Database Programming with Python

Abstract

The rapid advances of computing systems over the past decades have led to significant improvements in terms of data storage capacity, as well as the algorithms and programs associated with data management and organisation. In the scope of Computer Science and Information Technology these elements are commonly referred to as database systems. A notable and widely used form of database systems is that of the Relational Database. This form of database allows the user to create, modify, and delete database structures through the Data Definition Language (DDL), modify the database content through the Data Manipulation Language (DML), and filter and manage data using specific programming commands called Queries. The various different elements of such a system are usually managed through a unified platform or interface commonly known as a Database Management System (DBMS). This chapter focuses on the use of Python and MySQL, a popular DBMS, in order to perform a number of fundamental Relational Database tasks. The chapter starts with the introduction of the various different components of MySQL as well as the necessary steps one has to follow in order to establish the foundation for the data manipulation work presented later on. Once this foundation is laid down, the chapter moves on to present fundamental Relational Database tasks of increasing complexity through the use of Python scripts and SQL Queries. Ultimately, the chapter can be viewed as a walk-through for readers with little or no prior database programming experience or as a handy reference guide for those with general experience in databases but who would like to get exposed to workflows specifically involving the Python platform.