Your web development is incomplete without python as one of your programming languages. Well, somewhere in the development, you need something for the backend of your website. There is nothing better than python as it offers simple, clean syntax, object encapsulation, optional named parameters, and good library support. Knowing about Django vs Flask is very important for every developer.
Guido van Rossum, Python’s creator, once said, “I’ve learned a painful lesson, that for small programs dynamic typing is great. For large programs, you have to have a more disciplined approach.
And it helps if the language actually gives you that discipline, rather than telling you, ‘Well, you can do whatever you want.” Because of his ingenious work on python, we have this computer programming language that is working around the top real-life applications across the globe.
As mentioned earlier, we will never get tired of talking about python as it knows how to be in headlines now and then. Since python is heavily used in web development, we thought of talking about two major Python-based web frameworks Django and Flask.
Among all the options, it’s Django vs Flask that always becomes the talk of the town for many reasons. There’s also a saying about this comparison on the internet, and it goes like, “Django and Flask are alike in some ways yet different in many other ways.” Seems we are describing TWINS but trust us, it’s about that’s what DevOps says about these two frameworks.
Moreover, if you are already familiar with Python web development, then I guess you must know why Django and Flask are the two favorite frameworks among web developers from all around.
If we slowly pinch this topic by describing Django and Flask, Django is an open-source python-based web framework with an established model-template-views architectural pattern. It’s managed by an independent organization known as the Django software foundation, which is responsible for its further updates and development.
At the same time, Flask is a famous micro web framework written in python and doesn’t require particular tools or libraries for development. Amazing, isn’t it?
If you think this comparison will be a battle of gladiators, then we suggest you keep reading on to find out which of these frameworks is appropriate for web development because, in the end, you are also going to get a conclusion that can benefit you a lot. All information about Django vs Flask is given below.
Django
Django came into existence in 2005 by two ingenious men Adrian Holovaty and Simon Willison. It offers complete web development using python as your programming language and takes care of almost every standard functionalities to create secure websites. If you are looking to scale your website in the near future, then Django is the one you should go for. But let us not jump to a conclusion this early as we need to cover a long road to have our answer finally.
Coming back to Django, this python based web framework is an open-source framework with huge support from its large and helpful community and heaps of documentation. With no integration issues, Django is the perfect solution for all the unorthodox features required in web development. Let us have a look at its features that justify our above statement.
Features of Django Web Framework
- The most adaptable python-based framework can be used to code any kind of website, including eCommerce, social network, news site, portfolios, business sites, content management, and much more. Django also allows content to be in any format in addition to HTML, XML, JSON, and more.
- What’s better than developing your website in a secure framework? Django manages standard security as a matter of course. You get total security from Django in features like transaction management, user-account management, clickjacking, and others without the need for additional libraries.
- What happens when you plan to scale your business to a new horizon? Are you going to have a new website from the start? Why spend again to create your website in a scalable and easily maintainable framework. Django follows the principle that allows it to reuse and maintain the code easily.
- Django’s main principle is “Don’t Repeat Yourself,” making sure there are no duplicates while developing the web application. Another aspect that makes Django out of the box is its component-based development, as it makes the application scalable possible to any level.
- The best part about Django is that it is Python-based, which is currently and will be one of the most promising programming languages that can easily run in almost every modern application.
Flask
Flask came into existence in 2010 by developer Armin Ronacher. This python-based framework is popular for its lightweight nature among developers. It falls in the category of microframeworks.
The best offerings provided by Flask is to allow devs to add an unlimited number of libraries or plugins for an extension. Flask makes things easy by offering flexibility while adding use cases in any existing application.
Starting your web development journey with Flask can waive a path for you especially if you are new to python. It allows you to learn backend, frontend, and core concepts to get a better idea of python. Let us have a look at the features of this Python-based framework.
Features of Flask Web Framework
- Aforesaid, Flask is super lightweight, which gives you a rapid start to your web development process regardless of whether it’s a complex or straightforward application.
- One of the top reasons to use Flask for web development is because it is completely independent. Because of this, it can offer full control to the developer for creating applications. As it comes with its debugger, built-in server, integrated unit testing, you get a faster-debugging process, freedom to experiment as per your needs, and strong development process.
- Flask secures cookies which enhances the security of your website, ensuring that no unauthorized person has access to the text.
- Thanks to its simple and adaptable configurations, Flask is compatible with all the latest technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud, making it a scalable and flexible web framework.
- Flask also has two main dependencies, which are commonly known as Werkzeug and Jinja2. Werkzeug provides strong WSGI support, and Ninja2 offers several templates to make web development easier.
