This repository is the python back end for a grid-based path-finding application. The front end portion sends a payload describing the grid size, important points on the grid, and the alogorithm to use to find the shortest path. Flask is used to handle the request and serve up the coordinates of the calculated shortest path.

1. Install Python 2.7 (or use your favorite python environment manager to create a python 2.7 environment)
2. If using a virutal environment, activate it now
3. Install Flask by running pip install Flask
4. Set the Flask application environment variable
   • Linux/OSX

   $ export FLASK_APP=webservice.py
   

   • Windows Command Line

   C:\path\to\app>set FLASK_APP=webservice.py
   

   • Windows Power Shell

   PS C:\path\to\app> $env:FLASK_APP = "webservice.py"
   

5. Run the application

   $ flask run
       * Running on http://127.0.0.1:5000/