Introduction
In today’s digital ecosystem, every modern application communicates with others through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). From booking a cab to ordering food, APIs power the backbone of seamless integrations. For a Python Full Stack Developer, mastering REST API development with frameworks like Flask and Django REST Framework (DRF) is not optional—it’s mandatory.
At CuriosityTech, we emphasize practical, real-world projects while teaching APIs, because nothing explains the power of REST better than building and testing it in action.
What is REST API?
- REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style that uses HTTP requests to access and manipulate resources.
- It is stateless, scalable, and language-independent, which makes it the preferred standard for building modern web services.
Key Principles of REST:
- Statelessness – Each request from a client must contain all the necessary information.
- Resource-Based – Everything is treated as a resource (user, post, comment).
- HTTP Methods Mapped to CRUD:
| HTTP Method | Operation | Example (Blog API) |
| GET | Read | /api/posts → Get all posts |
| POST | Create | /api/posts → Add a new post |
| PUT/PATCH | Update | /api/posts/1 → Edit post 1 |
| DELETE | Delete | /api/posts/1 → Delete post 1 |
REST API with Flask – Step by Step
Flask is a micro-framework that gives developers maximum flexibility.
Example: A Simple Flask REST API
from flask import Flask, jsonify, request
app = Flask(__name__)
posts = [
{“id”: 1, “title”: “First Post”, “content”: “Hello World”}
]
@app.route(‘/api/posts’, methods=[‘GET’])
def get_posts():
return jsonify(posts)
@app.route(‘/api/posts’, methods=[‘POST’])
def add_post():
new_post = request.get_json()
posts.append(new_post)
return jsonify(new_post), 201
if __name__ == ‘__main__’:
app.run(debug=True)
- Run this file → python app.py
- Test with Postman or cURL:
- GET: http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/posts
- POST: Add a new post JSON
REST API with Django REST Framework (DRF)
Unlike Flask, Django REST Framework comes with built-in serializers, authentication, pagination, and more, making it enterprise-ready.
Example: Django REST Framework Serializer
from rest_framework import serializers
from .models import Post
class PostSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
class Meta:
model = Post
fields = [‘id’, ‘title’, ‘content’]
Example: API View
from rest_framework import generics
from .models import Post
from .serializers import PostSerializer
class PostListCreate(generics.ListCreateAPIView):
queryset = Post.objects.all()
serializer_class = PostSerializer
- GET /posts/ → List all posts
- POST /posts/ → Add new post
Flask vs Django REST Framework – A Comparative Table
| Feature | Flask | Django REST Framework |
| Complexity | Lightweight | Heavy but structured |
| Best For | Quick APIs, Prototypes | Large-scale projects |
| Built-in Features | Minimal (plugins req.) | Auth, Serializers, etc. |
| Learning Curve | Easy | Moderate |
Real-World Use Cases
- Flask: Used by small startups for rapid prototyping of APIs.
- Django REST Framework: Powers large applications like Instagram, Mozilla’s APIs
Infographic Idea (for blog design)
Title: “How REST APIs Work in Python”
- A diagram showing:
- Client (Frontend) → API Endpoint (/posts/) → Backend (Flask/Django) → Database
- Client (Frontend) → API Endpoint (/posts/) → Backend (Flask/Django) → Database
- Include arrows for GET, POST, PUT, DELETE.
Why REST APIs Matter for Full Stack Developers
A modern Python Full Stack Developer is incomplete without REST expertise. In CuriosityTech full-stack learning programs, students not only learn to build APIs but also integrate them with React, Vue, or Angular frontends, preparing them for real-world projects.
Conclusion
REST API development in Python is the gateway skill to building scalable applications. Whether you prefer the flexibility of Flask or the robustness of Django REST Framework, mastering REST makes you a complete Full Stack Python developer.
At CuriosityTech, we strongly advocate for hands-on REST API projects, because that’s where theory meets practical excellence.