Django vs Flask – A Comprehensive Comparison
| Feature | Django | Flask |
| Type of Framework | Django is perfect if you are looking for full-stack development as it offers ready-to-use solutions thanks to its batteries-included approach. | As you know, Flask is a lightweight web framework that offers several in-house features that eliminate the use of external libraries in development. |
| Project Layout | If having multiple page applications is your main objective, Django would offer suitable web development. | At the same time, Flask is perfect for single-page applications as it justifies the lightweight framework. |
| Database Support | Database support is one of the most important factors that need your consideration as it can completely change your scope of web development. Django supports all the popular database managements, including MySQL, Oracle, etc. | On the other hand, Flask lacks in this department of comparison as it doesn’t support basic database management systems and only uses SQLAlchemy for database requirements. |
| Working | Django web framework uses the most followed object-oriented approach because of which object-relational mapping becomes possible within the development. | Flask web framework has a modular approach that authorizes taking the help of outsourced libraries. |
| Template Engine | As mentioned earlier, Django is more creative because of the Ninja2 template and the built-in model view template. | Flask only uses Jinja2 template design which limits the designing part of the website. |
| Flexibility | According to the experts, Django is less flexible for the developers as it offers in-built features that means you can’t make your own changes. | Flask is a micro-based framework with expandable libraries, making it a flexible framework for devs to make changes as per their needs. |
| Bootstrapping Tool | Django’s built-in admin panel and bootstrapping tool allow developers to create web apps without any extraneous contribution. | Since Flask doesn’t come with an in-built bootstrapping tool, its admin features are not as eminent as in Django. |
| Working Style | Django follows a Monolithic working style type. | Flask uses a diversified working style type. |
| Control | Django doesn’t give the devs full control over modules and functions, limiting the development process to Django’s built-in libraries. | However, Flasks allows devs full control over the web development with no dependencies from external libraries. |
| HTML | Supports HTML Pages | Doesn’t support HTML Pages |
| Structure | More conventional structure | More random structure |
| Routing & Views | Supports mapping of URL to views on requests | Also allows mapping of URL to class-based using Werkzeug |
| Debugger | Django web framework doesn’t offer any virtual debugging | The Flask web framework comes with an in-built debugger that makes virtual debugging possible and the development. |
| Top Features |
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| Usage | If you plan to go for high-end development or need a scalable solution for your business, there is nothing better than using Django for comprehensive web development. | When it comes to Flask, it is perfect for projects that want experimentation with modules and the framework’s architecture. |
Advantages of Using Django for Web Development
- The process to set up the project and run the framework for the development is easy and quick.
- Offers an easy user interface and comes with an integrated internationalization system that allows the development of multilingual websites.
- Supports dynamic HTML and provides a fully-features admin interface
- Secured framework
- Helps devs in defining models for the URLs in your development
- Provides built-in templates which ensure quick development
- Used by Instagram, Udemy, Coursera for their web development
Cons of Using Django for the Web Development
- Working style may seem complicated and too fixed to some devs
- Extended knowledge of the framework is essential for proceeding further
- Need to write large size codebase
- Not good for simple and small projects because of too many functions
- Reg-ex sometimes complicates the codebase
Advantages of Using Flask for Web Development
- Adaptable to the latest technologies like ML, AI, Big data, etc.
- Scalable and allows full control access to the devs
- Routing URL in Flask makes the whole process easier
- Easy development and maintenance
- Promotes small codebase and simple functions
- It is an independent framework that means allows changes in architecture and libraries as per the needs and requirements
Cons of Using Flask for Web Development
- Like Django is not good for small applications; similarly, Flask is not good for big application and project development.
- Doesn’t have a strong community supporting it from behind
- Security is dubious, unlike its counterpart Django where security is a priority.
- It doesn’t support a top database system and lacks object-relational mapping.
- Doesn’t offer any in-built admin site
- Maintenance can be complex, depending on the project.
When Should You Use Django for Web Framework?
Now you may understand that Django renders rapid development for your web applications. The reason behind the Django framework’s popularity is its ability to speed up complex development.
The yearly survey from Stack Overflow ruled out that Django is among the top ten frameworks for website development. If you are looking to stomp in the market quickly, Django must be your partner for comprehensive development.
Devs can easily build UIs with Django and can also use it for back-end processes like database querying, API building, etc. which basically makes it a full-stack framework.
When Should You Use Flask for Web Development?
As per our experience with this Python-based framework, we believe it is suitable for server-side or backend web development. Moreover, its ability to quickly build things from scratch makes the development and testing process more efficient.
Endnotes
This is detailed information about Django vs Flask. We tried to compare almost every aspect of Django vs Flask to give you detailed information on how these two frameworks operate.
We can say that Django and Flask are similar yet different in many other ways, but the main idea behind this comparison is to find the best framework per your needs. Hope you have learned which of these frameworks is suitable for your web development by the end.