Python: Installing Flask dependency

This documentation is part of the Creating a REST API guide. You can view the complete guide here: How to create a REST API using Flask.

👋 Welcome to the Stackhero documentation!

Stackhero offers a ready-to-use Python cloud solution that provides a host of benefits, including:

• Deploy your application in seconds with a simple git push.
• Use your own domain name and benefit from the automatic configuration of HTTPS certificates for enhanced security.
• Enjoy peace of mind with automatic backups, one-click updates, and straightforward, transparent, and predictable pricing.
• Get optimal performance and robust security thanks to a private and dedicated VM.

Save time and simplify your life: it only takes 5 minutes to try Stackhero's Python cloud hosting solution!

For this example, we only need one dependency: Flask.

Flask is a lightweight web framework that enables rapid development of web applications. It is designed to be simple and easy to use, allowing developers to build and deploy web services quickly. Built-in support for routing, templating, and handling HTTP requests makes Flask an excellent choice for creating REST APIs.

Install Flask (and python-dotenv) using pip:

pip install Flask python-dotenv

We are installing the Flask and python-dotenv modules here. You will soon see why we use python-dotenv (spoiler: it is for managing environment variables).

After installation, freeze the package versions to a requirements.txt file:

pip freeze > requirements.txt

Freezing your dependencies ensures that your production server or colleagues use the same versions as you. Just a few seconds of work can prevent many future headaches.