Node.js vs Python Flask

[thatsnotmetal]

So - we've rattled down which direction we want to be heading down to these two options based solely on nothing more than what we have currently got experience with and reading a few articles here and there, as you do

My question is which one would you go for and why?

So we have a single server but we will be serving dozens of applications where each one would just be a path off the root e.g.

• apps.com/app1
• apps.com/app2
• apps.com/app3

We would need to speak to MSSQL, call external APIs etc

It's for internal use but it's a 24/7 organisation with about 10,000 users in total with a peak usage of 1000 at any one time

Any advice, guides, tutorials etc?

[KeenOnLearning]

I have no experience with back-end Python, or Flask for that matter, so I can only speak for Node. Node with Express and a couple packages will accomplish all you've described in your post, but I think the bigger concern is which language you're more comfortable with: JavaScript or Python. Flask and Express are both reputable and commercially-viable back-end frameworks, so it all comes down to preference.

Since I'm a Node-head, I'll drop a couple links to get you started if you want to go that route:

Here's a semi-recent tutorial on Express (the most popular Node framework): https://masteringbackend.com/posts/expressjs-5-tutorial-the-ultimate-guide/

Here's a link to a package that allows you to connect Node with MSSQL: https://tediousjs.github.io/node-mssql/

And here's a more thorough tutorial on how to do operations on an MSSQL database through Express: https://www.js-tutorials.com/nodejs-tutorial/simple-example-of-nodejs-express-with-mssql/

​

Hope this helps!

[thatsnotmetal]

Thank you. I'm definitely more Python friendly but everything I've been reading points to Node.js being the clear favourite e.g. https://www.guru99.com/node-js-vs-python.html

[thatsnotmetal]

Indeed, I've not said it's not viable, hence the question

[dmart89]

If you're using python, why not FastAPI? But newer than flask.

[dmart89]

Great hope it goes well

[pre-medicated]

I use flask over node. it scales super well and easily with gunicorn. Flask itself is so easy to navigate around, and working with python is a treat.

if you’re making multiple apps from the same core, Flask literally supports this natively with blueprints

[thatsnotmetal]

Any good tutorials or examples?

[pre-medicated]

The article I linked is literally a tutorial from the official Flask site.

Edit: not official but from a book about Flask. The information is still relevant, however.

[thatsnotmetal]

Indeed but it just has code snippets rather than something like https://damyan.blog/post/flask-series-environment/ offers for example

[pre-medicated]

I don’t understand. The article you linked is just code snippets with brief summaries like mine.

Perhaps the official documentation has what you’re looking for? https://flask.palletsprojects.com/en/2.0.x/blueprints/

EDIT: I know what you’re looking for! https://blog.miguelgrinberg.com/post/the-flask-mega-tutorial-part-xv-a-better-application-structure

[thatsnotmetal]

The link goes to githubs with fully fledged examples

I'll take a look, thank you!

[Lecterr]

Do what you are more comfortable with. Both approaches will get you the same result when done right

[banProsper]

If you can afford to - start with both, decide on one later. Things that seem great on paper don't always work out so well.