Flask vs Django

Contents:

• Django Quid?
• Flask Quid
• Django pros and cons
• Flask pros and cons
• Conclusion

Python as a programming languages comes with a lot of assortment of web frameworks to pick from for your project. but two of them stand out from the crowd, Django and Flask. each of these framework has its own unique set of features that makes them suitable for one project or another depending on the requirements of each project. As a full-stack framework Django is best suited for developing large and complex web applications (although Flask can also do it see https://github.com/apache/superset), while Flask is a lightweight extensible framework that allows you to develop small web applications. Django comes with all the batteries included to get you off the ground fast while Flask comes with as little baggage as possible.

So, which of the two frameworks should you use for your projects?, well there are many factors to take into consideration.

What is Django?

Created in 2003 by Adrian Holovaty and Simon Willson, Django is an open source framework to design web applications, it is built to make the web development faster and more efficient. Django is the favorite choice for developers for it enables them to use it for the standard functionalities with a limited interference of systems, protocols and management. As a framework Django encourages rapid development and clean pragmatic design. Django deals with some of the basic development functions quickly like site maps, content organization, client information, and so many more. it just focuses on building the application as quickly as possible.

Django is used by the likes of Instagram, Coursera, Mozilla and Pinterest. It's key features are:

• Fastness: Django is insanely fast as far as speed of development is concerned, since going from concept to implementation is relatively easier compared to other frameworks of the same caliber.
• Versatile: Django is a versatile framework that enables developers to work on different platforms varying from content management systems like WordPress, etc, to social networks sites like LinkedIn, YouTube, etc, to news site like the New York Times, CNN etc.
• Scalable: It is a framework that ensures scalability (a system that allows making changes in different layers and updates without much cost and effort) and maintenance.
• Security: Django guarantees security with topnotch authentication systems and protocols to avoid click-jacking, CSRF attacks and various threats.
• Portable: Django is a python based framework, therefore portable.

Flask QUID?

Flask is also a python based web development framework. It was created by Armin Ronacher in 2011 as a trial method for joining two solutions (i.e werkezug (a web server) and Jinja2 (a template library). Flask is categorized as a micro-framework because it does not depend on external libraries to perform the tasks of a framework. It has tools, technologies and libraries to support the web development process. Many developers prefer to start their development journey with Flask for its flexibility.

Flask is used by the likes of Netflix, Airbnb, MIT, Reddit, Lyft and Zillow. Here are the main features of Flask:

• Lightweight: Flask is a lightweight framework as it is independent of external libraries. It gives a quick start to the web development process of complex applications.
• Independent: Flask gives indpendent or full control to the developer for creating applications. You can experiment with the architecture or the libraries of the framework.
• Integrated Unit Testing: Flask's integrated unit testing system enables faster debugging, robust development, and freedom to experiment.
• Secure Cookies: Secure cookie is an attribute of a HTTP request that enables the security of channels and ensures no unauthorized person has access to the text. Flask supports the feature of secure cookies.
• Compatible: Flask is compatible with the many other libraries for handling machine learning tasks or Cloud development
• Native Server: Flask comes with a built-in server and debugger
• Configuration: Configurations in Flask are simple and adaptable.

Django Pros and Cons

Pros:

• The process of setting up and running the framework is easy and quick.?
• Suitable and easy user interface for administrative functionalities.?
• The built-in internationalization system enables the creation of multilingual websites.?
• Integrated unit testing for the web application
• Support dynamic HTML pages?
• In-demand framework amongst top tier companies.?
• Easy and highly developed documentation
• Supports fully-featured Administration Interface
• Maximized scalability with less cost of hosting services
• Highly secured framework
• It is used for rate-limiting API requests from a single user.
• Assist you to define models for the URLs in your application
• Ensures rapid development with a strong in-built template design.?
• The prospects are positive and certain.

Cons:

• Monolithic working style making things too complicated and fixed.?
• Prior knowledge of the framework is necessary.?
• Codebase size is relatively larger.?
• Too many functions and a high-end framework for a simple project.?
• Profoundly based on Django ORM
• URL dispatching via controller reg-ex complicates the codebase.

Flask Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Adaptable to the latest technologies
• Independent framework enables experimentation with architecture, libraries.?
• Suitable for small case projects
• Requires small codebase size for simple functions
• Ensures scalability for simplistic applications
• Easy to build a quick prototype
• Routing URL functions through Werkzeug makes the process easier.?
• Hassle-free application development and maintenance.?
• Database integration is easy
• Extensible and easy core system.?
• The power of the framework lies in its minimalist features.?
• Flexible and allow full control access.

Cons:

• MVP(Minimum Viable Product) development process is slow.?
• Not suitable for big applications or projects.??
• Complex maintenance for intricate implementations or system updates.?
• There is no in-built admin site for maintaining models, insert, update or delete records.?
• Does not support a proper database system and lacks Object- Relation Mapping.?
• Absence of a strong community for support and growth.?
• Security is uncertain, with no function for user authentication or login.

Conclusion:

So in conclusion, which framework is better?, After reading this article the reader must feel left with the impression that both framework have their functionalities. there must be a reason that both are the most popular python based web frameworks?.

Flask render full control and is highly suitable for small projects that necessitate experimentation. Django is a little bit complicated to tame and requires a relative deep knowledge for building sophisticated applications. One could begin learning web development with Flask but upskill oneself in intricate tools with Django both of them are good skills to have for any developer. In conclusion one should choose whatever framework they like and master it like a pro.