Programming languages facilitate the development of various kinds of applications from website, mobile, scientific to gaming, banking, etc. But programming languages alone cannot do the work of development given the complexity of some applications. That\'s where frameworks come into the picture to share the work of providing a neat foundation to applications.
Before jumping into the topic, let us understand what frameworks are and why are frameworks important?
Framework
Framework refers to the software files that provide a structure to the coding and act as a foundation or platform for developing software applications. A framework includes code libraries, compiler, and other programs to support the application development process.
Several types of frameworks exist, for example, Active X and .Net framework for Windows development, Cocoa for Mac OS, Cocoa Touch for Apple mobile software, and Android Application Framework for Android OS. Separate SDKs and Programming tools are designed and are available for the corresponding framework.
Why are Frameworks important?
The main purpose of using a framework is to allow developers to focus on building the important features of an application rather than concentrating on building the structure of an application from scratch. A Framework is very useful in saving time, offering flexibility, secure code, scalability, support, cost-efficiency, re-use of code, adding template system, easy deployment, and maintenance.
How do Frameworks work?
Frameworks work in two different ways. One is Opinionated and the other is Unopinionated.
Opinionated Frameworks follow a specific approach where the developer chooses an application structure and the user has to abide by that structure.
On the contrary, Unopinionated Frameworks doesn’t follow any specific approach and is a more flexible base. These frameworks offer flexible tools to solve queries in different ways.
Why Choose a Framework?
The two main factors to choose a framework are 1) to Upgrade the performance of an application and 2) focus on the business needs, rather than spending time on the structure which can be built using the framework.
Now that we know what a framework is and the importance of using it, let us explore more about the importance of Python Frameworks in application development.
Python
Python language is an object-oriented, server-side language used in the development of Websites, Web applications, AI machines, Machine Learning systems, Operating Systems, Mobile Application Development, and Video Games.
Furthermore, Python tops the list as both the best programming language to learn in 2021 as well as the best server-side language for application development.
This fact validates that Python possesses more value in importance as well as will provide extensive career opportunities for its aspirants. As said at the start of the topic, let us now find out the popular Python frameworks that can help us to establish a career path to achieve our career goals.
Python Frameworks
Python frameworks can be classified into three types and they are FullStack Framework, Micro Framework, and Asynchronous Framework.
1. Full Stack Framework
As the name suggests, the Full Stack framework can be used for developing both the frontend and backend of a Web application. Fullstack Framework is also known as Enterprise Framework and has built-in libraries for all the functions of the development of a Website and Mobile Applications.
2. Micro Framework
Micro Frameworks are used for Minimalistic Web Applications which means Websites or Applications which require minimal features and functionalities to develop. These frameworks provide only the features for Application development. They lack additional features like database abstraction layer, form validation, web template engine, authentication functionality, authorization, input functionality, and input sanitation.
3. Asynchronous Framework
Asynchronous Framework is the latest framework to join the category. This framework allows developers to handle and manage large sets of concurrent connections and it feeds on Python’s Asyncio library.
What are the deciding factors for choosing a Python Framework?
There are two things to consider while choosing a Python Framework.
1. Weigh the size of your project which means if it is a project demanding multiple features and functionalities with database support then you can choose the FullStack Framework or if it is a website requiring a couple of web pages then you can go for Micro Framework.
2. The second factor to consider is whether the framework can perform both horizontal scaling and vertical scaling. Both the scalings are important if the application is going to face huge traffic, run on multiple servers and require the addition of new features in the future.
As we saw the factors, let us explore the three popular frameworks of Python. Learning it will open new doors of opportunities for us as it is the trending language providing new career opportunities to lots of budding programmers.
1. Django
Django is a Full Stack as well as an Open Source Framework that supports many complex databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and SQLite. It helps the programmers to develop highly scalable and engaging applications. Django can be used to build any type of website from Content Management systems to Social networks and news sites. It has the capability to work with any client-side framework and can deliver content in any form like HTML, RSS Feeds, XML, JSON, etc. Finally, Django is the framework used in building Instagram, Pinterest, Mozilla, YouTube, Spotify, Bitbucket, Dropbox, and Disqus.
2. Flask
Flask is a Micro Framework having abundant libraries and tools for web development. It is also an open-source framework used by big companies like Google, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Flask is the best framework to develop stand-alone applications with considerably less time. Also, Flask is very useful for writing APIs, endpoints, and RESTful services.
3. CherryPy
CherryPy is one of the oldest and stable Micro Frameworks being in use since 2002. Being a Micro Framework, CherryPy’s applications are not limited. It lets us work with any technology of our choice for templating, data access, etc. Moreover, it can handle sessions, statistics, cookies, file uploads, and anything a web framework can.Conclusion
There are many other Python Frameworks that are of equal importance but these popular python frameworks are sure to help you to start a career in the IT industry. Moreover, not everyone can learn all the frameworks but if you follow the above-said guidelines it will definitely help you to choose the right framework for study or internship projects or any other project you are willing to work with. Concluding there is no best Framework in Python. All have significant value and importance. Choose the framework as per your requirement and learn it professionally by enrolling yourself at a Python Training program that would cover these frameworks in their course.