Flask

The Flask Framework is a popular, lightweight web framework for the Python programming language. It's widely used for developing web applications and APIs and is known for its simplicity and flexibility. Flask is a micro-framework, meaning it provides only the core functionalities needed for web development without unnecessary extras. This keeps it lightweight and customizable.

Key Features of Flask

1. Minimalistic: Flask includes only essential features like routing, URL management, and template rendering.
2. Extensible: Additional features (e.g., database integration, authentication) can be added with extensions like Flask-SQLAlchemy or Flask-Login.
3. Flexibility: Developers have the freedom to design the application's architecture as they prefer, with no rigid rules.
4. Jinja2: Flask uses the Jinja2 template engine to dynamically render HTML pages.
5. Werkzeug: Flask is built on Werkzeug, a WSGI (Web Server Gateway Interface) library that serves as the foundation for many Python web applications.

When to Use Flask?

Flask is particularly suited for:

• Small to medium-sized projects
• Rapid prototyping
• APIs and microservices
• Projects where developers need maximum control over the structure

Simple Flask Application Example:

from flask import Flask

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/')
def hello_world():
    return 'Hello, World!'

if __name__ == '__main__':
    app.run(debug=True)

Flask vs. Django

Compared to Django (a more comprehensive Python web framework), Flask is less opinionated and provides more freedom. While Django follows a "batteries-included" philosophy with many features built-in, Flask is ideal when you want to build only the parts you need.