["python","postgresql","sqlalchemy","psycopg2"]
SQLAlchemy or psycopg2?

I am writing a quick and dirty script which requires interaction with a database (PG). The script is a pragmatic, tactical solution to an existing problem. however, I envisage that the script will evolve over time into a more "refined" system. Given the fact that it is currently being put together very quickly (i.e. I don't have the time to pour over huge reams of documentation), I am tempted to go the quick and dirty route, using psycopg. The advantages for psycopg2 (as I currently understand it) is that: written in C, so faster than sqlAlchemy (written in Python)? No abstraction layer over the DBAPI since works with one db and one db only (implication -> fast) (For now), I don't need an ORM, so I can directly execute my SQL statements without having to learn a new ORM syntax (i.e. lightweight) Disadvantages: I KNOW that I will want an ORM further down the line psycopg2 is ("dated"?) - don't know how long it will remain around for Are my perceptions of SqlAlchemy (slow/interpreted, bloated, steep learning curve) true - IS there anyway I can use sqlAlchemy in the "rough and ready" way I want to use psycopg - namely: execute SQL statements directly without having to mess about with the ORM layer, etc. Any examples of doing this available?
SQLAlchemy is a ORM, psycopg2 is a database driver. These are completely different things: SQLAlchemy generates SQL statements and psycopg2 sends SQL statements to the database. SQLAlchemy depends on psycopg2 or other database drivers to communicate with the database! As a rather complex software layer SQLAlchemy does add some overhead but it also is a huge boost to development speed, at least once you learned the library. SQLAlchemy is an excellent library and will teach you the whole ORM concept, but if you don't want to generate SQL statements to begin with then you don't want SQLAlchemy.