Segregating Python Pages in Flask and MySQL

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What will you learn?

Discover how to efficiently organize and manage various pages within a Flask web application by leveraging data from a MySQL database.

Introduction to the Problem and Solution

In the realm of web development, organizing different functionalities or sections of a web application into distinct pages is crucial for enhancing code structure, readability, and maintenance. By segregating these components, we can streamline the development process and improve overall user experience.

To tackle this challenge, we will harness the power of Flask as our Python web framework in conjunction with MySQL as the database management system. This combination enables us to create a well-structured web application capable of handling multiple pages with unique features seamlessly.

Code

# Import necessary libraries
from flask import Flask, render_template
import mysql.connector

# Initialize Flask app and MySQL connection
app = Flask(__name__)
db_connection = mysql.connector.connect(
    host="localhost",
    user="your_username",
    password="your_password",
    database="your_database"
)

# Define route for each page
@app.route('/')
def home():
    cursor = db_connection.cursor()
    cursor.execute("SELECT * FROM home_data")
    data = cursor.fetchall()

    return render_template('home.html', data=data)

@app.route('/about')
def about():
    cursor = db_connection.cursor()
    cursor.execute("SELECT * FROM about_data")
    data = cursor.fetchall()

   return render_template('about.html', data=data)

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

# Copyright PHD

Note: Remember to replace placeholders like your_username, your_password, your_database with your actual credentials.

Explanation

  1. Flask Routes: Each function decorated with @app.route() represents a different page on the website.
  2. MySQL Integration: Data retrieval from specific tables in the database based on the accessed page.
  3. Template Rendering: Passing retrieved data to HTML templates (home.html, about.html) for dynamic content display on each page.
    How do I add more pages/routes?

    To add new pages/routes, define additional functions decorated with @app.route(‘/new_page’) following similar patterns as existing routes.

    Can I use ORM instead of raw SQL queries?

    Yes, you can utilize SQLAlchemy ORM within Flask to abstract away raw SQL queries for enhanced readability.

    Is it secure against SQL Injection?

    The provided code is susceptible to SQL Injection. Deploy parameterized queries or ORM methods like SQLAlchemy’s query methods instead of string formatting in production code.

    How can I handle form submissions on these pages?

    Create separate routes for form submission handling using POST requests and process form data within those routes.

    What if I need authentication for certain pages?

    Implement user authentication using Flask-Login or session management techniques before granting access to specific pages based on user roles/permissions.

    Conclusion

    By effectively combining Python’s robust frameworks such as Flask with databases like MySQL, you have acquired the skills to segregate various sections/pages within a web application. This methodology not only improves code maintainability but also provides scalability options as your project evolves.

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