flask_development_env.md

Create a Basic Flask Development Environment

This tutorial walks you through setting up the tools you need to begin developing in Python and Flask. Note: I assume you are on a Unix environment (OSX, Linux, Linux VM on Windows).

What you need

Python 2.7.x
easy_install and pip
Git 1.7/1.8
virtualenv
Flask
Text editor (Sublime, vim, Komodo, gedit)

Python

Check your Python version - python -V
If you already have a 2.7.x version, move on to the next step.
If not, download and install the latest 2.7.x version

Git

Check your Git version - git --version
Download the latest version, if necessary

easy_install and pip

Download setuptools for Python 2.7

 $ curl -o setuptools-0.6c11-py2.7.egg https://pypi.python.org/packages/2.7/s/setuptools/setuptools-0.6c11-py2.7.egg#md5=fe1f997bc722265116870bc7919059ea

Install setup tools
```
 $ sudo sh setuptools-0.6c11-py2.7.egg
```
Clean up and delete egg
```
 $ rm setuptools-0.6c11-py2.7.egg
```
Install pip
```
 $ sudo easy_install pip
```

virtualenv

virtualenv is used to create a self-contained development environment.

Install
```
 $ sudo pip install virtualenv
```

Setup your local environment

 $ mkdir new_project
 $ cd new_project
 $ virtualenv --no-site-packages flask

Activate virtualenv
```
 $ cd flask
 $ source bin/activate
```

Flask

Install
```
 pip install Flask
```

Version Control

Add a Git repository
```
 $ git init
```

Text editor

Download a text editor. I prefer Sublime.

Quick Application

Create a new file named hello.py and add the following code:

 from flask import Flask
 app = Flask(__name__)

 @app.route('/')
 def hello_world():
     return 'Hello World!'

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

Save the file to your "flask" directory.

Run the file with your Python interpreter
```
 $ python hello.py
```
Point your browser at http://localhost:5000 to view the hello world greeting.

mjhea0/flask_development_env.md