What Is an SQLite Database?

SQLite is a free database library for small applications.

A database manager is computer software that organizes related information into a set of row-column tables. Once it's organized, you can access and analyze data rapidly and flexibly, even when it involves millions of records. SQLite software performs this task using a small, highly efficient program. It is available for PC environments such as Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X and Linux as well as Apple iOS, HP webOS and other mobile device systems.

SQL

SQLite uses SQL, the industry-standard structured query language that manages all aspects of a database. SQL is a text-based programming language consisting of commands that create, modify and access both database structures and the data inside them. For example, to retrieve a list of customers who owe you money, you might type "Select name, address, phone from customers where balance > 0." SQLite is closely based on the SQL-92 standard for the language.

Serverless

Unlike most database software, such as Oracle, Sybase and SQL Server, SQLite is not under the control of a program called a server, separate from the user's program. Instead, the user's program contains a compact SQLite library, which handles all access to the database. This streamlines the software and eliminates the need for the user to set up, configure and maintain complex database information.

Weakly-Typed

The data in database tables are subdivided into fields, each of which might hold text, numbers, dates or other types of information. Most database systems rigidly enforce data types. If you tried typing "Mary had a little lamb" into someone's birthday, the database manager software would refuse the action.

By contrast, SQLite uses dynamic data field types which accept text for number fields, or vice versa. This adds flexibility to a database, though it compromises the data's integrity.

Compact

The SQLite libraries occupy between 180 and 300KiB of memory space, depending on the features included. This is far more compact than "Express" and "Lite" versions of other database software, which can run to gigabytes. The small size places less strain on the limited resources of small devices such as smart phones and contributes to a quicker, more responsive user experience. It also reflects the SQLite "bare bones" approach to database design: other databases offer a variety of software tools for constructing and maintaining databases, but SQLite has none, relying completely on the SQL commands in its library.

References

• SQLite: About SQLite