How to Efficiently Run Background Tasks in a FastAPI Application?

FastAPI Python: Execution of a Background Thread

Introduction

In FastAPI applications, executing specific tasks in the background is often a necessity. For instance, you may need to periodically check an external API and perform actions based on the response. This tutorial explores two approaches to achieve this functionality: thread creation and usage of asyncio.create_task().

Thread-Based Solution

One method involves creating a thread separate from FastAPI's main event loop. By running the desired task within this thread, you can effectively background the process. However, note that this approach requires starting the thread before initializing the FastAPI application. Additionally, ensure that the thread is set to non-daemon mode to prevent premature termination.

AsyncIO Coroutine approach

If your background task is defined as an async def function, you can utilize a more integrated approach using asyncio.create_task(). This function registers an asynchronous coroutine within the event loop. The coroutine will execute concurrently with other tasks, allowing for seamless background operation. It's important to note that the event loop must be created prior to using asyncio.create_task(), which is typically handled by FastAPI upon startup.

To further enhance the organization and lifecycle management of background tasks, you can leverage FastAPI's lifespan events, which provide convenient hooks for executing code before and after the application's lifetime.

Additional Options

Alternative solutions include utilizing ApScheduler, specifically AsyncIOScheduler, which offers a more robust scheduling mechanism. For additional insights and examples, refer to the accompanying links and solutions provided for reference.

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