python-oracledb

Python-oracledb is an open-source Python extension module allowing Python programs to connect to Oracle Database. The module conforms to the Python Database API 2.0 specification with a considerable number of additions and a couple of minor exclusions, see the feature list. It is maintained by Oracle.

Python-oracledb is used for executing SQL and PL/SQL; for calling NoSQL-style document APIs; for working with data frames; for receiving database notifications and messages; and for starting and stopping the database. It has features for high availability and security. It is used by many Python Frameworks, SQL Generators, ORMs, and libraries.

Synchronous and concurrent coding styles are supported. Database operations can optionally be pipelined.

Python-oracledb is the successor to the now obsolete cx_Oracle driver.

Python-oracledb Installation

Run:

python -m pip install oracledb --upgrade

See python-oracledb Installation for details.

Samples

Examples can be found in the /samples directory and the Python and Oracle Database Tutorial.

A basic example:

import oracledb
import getpass

un = "scott"
cs = "localhost/orclpdb"
# cs = "localhost/freepdb1"   # for Oracle Database Free users
# cs = "localhost/orclpdb1"   # some databases may have this service
pw = getpass.getpass(f"Enter password for {un}@{cs}: ")

with oracledb.connect(user=un, password=pw, dsn=cs) as connection:
    with connection.cursor() as cursor:
        sql = "select sysdate from dual"
        for r in cursor.execute(sql):
            print(r)

Dependencies and Interoperability

• Python versions 3.9 through 3.13.

  Pre-built packages are available on PyPI and other repositories.

  Source code is also available.

  Previous versions of python-oracledb supported older Python versions.

• Oracle Client libraries are optional.

  Thin mode: By default python-oracledb runs in a 'Thin' mode which connects directly to Oracle Database.

  Thick mode: Some advanced Oracle Database functionality is currently only available when optional Oracle Client libraries are loaded by python-oracledb. Libraries are available in the free Oracle Instant Client packages. Python-oracledb can use Oracle Client libraries 11.2 through 23ai.

• Oracle Database

  Thin mode: Oracle Database 12.1 (or later) is required.

  Thick mode: Oracle Database 9.2 (or later) is required, depending on the Oracle Client library version. Oracle Database's standard client-server version interoperability allows connection to both older and newer databases. For example when python-oracledb uses Oracle Client 19c libraries, then it can connect to Oracle Database 11.2 or later.

Documentation

See the python-oracledb Documentation and Release Notes.

Help

Questions can be asked in GitHub Discussions.

Problem reports can be raised in GitHub Issues.

Tests

See /tests

Contributing

This project welcomes contributions from the community. Before submitting a pull request, please review our contribution guide.

Security

Please consult the security guide for our responsible security vulnerability disclosure process.

License

See LICENSE, THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES, and NOTICE.