Python on the web - newby question

[SimonPalmer]

Apologies in advance if this is either a) the wrong board or b) been
answered a million times elsewhere, but...

I have been given an assignment to get a python module up and running
behind an existing web site. At the moment the rest of the site is
developed in PHP but the hosts have said they will provide python
support for free, although they haven't given any more details than
that, so I'm not sure exactly what that means. All reasonably
encouraging though.

I'm a newbie to python but quite experienced with Java/J2EE/JBoss.
What I need to know is how I get python running on the server and what
tools/middleware I would need to have installed on the host's machines
to be able to support my python modules.

Again, apologies if this is the wrong place but I'm a bit lost and
would really appreciate some pointers.

TIA
Simon

[SimonPalmer]

On Sep 3, 8:41*pm, Bruno Desthuilliers
<[e-mail]:

SimonPalmer a écrit :

Apologies in advance if this is either a) the wrong board or b) been
answered a million times elsewhere, but...

I have been given an assignment to get a python module up and running
behind an existing web site. *At the moment the rest of the site is
developed in PHP but the hosts have said they will provide python
support for free, although they haven't given any more details than
that, so I'm not sure exactly what that means.

Depending on the hosts, this can range from having an antiquated python
version with only cgi enabled and no way to install anything to the very
last stable release and (almost) whatever third-part lib / frameworks
and correct configuration.

*All reasonably
encouraging though.

I'm a newbie to python but quite experienced with Java/J2EE/JBoss.

Quite another world...

What I need to know is how I get python running on the server

For which definition of 'server' ? The computer, or the web server process ?

and what
tools/middleware I would need to have installed on the host's machines
to be able to support my python modules.

Depends on your modules dependencies !-)

More seriously : Python is known has being the language with more web
frameworks than keywords. IOW, there's no simple straightforward answer
to your question. Fisrt choose which Python web development solution you
intend to use, then read the FineManual's "deployment" section of the
chosen solution.

You'll find pointers to most web-related libs / frameworks here:http://wiki.python.org/moin/WebFrame...WebProgramming

Given your situation (Python newcomer with a real job to do), and if
your job is anything more than a very Q&D deadsimple task, I'd
personnaly recommand Django (http://djangiproject.com). Don't let the
version number fools you (latest version is 1.0 release candidate),
Django is a mature, solid and proven solution that have years of
existance, and what they call 1.0rc would be labeled at least 3.5 for
some other software... It's also mostly documented, and there's a strong
community around the framework, so you should not have much problem
getting help.

For any other Python question (I mean, non django-related), you're at
the right place.

Oh, and yes, if I may suggest a reading:http://dirtsimple.org/2004/12/python-is-not-java.html

HTH, and welcome on board...

Hey, thanks very much this is really helpful. What I really need is
pointers, I'm sure I can figure the rest out. I am indeed a guy with
a real job to do. Doesn't help that the client and host are on the
other side of the world.

I quite like python. As a veteran coder who has tried a lot of
languages this has been a pleasant experience so far. I *really* like
numpy and scipy. My stock in trade is algorithms and they are quite a
revelation. I wish I had known about them sooner and I think they
will keep me coming back to python regularly.

Thanks again.
SP