What is PyMySQL and how does it differ from MySQLdb? Can it affect Django deployment?

Question

I just solved some problems in my Django 1.3 app by using PyMySQL instead of MySQLdb. I followed this tutorial on how to make the switch: http://web-eng-help.blogspot.com/2010/09/install-mysql-5-for-python-26-and.html

Now I want to know what PyMySQL actually is and how it is different from MySQLdb.

I am using it on localhost and will then upload it to some hosting.

Is it fine to use PyMySQL on localhost and on hosting whatever they provide? Since I have changed "MySQLdb" in base.py and introspection.py to "PyMySQL", will I need to upload it to the server after changing these files? Or as it is Django's files, since Django will be uploaded there already, does it not matter much?

Answer 1

PyMySQL and MySQLdb provide the same functionality - they are both database connectors. The difference is in the implementation where MySQLdb is a C extension and PyMySQL is pure Python.

There are a few reasons to try PyMySQL:

• it might be easier to get running on some systems
• it works with PyPy
• it can be "greened" and works with gevent

The proper way to use it with Django is to import it and tell it to impersonate MySQLdb in your top-level file, usually manage.py. Put the following code at the very top of your manage.py (or whatever file you call when starting your server):

try:
    import pymysql
    pymysql.install_as_MySQLdb()
except ImportError:
    pass