Founders and CTOs often have to make a decision on which backend programming language to choose. If your team has decided to choose Python but not sure which framework to choose, here are some quick thoughts based on working with many early stage technical teams.
When it comes to building the backend of a web-based application using Python, there are several popular frameworks to choose from.
Two of the most widely used frameworks are Django and Flask. Both frameworks have their own set of pros and cons, and the decision of which one to use can depend on the specific requirements and goals of the project.
Django
Django is a high-level, open-source framework that is designed for the development of complex web applications. It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern and comes with a built-in admin interface, an ORM, and a template engine. The built-in features of Django make it easy for developers to quickly build and deploy web applications with minimal additional setup. Additionally, Django has a large and active community, which means that developers can easily find help and support online.
One of the main advantages of using Django is that it is a batteries-included framework. It comes with a lot of built-in functionality, such as authentication and authorization, which can save developers a lot of time and effort. Additionally, Django is designed to handle large and complex web applications, which makes it a good choice for enterprise-level projects.
Flask
On the other hand, Flask is a micro-web framework that is designed for the development of small to medium-sized web applications. It is a lightweight framework that does not come with a built-in ORM, admin interface, or template engine. Instead, developers have to choose and integrate these components separately. Flask is a good choice for developers who want more control over their application and prefer to work with a minimal set of features. Additionally, Flask has a smaller and more niche community than Django, which means that developers might find less help and support online.
FastAPI
Another framework that is worth mentioning is FastAPI, which is a modern, fast (high-performance) web framework for building APIs with Python 3.6+ based on standard Python type hints. This framework is built on top of Starlette for the web parts and Pydantic for the data parts. It's easy to use and allows for high-performance and easy to maintain code.
Conclusion
In summary, both Django and Flask are popular frameworks for building the backend of web-based applications using Python.
Django is a high-level, batteries-included framework that is designed for the development of complex web applications, while Flask is a lightweight, micro-web framework that is designed for the development of small to medium-sized web applications.
FastAPI is a new player in the field and is growing in popularity due to its high performance and easy to maintain code.
The decision of which framework to use depends on the specific requirements and goals of the project.
If a developer is building a small to medium-sized web application and wants more control over their application, then Flask might be a good choice. If a developer is building a large and complex web application, then Django might be a better choice.
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