Using Flask to build websites in Python.

The python module Flask is a small web framework.

Install the module using pip.

(my_new_env)[free-tutorials@free-tutorials ~]$ pip install Flask
Downloading/unpacking Flask
  Downloading Flask-0.9.tar.gz (481kB): 481kB downloaded
  Running setup.py egg_info for package Flask
    
    warning: no files found matching '*' under directory 'tests'
    ...
    ...
Successfully installed Flask Werkzeug Jinja2
Cleaning up...

Create the next python script and save as : flask-web.py .

from flask import Flask
app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/')
def hello_world():
    return 'Hello World!'

if __name__ == '__main__':
    app.run()

Run the python script:

(my_new_env)[free-tutorials@free-tutorials ~]$ python flask-web.py 
 * Running on http://127.0.0.1:5000/
127.0.0.1 - - [25/Jan/2013 00:10:35] "GET / HTTP/1.1" 200 -
127.0.0.1 - - [25/Jan/2013 00:10:36] "GET /favicon.ico HTTP/1.1" 404 -
127.0.0.1 - - [25/Jan/2013 00:10:36] "GET /robots.txt HTTP/1.1" 404 -
127.0.0.1 - - [25/Jan/2013 00:10:36] "GET /favicon.ico HTTP/1.1" 404 -
127.0.0.1 - - [25/Jan/2013 00:10:36] "GET /robots.txt HTTP/1.1" 404 -

You will see something like this:

Also you can try the quickstart tutorial here.

The sandboxed Python - development environments using pip and virtualenv .

Use pip and virtualenv and you can make sandboxed Python development environments.

With this tools such as pip and virtualenv you have total control over the development environment.

Why? Because if your project is developed by a team with mutiple developers then they prefer having exactly replicated environments.

Let's try some simple example commands:

1. Start your environment ( in my case is: my_new_env ).

[free-tutorials@free-tutorials ~]$ python virtualenv.py my_new_env
New python executable in my_new_env/bin/python
Installing setuptools..................done.
Installing pip.............done.

Activate your environment ( in my case is: my_new_env ).

[free-tutorials@free-tutorials ~]$ . my_new_env/bin/activate

Let's see the pip --help command :

(my_new_env)[free-tutorials@free-tutorials ~]$ pip --help
Usage: pip COMMAND [OPTIONS]
 --version                    show program's version number and exit
 -h, --help                   Show help
 -v, --verbose                Give more output
 -q, --quiet                  Give less output
 --log <filename>             Log file where a complete (maximum verbosity)
                              record will be kept
 --proxy <proxy>              Specify a proxy in the form
                              user:passwd@proxy.server:port. Note that the
                              user:password@ is optional and required only if
                              you are behind an authenticated proxy. If you
                              provide user@proxy.server:port then you will be
                              prompted for a password.
 --timeout <seconds>          Set the socket timeout (default 15 seconds)
 --exists-action <exists_action>
                              Default action when a path already exists. Use
                              this option more than one time to specify
                              another action if a certain option is not
                              available. Choices: (s)witch, (i)gnore, (w)ipe,
                              (b)ackup

Commands available:
  bundle: Create pybundles (archives containing multiple packages)
  freeze: Output all currently installed packages (exact versions) to stdout
  help: Show available commands
  install: Install packages
  search: Search PyPI
  uninstall: Uninstall packages
  unzip: Unzip individual packages
  zip: Zip individual packages

Now we will use freeze and install.

I will list all the pip packages used in my virtual environment.

(my_new_env)[free-tutorials@free-tutorials ~]$  pip freeze -l
PyOpenGL==3.0.2
PyOpenGL-accelerate==3.0.2

Put all the output in my_packages.txt file.

(my_new_env)[free-tutorials@free-tutorials ~]$ pip freeze -l > my_packages.txt

Install my packages from my_packages.txt .

(my_new_env)[free-tutorials@free-tutorials ~]$ pip install -r my_packages.txt
Requirement already satisfied (use --upgrade to upgrade): PyOpenGL==3.0.2 in 
./my_new_env/lib/python2.7/site-packages (from -r my_packages.txt (line 1))
Requirement already satisfied (use --upgrade to upgrade): PyOpenGL-accelerate==3.0.2 in 
./my_new_env/lib/python2.7/site-packages (from -r my_packages.txt (line 2))
Cleaning up...

Let's try now to find one python module : opencv .

(my_new_env)[free-tutorials@free-tutorials ~]$ pip search opencv 
remotecv                  - remotecv is an OpenCV server for facial and
                            feature recognition
ctypes-opencv             - ctypes-opencv - A Python wrapper for OpenCV using
                            ctypes
pyopencv                  - PyOpenCV - A Python wrapper for OpenCV 2.x using
                            Boost.Python and NumPy
opencv-cython             - An alternative OpenCV wrapper
CVtypes                   - Python OpenCV wrapper using ctypes
Tippy                     - another Toolbox for Image Processing in PYthon,
                            based on OpenCV

You can see where the version of python you are using installs to by running it the next python code.

>>> import sys
>>> sys.prefix
'/home/free-tutorials/my_new_env'
>>> sys.exec_prefix
'/home/free-tutorials/my_new_env'

To leave your environment just type next command: $ deactivate.

I will come with new tutorials about pip and virtualenv .

See you later.