Python is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world; more than 40% of Web Developers report extensive usage of Python in the past year. There are countless Python frameworks of various types available to help simplify and speed up the programming process, but how do you know which ones are worth learning? To help you choose, here’s a guide to nine of the most popular Python frameworks and how they’re used.
What Is Python?
Python is an extremely versatile object-oriented high-level programming language. Its simple syntax, libraries, frameworks, and adaptability makes Python a popular choice for back end programming where it’s used to build web, desktop, mobile, and gaming applications. Python is also frequently used in emerging fields like machine learning, AI, data analytics, and task automation.
What Is a Framework?
A framework is a collection of code packages or modules that provide developers with a standardized way to build and deploy web applications without having to handle common, low-level tasks. The purpose of a framework is to provide a common structure so developers don’t have to create one from scratch. This cuts out a lot of coding work and saves a considerable amount of time.
Though frameworks are often confused with libraries, the two terms are not interchangeable. They’re both bundles of reusable code that provide solutions to some of the most common problems developers face, but there’s a key difference between them: the amount of control the developer has over the flow of the application. With a library, the developer gets to choose how to structure the application but with frameworks, that structure is already built-in.
Most Popular Python Full Stack Frameworks
Full stack frameworks are known for being all-in-one solutions that offer a lot of functionality right out of the box. They’re typically used to build larger, more robust applications with a lot of features.
Django
Django is a popular Python web framework used primarily in back end web development. As a framework, Django provides a set structure that serves as a foundation for building secure, easy-to-maintain websites and web applications. The creators of Django tout it as a “batteries included framework” which means that it automatically comes with a wide range of extra features capable of handling common web development tasks. Django is a popular tool among developers for this reason; because it eliminates many common, repetitive, time-consuming tasks, developers are able to focus on creating elements that are unique to the application. This removes much of the hassle of web development and allows them to easily create a complex website or web application from scratch while cutting back on the amount of coding required.
TurboGears
TurboGears is an open-source full stack framework that was deliberately designed to combine the best elements of other well-known Python frameworks. For example, TurboGears offers a minimal mode that allows developers to start their application as a single file like a microframework would then scale up to a full stack app if needed; this feature makes it far more flexible and extensible than most other options. TurboGears is also highly customizable; it includes plenty of libraries and middleware that help developers quickly build extensible tailor-made web applications. Plus it has a built-in, user-friendly templating engine and a powerful but flexible object-relational mapping (ORM) that allows for the conversion of data between incompatible systems. It also offers multi-database support, MVC-style architecture, strong support of aggregates, and reusable snippets.
Web2py
Web2py is a full-stack framework used for the rapid development of fast, scalable, portable, and secure data-driven web applications. With its multi-threaded web server, SQL database, model-view-controller (MVC) architecture, and data security features, Web2py is considered a “batteries included” framework with everything you need in one package. It even comes with a complete web-based integrated development environment (IDE) that includes a code editor, debugger, and deployment controls. This allows developers to create, modify, deploy, and manage applications from anywhere using just a browser. Web Developers also love that Web2py has a built-in ticketing system that issues tickets whenever an error occurs and easily lets users track its status.
Most Popular Python Microframeworks
Microframeworks provide only the components necessary to build an application instead of the “batteries included” approach followed by full stack frameworks. This allows Web Developers to have more control and make their own choices about which technologies and libraries to include. Because microframeworks lack most of the functionality of full stack frameworks, they’re a good choice when creating smaller, more narrowly focused applications.
Flask
Flask is a popular microframework with a modular design that’s designed to get projects off the ground quickly while maintaining the ability to scale up to more complex applications in the future. Web Developers like Flask because it offers them a variety of options to choose from; they get to decide which tools, libraries, and extensions they want to use to add functionality instead of having built-in solutions forced on them. Even though it’s lightweight, Flask still offers some useful features out-of-the-box including HTTP request handling, a built-in development server and debugger, integrated support for unit testing, WSGI 1.0 compliance, and secure cookies support.
CherryPy
At more than ten years old, CherryPy is one of the oldest microframeworks in existence. It has remained popular thanks to its ability to quickly create fast, stable applications with a smaller source code. Created to be customizable and extensible with a flexible plugin system, Web Developers like CherryPy because it doesn’t limit their choices; the framework handles all the necessities like caching, encoding, session management, authentication, and static content handling while allowing them to choose any technology they’d like for templating, data access, etc. CherryPy is also a favorite pick because any web application powered by the framework acts as a stand-alone Python application with its own embedded multi-threaded web server that’s capable of running on any Python-compatible operating system.
Bottle
Bottle is a fast, simple, lightweight microframework that’s distributed as a single file module with no dependencies outside of the Python Standard Library. Originally created to build APIs, Bottle has the standard features of a framework including routing, templating, utilities, and an HTTP development server that supports any WSGI-capable HTTP server. As a microframework with little built-in functionality, Bottle works best with small applications built with relatively few lines of code that have no special requirements. It’s also an excellent choice if you’re wanting to build prototypes or learn how frameworks are organized.
Most Popular Asynchronous Python Frameworks
The purpose of an asynchronous framework is to deliver high levels of performance by permitting a large number of concurrent connections. While it is possible to increase the concurrency of most synchronous frameworks, they’re not nearly as powerful and effective as a stack that’s completely asynchronous. Asynchronous frameworks typically require more rigorous coding and have a limited set of plug-ins, which makes them a great choice when the goal is to provide a specific functionality at an extremely high volume.
Sanic
Sanic is a simple, lightweight framework built on uvloop that was specifically created to produce fast HTTP responses via asynchronous request handling. Sanic is often the preferred choice of Web Developers because of its strong routing capabilities, middleware, streaming, route versioning, static file serving, cookie management, blueprints, WebSocket support, and class-based views. Built with speed and scalability in mind, Sanic is capable of powering large and small web applications alike.
Growler
Inspired by the Express and Connect frameworks in the Node.js environment, Growler is built atop a Python library called asyncio and technically classified as an asynchronous microframework. Unlike most Python frameworks, HTTP requests in Growler are processed through a custom chain of middleware instead of being handled within the framework. Web Developers like this feature because it provides them with an easy way to implement complex applications. They also like that it’s easy to program, provides built-in support for multiple open-source projects, and can be zipped into a single execution file.
AIOHTTP
AIOHTTP is an HTTP client/server for the asyncio library that allows developers to quickly write asynchronous clients and servers. It includes key features such as middleware support, pluggable routing, signals, and easy view building. AIOHTTP also supports both client WebSockets and server WebSockets right out of the box which helps avoid needless callbacks. Web Developers enjoy working with AIOHTTP because it simplifies server creation and improves their workflow. It’s also well-liked for its ability to pull a lot of data over HTTP from various sources without affecting performance.
How to Learn Python
If you’re interested in learning Python and its most popular frameworks, the fastest, most efficient route is to enroll in web development classes in your area or online. Though it is possible to learn programming languages on your own, it requires a lot more time and self-discipline compared to taking web development classes. Taking classes provides you with built-in structure and accountability to keep you on track. Plus with their in-depth curriculum, you’ll receive a comprehensive education instead of trying to piece together a study plan on your own from various sources. You can even take web development classes live online if you prefer learning from home.
Another way to learn Python is to enroll in a web development bootcamp. With their compressed schedules and broad skills-based curriculum, bootcamps are the best choice for those who want to pursue a career in front end, back end, full stack, or Python development. If you’re particularly interested in Python, your best choice would be a Python bootcamp that will teach you everything you need to know about Python programming in a short amount of time.