python-oracledb

The python-oracledb driver is the widely used, open-source Python extension module allowing Python programs to connect directly to Oracle Database with no extra libraries needed. The module is built with Cython for safety and speed. It is lightweight and high-performance. It is stable, well tested, and has comprehensive documentation. The module is maintained by Oracle.

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 used by many Python frameworks, SQL generators, ORMs, and libraries.

Python-oracledb has a rich feature set which is easy to use. It gives you control over SQL and PL/SQL statement execution; for working with data frames; for fast data ingestion; for calling NoSQL-style document APIs; for message queueing; for receiving database notifications; and for starting and stopping the database. It also has high availability and security features. 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 Installing python-oracledb 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"                  # Sample database username
cs = "localhost/orclpdb"      # Sample database connection string
# 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 3.14.

  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 Release 19 or later. Older python-oracledb versions supported older Client versions.

• Oracle Database

  Thin mode: Oracle Database 12.1 or later is required.

  Thick mode: Oracle Database 11.2 or later is required, depending on the Oracle Client release. Oracle Database's standard client-server version interoperability allows connection to both older and newer databases. For example when python-oracledb uses Oracle Client 19 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.