๐ Complete Guide to Python Database Programming 2026 - From Zero to Production Hero!
Welcome to the most comprehensive collection of Python database tutorials on GitHub! Whether you're building web apps, data pipelines, or high-performance systems, this repository has everything you need to master database programming in Python.
๐ฏ Two Complete Tutorials. MongoDB with PyMongo and PostgreSQL with Psycopg3.
This repository contains production-ready, beginner-friendly tutorials for the two most popular database drivers in the Python ecosystem:
- Clear explanations with real-world analogies
- Progressive learning from basics to advanced
- No assumptions about prior database knowledge
- Friendly tone that makes learning fun!
- Best practices from years of experience
- Performance optimization techniques
- Security patterns to protect your data
- Error handling and retry logic
- Real-world examples you can use immediately
- 2026 Edition with latest features
- Python 3.10+ with type hints
- Async support for high-performance apps
- Latest versions: PyMongo 4.15.5+ & Psycopg 3.3.2+
- 150+ code examples across both tutorials
- 3,900+ lines of detailed documentation
- Every concept explained with working code
- Production patterns for real applications
Start with MongoDB (PyMongo) if:
- โ You're building a new application with flexible data requirements
- โ You want to move fast and iterate quickly
- โ Your data is document-oriented (JSON-like)
- โ You need horizontal scaling from day one
- โ You're building APIs, mobile backends, or content management systems
Start with PostgreSQL (Psycopg3) if:
- โ You need strong data consistency and ACID transactions
- โ You're working with relational data and complex joins
- โ You need advanced SQL features (CTEs, window functions, etc.)
- โ You're building financial, healthcare, or enterprise systems
- โ Data integrity is your top priority
Pro Tip: ๐ก Why not learn both? Many modern applications use both databases for different purposes!
Both tutorials follow the same proven learning path:
๐ Introduction
โโ What & Why
โโ Key Features
โโ When to Use
๐ Getting Started
โโ Installation
โโ Setup
โโ First Connection
๐ง Core Concepts
โโ Connections
โโ Basic Operations
โโ Data Types
๐ CRUD Operations
โโ Create (Insert)
โโ Read (Query)
โโ Update (Modify)
โโ Delete (Remove)
๐ Advanced Querying
โโ Filters & Operators
โโ Projections
โโ Sorting & Limiting
โโ Complex Queries
โก Performance
โโ Indexing
โโ Optimization
โโ Bulk Operations
โโ Best Practices
๐ญ Production Patterns
โโ Connection Pooling
โโ Error Handling
โโ Security
โโ Real-World Examples
๐ Additional Resources
โโ Further Learning
| Feature | MongoDB (PyMongo) | PostgreSQL (Psycopg3) |
|---|---|---|
| Data Model | Document (JSON/BSON) | Relational (Tables) |
| Schema | Flexible, Dynamic | Structured, Defined |
| Query Language | MongoDB Query Language | SQL |
| Transactions | Multi-document (4.0+) | Full ACID support |
| Scaling | Horizontal (Sharding) | Vertical (+ Replication) |
| Async Support | Via Motor | Native in Psycopg3 |
| Best For | Flexible schemas, rapid dev | Complex queries, data integrity |
| Learning Curve | Gentle | Moderate |
| JSON Support | Native | JSONB (excellent) |
| Full-Text Search | Built-in | Built-in (advanced) |
| Geospatial | Excellent | PostGIS (industry-leading) |
The Verdict: Both are excellent choices! Pick based on your use case. ๐ฏ
- โ 100+ Working Examples - Copy, paste, learn!
- โ Best Practices - Industry-proven patterns
- โ Security Tips - Prevent common vulnerabilities
- โ Performance Optimization - Make it fast!
- โ Error Handling - Build resilient applications
- โ Production Patterns - Real-world deployments
- โ Pro Tips - Insider knowledge throughout
- โ Quick Reference - Cheat sheets at the end
By the end of each tutorial, you'll be able to:
Technical Skills:
- โ Set up and configure databases
- โ Perform all CRUD operations confidently
- โ Write complex queries and aggregations
- โ Optimize for performance
- โ Handle errors gracefully
- โ Index for performance
- โ Deploy to production
- ๐ Read the Introduction - Understand what each database offers
- ๐ง Follow the Setup Guide - Get your environment ready
- ๐ป Run the Examples - Copy, paste, experiment!
