Working with Flask-Script and cron jobs

Question

So I've been meaning to create a cron job on my prototype Flask app running on Heroku. Searching the web I found that the best way is by using Flask-Script but I fail to see the point of using it. Do I get easier access to my app logic and storage info? And if I do use Flask-Script, how do I organize it around my app? I'm using it right now to start my server without really knowing the benefits. My folder structure is like this:

/app
   /manage.py
   /flask_prototype
      all my Flask code

Should I put the 'script.py' to be run by the Heroku Scheduler on app folder, the same level as manage.py? If so, do I get access to the models defined within flask_prototype?

Thank you for any info

Answer 1

Flask-Script just provides a framework under which you can create your script(s). It does not give you any better access to the application than what you can obtain when you write a standalone script. But it handles a few mundane tasks for you, like command line arguments and help output. It also folds all of your scripts into a single, consistent command line master script (this is manage.py, in case it isn't clear).

As far as where to put the script, it does not really matter. As long as manage.py can import it and register it with Flask-Script, and that your script can import what it needs from the application you should be fine.