cx_Oracle: DLL load failed
Question: I'm trying to `import cx_Oracle` in Python and getting an:

    
    
    ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified procedure could not be found.
    

[This post](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/24124110/cx-oracle-dll-load-
failed) suggests that there's a mismatch between the bits of cx_Oracle and the
Oracle Client, but I don't believe that's the case in my situation. I
downloaded cx_Oracle for 64-bit Python 3.5 from the [Unofficial Windows
Binaries page](http://www.lfd.uci.edu/~gohlke/pythonlibs/) and have confirmed
that the 64-bit install of Oracle is the first one on my `PATH` (I also have a
32-bit copy, but it comes after). I am using the "standard" Oracle package
FWIW, not the Instant Client. Also, I have 11g Oracle but the only available
binary of cx_Oracle was 12c. Will that make a difference?


Answer: I've had a few DLL Load failures myself when trying to use cx_Oracle (also
using 11g).  

  1. I've fixed it by downloading **instant_client-basic (12)**. (I assume you're using windows.)   
If you use Linux, there will be some environemnt variables you are going to
need to change (you can find all about it here
<https://blogs.oracle.com/opal/entry/configuring_python_cx_oracle_and>).

  2. I don't know why did you download cx_Oracle from that unofficial website, but I'd give the official Python's website, <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/cx_Oracle>, a try.   
  
Hope This helps.

