Python: MySQLdb and "Library not loaded: libmysqlclient.16.dylib"

Encountering the "Library not loaded: libmysqlclient.16.dylib" error when importing MySQLdb in Python suggests an issue with the installation or configuration of the MySQL client library. Let's delve into the solution:

To resolve this error, set the DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable after installing MySQLdb via pip or easy_install:

export DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/local/mysql/lib/

This assumes that MySQL is installed under the "/usr/local/mysql" directory. Adjusting the path to match your installation location is crucial.

Once the environment variable is set, your system will know where to find the libmysqlclient library. This will allow MySQLdb to load the library successfully when importing, resolving the issue.

It's important to ensure that "libmysqlclient.16.dylib" exists in the specified library path. If it's not present, you might need to install additional MySQL development libraries.

By setting the DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH correctly, you can establish the connection between MySQLdb and the MySQL client library, allowing you to import and use MySQLdb in your Python code seamlessly.