title: Google App Engine: How to make a "virtual directory"
body: <p>I'm new with Google App Engine. At the first time using it, I was surprised since GAE doesn't allow me to write any file (including temporary one).</p>
  
  <p>My Python application (based on bottle, <a href="http://bottlepy.org/" rel="nofollow">http://bottlepy.org/</a>) need to copy some static files from some different directories into a single directory with a single structure. I need to programmatically create a single directory as template path.</p>
  
  <p>Here is my case:</p>
  
  <p>The original directory structure:</p>
  
  <pre><code>/app
   |_ /views
       |-- base.tpl
       |-- /app_1
       |    |-- /models (this directory contains several files, we don't need to care of it)
       |    |-- /views
       |         |-- index_1.tpl
       |
       |-- /app_2
            |-- /views
                 |-- index_2.tpl
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I need to make a directory, let's say <code>.runtime/views/</code> and copy those original files into this structure:</p>
  
  <pre><code>/.runtime
   |_ /views
       |-- base.tpl
       |-- /app_1
       |    |-- index_1.tpl
       |
       |-- /app_2
            |-- index_2.tpl
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Then I assign <code>TEMPLATE_PATH</code> variable into <code>.runtime/views</code></p>
  
  <pre><code>TEMPLATE_PATH = '.runtime/views'
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>This approach usually works well, until I find that GAE has such a limitation (not allowing me to write any file or directory). I know they have reasons behind this, not to mention security issues. And they also provide some other solution such as datastore, blobstore, and even google cloud storage.</p>
  
  <p>For me datastore &amp; blobstore is not a solution since I need to make a directory. Datastore &amp; blobstore is not created for this purpose.</p>
  
  <p>Google cloud storage seems to be a good option. But it is a paid service (if I don't read it wrong). Also, I think I can't use this option since I need to develop things locally without any internet connection, then upload everything to deployment server.</p>
  
  <p>Does anyone ever face such a similar problem? Any solution?</p>
  
  <p><strong>PS:</strong> Correct me if I'm wrong with some terms or concepts, as I said, I'm new to google app engine.</p>