How to Use Python requests with a Flask Server

Flask is perfect for building lightweight APIs, and Python’s requests library makes it easy to communicate with those APIs. Here’s a quick example:

from flask import Flask, request, jsonify

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/greet', methods=['POST'])
def greet():
    data = request.get_json()
    name = data.get('name', 'Guest')
    return jsonify({'message': f'Hello, {name}!'})

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

Client (sending data using requests):

import requests

response = requests.post(
    'http://127.0.0.1:5000/greet',
    json={'name': 'Alex'}
)

print(response.json())

This setup is ideal for internal tools, microservices, or learning to interact with REST APIs. Always validate and secure incoming data for production use.


Learning resources to explore

Real-World Use Case: Building Internal APIs for Automation

Automate repetitive tasks by building internal APIs that your teams can access via HTTP. Python and Flask make this both rapid and scalable. Read how companies use Flask APIs for automation.

🔌 Integration with Third-Party APIs (e.g., Slack, Google Sheets)

Easily plug your Flask app into services like Slack or Google Sheets using Python’s requests. Automate workflows, send alerts, or log data instantly. See integration examples in this guide.

⚙️ Performance & Production Best Practices

Running Flask in production? Use Gunicorn, environment variables, and request validation to ensure uptime and security. Learn how to write robust, scalable code. Explore Flask production tips.


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