mod_wsgi, mod_python, or just cgi?

Question

Hi,

I've been playing around with my own webserver (Apache+Ubuntu) and python. From what I've seen there are 3(?) main ways of doing this:

1. Apache configured to handle .py as cgi
2. Apache configured to use mod_python that is now outdated(?)
3. Apache configured to use mod_wsgi

I recall reading that Django prefers mod_wsgi, and I'm kinda interested in learning Django (I've heard their official tutorial is rather excellent).

What is the 'recommended' setup? I presume there's really no reason to use mod_python anymore, but what are the differences between handling .py as cgi, and mod_wsgi? Is it possible to run them in tandem (and would you want to?), or is that just a ridiculous idea and I should stop thinking such crazy things?

I guess really I'm just looking for a primer on Apache+Python (links are also good) - nothing I've come across so far has been terribly informative - they were mainly just how-to's.

Answer 1

1. Don't use CGI. It's inefficient. Spawning a new process for each request. No thanks

2. Dont't spend much time with mod_python

3. Use mod_wsgi.

If you want to write CGI-like stuff without a framework, use mod_wsgi anyway. The WSGI standard (PEP 333) is essential for creating web applications in an easy, interchangeable, reusable, plug-and-playable way.

Answer 2

mod_python is dead, so using mod_python probably isn't a good idea for new projects. Personally, I prefer to use mod_wsgi over CGI (or FastCGI). It's dead-simple to set up, and much more efficient.

Answer 3

I would go with mod_wsgi too.

If you want a deeper understanding about the question, have a look at this:

• Apache, FastCGI and Python, by Ferry Boender

Good stuff!