FastAPI is a high-performance, easy-to-use web framework for building APIs with Python 3.6+ based on standard Python type hints. It has been designed to be highly scalable and easy to use, while providing a robust set of features that make it an excellent choice for modern web development.
The Genesis of FastAPI
FastAPI was created by Sebastián Ramírez and first released in December 2018. The primary motivation for developing FastAPI was to create a web framework that was both highly efficient and user-friendly, taking advantage of Python’s new features, especially Python 3.6+ type hints. The first mentions of FastAPI appeared on GitHub, where it has since grown in popularity due to its performance, ease of use, and excellent community support.
Inside the World of FastAPI
FastAPI leverages the concept of type annotations and the powerful Starlette framework for the web parts. It also uses Pydantic for data handling. These two fundamental components, combined with FastAPI’s unique features, make it a powerful tool for web development.
Unlike some other web frameworks, FastAPI is designed to be asynchronous, allowing it to handle multiple requests simultaneously. This asynchronicity is achieved using Python’s async and await keywords, making FastAPI a great choice for building real-time applications and microservices.
Key Features of FastAPI
FastAPI comes loaded with a wide array of features that set it apart from other web frameworks:
- Fast: It is one of the fastest frameworks available for Python, only second to NodeJS and Go in terms of speed.
- Easy: It is very developer-friendly, requiring less boilerplate code, which makes it easier for new developers to learn.
- Intuitive: FastAPI takes advantage of Python’s type hinting to provide automatic data validation, serialization, and documentation.
- Standards-based: FastAPI is based on (and fully compatible with) the open standards for APIs: OpenAPI (previously known as Swagger) and JSON Schema.
- Robust: It supports OAuth2 authentication handling, JSON Web Tokens, HTTP/2 and WebSockets.
- Scalable: FastAPI supports asynchronous request handling, making it a great choice for handling long-lived connections and real-time updates.
Types of FastAPI Applications
There are no specific “types” of FastAPI as it is a framework, not a classification. However, it can be used to build different types of web applications:
- APIs: It is primarily designed to create robust and scalable APIs.
- Web Applications: It can also be used to build full-fledged web applications.
- Microservices: FastAPI is an excellent choice for microservices due to its speed and scalability.
- Real-time Applications: Due to its support for WebSockets, it is suitable for real-time applications.
Practical Use Cases and Problem Solving with FastAPI
FastAPI has been adopted widely in industries ranging from fintech to biotech, for tasks such as building RESTful APIs, real-time prediction servers, and more.
One common problem when working with APIs is validating input data. FastAPI solves this by using Python’s type hints and the Pydantic library, which automates data validation. Another common issue is managing asynchronous tasks. FastAPI, with its built-in support for Python’s asyncio, makes handling asynchronous tasks straightforward.
FastAPI vs Other Frameworks
| Feature | FastAPI | Flask | Django |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Very High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Learning Curve | Low | Low | High |
| Flexibility | High | High | Moderate |
| Scalability | High | Moderate | High |
| Built-in Features | High | Moderate | High |
| Asynchronous Support | Yes | No | No |
The Future of FastAPI
The future of FastAPI looks promising. As it is an open-source project, the number of contributors is continuously growing, which means new features and improvements can be expected. With more companies adopting FastAPI for their projects, it’s safe to assume that it will remain an essential player in the world of Python web frameworks.
Emerging technologies like serverless architecture, containerization, and microservices are also compatible with FastAPI. Therefore, it is expected to adapt and grow alongside these new paradigms.
Proxy Servers and FastAPI
A proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. It can be used in combination with FastAPI to provide additional layers of security, load balancing, and caching.
For example, in a typical use case, you might have a FastAPI application running behind a proxy server. The proxy server can handle requests and responses between the client and your FastAPI application. It can cache responses from the FastAPI application, reducing load and improving response times. Additionally, a proxy server can provide additional security measures, like rate limiting or blocking specific IP addresses.
Related links
- FastAPI GitHub Repository: https://github.com/tiangolo/fastapi
- FastAPI Official Documentation: https://fastapi.tiangolo.com/
- Starlette GitHub Repository: https://github.com/encode/starlette
- Pydantic GitHub Repository: https://github.com/samuelcolvin/pydantic
- OpenAPI Initiative: https://www.openapis.org/
- JSON Schema: https://json-schema.org/
