Creating A Website With Python
How To Use Python To Make Websites? – ProBytes
If someone told you that you can build a website using Python by coding a program. He/she has no clue at all
You will not only be able to run your code on a web server but can accept page requests and offer responses in the form of HTML data. However, this calls for a lot of sweat from you.
But fret no more!
You can avoid all the strain by employing a host of user-friendly tools called Python frameworks that can be used to create a website.
A Sneak Peek into Various Python Web Frameworks
Python developers are familiar with a number of web frameworks that can be used to build websites. Django, Grok, WebPy, TurboGears, WebApp2, Pyramid, and Flask are some of the most widely used Python frameworks that can help you build a website from the scratch.
The Website Building Process – Broken Down Into Simple Steps
When it comes to building a website, it is very important that you start with the very small step. Once you taste success with simple applications, you will be skilled to move on to create a full-fledged and robust application. In doing so, every single step towards website development will be counted, serving as a yardstick for your progress.
Step 1:
The first step to build a website by coding in Python is to create an empty file. The empty file should then have the following code and saved with a. pyextension before running it.
The code is as follows:
from flask importFlask
app=Flask(__name__)
(‘/’)
def home():
return“Website content goes here. ”
if __name__ ==’__main__’:
(debug=True)
If you notice the commands, you will find that the code is employing the Flask framework. This is the code which takes the form of a web application prototype that is generated using Python.
Step 2:
The next step is to run this code by visiting localhost:5000. By doing this, you will be able to experience the first look of your website. Notwithstanding the fact that this looks like plain text in the first instance, you can still call it a website.
In case you don’t have the Flask framework, you can simply install it by keying in pip install flask at the terminal or command prompt. Going further, you will be employing Python functions to return an output to the source URL. But in reality, your purpose is to return HTML pages in contrast to plain Python strings.
Step 3:
To enable this, you are supposed to proceed with the following code in accordance with the render template method.
from flask importFlask, render_template
return render_template(“”)
However, it goes without saying that you first need to create a file which should be positioned inside a folder named templates. Care should be taken to create this folder at the same directory level as that of your Python file.
This is the simplest and systematic way to create a website using Python.
In an attempt to provide some functional guidance to create a website using Python, here are some useful tips that you can make use of:
It is a wise move to run your website in a virtual environment. And to create a virtual environment, you can rely on the virtualenv library:
pip install virtualenvpython-m venvfoldername
You would want your HTML files to adhere to the CSS styling pattern. Given this requirement, you should create a folder called static in the same directory level as your templates folder. You should then create subfolders with filenames of CSS and JavaScript inside the folder to house the respective files. The next step is to link these files from the HTML pages by keying in this linking command:
The list of tips does not end here. Going by the maxim that it is “better to be safe than be sorry”, another useful point that demands a special mention is to set the debug parameter to “False”. This initiation should be done before the deployment process begins. This word of caution will go a long way in keeping your app safe and secure.
Benfits of using Python in Web Development
Deployment time will be less compared to othersHighly flexibleResources and libraries are in plentyHas got a Google App EngineMaintainable features can be incorporated swiftlypowerful web development frameworksData analytics libraries of Python are impeccable
For more info, click this
Closing Thoughts
As you have by now understood that Python can be used to build a website, it does not come as the only means. For a website to be functional, you will need a combination of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. All these elements will have to work in tandem with your Python code by responding to the requests and returning HTML, JavaScript and CSS. Since this is a herculean task, you can lean on the Python frameworks like Django and Flask to simplify your website building process.
How to create a website using Python (an introduction)
Creating a website using Python is every entrepreneur’s dream. It’s a simple and easy-to-grasp programming language that offers powerful web development capabilities – giving you complete control over your website’s functionality and aesthetics.
Python is a general-purpose programming language that’s ideal for a wide variety of programming tasks, including website building. So if you want to know how to create a website using Python, you’re in the right place!
Can you make a website using Python?
The answer is yes, you can make a website with Python – quite easily in fact. Although Python is a general-purpose programming language, that naturally extends into web programming.
Python web development is made possible with the use of “frameworks”, which are pre-built packages of Python code that serve as a foundation, or structure, for your website.
