Why not use Python for web application

First I have to say that I do use Python for my web application – my site socialclimate.tech is built on the Python Flask Framework and it works great for me, my use case was just a basic website and I had to overcome many hurdles, like what DB to use, how to deploy etc.

This blog post is for others that are considering using Python for a web app, and know the pitfalls of using Python for a web app, don’t misunderstand me I am not against using Python I do it myself all the time, and I have overcome the issues that I am going to mention.

There are a number of reasons why one might choose not to use Python for building a web application. Here are a few potential drawbacks to consider:

1. Performance: Python is an interpreted language, which means that it can be slower than compiled languages like C or Java. This can be a problem for web applications that require a high level of performance, such as those that need to handle a large number of concurrent users or process large amounts of data.
2. Scalability: Python’s Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) can make it difficult to achieve true concurrency and parallelism, which can be a problem for web applications that need to scale horizontally. This is because the GIL prevents multiple threads from executing Python bytecode simultaneously.
3. Limited web development libraries: While Python has a number of libraries and frameworks that are well-suited for web development, such as Django and Flask, some developers may find that the available libraries and frameworks do not meet their specific needs.
4. Steep learning curve: Some developers may find that learning Python’s web development libraries and frameworks can be difficult, especially if they are not already familiar with the language. This can make it harder for new developers to get up to speed and contribute to the project.
5. The difficulty of integration: Some developers may find it difficult to integrate Python web applications with other systems and technologies, such as databases or caching systems. This can be a problem for projects that need to use multiple technologies in order to function properly.
6. Security: Python is not the most secure language, and it has been reported several cases of security vulnerabilities in the python web app.

In conclusion

While Python is a powerful and versatile language that can be used for web development, it is not always the best choice for every project. Developers should carefully consider the specific requirements of their project and weigh the pros and cons of using Python before deciding whether or not to use it. There are many other options such as Node.js, Go, Ruby, and Java, which can be more suitable for some web applications.