I developed the same app 3 times: A comparison of Django, Flask, and FastAPI – Which Python Framework Reigns Supreme?

Introduction:
When it comes to building web applications using Python, there are several popular frameworks to choose from. In this tutorial, I will walk you through my experience of building the same app three times using three different Python frameworks – Django, Flask, and FastAPI. I will discuss the pros and cons of each framework and help you decide which one is best suited for your project.

1. Django:
Django is a high-level web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. It follows the model-view-template (MVT) architecture and comes with a lot of built-in features such as an admin interface, ORM (Object-Relational Mapper), and authentication system.

To build the app using Django, I started by creating a new project using the django-admin command. I then defined my models, views, and templates to create the functionality of the app. Django’s ORM made it easy to work with the database and the admin interface saved me a lot of time in managing the data.

Pros of Django:
– Built-in features such as ORM, admin interface, authentication system
– Batteries-included approach
– Comprehensive documentation and large community support
– Ideal for large and complex applications

Cons of Django:
– Can be overkill for small projects
– Steeper learning curve compared to Flask and FastAPI
– Not as flexible as Flask in terms of customization

2. Flask:
Flask is a lightweight web framework that is designed to be simple and easy to use. It follows the model-view-controller (MVC) architecture and provides the core functionality needed to build web applications without the extra bells and whistles.

To build the app using Flask, I started by creating a new project and defining routes and views using decorators. I then used Flask’s extension ecosystem to add additional functionality such as database support, authentication, and form handling. Flask’s simplicity and flexibility allowed me to customize the app to my liking.

Pros of Flask:
– Lightweight and easy to use
– Flexible and customizable
– Minimalistic design with no boilerplate
– Ideal for small to medium-sized projects

Cons of Flask:
– Lack of built-in features compared to Django
– Requires more manual configuration and setup
– Limited scalability for larger applications

3. FastAPI:
FastAPI is a modern web framework for building APIs with Python 3.7+ based on standard Python type hints. It is fast, easy to use, and provides automatic validation, serialization, and documentation of API endpoints.

To build the app using FastAPI, I started by defining models and controller functions using Python type hints. I then used FastAPI’s built-in OpenAPI documentation to automatically generate API documentation for the app. FastAPI’s performance and productivity features made it easy to build efficient and scalable APIs.

Pros of FastAPI:
– Fast and high-performance
– Easy to use with automatic validation and serialization
– Built-in OpenAPI documentation
– Ideal for building APIs and microservices

Cons of FastAPI:
– Relatively new and may have limited community support
– Not as mature as Django or Flask
– Requires Python 3.7+ which may limit compatibility with older systems

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the best Python framework for your project depends on your specific requirements and preferences. Django is ideal for large and complex applications with built-in features and a batteries-included approach. Flask is perfect for small to medium-sized projects that require flexibility and customization. FastAPI is great for building efficient and scalable APIs with high performance and productivity features.

I hope this tutorial has helped you understand the differences between Django, Flask, and FastAPI and will enable you to choose the best framework for your next web application project. Happy coding!