CODEWITHSUNDEEP
google-app-engine
mowwwalker
mowwwalker

Reputation: 17344

Is it all right to install and run google app engine on your own server?

Is it acceptable to install and run google app engine on a server the same way as on a local machine for testing? I can't personally think of any reasons why not to, but I would imagine there would be some.

Is the best option to host with Google's app servers? What does Udacity do?

Upvotes: 1

Views: 853

Answers (2)

Dave W. Smith
Dave W. Smith

Reputation: 24966

If you're asking whether it's O.K., for testing purposes, to run dev_appserver off of a server, I wouldn't advise it. It's not hardened, and it's not going to scale at all well.

If you want to demo an application that's under development, and don't want to deploy to a separate demo/test application (or a demo/test version of your application), it's possible to start dev_appserver with -a 0.0.0.0. Assuming your local firewall allows it, and assuming your local machine has routable name on you intranet, this'll let them reach your app from their browser. That's an easy and quick way to get feedback on a UI while it's under development.

Upvotes: 2

JB Nizet
JB Nizet

Reputation: 691755

No, it's not really acceptable. The local server is just a "toy" server which mimics what the real server does, but without any optimization or safety. The datastore for example loads everything in memory, and writes everything from memory in a single file.

It's not designed at all to host real applications. Just to be able to test locally without deploying on the real app engine every time. Some services are not available locally either.

And frankly, if the goal is to host locally and not to exploit the elasticity of the app engine infrastructure, there are much better options. Use a real database, and a runtime environment which allows all the classes to be used.

Upvotes: 5

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