You might have had an official introduction to Flask for the development of a backend. Flask is a web-based framework with comprehensive libraries, tools, and technologies for building a web application. Flask is a light framework with little or no dependencies for updating and watching security bugs.
In the last article from our repository, we saw the difference between Django and Flask and the specialities these technologies offer. In this section, we will go in-depth with the use cases of Flask and its use with Python software development.
What is Flask Framework for Python?
Flask is one of the most popular Python frameworks for building web applications. Flask is a foundation for building software. It consists of numerous in-built modules as well as libraries for making the process easier for developers. In addition to this, it also offers a structure for Python developers to stick to during the development of a web application.
Flask is a reusable code, offering specific functionality for your programs. In addition to this, the framework enables faster and more efficient software development. It is a micro web-based framework for Python software development. Besides this, Flask is highly-intuitive as well as easy to use.
What are the Best Use Cases of Flask for Python Software Development?
Selecting a web framework is as crucial as selecting a programming language. Hence, while python is appropriate to use for custom software development, Flask is appropriate for a range of software development.
Generally, Flask is the best choice for three key instances:
- Multiple small and disparate features
- Innovation with the architecture, libraries, as well as latest technologies
- Numerous highly specialized microservices
On the other hand, Flask can be used with web apps since they can be segregated into numerous smaller services, which won’t need multiple codes. Besides that, Django is opinionated, fixed, and monolithic, thereby making custom software development difficult.
When you are unsure about the use of libraries and frameworks that fit the best for your product, you can bet on Flask. Every Flask project has a unique internal tech stack of frameworks and libraries. Also, Flask offers better stability than Django. There are numerous benefits of using Flask for software development for varied use cases:
Blogging Application Using Flask:
Flask can be used for the development of a personal blogging website to use any of the leading content management systems. Though content management systems offer a quick as well as an easy way for setting a blogging website.
A blogging platform comprises numerous pages of blogs and requires the support of multimedia. As a result, the data needs of a blogging platform is quite high since the video, gifs, images, and similar content consume a lot of space. Given the growing popularity of a blogging platform, the importance of Flask has increased. Besides this, one of the powerful features of Flask is the ability to stay compatible with the latest technologies. As a result, the blogging platform can be accessed using any operating system.
Social Network Web Application:
From among the popular use cases of Flask, social networking web application holds a special place. One of the reasons behind using Flask for social media app development is its higher scalability. Since social networking web app owners have to constantly keep on evolving with the latest technologies and features, Flask can be used for new feature development and releases.
In addition to this, Flask offers the ability to build a quick prototype. Hence, before any functionality is actually developed, social media owners can take a look at the potential user interface and ‘Ok or Nay’ their opinions about the same for a quick implementation.
Flask for Weather Application Development:
One of the best reasons to use Flask for the development of a weather application is its relatively smaller codebase size. As a result, the load time of the website is low. In addition to this, the real-time functionalities of the weather application require a powerful backend, which can be obtained using Flask.
In addition to this, weather applications are evolving to provide more information. Hence, weather information is no longer restricted to only the temperature but also pressure, air quality, humidity, and similar parameters. Hence, Flask offers great technical experimentation ability for users to provide new functionalities.
Flask for Portfolio Website Development:
A portfolio website consists of numerous sections including a bio section, contact information, personal project pages, relevant experience, educational information, and more. As a result, Flask can be used for custom Python software development for building a professional profile to provide users with information about the company or individual.
Since the portfolio pages require to be added with new templates and formats, Flask is an ideal choice for website development. You can implement a strong database with real-time edits and fast loading speed with Flask.
Deployment of Machine Learning Models with Flask:
Among the other use cases of Flask, the backend framework can be used, owing to its lightweight. Flask does not offer a wide range of features to be added. However, numerous businesses across the world use Flask for the development as well as maintenance of a large-scale web application.
Since Python is the right choice for the deployment of machine learning, Flask can be used for building companies having a large user base to use the web application.
When Should you Use and Avoid Flask?
There are multiple reasons to prefer Flask over Django or other backend frameworks for Python. However, there are some cases, wherein Flask shouldn’t be used. Flask offers strong support for APIs. In addition to this, there are numerous features that Flask sport:
- Flask enables the use of multiple kinds of databases.
- The backend framework provides a diversified working style.
- The Python web framework can be used for the rapid development of a web application.
- The backend framework extends no default support form. However, you can utilize WTForms for filling the gap.
- The Flask web framework leverages a Ninja2 template design.
- Python developers bet on Flask for a lightweight codebase.
- Flask can be used for the development of a single application.
Conclusively, you can opt for using Flask when you want the granular level control of a web application. Django along with the REST framework enables you to develop powerful APIs. On the contrary, Flask needs more work to be done. Hence, there are high chances of making a mistake when seasoned Flask developers are not on site.
Another option is to develop a few basic CRUD applications with the Flask framework and check whether it is appropriate for use or not.
What are the Leading Companies Using Flask for Web Application Development?
Flask, though is younger than Django, has its fair share of popularity. It is being used by some of the leading and chart-busting applications in the Google Play and App Store.
Let’s explore some of the top applications:
Uber:
Uber is a leading on-demand taxi booking service application. It offers ease to riders to use the mobile application to book their rides by simply adding to and fro location. The application then sends the ride request to the drivers in the nearby radius, When a driver accepts the request, the rider gets ride details along with the real-time location of the driver.
Since the complexity of the application is quite high, Flask can be used for the development of an on-demand ride-sharing application. Another application developed using Flask from a similar niche is Lyft, fierce competition of Uber.
Pinterest:
Pinterest is a photo-sharing application for users to create their personalized pinboards and share them with their friends. Pinterest is a social networking website that supports images, gifs, and videos. Users can use Pinterest for saving images from other users and discovering information on the Internet with the help of images and pinboards.
Users have the option to upload an image and follow or unfollow a board from their home feed. Users can select from among the other users, brands, boards, and topics to be followed to keep on engaging with Pinterest. In addition to this, the new features include shopping and catalogues for users to have a comprehensive experience. As a result, Flask has emerged as the best-suited backend framework for the development of Pinterest.
