Django and Flask are popular Python frameworks that reduce coding efforts for backend and database management. Django is a full-stack framework suitable for complex websites and APIs, while Flask is a lightweight, flexible framework ideal for smaller projects and prototyping. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and we will compare them in detail.
Django and Flask Applications- Introduction
These frameworks, Django and Flask, can be used for various purposes such as creating ORMs, APIs, configuring databases, IoT, and more. They are widely used for server-side programming, which makes website development easier in Python. Django has endless limits and is known as a “battery included a framework of Python,” making it better suited for machine learning projects.
Flask lacks an ORM, which makes it less compatible with Python in machine learning projects. In general, Flask is a lightweight web framework, while Django is a full-stack web development framework.
In summary, Flask is a lightweight web framework that allows developers to write codes from scratch and use various libraries. On the other hand, Django is a full-stack web development framework that provides pre-written codes for developers to configure according to their project’s needs.
Django includes built-in functions like ORM, WSGI, and REST, making it easier for web developers to build web applications quickly.
Django’s ORM automatically connects a python class to the database, saving developers time and effort in writing code. WSGI allows for fast and secure handling of user requests and can be modified based on user requirements.
It also allows for a standard interface between web apps and servers, without requiring additional configurations. Overall, Django’s built-in functions make it a preferred choice for web developers looking to build web applications quickly and efficiently.
Should I use Flask or Django for web apps
Flask is a lightweight web framework suitable for simple web apps that don’t require much user data, but it requires a third-party database for large amounts of user data. In contrast, Django provides complete ORM mapping and has a built-in database that can connect to various database management systems. Django may be challenging for beginners, but it offers more features than Flask.
Best Python framework for big web development
For Building up a small web, Flask takes over Django. This is what we concluded above. But if we dig more into this comparison, then we would better agree with the following;
If and Only If your web is a simple, landing page or blog type approach, you better use the flask framework. However, for developing CMSs, e-commerce stores, social media websites Django framework will be more Reasonable.
Let me add up more words here; How does a website work?
To clear things and doubts that you are probably caring about, let’s start with knowing the front end and back end web development.
Why do many popular websites use Django instead of Flask?
Many big websites use Django because of its great features. It works faster than any 3rd party server-side language in interacting with the database and offers additional features. Such as security, caching, handling one-to-many requests, and so forth…
Handling server-side programming of a website, such as e-commerce stores, CMSs, Social media platforms, will lead you to have in-depth knowledge of python if you use the Django framework.
It provides minimum to maximum features that you may need or not. It automatically creates a bunch of folders without asking for permission.
Moreover, you can have Django’s ORMs to communicate with your Database because its ORM supports all types of databases eventually, including apache, NGINX, SQL, and so on.
If you put your little focus on interacting with Django’s Pythonic ORM with your Database, I believe you will get a great outcome in doing this.
best and easy Python framework for Beginners
Flask is appraised as beginner-friendly. It is easy to code as compared to Django. You can write codes on your own. Unlike, in the Django framework, you mostly have to edit already code lines. you can get this as you have to be a little expert to understand already written down rules there. before, Changing them.
It is worth adding here, Flask provides all the necessary tools you will be going to need.
While using the flask framework as server-side programming. It will let you do easily what you want, with no other things to worry about.
Its simplicity and assistance make it ideal to get started.
Along with that, it is being said that if you count the code’s line of Flask vs. Django, there will always be a big difference. Let’s say if a project finishes off in 10,000 lines of codes in Flask, the same project will take 20,000 lines to finish off in Django.
That is why numerous expert coders suggest beginning with the Flask framework so you would not confront any challenges in coding your own. Later, when you get your hands-on Flask, proceed onward to Django.
Not to mention, flask provides almost every feature that you could get in Django.
Django & flask Performance
If we pick up the speed performance talk, then it is crystal clear that Flask is pretty much faster than Django (for smaller web apps). Because the Flask framework provides all the essential tools to develop a web app faster.
Whereas the Django framework contains a bunch of other tools, codes, folders, often these functions become junk and increase the loading time.
Be that as it may, I aimed to focus on just building a little site like a blog, landing page, one-page site, where only fewer functions are used that do not put a hard load on the backend, even in some cases it does not necessitate to have a backend.
At that point, the flask is a preferable decision over Django in exhibitions like speed, simple to code, fewer codes more yield, and so forth. Deciding on these premises, the flask framework is better.
Django or flask REST API
Currently, there are many updated programming languages to create REST APIs.
It may take some additional time to learn another language.
Well, how would it be? If you can create APIs in python, which is your first choice.
As far as we know, Building an API makes the project communicate with other apps.
Still Didn’t get it?
Let’s understand with an Example Paragraph.
Let’s say you have built an ML software, suppose an Image detector tool. Your tool can detect images and provide related data accurately…
And, promptly, you think your project might be helpful for many people, you want to publish it live on the web in terms of an API (application programming interface). So other developers can use your tool in their web, apps, through API.
An API decides what to allow, or what to hide.
But first You have to make an API that will interact with other apps and let them use your project. Not to mention, there are two types of APIs private and public.
