Python Programming: Choosing between Flask and Django

A web developer always has an option to pick from a wide range of frameworks while they are using Python as a server-side programming language. He can opt to take advantage of the full-stack Python web frameworks to quicken the development of complex and comprehensive web applications by availing some robust tools and features. He can also use micro and lightweight Python web frameworks to develop simple web applications without embedding any extra time and effort.

Python programmers prefer both Flask and Django. Since, Django is a full-stack web framework for Python, whereas Flask is a lightweight and extensible Python web framework. Django is developed based on a batteries-included approach. It enables programmers to accomplish simple web development tasks without using any third-party tools and libraries. Although, It lacks some robust features that are provided by Python.

Hence, it is vital for web developers to understand the significant differences between Flask vs Django.

Comparing Two Python Web Frameworks in 2018: Flask and Django

Type of Web Framework

As noted earlier, Django is developed based on a batteries-included approach. The batteries that are involved in Django make it easier for developers to achieve basic web development tasks like URL routing, user authentication, and database schema migration. It also accelerates the process of custom web application development as it provides an ORM system, built-in template engine, and bootstrapping tool. Flask, on the other hand, is a simple, and minimalist lightweight web framework. Although it does not have some of the built-in features that are provided by Django still, it helps developers to keep the essence of a web application extensible and straightforward.

Flexibility

The batteries that are included in Django help developers to create a variety of web applications without using any third-party tools and libraries. But the developers lack the options to make changes to the modules provided by Django. Hence, developers generally have to build web applications by availing the built-in features offered by Django. On the other hand, Flask is a small but extensible web framework enabling developers in developing web applications with flexibility using various web development tools and libraries. Many developers find it easier to learn Flask than Django due to its smooth and customizable architecture.

Admin system

Django has an admin system that comes with an ORM (Object Relational Mapper) database system and directory structure. Developers feel that it is an all-inclusive experience when it comes to developing with Django meaning that multiple projects have the same directory structure.

Flask, on the other hand, does not have these features, If you want to have an admin system or use an ORM, you’ll need to install custom modules. The Flask framework leaves this it up to the developer. It gives them the option to use it with SQLAlchemy, MongoDB or something more simple like SQLite. This can be a preferable choice as with ORM you might sometimes waste development time if you are unable to modify the SQL query directly.

Development speed

Django frameworks are known amongst developers for their fast development of complex web applications. Since it is fully featured; developers have all the tools that they require to implement and develop easily reliable, scalable, and maintainable web applications, in record time. On the other hand, Flask’s simplicity allows experienced developers to create smaller applications in short timeframes.

Community 

One of the main advantages of the Django framework is that it has an active developer community which means that if you require help, or when it’s time to scale your app, you will have an easier job finding other developers to join in and start contributing, plus a wealth of useful content already in the public domain. The Flask community is currently not as big, and so information may be harder to come by.

Maturity

Django is a very mature framework, having seen its first release in 2005 which means that it has gathered numerous extensions, plugins and third-party apps covering a wide range of needs. Flask in comparison, is much younger, having been introduced in 2010, so it doesn’t have quite the same variety of options available.

Template Engine

Flask is developed based on the Jinja2 template engine. It enables developers to stimulate the development of dynamic web applications by taking help of an integrated sandboxed environment and writing templates in an expressive language. 

Django, on the other hand, is with a built-in template engine that enables developers to define the web application’s user-facing layer without putting extra time and effort. It even allows developers to stimulate custom user interface development by writing templates in Django template language (DTL).

Built-in Bootstrapping Tool

Django has a built-in bootstrapping tool called Django-admin. It enables developers to build web applications without any external input and to divide a single project into multiple numbers of applications. The developers can use Django-admin to develop new applications within the project itself. They can also use the apps to add more functionality to the web applications based on varied business requirements.

Usage and Use Cases

Several well-known websites utilize both Flask and Django. But the statistics posted on various sites depict that Django is more popular than Flask as the developers can take full advantage of the robust features provided by Django to deploy and build complicated web applications rapidly. At the same time, they use Flask to quicken the development of simple websites that use the fixed content.  The developers still have the option to extend and   Flask programming according to the project specifications.

In Conclusion

We know that Django is a more complex framework than Flask so if you're learning web programming, it can be quite challenging to understand which pieces are liable for what functionality, and what is required to get the results that you aspire. However, once you get accustomed to Django, the extra work it does can be beneficial and can save a lot of time of setting up monotonous, boring components of a web application.

Sometimes it is difficult to choose between these two frameworks, but the nice thing is that when you get into the more advanced functionality of these frameworks, such as templates, these two remain very similar in many aspects. Therefore, It's easy to switch from one to the other if you ever require.

If you still doubt as to which framework is better to adopt: Flask or Django after reading this guide, I would recommend that you go ahead with Flask — you'll figure out how the pieces fit together more efficiently.