GAE: use flexible environment or standard environment in a project with processing MS Word files

Question

I am new to GCP but I need a help what to choose: Flex or Standard environment. The app I've developed (Python 2.7) is dealing with:

1. Loading MS Word files from user (online).
2. Keeping them in storage (should be Google cloud or file system?).
3. Processing them against predefined DB entries (MySQL).
4. Modified file is sent back to user/client.

Since standard env. has some restrictions (comparing page) as

Writing to local disk: "No" in standard env.

So, should I use rather flexible environment to load and store MS Word files?

Any other aspects you may mention concerning the use of any of the environments?

Answer 1

Here's a document designed to help you choose your environment. The key differences are highlighted here.

To answer you specific question, both environment are capable of doing what you want but in different ways. App Engine provide file storage with Google Cloud Storage, you can easily store your MS Word files here.

I am unsure what you mean by "processing them against ... MySQL", but any standard data parsing, importing, and exporting are available with Cloud SQL which is accessible from both App Engine environments.

I would suggest trying Google App Engine Standard if you want it easier to manage; if you want more control, then Google App Engine Flex is a better choice.