Chose approach to building web app

[BenLatham]

Should this web app be built with a raw approach or use a framework such as Cake, Express, or Django?
If so which framework?

[BenLatham]

My view is that a framework would be useful. Though the front-end of the web app does not need to be particularly complex, (It needs login, form submission, and ability to present data to the user), security is crucial, since if the model were used to simulate a real farm the security of the data would be a significant concern. Achieving high levels of security using a raw approach would require a great deal of skilled work, while a good framework should make this easier.

On balance a Python framework is a natural fit for the project, since the FLOSS model is being built in python. This would help in three ways: connections between the app and the simulation would be effortless; greater ease of development (less switching between languages) for anyone working on both app and simulation; easier installation, only one language to consider.

Between Python frameworks, I don't have the experience to really judge. Looking into Flask and Django.

[BenLatham]

Asked on Quora to see what views people have: https://www.quora.com/I-am-working-on-creating-a-web-interface-for-a-farm-simulation-which-is-being-written-in-Python-Which-web-framework-would-you-recommend-and-why/

[BenLatham]

I've selected Django. The easy approach to interfacing with sql databases is particularly valuable for this project. The simulation itself can be built as a django app - allowing seamless integration between simulation, data, and interface.