MissyMadi2
asked on
How to use Python 2.7 to connect to Postgres db?
Experts,
I would like to use Python272 to connect to a Postgres db. I found instructions here:
http://wiki.python.org/moin/UsingDbApiWithPostgres?action=print to createa database etc. I looked at the directions and downloaded DB-API, psycopg2 modules. Then I used the Python interperator to enter
Python DB-API:
import psycopg2 as dbapi2
db = dbapi2.connect (database="python", user="python", password="python")
cur = db.cursor()
I get a Syntax error: invalid syntax at
cur = db.cursor()
**screen shot attached.
I really don't understand how I could attach to the database....I have not created the db yet in the directions...but this is how the directions seem to read - in order.
postgres.png
I would like to use Python272 to connect to a Postgres db. I found instructions here:
http://wiki.python.org/moin/UsingDbApiWithPostgres?action=print to createa database etc. I looked at the directions and downloaded DB-API, psycopg2 modules. Then I used the Python interperator to enter
Python DB-API:
import psycopg2 as dbapi2
db = dbapi2.connect (database="python", user="python", password="python")
cur = db.cursor()
I get a Syntax error: invalid syntax at
cur = db.cursor()
**screen shot attached.
I really don't understand how I could attach to the database....I have not created the db yet in the directions...but this is how the directions seem to read - in order.
postgres.png
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I am sorry, I cannot help with PostgreSQL and its interface from Python. Probably someone else will help you here. If not, send a request for the attention to the topic-area administrator.
But yes, you are expected to put the SQL command string into your cur.execute() as shown at the page:
The triple quotes are used here to suggest that you can use the multiline string for the purpose (the SQL command may look more readable), like this:
Here the CREATE TABLE does not fill the cur object with loopable information, but for example:
makes the cur object be accessor to he data retrieved from the database. (It seems the interface to PostgreSQL is at least similar to other database interfaces...)
If the interface was modernized, you can also try:
without using the .fetchall(). It is because the cur often works as the iterator object.
cur.execute ("""CREATE TABLE versions (released date, version varchar, status varchar)""")The triple quotes are used here to suggest that you can use the multiline string for the purpose (the SQL command may look more readable), like this:
cur.execute ("""CREATE TABLE versions (
released date,
version varchar,
status varchar
)""")Here the CREATE TABLE does not fill the cur object with loopable information, but for example:
cur.execute ("SELECT * FROM versions")makes the cur object be accessor to he data retrieved from the database. (It seems the interface to PostgreSQL is at least similar to other database interfaces...)
rows = cur.fetchall() # here you get the list of rows
for i, row in enumerate(rows):
print "Row", i, "value = ", rowIf the interface was modernized, you can also try:
for i, row in enumerate(cur):
print "Row", i, "value = ", rowwithout using the .fetchall(). It is because the cur often works as the iterator object.
Thanks for the points but you can usually be a bit slower in accepting, and discuss the problem more thoroughly also with other people who probably looked at your question but did not reacted yet (waiting where the discussion goes ;)
You can still add your comments here and it is likely it can be answered even after accepting (if it is related to the question).
You can still add your comments here and it is likely it can be answered even after accepting (if it is related to the question).
ASKER
OK. I thought I may have to open another question.
Using the mentioned URL to do the examples, I entered the SQL commands directly from the SQL Query, all data was created and retrieved, etc. Simple....
I don't understand the DB-API2.0 side of this. I use the Python Interperator and enter cur.execute ("SELECT * FROM versions");
Shouldn't I see all records returned in the Pthyon Interperator screen?
Using the mentioned URL to do the examples, I entered the SQL commands directly from the SQL Query, all data was created and retrieved, etc. Simple....
I don't understand the DB-API2.0 side of this. I use the Python Interperator and enter cur.execute ("SELECT * FROM versions");
Shouldn't I see all records returned in the Pthyon Interperator screen?
Yes, if the table "versions" is there, if it contains anything, and if no error happened. Try to replace the for loop by simply printing the result of .fetchall():
When working in the interactive mode, you can use simply:
instead of print rows
...
rows = cur.fetchall()
print rowsWhen working in the interactive mode, you can use simply:
>>> rowsinstead of print rows
ASKER
Got it!! Thanks. Rows returned in Python. I think what happened is that my connection timed out??
My goal is to create a GUI for users to enter data and capture data and store it. We are currently performing manually and storing data in spreadsheets. Now I can apply the DB-API 20 code to gain access to the Postgres db.
How do I get to the GUI creation for the users? A form for the users to fill out to capture the data?
My goal is to create a GUI for users to enter data and capture data and store it. We are currently performing manually and storing data in spreadsheets. Now I can apply the DB-API 20 code to gain access to the Postgres db.
How do I get to the GUI creation for the users? A form for the users to fill out to capture the data?
For GUI, you have to choose one of the more possibilities. I recommend to focus on the cross-platform frameworks. I tend to use the free software (another criterium).
Python comes with TkInter (the wrapper around the rather ol Tcl/Tk http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tcl, http://docs.python.org/library/tkinter.html). The cons is that the windows do not look natural (native) in the chosen OS.
I personally like WxPython, which is the wrapper around wxWidgets (http://www.wxpython.org/, http://www.wxwidgets.org/. You can get the advertised book [a.k.a. wxBook] also for free in PDF, legally). The cons is that it there is no version for Python 3, yet.
There also is PyQt which is the wrapper around Qt framework (http://wiki.python.org/moin/PyQt, http://qt.nokia.com/products/). The cons is more complex licensing. I cannot speak for that.
If you never programmed a GUI application, you should be prepared to spend some time when learning the chosen GUI framework.
Python comes with TkInter (the wrapper around the rather ol Tcl/Tk http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tcl, http://docs.python.org/library/tkinter.html). The cons is that the windows do not look natural (native) in the chosen OS.
I personally like WxPython, which is the wrapper around wxWidgets (http://www.wxpython.org/, http://www.wxwidgets.org/. You can get the advertised book [a.k.a. wxBook] also for free in PDF, legally). The cons is that it there is no version for Python 3, yet.
There also is PyQt which is the wrapper around Qt framework (http://wiki.python.org/moin/PyQt, http://qt.nokia.com/products/). The cons is more complex licensing. I cannot speak for that.
If you never programmed a GUI application, you should be prepared to spend some time when learning the chosen GUI framework.
ASKER
I'm still not sure if I'm using the Python interperator correctly for the commands for DB-API2.0. From the instructions http://wiki.python.org/moin/UsingDbApiWithPostgres?action=print , I am to run these commands from the Python interperator??