Professional Web API with Flask

In our previous project, we utilized functional views, also known as endpoints. We used the @app.route decorator, specifying the URL endpoint and the HTTP methods handled by that function, followed by defining the function's logic. Here's an example of how we would have written a functional view for our project:

However, in our professional project, we will transition to using class-based views.

Introduction to MethodView:

Flask's MethodView offers a class-based approach to creating views, organizing HTTP request handling by methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.) into class methods. This approach eliminates the need for decorators for each handler function and allows for easy expansion and reuse of request handling logic.

Each HTTP method maps to a class method with the corresponding name. Using MethodView makes the code cleaner and more readable, especially when multiple HTTP methods need to be handled in one view.

Leveraging Blueprints:

Blueprints in Flask are a way to organize a group of related views, templates, static files, and other resources. They function like Flask applications but are not standalone programs; they are more like templates to create or register functionality in the main application.

Blueprints and MethodView can be used together to create a cleanly structured and easily extendable web application. For instance, you can create a Blueprint for an API section and define all request handlers for that API using MethodView.

Combining Blueprints and MethodView:

By combining Blueprints and MethodView, we can structure our application in a way that enhances maintainability and scalability. Here's how you can integrate them:

With this setup, you're structuring your Flask application to be more organized and modular, allowing for better separation of concerns and easier management of complex functionalities.

Adopting class-based views using MethodView and structuring our application with Blueprints marks a significant step towards professionalizing our Flask project. It leads to cleaner, more maintainable code and paves the way for future expansions. In the following chapters, we will dive deeper into implementing these concepts with real-world examples and best practices.