Flask
Flask is a popular Python web framework that provides useful tools and features for building web applications. It is lightweight, easy to get started with, and flexible allowing developers to choose extensions.
python
web-development
restful-apis
microservices
Flask: Lightweight Python Web Framework
Flask is a popular Python web framework that provides useful tools and features for building web applications. It is lightweight, easy to get started with, and flexible allowing developers to choose extensions.
What is Flask?
Flask is a lightweight Python web framework that provides useful tools and features for building web applications. Here is an overview of Flask:
- It is based on the Werkzeug WSGI toolkit and Jinja2 template engine.
- Flask has a small and easy-to-extend core but supports many extensions that add advanced functionality as needed.
- It uses a development server and debugger for easy and quick prototyping.
- Flask provides request/response objects, routing, and template engine out-of-the-box.
- The framework is flexible as everything is built into modules that can be enabled or disabled as needed.
- Flask does not include an ORM, database abstraction layer, form validation or other components by default but extensions provide all these features.
- Some key extensions include Flask-SQLAlchemy, Flask-WTF, Flask-Login, etc.
- Flask promotes the convention-over-configuration philosophy so it aims to have sensible defaults rather than requiring tons of config.
Overall, Flask is a good choice for building web apps of different complexities as it is easy to get started with but also scalable and extensible. Its sweet spot is building simple, prototype or mid-complex apps that require flexibility.
Flask Features
Features
- Lightweight
- Built-in development server
- Uses Python syntax
- Integrated support for unit testing
- RESTful request dispatching
- Uses Jinja templating
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Easy to get started
Minimal setup required
Flexible and extensible
Large ecosystem of extensions
Integrates with many databases/tools
Cons
Limited built-in features
Requires add-ons for advanced functionality
Not ideal for large complex applications
Can be challenging for beginners
Lacks built-in form validation
Official Links
The Best Flask Alternatives
Top Development and Web Frameworks and other similar apps like Flask
Here are some alternatives to Flask:
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