django rows = train.objects.filter(company__name='Amtrak') web2py rows = db((db.trains.company==db.company.id) & (db.company.name=='Amtrak') ).select(*db.trains.fields)
for me web2py way is better because it mimics real sql query but I agree that it could look better, for example db(db.trains.company.name == 'Amtrak').select() #not yet a valid query for web2py :) orientdb uses such syntax what do you think Massimo, is it possible to add such feature for reference fields? --

