Starting point for learning about using databases from Python.

Relational Databases

Relational databases are the most widely used type of database, storing information as tables containing a number of rows.

• ChoosingDatabase -- lists databases supported by Python libraries.

• DatabaseInterfaces -- another list of databases accessible from Python. (Should merge this list with the above one...)

The DB-API

The DB-API is a specification for a common interface to relational databases. The current version of the specification is version 2.0.

• PEP 249: Python Database API Specification v2.0.

• DbApiFaq

• DB-API how-to (PDF).

• UsingDbApiWithPostgres

Future development

• DbApi3 -- discussion of possible topics for a DB-API 3.

• ExtendingTheDbApi

Historical development

• PEP 248: Python Database API Specification v1.0.

Related tools

• HigherLevelDatabaseProgramming -- wrappers that provide simpler or higher-level database interfaces, such as object/relational mappers and SQL generators.

• SQL Relay is a persistent database connection pooling, proxying and load balancing system for Unix systems, supporting many different databases and languages, including PostgreSQL and Python.

Other resources

• DatabaseBooks -- lists a few recommended titles for learning about databases. These books aren't Python-specific.

• Programming:Databases category on dmoz.org

Non-relational Databases

• PersistenceTools -- describes non-relational tools for storing data on disk.

• XmlDatabases

• Matisse Software provides Python bindings for their object database.