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Python

Posted by Mark Tripney
Mark Tripney
8,666 Points

Flask docs state that, "Reversing is often more descriptive than hard-coding the URLs." What does this mean?!

I'm doing some work with Flask and, in the docs, five reasons are given for using url_for. The top one states that, "Reversing is often more descriptive than hard-coding the URLs."

What does this mean? What is meant by 'reversing' in this context?

1 Answer

Jeff Muday
MOD
Jeff Muday
Treehouse Moderator 28,732 Points
Jeff Muday
Jeff Muday
Treehouse Moderator 28,732 Points

url_for(<function_name>, {parameters} ) generates a dynamic URL-- you knew that already.

Static URLs are great for simple applications, and in some ways might be preferred (performance-wise).

The use of url_for() makes the code you write more maintainable as it clearly shows the URL functional-endpoint, and the parameters being sent as being independent entities rather than constructed as an aggregate URL.

Another advantage is the ability to change the top-level static routes and not have to dive into the code and templates to match-up/edit all the instances where the route was statically defined in the code.