How to access ODB files in Python 2.7

Question

I want to access an ODB file (made with LibreOffice Base) in Python and extract a table for further use. The ODB contains several tables, one relation design and several forms.

Is it possible to achieve this without using any SQL?

Edit: Since it seems overcomplicated to parse this format on my own, i'll consider using a proper HSQLDB engine.

What python module accesses via HSQL (like sqlite3 for SQLite does)?

Answer 1

You can consider Python Uno API that comes with OpenOffice. There are several Python examples to interact with the API, including one with the sample database

There is also this SO question where it is explained how to use uno with LibreOffice.

Answer 2

The default form of ODB file contains an HSQLDB database. You can extract this database then access it using HSQLDB software and any client that can connect to HSQLDB.

Instructions on how to extract the database can be found here: http://programmaremobile.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/java-and-openoffice-base-db-through.html