Using PyCap in an app/package

If you're using PyCap for a small script/ad-hoc data pull, then the Project class has the all the necessary functionality. Similarly, the Project class is a good choice if you need access to a wide array of functionality (export records, surveys, user, etc.).

However, if you only are using one piece of the REDCap API, then you might want to consider using one of the more focused and simpler classes.

For example, if all you want to do is export/import records from your project, then Records class can meet all of your needs, with it's Records.export_records and Records.import_records methods.

In fact, these methods are exactly the same as the Project.export_records and Project.import_records methods. The Project class directly inherits them from the Records class.

The benefit of using the Records class over the Project class in this case for your application or package is getting to use a simpler class (easy for the developer) and only having to depend on a simpler class (better for the app).

For a full list of all Project subclasses, see the API Reference.