We’ll explore frameworks later in this guide.
Why create a website with Python?
Did you know Instagram was developed with Python? That should give you a powerful indication of what’s possible using Python and a little bit of elbow grease.
Python isn’t really a new programming language; it’s almost 30 years old! But in the past few years, Python has seen widespread adoption in a number of fields.
Ranging from general-purpose programming and machine-learning applications to data science and business analytics, Python has made inroads into every field that requires programming.
Naturally, web development is not outside the domain of Python. Python frameworks have equipped web developers to build wonderfully complex websites and web applications.
But what makes Python so very attractive for web development? The following are some of the reasons why it’s ideal to create a website using Python.
Relatively easier to learn
Creating a website with Python is much easier because of how easy it is to learn the language compared to other popular website languages (Java for instance).
It uses relatively simpler syntax, doesn’t have a lot of semantic ambiguity, and employs commonly used symbols for programming.
For example, the following is Python’s version of the now-famous Hello World program that all coders begin their journey with.
print(“Hello, World! “)
Pretty simple, right?
Not just simple but deliciously logical. Even the complete programming novice can deduce what this line of code is trying to achieve.
Performing the same task in another programming language, say Java, would require multiple lines of code.
All these factors combined together make the language pretty easy to pick up.
This means with a bit of experience; a programmer can go from beginner to pro and even use the language to develop a website with Python from the ground up.
A vast collection of libraries
Python is open-source and has a strong community backing it. This has resulted in a unique ecosystem where you can find pre-existing Python code (or libraries) for a range of tasks.
This makes it easier to develop a website using Python, since you can offload the processing to a Python library rather than figuring out how to code the individual steps yourself.
Want to perform the mathematical analysis? Use Pandas or Numpy. Need charting capabilities? Not to worry, Pygal is at your service. There’s a Python library for nearly every process.
When it comes to web development, Python has a number of frameworks that make the task of development easier. We’ll discuss some of the major Python frameworks further down.
Faster development time
A major benefit of developing a website with Python is its superior speed.
Not only do websites built with Python run faster, but they’re faster to develop so the time-to-market is quicker. In today’s age of cut-throat corporate competition, this is a valuable advantage.
Excellent data visualization capabilities
One of Python’s major strengths is its ability to represent data in the form of creative visualizations. This powerful feature can be used to build informative websites that allow for the dynamic representation of complex data items.
Budget-friendly
Since Python is entirely open-source, the language and its associated frameworks are free for all to use. This means most Python website development tools don’t cost a thing. This ensures that your web development process remains relatively inexpensive.
Secure and scalable
Python is an inherently secure language and is highly scalable. This property allows the language to be used for developing web applications that can be easily scaled up as your business grows.
What other websites were made using Python?
We mentioned Instagram, but here are a bunch of other heavy hitters that created their website using Python:
Google
Spotify
Netflix
Uber
Dropbox
Pinterest
Instacart
If this list doesn’t convince you to create a website with Python, we don’t know what will!
How to code a website in Python using web frameworks
Now that we know the reasons why making your website using Python is a great choice, let’s take a deeper look at some frameworks that can be used to build a website with Python.
Web frameworks are simply pre-built code collections and libraries that help to speed up the development process. Using Python web frameworks, developers can create more scalable and reliable web software.
This means you can create a professional-looking website, with less work, within a relatively short time. Keep in mind, however, that it’s not exactly mandatory for developers to use frameworks. Code can be written from scratch as well. However, for reduced complexity and enhanced time-efficiency, it’s recommended that you use a framework.
The following is a brief introduction to some of the more popular Python web development frameworks.
Django
If you’re looking for an open-source framework that offers fast development features and an uncluttered design process, Django is the one for you. Apart from being incredibly fast, this framework is also one of the most secure Python web development tools available.
When using Django to build your website, you get access to all essential web components such as admin capabilities, database integration, and authentication features. The framework operates on an app-based concept, where each app is an independent code unit that executes without external dependencies.
The following example shows some of the many Django apps.