Starting with the flask, I would like to add this sentence that the flask is a micro-framework that follows this “do one thing do well” concept.
Flask SQLALchemy for Creating REST API
Using Flask to build REST APIs will require you some extra plugins or toolkits. However, in python, more than ten toolkits are obtainable for creating a REST API. Sticking with a flask is also reasonable because it is extendable and ends your project up with pleasure.
You can create a REST API as per your demands, using Python classes, you don’t need to go through any additional coding.
Moreover, Flask Framework does not have any in-built features for this, which means you have to use SQLAlchemy, (used for CRUD operations (create, retrieve, Update, Delete) types of operation).
Compatible with Flask to do URL mapping just about what is needed to move on.
Since the flask has to use a 3-rd party extension to move further for mapping URLs, it is apparent that Flask’s CRUD operations lack a bit. They are generally used only for Reading Text, instead of all CRUD operations.
Truthfully speaking, the flask is a one-handed process for creating Rest APIs. It is perfect for not dealing with lengthy codes. While on the other hand, in the Django framework, one would have to hard-press himself in creating APIs because it requires additional code lines than Flask.
In case you want to Connect SQLALchemy to Flask;
from flask import Flask
from flask_sqlalchemy import SQLAlchemy
app = Flask(__name__)
app.config['SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI'] = 'sqlite:////tmp/test.db'
db = SQLAlchemy(app)
class User(db.Model):
id = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True)
username = db.Column(db.String(80), unique=True, nullable=False)
email = db.Column(db.String(120), unique=True, nullable=False)
def __repr__(self):
return '<User %r>' % self.username
Django REST framework for creating API
Django framework has a built-in feature called “REST” a kind of extension that automates this task, unlike Flask Framework where you have to manually write code lines.
Well, honestly speaking, Django’s framework sometimes feels awkward when you know what to code and how to code. That’s why Flask is better from this aspect.
Django REST framework is powerful in building a REST API for your project. Moreover, it supports, and reacts native, and JSON format to let developers read your API in both formats at the same time. It is up to you in which type you want to public your REST API.
Which one is Winner?
It is pretty hard to tell as a programmer; both frameworks are effective and pay off thoroughly. I leave the rest up to users. One can prefer Flask over Django or Django over Flask.
There is nothing else to differentiate and elaborate on their PROS and CONS. As we have explored all of their uses clearly, but in the result, we only say it’s just one’s preference.
Best Python framework for IoT
Flask Framework is considered the top approach when it comes to IoT. Flask provides easy to code, limited to code. And let the sensors communicate with the “Database” from where they will receive commands with ease.
Besides, Flask is easy, you will have to connect it with a 3-rd party Database first, as we have told you earlier.
On the other hand, Django remains the same as it may slightly feel hard to startup or might make you feel weird it’s already written codes. But as far we know, it drives huge functionalities.
It would be out of the chapter talk, but there is an MQTT word when it comes to Automating home if you are not stuck only with Python. Then it will be more reasonable.
Most of the time, Doing something out-of-box with python skills would be acceptable. So here is what you will be going to face while using python for automating Home. if you are familiar with Arduino and raspberry pi.
As we know, we are dealing with the databases again, but this time our project is created by Arduino or Raspberry pi.
It all comes up with saying that when you want your sensors to communicate with each other,
you will have first to understand the logic behind all of these regularities.
Let’s say you have already built a database to GET, READ, and send a reply to each sensor,
Now the project which you have built using a Raspberry Pi or Arduino, to unite their sensors to the database in such a way that they can send the Data as well as receive the commands in return.
Doing this in python, you can use Flask frame or Django. But of them are useful in playing with databases.
Best performing Python framework for raspberry pi
If you want to stick to python strictly, you can use Django to connect it to IoT mainly for automating the whole home. I bet here that you will never regret this.
Additionally, raspberry pi is itself a great Motive to take in Django, since you can get around everything in Django even (DBMS). Without looking for any further assistance, and due to one side-process you may feel better working on a Raspberry pi project including Django.
Best performing Python framework for Arduino
If you have a small Arduino project such as LED lights, and you want to remote control it from anywhere from a given I.P address. Flask would fit better than Django.
Simply, You have to build a database using SQLALpach and connect your Arduino IDE to Flask. You can google the method (how to connect flask with an Arduino).
Afterward, simply write commands in python, this time it will work as a backend. The Good point to using Flask, you can write codes just about what is needed.
Final words- Auth’s Remarks
It is true, many languages are available to accomplish different tasks appropriately, from building backends to IoT projects, tons of ways are open.
Thus, you will have to get through yourself once again to learn new syntax, variables, etc. Or another choice is to use these frameworks to deal with this stuff for you. Only holding up python you can almost handle such typical tasks.
It would always be better to learn Django or Flask framework if you know python, they allow you to use python for diverse purposes principally using python Classes. anyway, you will have to use some other languages for sure, yet would not require expertise.
Not to mention python is the most beginner-friendly programming language. For building projects in python, limitless opportunities come about when it comes to aiding a user. Various tools, plugins, frameworks have been introduced.
