Integrating MySQL with Python in Windows

Download page for python-mysqldb. The page includes binaries for 32 and 64 bit versions of for Python 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7.

There's also discussion on getting rid of the deprecation warning.

UPDATE: This is an old answer. Currently, I would recommend using PyMySQL. It's pure python, so it supports all OSes equally, it's almost a drop-in replacement for mysqldb, and it also works with python 3. The best way to install it is using pip. You can install it from here (more instructions here), and then run:

pip install pymysql

This may read like your grandpa givin advice, but all answers here did not mention the best way: go nd install ActivePython instead of python.org windows binaries. I was really wondering for a long time why Python development on windows was such a pita - until I installed activestate python. I am not affiliated with them. It is just the plain truth. Write it on every wall: Python development on Windows = ActiveState! you then just pypm install mysql-python and everything works smoothly. no compile orgy. no strange errors. no terror. Just start coding and doing real work after five minutes. This is the only way to go on windows. Really.

As Python newbie learning the Python ecosystem I've just completed this.

1. Install setuptools instructions

2. Install MySQL 5.1. Download the 97.6MB MSI from here You can't use the essentials version because it doesnt contain the C libraries.
   Be sure to select a custom install, and mark the development tools / libraries for installation as that is not done by default. This is needed to get the C header files.
   You can verify you have done this correctly by looking in your install directory for a folder named "include". E.G C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.1\include. It should have a whole bunch of .h files.

3. Install Microsoft Visual Studio C++ Express 2008 from here This is needed to get a C compiler.

4. Open up a command line as administrator (right click on the Cmd shortcut and then "run as administrator". Be sure to open a fresh window after you have installed those things or your path won't be updated and the install will still fail.

5. From the command prompt:

   easy_install -b C:\temp\sometempdir mysql-python

   That will fail - which is OK.

   Now open site.cfg in your temp directory C:\temp\sometempdir and edit the "registry_key" setting to:

   registry_key = SOFTWARE\MySQL AB\MySQL Server 5.1

   now CD into your temp dir and:

   python setup.py clean

   python setup.py install

   You should be ready to rock!

6. Here is a super simple script to start off learning the Python DB API for you - if you need it.