Deploying a Python Web Application
Are you ready to take your Python web application live? The process can be daunting, but don’t worry.
In this article, we will guide you through the deployment process on Google Cloud Platform, both locally and on the cloud.
Set Up on Google App Engine
To set up your Python web application on Google App Engine, you will first need to create a project. You can do this by logging into the Google Cloud Console and clicking on “Create Project.” Give your project a name and click “Create.” Once your project is created, you will need to create an App Engine application within that project.
To deploy your web app, go to the App Engine dashboard and click “Deploy.” Follow the prompts until your deployment is complete. Once deployment is complete, you will see a URL at which your application is accessible.
Set Up Locally for Deployment
If you prefer to deploy your application on a local machine before deploying to the cloud, you can use the Google Cloud SDK. First, you will need to authenticate with Google Cloud so that you can access your resources.
You can do this with the command “gcloud auth login.”
Next, you will need to set up a Google Cloud project ID. You can do this with the command “gcloud config set project [PROJECT_ID].” Replace [PROJECT_ID] with your desired project ID.
Run the Deployment Process
Once you have completed the setup, you can deploy your application with the command “gcloud app deploy.” You will be prompted to select a region and confirm deployment.
Congratulations! You have now deployed your Python web application on Google App Engine.
Your live web app is accessible from the provided URL.
Refactoring a Local Temperature Converter Script into a Flask Web App
Overview
The Flask web framework is a popular choice for building Python web applications. In this section, we will guide you through the process of refactoring a local temperature converter script into a Flask web app.
In this project, we will convert our temperature converter script into a web app. The script takes input in Celsius and converts to Fahrenheit.
We will use Flask to render an HTML template and allow users to input temperature values. The Flask app will then convert these values to Fahrenheit and display the result.
Set Up the Flask Web App
First, we will set up a virtual environment for our Flask app. This will keep our dependencies separate from the system Python installation.
You can create a virtual environment with the command “python -m venv venv.”
Next, we will activate the virtual environment with the command “source venv/bin/activate.” We can then install our dependencies with the command “pip install flask.”
Refactor the Local Script
Now that we have set up our Flask app, we can begin refactoring our temperature converter script. We will convert our converter function to accept input from a web form and return the result to the user.
First, we will import the Flask library and create an instance of the Flask class. We will also create a view function that will accept input from a form and return the converted value.
We will use an HTML template to render the form and display the result.
Test the Flask Web App
Finally, we will test our Flask web app to ensure that it is functioning correctly. We can run the app with the command “flask run.” We can then navigate to http://localhost:5000/ in our web browser to use the app.
We can input a temperature value in Celsius and click the “Convert” button to see the value in Fahrenheit. In conclusion, deploying a Python web application and refactoring a local script into a Flask web app can seem daunting, but by following these step-by-step instructions, you can feel confident in your ability to take your skills to the next level.
In this article, we discussed two important topics for Python developers: deploying a web application on Google Cloud Platform and refactoring a local script into a Flask web app. We outlined step-by-step instructions for each process to help you navigate through the steps with confidence.
By following our guidelines, you can take your Python web development skills to the next level and create dynamic, interactive web applications that engage users. Whether you choose to deploy your app on the cloud or on a local server, Flask is an excellent framework for developing web applications.
With practice and persistence, you can master these skills and become a proficient Python web developer.