# helloapp/
INSTALLED_APPS = [
”,
‘ntenttypes’,
‘ssions’,
‘ssages’,
‘aticfiles’, ]
Because of its high degree of flexibility, Django is being used by some of the biggest names on the internet, such as Spotify and Dropbox.
Flask
Compared to Django, Flask is a minimalistic framework, which means it lacks certain features such as authentication and authorization capabilities. However, it offers greater flexibility, in that you can add libraries and extensions as and when you need. The following code example shows the hello world version of Flask:
from flask import Flask
app = Flask(__name__)
(“/”)
def home():
return “Hello, World! ”
if __name__ == “__main__”:
(debug=True)
Flask gives you the bare minimum that’s needed to build a website using Python and allows you to proceed from there. This unique approach to web development has made Flask the preferred framework for multinational giants such as Uber and Netflix.
Apart from the above, there are other frameworks that you can also use such as:
Pyramid
Bottle
TurboGears
Which framework should you use to build your website using Python?
With so many different frameworks available, which one should you use? The answer is that it’s entirely dependent on your level of skills as a programmer.
If you’re a newbie who needs more support, go with Django. On the other hand, if you’re a more experienced developer who prefers greater flexibility and control, Flask might be the better option.
However, it’s important to remember that no matter which one you use, the primary step to take is to start coding. Only then will you be able to get a handle on the intricacies of the process.
A step-by-step guide to create a website using Python
So far we’ve discussed the individual components of Python web development. In this section, we’ll put it all together and create a guide that’ll give you all the pieces of information you need to succeed as a Python web developer.
Step 1: Get a handle on HTML and CSS
For any web developer worth their salt, having a handle on HTML and CSS is a must. These two languages form the backbone of the web development process. Without HTML and CSS, a developer won’t be able to create the front-end i. e., the part of the website that’s actually visible in the browser.
An example Of HTML Code:
My First Heading
My first paragraph.
Step 2: Master the basics of JavaScript
Next, you need to master the basics of JavaScript, the essential client-side scripting language that no website can do without. Using JavaScript, developers can create powerful elements such as form validations, client-side animations, and much more.
A JavaScript Code Sample:
What Can JavaScript Do?
JavaScript can change HTML content.
Step 3: Master the document object model
Once you’ve got a good grip on the above, it’s time to learn the Document Object Model (DOM), manipulating which you can build powerful, dynamic web pages. In this context, it’s beneficial to learn jQuery, a JavaScript library that simplifies the process of working with DOM.
Example Of DOM Code Accessing A Single HTML Element:
var x = tElementById(“myCode”);
Step 4: Backend development with Python
Once you’ve covered the above steps, you’re ready for back-end development. Now comes the fun part, we have to use Python to design the backend i. e., the part of the website code that runs on the server.
Start by learning the syntax of Python, and then move onto a framework like Django or Flask. After learning the basics of JavaScript, Python will be a breeze.
Step 5: Choose your framework and database
Finally, you need to select the right framework for your needs, along with the backend database that you’re going to be using to make your website with Python. It’s here that you need to craft the business-specific logic, along with the data manipulation functions of your website.
Final words
Python is truly one of the best languages that can be utilized for web development. It’s simple to learn, logical, and can develop websites that are secure, scalable and budget-friendly.
Now you can begin your journey into Python web development. However, if you can’t wait until you’ve mastered Python before building your website, you can always hire a professional Python developer to do it for you now. This leaves you free to focus on your core business functions.
Python is one of the most powerful web development languages available today. By getting a good grip on this language, developers can create stable web applications that meet a wide variety of business needs.
Web Development – Full Stack Python
Web development is the umbrella term for conceptualizing, creating,
deploying and operating web applications and
application programming interfaces
for the Web.
Why is web development important?
The Web has grown a mindboggling amount in the number of sites, users and
implementation capabilities since the
first website went live
in 1989. Web development is the concept
that encompasses all the activities involved with websites and web
applications.
How does Python fit into web development?
Python can be used to build server-side web applications. While a
web framework is not required to build web apps,
it’s rare that developers would not use existing open source libraries to
speed up their progress in getting their application working.
