The definitive guide to database access with the SQLAlchemy Python library - co-authored by SQLAlchemy's creator! - Demystifies the problem of object-relational mapping, and shows Python developers exactly how to overcome it - The first book to deliver insider knowledge about the entire SQLAlchemy feature set, from basic to advanced: both SQL and object-relational features - Packed with tips for writing more robust, scalable, faster, database software: higherquality code that's easier to maintain Summary Authors Mark Ramm and Michael Bayer begin by helping Python developers clearly understand the challenges of object-relational mapping that led to SQLAlchemy's creation. Next, they help developers quickly get up to speed on SQLAlchemy's core features, so they can write efficient database-driven applications more rapidly. Once developers have mastered the essentials, Ramm and Beyer illuminate SQLAlchemy's deeper features, showing how to use them to write code that's faster, more efficient, and far easier to maintain. This book thoroughly covers SQLAlchemy's SQL construction API, database engine, metadata system, sophisticated object-relational mapper, dialects for multiple databases, and much more. Along the way, the authors introduce best practices for overcoming the challenges of object-relational mapping; and demonstrate how to harness the power of both object-oriented programming and relational algebra to write faster software with fewer defects.