Making HTTP requests is a common task in Python programming. The two most popular libraries for making requests are requests and urllib3. But when should you use one over the other? Here's a practical guide to help choose the right tool for the job.
Requests: The Simple, Intuitive Option
The Requests library aims to make HTTP requests simpler and more human-readable. Here is a basic GET request using Requests:
import requests
response = requests.get('https://api.example.com/data')
print(response.text)Requests handles common tasks like:
This makes Requests ideal for basic HTTP tasks. The simple API means you can start making requests quickly without lots of boilerplate code.
When to Use Requests
Use Requests for:
Requests is beginner friendly and great for everyday HTTP needs.
urllib3: Lower Level, More Control
The urllib3 library handles the nitty-gritty details of making HTTP connections. Here is a basic GET request with urllib3:
import urllib3
http = urllib3.PoolManager()
response = http.request('GET', 'https://api.example.com/data')
print(response.data)urllib3 provides:
In essence, urllib3 gives you levers to tweak when you need more control.
When to Use urllib3
Use urllib3 when:
If Requests feels too simplistic, urllib3 offers the hooks to manage connections your way.
Putting it Together
To recap, here are some guidelines on choosing a HTTP client:
Requests is great for getting started quickly. Urllib3 offers more customization for complex cases.
Hope this gives you a better sense of when to use Requests vs urllib3!