Python is not used in a web browser. The language executed in browsers
such as Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer is
JavaScript. Projects such as pyjs
can compile from Python to JavaScript. However, most Python developers
write their web applications using a combination of Python and JavaScript.
Python is executed on the server side while JavaScript is downloaded to
the client and run by the web browser.
Web development resources
To become an experienced web developer you need to know the foundation
principles that the web is built with, such as HTTP requests and responses,
client (typically web browsers) and server (web servers
such as Nginx and Apache
architectures, HTML,
CSS and JavaScript, among
many other topics. The following resources provide a range of perspectives
and when combined together should get you oriented in the web development
world.
How the Internet works
is a must-read to get a quick overview of all the pieces that go into
a network connection from one machine to another. The example explains how
an email is sent and the story is just as useful for learning about other
connections such as downloading a webpage.
If you want to be a web developer it’s important to know the foundational
tools used to build websites and web applications. It is also important to
understand that the core concepts such as
HTTP, URLs and HTML were all there
at the beginning and then were expanded with new specifications over time.
This article on the
History of the Web
succinctly explains the origins of the web starting from Tim Berners-Lee’s
origin vision and release at CERN.
Web Architecture 101
is a great high-level overview of the technologies that run the modern
web, such as DNS, load balancers, web application servers (for Python
that equates to WSGI servers),
data bases, task queues,
caching and several other critical concepts.
What happens when? is an
incredibly detailed answer to the questions “What happens when you
type into your browser’s address box and press enter? ” that
seems straightforward on the surface until you really dig in.
How browsers work
provides an overview with solid detail on how browsers take the HTML,
CSS, JavaScript, images and other files as input and render webpages as
output. It is well worth your time to know this stuff as a web developer.
The history of the URL
explains how the growth of ARPANET to hundreds of nodes eventually led to
the creation of the URL. This is a great read that provides historical
context for why things are the way they are with the web.
The Browser Hacker’s Guide to Instantly Loading Everything
is a spectacular technical talk given by Addy Osmani at JSConf EU 2017
that has great bits of developer knowledge for both beginner and
experienced web developers alike.
Build a web application from scratch
and its follow on posts for
request handling
middleware explores
the fundamentals of web development. Learning these foundational concepts
is critical for a web developer even though you should still plan to use an
established web framework such as
Django or Flask to build real-world
applications. The
open source code
for these posts is available on GitHub.
While not Python-specific, Mozilla put together a
Learning the Web tutorial
for beginners and intermediate web users who want to build websites.
It’s worth a look for general web development learning.
Web development involves HTTP communication between the server, hosting
a website or web application, and the client, a web browser. Knowing
how web browsers works is important as a developer, so take a look at
this article on
what’s in a web browser.
Ping at the speed of light
dives into the computer networking weeds with how fast packets travel through
the internet plumbing. The author created a
Python script that scrapes network speeds
from disparate locations to see what the network speed is in fiber optic
cables as a percentage of the speed of light.
The critical path: optimizing load times with the Chrome DevTools
provides a well-written explanation about using Chrome’s developer
features to improve the performance of your websites and web applications.
Three takeaways for web developers after two weeks of painfully slow Internet
is a must-read for every web developer. Not everyone has fast Internet
service, whether because they are in a remote part of the world or they’re
just in a subway tunnel. Optimizing sites so they work in those situations
is important for keeping your users happy.
The History of the URL: Path, Fragment, Query, and Auth
gives a comprenhensive historical perspective on the fundamental
way to link to resources on the web. This post should be required reading
for web developers.
Quantum Up Close: What is a browser engine?
explains how a browser takes in
HTML,
JavaScript,
CSS,
images and any
other data and files to produce a webpage as output.
How to understand performance tests
is an important topic because many websites are slow and bloated.
Learning about improving the performance of your site is one of
the best ways to become a better web developer. Another great article on
website performance is
The average web page is 3MB. How much should we care?.
The visuals alone tell a compelling story about how large webpage
sizes have grown in recent years.
Let’s get started. What do you want to learn right now?
I want to learn how to code a Python web application using a framework.
I’ve built a Python web app, now how do I deploy it?
How do I improve an app’s user interface?
