Dive into SQLAlchemy, the popular, open-source code library that helps Python programmers work with relational databases such as Oracle, MySQL, PostgresSQL, and SQLite. Using real-world examples, this practical guide shows you how to build a simple database application with SQLAlchemy, and how to connect to multiple databases simultaneously with the same metadata.

SQL is a powerful language for querying and manipulating data, but itâ??s tough to integrate it with your application. SQLAlchemy helps you map Python objects to database tables without substantially changing your existing Python code. If youâ??re an intermediate Python developer with knowledge of basic SQL syntax and relational theory, this book serves as both a learning tool and a handy reference.

Essential SQLAlchemy includes several sections:

• SQLAlchemy Core: Provide database services to your applications in a Pythonic way with the SQL Expression Language
• SQLAlchemy ORM: Use the object relational mapper to bind database schema and operations to data objects in your application
• Alembic: Use this lightweight database migration tool to handle changes to the database as your application evolves
• Cookbook: Learn how to use SQLAlchemy with web frameworks like Flask and libraries like SQLAcodegen

Table of Contents

Part I. SQLAlchemy Core

Chapter 1. Schema and Types

Chapter 2. Working with Data via SQLAlchemy Core

Chapter 3. Exceptions and Transactions

Chapter 4. Testing

Chapter 5. Reflection

Part II. SQLAlchemy ORM

Chapter 6. Defining Schema with SQLAlchemy ORM

Chapter 7. Working with Data via SQLAlchemy ORM

Chapter 8. Understanding the Session and Exceptions

Chapter 9. Testing with SQLAlchemy ORM

Chapter 10. Reflection with SQLAlchemy ORM and Automap

Part Ill. Alembic

Chapter 11. Getting Started with Alembic

Chapter 12. Building Migrations

Chapter 13. Controlling Alembic

Chapter 14. Cookbook

Chapter 15. Where to Go from Here

About the Authors

Jason Myers works at Cisco as a Software Engineer working on OpenStack. Prior to switching to development a few years ago, he spent several years as a systems architect and building data centers and cloud architectures for several of the largest tech companies, hospitals, stadiums, and telecomm providers. He's a passionate developer who regularly speaks at local and national events about technology. He's also the chair of the PyTennessee conference. He loves solving human problems, and has a side project, Sucratrend, devoted to helping diabetics manage their condition and improving their quality of life. He has used SQLAlchemy in web, data warehouse and analytics applications.

Rick Copeland is the co-founder and CEO of Synapp.io, an Atlanta-based company which provides a SaaS solution for the email compliance and deliverability space. He is also an experienced Python developer with a focus on both relational and NoSQL databases, and has been honored as a MongoDB Master by MongoDB Inc. for his contributions to the community. He is a frequent speaker at various user groups and conferences, and an active member of the Atlanta startup community.