How to Install MySQL Connector for Python

Installing and setting up MySQL Connector for Python on your local machine not only facilitates the connection between your Python application and MySQL database but also opens up a wide range of possibilities for application development.

In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps of installing MySQL Connector for Python, testing the connection, and executing a simple SQL query using Python.

Step 1: Download the MySQL Connector

You can download the MySQL Connector for Python from the official MySQL website. Choose the correct installer that matches your operating system and Python version, then download it.

Step 2: Install the MySQL Connector

Start the installation process by typing the following command in your terminal:

1
pip install mysql-connector-python

Step 3: Test the Installation

After installation, test the MySQL Connector to see if it works correctly. This can be done by importing the connector in your Python interpreter using:

1
import mysql.connector

Step 4: Connect to a MySQL Server

Once the connector is installed and imported successfully, you can connect to a MySQL server. Provide the required server name, database, user name, and password parameters.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
import mysql.connector
 
mydb = mysql.connector.connect(
  host="localhost",
  user="yourusername",
  password="yourpassword"
)
print(mydb)

If the connection is successful, the output should be a connection object.

<mysql.connector.connection.MySQLConnection object at 0x7f9b1f4ca210>

Step 5: Execute a Simple SQL Query

You can now execute a simple SQL query using Python.

1
2
3
4
5
mycursor = mydb.cursor()
mycursor.execute("SHOW DATABASES")
 
for db in mycursor:
  print(db)

This code will print all the database names in your MySQL server.

The Full Code

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
import mysql.connector
 
mydb = mysql.connector.connect(
  host="localhost",
  user="yourusername",
  password="yourpassword"
)
 
print(mydb)
 
mycursor = mydb.cursor()
mycursor.execute("SHOW DATABASES")
 
for db in mycursor:
  print(db)

Conclusion

With these steps, you will be able to download, install, and use the MySQL Connector for Python in your development environment. Remember, this is just the start. You can execute complex queries, insert data, and perform many other operations using the MySQL Connector for Python.