Deploying Python Applications to Azure

1. Introduction

This lesson covers the deployment of Python applications to Microsoft Azure. It will guide you through essential concepts, various deployment methods, and practical steps to successfully deploy your application.

2. Pre-requisites

• Basic knowledge of Python programming.
• An active Azure subscription.
• Azure CLI installed on your local machine.
• Python installed (preferably version 3.6 or higher).
• Familiarity with Git for version control.

3. Deployment Methods

Azure provides multiple ways to deploy Python applications. The most common methods include:

1. Azure App Service
2. Azure Functions
3. Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
4. Azure Virtual Machines

4. Step-by-Step Guide

4.1 Deploying with Azure App Service

Follow these steps to deploy a Python web application using Azure App Service:

# Step 1: Create a Resource Group
az group create --name myResourceGroup --location eastus

# Step 2: Create an App Service Plan
az appservice plan create --name myAppServicePlan --resource-group myResourceGroup --sku B1 --is-linux

# Step 3: Create a Web App
az webapp create --resource-group myResourceGroup --plan myAppServicePlan --name myPythonApp --runtime "PYTHON|3.8"

# Step 4: Deploy the application
az webapp up --name myPythonApp --resource-group myResourceGroup
    

4.2 Deploying with Azure Functions

You can deploy a serverless Python application using Azure Functions.

# Step 1: Create a Function App
az functionapp create --resource-group myResourceGroup --consumption-plan-location eastus --runtime python --functions-version 3 --name myFunctionApp

# Step 2: Deploy the function
az functionapp deployment source config --name myFunctionApp --resource-group myResourceGroup --source-url  --branch master --manual-integration
    

5. Best Practices

• Always use environment variables to manage sensitive information.
• Leverage Azure's monitoring tools to track application performance.
• Automate deployments using CI/CD pipelines.
• Optimize your application for scalability and performance.

6. FAQ