The landscape of web development is witnessing a rapid change and the preference of developers is towards using technologies that can help build scalable web applications.<\/p>\n
For a web platform such as content-based and news-based websites, eCommerce stores, and OTT, supporting the growing audience is also a concern. The search ends with Django, a python-based framework that is immensely popular these days.<\/p>\n
Highly attributed for its simple, fast, reliable and scalable web app framework, a study by SimilarTech<\/a> reveals that there are approximately 83,995 websites that were built with Django. The same study revealed the use of Django in different industry vertical – approximately 7.23% Science and Education business used Django in their web applications. In Computers Electronics & Technology it is 5.7%. While the use is 2.44% and 2.11% respectively for the Arts & Entertainment industry and Health industry.<\/p>\n Some popular companies using Django based websites that we all know about are: YouTube, Instagram, Disqus, Bitbutcket, Mozilla, Pinterest, and the list is endless.<\/p>\n In spite of this rising popularity, it should always be remembered that Django cannot function alone, it needs backend servers that are responsible for handling requests from users, processing data, and returning responses.<\/p>\n So, in this article, we will compare the popular Django backend servers namely Gunicorn, uWSGI, Nginx, Apache HTTP Server that fuel efficient and scalable web applications and understand what all each has to offer.<\/p>\n It is crucial to understand the role backend systems play in the Django development process before we delve deep into the specifics of this concept. A backend server typically processes requests from clients (web browsers) for performing necessary actions, sending queries to databases, and generating responses to the client’s queries or needs.<\/p>\n In layperson’s terms, the backend infrastructure bridges the frontend user interface and the backend database to build robust and scalable applications.<\/p>\n Django, is equipped with the necessary tools and structure to build the core logic of web applications by Django development services<\/a>. Backend servers, hence, come to the scene when it is required to serve the application and handle tasks such as load balancing, security, and optimization. In the following part of the article we will learn about some popular backend servers for Python and Django in 2023.<\/p>\n Gunicorn, an acronym for Green Unicorn, is an extensively used pre-forking HTTP server (Hypertext transfer protocol) for deploying Django websites. This server logic is reputed for being streamlined, efficient, and reliable. You will surely find a good python web development company<\/a> heavily using it as it can adapt well to multiple web frameworks.<\/p>\n Following are some notable features of Gunicorn:<\/p>\n Use Case<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Gunicorn can serve as an appropriate backend server for a wide range of Django frameworks, from small projects to large-scale web applications. Its ability to efficiently handle concurrent requests makes it ideal for applications with varying traffic loads. Because of its adaptable configurations, Gunicorn can be easily teamed up with reverse proxy servers like Nginx or Apache.<\/p>\n uWSGI is an open-source software application server and gets its name from Web Server Gateway Interface (WSGI). This Django server is compatible with various other web frameworks like Python<\/a> and PHP and delivers high performance and flexibility, which makes it a favored choice for deploying Django-based web applications.<\/p>\n Following are some notable features of uWSGI:<\/p>\n Use Case<\/strong>: uWSGI is well-suited for applications that demand high performance and the need to handle many requests. Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for projects with complex deployment requirements.<\/p>\n Nginx is another popular backend server that additionally functions as a proxy server. Though not a Python-specific server, it can be yoked with Django applications to manage complex tasks like load balancing, caching, and SSL termination.<\/p>\n The following are some notable features of Nginx:<\/p>\n Use Case<\/strong>: Nginx is typically used in conjunction with backend servers like Gunicorn or uWSGI. This capability provides it additional functionality such as load balancing and caching. It is highly suitable for applications that have high availability and scalability.<\/p>\n Apache HTTP (Hypertext transfer protocol) is one of the oldest and sturdiest backend web servers. Commonly known as Apache, it is not as lightweight as the other backend servers but it features flexibility and robustness, which sets it apart from others.<\/p>\n Use Case<\/strong>: Apache can be a backend server for Django applications when specific features or configurations are required. It’s a good fit for projects that demand sophisticated customization and security.<\/p>\n The best Django backend server for your application will depend on your specific requirements. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision. The table below will help you compare the backend servers that work well with Django applications:<\/p>\nUnderstanding the Role of Backend Servers in Django Application<\/h2>\n
Backend Servers for Django Applications<\/h2>\n
1. Gunicorn (Green Unicorn)<\/h3>\n
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2. uWSGI<\/h3>\n
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3. Nginx<\/h3>\n
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4. Apache HTTP Server<\/h3>\n
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Comparing the backend hosting services suitable for Django applications<\/h2>\n