In this paper, we present the Python programming language as a solution for efficiently building web-based applications and as a strategy for avoiding development debacles that routinely hamper web projects. Web development technologies like JavaScript, Ajax, Flash and Flex are dramatically improving web application design and have catapulted database-driven applications-such as social networking sites like MySpace and Bebo and enterprise web apps like Salesforce.com—into the mainstream.

In this paper, Python’s technical and business benefits are discussed as an alternative and how an enterprise-grade version of Python, ActivePython Enterprise, can help you to bring quality web applications to market quickly and easily while eliminating Python’s potential shortcomings.