title: How do I get Python and Informix talking on Linux?
body: <p>I have been at this for a while, trying all kinds of different packages from openSource, IBM, and many others.  I have not yet found one that works without some sort of confusing install method that I can not get to work, or some sort of integration with other third-party pieces that I can not seem to get working.</p>
  
  <p>I am simply trying to perform SQL statements on a Informix Server using Python.  No different than mySQL and other tools.  Using cursors or full result dumps, really do not care.  I want to be able to formalize a query string statically or dynamically and then tell whatever tools/module to execute said query and return results (if any).  </p>
  
  <p>I have tried:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>ibm_db 2.0.5.1 (<a href="https://pypi.python.org/pypi/ibm_db" rel="nofollow">https://pypi.python.org/pypi/ibm_db</a>)</li>
  <li>IBM Informix Client SDK </li>
  <li>pymssql</li>
  <li>unixODBC</li>
  <li>Looked at but do not want to use Jython (JPython).</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>What I have managed:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>I have been able to install and get the IBM Informix Client SDK installed and working.  I can connect to my Informix DB server and perform queries.</li>
  <li>I have mySQL working and connecting and querying. </li>
  <li>I have written a Java program to perform queries using a Java driver, compiled it, combined it with a bash script to perform queries and email results.  </li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>I am just stumped.  Looking for assistance on what to download (URLs), how to go about installing it (tips and tricks, environment variables, where to install it, etc..)   I want to have something that does not depend on Java or writing Java, etc.  I am looking for a solution that may will give me the ability to write Python to query, insert, update, and delete from an Informix database and tables.  I want to combine my previously written Java and Bash script into a Python script.</p>
  
  <p>Frustrated and looking for any assistance.</p>
  
  <p>Thank you for listening and please ask questions if you do not understand my plea.</p>