- ๐๏ธ Build a Project - Apply what you learn
- ๐ Dive Deeper - Explore advanced topics
- Introduction to MongoDB & PyMongo
- Getting Started
- Core Concepts
- CRUD Operations
- Advanced Querying
- Aggregation Pipeline
- Indexing & Performance
- Connection Management
- Production Patterns
- Additional Resources
- Introduction to PostgreSQL & Psycopg3
- Getting Started
- Core Concepts
- CRUD Operations
- Advanced Querying
- Async Operations
- Connection Pooling
- Row Factories
- Performance
- Production Patterns
Week 1: Choose Your Database
- Day 1-2: Read both introductions, understand the differences
- Day 3-4: Install and set up your chosen database
- Day 5-7: Complete the "Core Concepts" section
Week 2: Master CRUD
- Day 1-3: Work through all CRUD examples
- Day 4-5: Build a simple project (blog, todo app, etc.)
- Day 6-7: Experiment with queries and filters
Week 3: Go Deeper
- Day 1-3: Advanced querying techniques
- Day 4-5: Indexing and performance basics
- Day 6-7: Build a more complex project
Continue from Beginner, then:
Week 4: Advanced Features
- PyMongo: Aggregation pipeline
- Psycopg3: Async operations & row factories
Week 5: Performance
- Indexing strategies
- Query optimization
- Bulk operations
Week 6: Production
- Connection pooling
- Error handling
- Security best practices
Week 7: Real Project
- Build a complete application
- Deploy to production
- Monitor and optimize
- Master both databases
- Learn when to use each
- Understand distributed systems
- Explore advanced features (sharding, replication, etc.)
- Contribute to open source
- Share your knowledge!
MongoDB:
- ๐ Simple blog with posts and comments
- ๐ Book collection manager
- ๐ฌ Movie rating system
- ๐ฑ User profile storage
PostgreSQL:
- ๐ฐ Personal finance tracker
- ๐ Task management system
- ๐ Simple analytics dashboard
- ๐ Shopping cart system
MongoDB:
- ๐ Real-time analytics dashboard
- ๐บ๏ธ Location-based service (geospatial)
- ๐ฐ Content aggregator with full-text search
- ๐ฎ Game leaderboard system
PostgreSQL:
- ๐ฆ Banking system (transactions)
- ๐ Data warehouse with complex queries
- ๐ซ Event booking system
- ๐ฅ Healthcare records (with audit trail)
Use Both:
- ๐ช E-commerce platform (PostgreSQL for orders, MongoDB for catalog)
- ๐ฑ Social media app (PostgreSQL for users, MongoDB for posts/feeds)
- ๐ Analytics platform (PostgreSQL for aggregates, MongoDB for raw events)
- ๐ฎ Gaming platform (PostgreSQL for accounts, MongoDB for game state)
Found a typo? Have a suggestion? Want to add more examples?
We'd love your help!
- Fork this repository
- Create a branch (
git checkout -b feature/amazing-addition) - Make your changes
- Commit (
git commit -m 'Add amazing example') - Push (
git push origin feature/amazing-addition) - Open a Pull Request
- โ Master MongoDB document operations
- โ Build aggregation pipelines like a pro
- โ Optimize with indexes and query analysis
- โ Handle millions of documents efficiently
- โ Deploy production-ready MongoDB apps
- โ Master SQL and PostgreSQL features
- โ Write async Python database code
- โ Use connection pools in production
- โ Handle complex transactions safely
- โ Deploy high-performance SQL apps
- โ Know when to use NoSQL vs SQL
- โ Build polyglot persistence systems
- โ Choose the right tool for each job
- โ Become a well-rounded developer
- โ Boost your career prospects! ๐
Learning databases is a journey, not a destination.
These tutorials are designed to be your companion on that journey - from your first connection to deploying production systems.
Don't try to learn everything at once. Pick a tutorial, start with the basics, build something, make mistakes, learn, and gradually level up.
Remember:
- ๐ฏ Start small - Run the examples, understand them
- ๐๏ธ Build projects - Learning by doing is best
- ๐ค Ask questions - There are no stupid questions
- ๐ Practice regularly - Consistency beats intensity
- ๐ Celebrate progress - You're learning something amazing!
Choose your adventure:
Perfect for flexible, document-oriented applications
Perfect for structured, relational applications
๐ช Why not both?
Become a database polyglot!
Made with โค๏ธ for Python developers by @RajeshTechForge