Managing version compatibility

Abstract

When you write a Django app to include in your own project, you have known versions of Python, Django, and every other dependency used. When you create a standalone app, you have neither knowledge nor control over these versions since this will be deployed in other people’s projects. As a result what "works for me" may turn out not to work in even subtlety different environments for other developers. You may not be able to know exactly which versions every user and prospective user have deployed, but you can anticipate major combinations of Python, Django, and even dependency versions and ensure that your app works in each. This has the added bonus of making upgrades easier for you wherever you use your own standalone app.