What is cx_Oracle? cx_Oracle is a Python extension module that enables access to Oracle Database for Python 2.x and 3.x and conforms to the Python database API 2.0 specifications with a number of enhancements. Where do I get it? https://oracle.github.io/python-cx_Oracle The easiest method to install cx_Oracle 6.0b1 is via pip as in python -m pip install cx_Oracle --pre Note that the --pre option is required since this is a prerelease. What's new? By far the most important update is the transition to ODPI-C ( https://github.com/oracle/odpi) which means that cx_Oracle can now be built without Oracle Client header files or libraries and that at runtime cx_Oracle can adapt to Oracle Client 11.2, 12.1 or 12.2 libraries without needing to be rebuilt. This also permits the use of binary wheels for the first time which will make installation much simpler than before. The full release notes can be read here: http://cx-oracle.readthedocs.io/en/6.0b1/releasenotes.html#version-6-0-beta-... Please provide any feedback via GitHub issues ( https://github.com/oracle/python-cx_Oracle/issues).