gistfile1.py

	args = { 
					'db': connect['database'],
					'user': connect['username'],
					'passwd': connect['password'],
					}

				if 'hostname' in connect:
					# hostname implies port (although it can be default)
						args['host'] = connect['hostname']
						args['port'] = connect['port']

				self._db = MySQLdb.connect(**args)