Database Installation

Contents

• Database Installation
  • Supported Database Backends
  • Linux
  • Windows
  • Mac OS X

This page is give some hints on the database back-ends supported by SQLObject and SQLAlchemy and how to install them on different operating systems.

Supported Database Backends

SQLObject Supported Backends:

• SQLite
• MySQL
• PostgreSQL
• Firebird
• MS SQL Server
• Sybase
• MAX DB

SQLAlchemy Supported Backends:

• SQLite
• MySQL
• Postgres
• Firebird
• MS SQL Server
• Oracle

The process of installing a database system differs greatly from each database and each operating system to another and therefore we can only refer you to the documentation of the database system in question and give you some hints below.

After you have installed a database system we need Python bindings for it, that is a library that lets Python programs interact with the database backend.

Linux

There are many ways to install software on Linux:

• Have a look whether there is a package in your distribution’s package collection.
• If not, you can make your own package for it.
• Or look if the Python package is available from the Cheeseshop (PyPI) and easy_install it.
• As a last resort, build from source.

Which way to go depends on your prefenrences and your expertise, although for most distributions it is prefered to manage all installed software through the package management. easy_install is probably the easiest way, when there is a binary egg for your system available.

MySQL

You will need the mysqldb module, which may be called mysql-python in your distribution and it is also called like that in the PyPI.

Best Approach:

Use your package manager to install mysql-python. If that fails:

• Install development tools (gcc, make, etc.).
• Install MySQL development tools.

easy_install mysql-python

SQLite

You will need the pysqlite modul.

Best Approach:

Use your package manager to install pysqlite. If that fails:

• Install development tools (gcc, make, etc.).
• Install SQLite and the SQlite development files.

easy_install pysqlite

PostgreSQL

You will need the psycopg2 module if you’re going to use Unicode, otherwise either psycopg or psycopg2 will do it. We recommend using psycopg2 because of other features besides unicode.

Best Approach:

Use your package manager. If that fails:

• Look for binaries at the psycopg2 install page
• Build it yourself using the instructions on the above page.

Windows

On Windows there is basically one way to install packages, an exe file (aka installer), provided by the package author or users. Installing from source is a pain and should be your last resource. If you do choose to go this way you will need VisualStudio or equivalent tools.

TODO add link to MC visual C compiler

Warning

Setting up the tools to compile Python C-extension on Windows is not for the faint of heart.

MySQL

You will need mysqldb, mysql-python is the name in in pypi.

Best Approach:

You can find an installer at in MySQL-python download section on Sourceforge. Get the latest version and install it by double-clicking on the installer.

If that fails:

• TODO (If you get this working, post it here)

SQLite

For Python versions < 2.5, you will need pysqlite. In Python >= 2.5, pysqlite is already integrated as sqlite3, but maybe an older version than the current pysqlite. Make sure you have a recent version installed.

Best Approach:

• easy_install pysqlite

PostgreSQL

• Download and install from here.

Mac OS X

The easiest way of installed most of the common open source databases on OS X is to either use MacPorts or Fink.

Both of these are package management systems that will install all the dependencies for you.

To install Mac Ports, first install X11 and Xcode from Apple, and then install the dmg from MacPorts installation page and follow the instructions on the MacPorts site.

MySQL

For Darwin Ports

$ sudo port install mysql4 +server

or

$ sudo port install mysql5 +server

SQLite

For Darwin Ports

$ sudo port install sqlite2

PostgreSQL

For Darwin Ports

$ sudo port install postgresql8

or

$ sudo port install portgresql7