Flask APIs
Flask API Learning Path
Three examples, then read the Flask source: send a request, locate its handler, and follow its data or model call.
Easy API - Jokes
- Read-only REST Client requests
- Blueprint and resource paths
- File-backed data calls
hacks/joke.py to hacks/jokes.py
Read a small API and explain how its count and list handlers call the jokes data layer.
User API
- Prompted authentication
- Cookies and permissions
- User model boundary
api/user.py to model/user.py
Use the existing REST Client request files, trace a user operation, and distinguish API validation from model responsibilities.
Microblog API
- Filtering and response shape
- Validation and ownership
- MicroBlog and Topic calls
api/microblog_api.py to model/microblog.py
Read authenticated CRUD handlers and apply the same tracing routine to additional API resources in the repository.
From Examples to Reading Flask Code
Follow the three lessons above in order. Each starts with an HTTP request in VS Code REST Client, follows the Flask handler, and identifies the corresponding data or model call. The goal is to learn how to read the backend, not collect separate tutorials for every API.
| Example | Read the Handler | Follow the Data Call |
|---|---|---|
| Easy API - Jokes | hacks/joke.py |
Functions in hacks/jokes.py, backed by a JSON file |
| User API | api/user.py |
User operations in model/user.py |
| Microblog API | api/microblog_api.py |
MicroBlog and Topic in model/microblog.py |
The Reading Routine
- Find the blueprint prefix and resource registration to identify the URL.
- Locate the method handling the request and check authentication or permissions.
- Identify input fields, query parameters, and validation failures.
- Follow the data/model call far enough to explain its input and returned value.
- Compare the handler’s status and response structure with REST Client output.
After these three examples, use this routine to read additional APIs directly in the Flask repository. API handlers and their registered routes are the reference for current behavior. These lessons introduce model boundaries; detailed SQLAlchemy relationships, schemas, SQL, migrations, and transactions belong in a separate model/database series.
For setup and directory orientation, use the Flask structure guide. Other non-API references remain in Flask Topics.