Setting Up the Development Environment

Getting started with Flask involves a few key steps to set up your development environment.

Installing Python and pip

First things first, you need Python installed on your system. If you haven’t done that yet, head over to the Python website and download the latest version. When you install Python, you’ll also get pip, which is Python’s package manager and will come in handy for installing Flask and other packages.

Creating a Virtual Environment

With Python and pip ready, the next step is to create a virtual environment. Think of a virtual environment as a dedicated space for your project, where you can install packages without affecting the rest of your system.

To create one, open your terminal or command prompt, navigate to your project folder, and run:

				
					python -m venv venv

This command creates a virtual environment named venv in your project directory.

To activate the virtual environment:

On Windows:

				
					venv\Scripts\activate

On macOS/Linux:

				
					source venv/bin/activate

You’ll know it’s activated when you see (venv) at the beginning of your terminal prompt.

Installing Flask using pip

Now that your virtual environment is activated, installing Flask is super easy. Just run:

				
					pip install Flask

This command will install Flask and any other dependencies it needs. Now, you’re all set to start using Flask in your project.

Setting Up a Basic Flask Project Structure

Let’s set up a basic structure for your Flask project. In your project folder, create the following files and directories:

				
					/your-project
  /venv
  /static
  /templates
  app.py

static/: This is where you’ll store static files like CSS, JavaScript, and images.
templates/: This folder is for your HTML templates.
app.py: This is your main Python file where you’ll write your Flask application code.

Here’s a simple example of what app.py might look like:

				
					from flask import Flask, render_template

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/')
def home():
    return "Hello, Flask!"

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

To run your Flask app, just execute:

				
					python app.py

This will start a local server, and you can view your app by going to http://127.0.0.1:5000/ in your web browser.

Contents

Setting Up the Development Environment

Installing Python and pip

Creating a Virtual Environment

Installing Flask using pip

Setting Up a Basic Flask Project Structure

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