber/flask-todo
2. URL Shortener (Beginner → Intermediate)
- Stack: Flask, SQLAlchemy, SQLite
- Why: Teaches URL routing, database lookups, redirects, and click tracking.
- Stretch ideas: Implement user authentication, rate limiting, QR code generation, and analytics dashboard.
- GitHub: Ak-Rajak/Url_LinkShortener
3. Django Girls Blog (Intermediate)
- Stack: Django ORM (SQLite by default, PostgreSQL ready)
- Why: Introduces Django’s powerful admin interface, models, and template system.
- Stretch ideas: Add comments, tags, search functionality, and migrate from SQLite to PostgreSQL.
- GitHub: maaddae/Django-Girls-Blog
4. Full-Stack FastAPI Template (Advanced)
- Stack: FastAPI, SQLModel/SQLAlchemy, PostgreSQL, Docker, React
- Why: A production-ready setup with JWT authentication, async APIs, CI/CD, and containerization.
- Stretch ideas: Add background jobs, WebSockets, or multi-tenant DB support.
- GitHub: fastapi/full-stack-fastapi-template
5. Saleor E-commerce (Expert)
- Stack: Django, GraphQL API, PostgreSQL
- Why: A real-world enterprise-grade project featuring checkout, payments, promotions, and an extensible app system.
- Stretch ideas: Build custom plugins, integrate third-party APIs (search, tax, payments), and improve scalability.
- GitHub: saleor/saleor
Quick Roadmap to Use These Projects Well
- Clone & Run: Get each project working locally, read the README, and explore the folder structure.
- Understand: Study the database models, routes, and how data flows from the front-end to the back-end.
- Extend: Add 2–3 new features to each project—this is where real learning happens.
- Level Up SQL: Progress from SQLite → PostgreSQL, learn migrations, indexing, transactions, and performance checks (e.g.,
EXPLAIN). - Write Tests & Automate: Use pytest and GitHub Actions for testing and CI/CD in later projects.
Final Thoughts
By following this progression, you’ll cover the entire spectrum: Flask basics → Django ORM power → FastAPI async APIs → Enterprise-grade systems with Saleor. Each project builds on the last, giving you both the breadth and depth of Python + SQL web development.
👉 Start with the To-Do app today, and with each project, push yourself to extend beyond the tutorial. That’s the difference between just coding and truly mastering web development.
