Investigate between using Flask-RESTX and Flask-OpenAPI3 for API documentation

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Here is what LLama3 wrote for me.

Choosing between Flask-RESTX and Flask-OpenAPI3 depends on your project's requirements, preferences, and the specific features each library offers. Here's a comparison to help you decide:

Flask-RESTX

Pros:

1. Comprehensive Features: Flask-RESTX provides a complete framework for building REST APIs, including request parsing, response formatting, and automatic documentation generation.
2. Integrated Documentation: It includes built-in support for Swagger UI, which automatically generates interactive API documentation from your code.
3. Ease of Use: It simplifies many common tasks in API development, such as input validation and error handling.
4. Community and Support: Flask-RESTX has an active community and is well-documented, making it easier to find support and resources.

Cons:

1. Overhead: It might introduce more overhead compared to lighter libraries if you only need basic functionality.
2. Dependency: Flask-RESTX has more dependencies, which can be a concern for minimalistic projects.

Flask-OpenAPI3

Pros:

1. OpenAPI Specification: It adheres strictly to the OpenAPI 3 specification, ensuring your API conforms to a widely-accepted standard.
2. Customization: Provides more flexibility for customizing your API's documentation and behavior.
3. Lightweight: Typically has fewer dependencies and may be lighter in terms of resource usage.

Cons:

1. Less Out-of-the-Box Functionality: You might need to implement more features manually compared to Flask-RESTX.
2. Documentation: Depending on the implementation, the documentation might not be as integrated or user-friendly as Flask-RESTX's Swagger UI.

When to Use Flask-RESTX

• You want an all-in-one solution with built-in support for common tasks.
• You prefer having automatic and interactive API documentation.
• You need a well-supported library with comprehensive documentation and community support.

When to Use Flask-OpenAPI3

• You need strict adherence to the OpenAPI 3 specification.
• You prefer a lightweight library with fewer dependencies.
• You want more flexibility and customization in how your API and its documentation are structured.

Conclusion

If your project benefits from having a robust, integrated solution with minimal setup and comprehensive features, Flask-RESTX is likely the better choice. If you prioritize adherence to standards, customization, and a lightweight setup, Flask-OpenAPI3 might be more suitable.

Evaluate your project needs, consider the pros and cons of each library, and choose the one that aligns best with your development goals.

This should not stop us from exploring by ourselves and make a selection.