SQLite, introduced in 2000, is a lightweight, serverless Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). Its compact design and ease of use make it ideal for embedded systems, mobile devices, and applications requiring minimal setup.
SQLite is a serverless database, meaning it does not require a separate server process. Applications interact with the database directly, making it lightweight and simple to deploy across various environments.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQLite
The entire SQLite database is stored in a single cross-platform file, ensuring easy portability. This feature allows applications to move databases between systems without compatibility concerns.
https://sqlite.org/fileformat.html
SQLite adheres to the ACID properties, providing reliable transaction support. Even with power failures or system crashes, SQLite ensures data integrity through its rollback journal or write-ahead logging.
https://sqlite.org/transactional.html
Its SQL (Structured Query Language) support includes advanced features like Common Table Expressions (CTEs), window functions, and JSON operations, catering to modern data query needs.
SQLite uses a dynamically typed column model, offering flexibility for developers to store different types of data in the same column while maintaining efficient storage and query execution.
https://sqlite.org/datatype3.html
With its built-in Full-Text Search (FTS) module, SQLite supports powerful text search capabilities, making it suitable for applications requiring search functionality over large text datasets.
SQLite offers a robust Backup API to copy databases efficiently while allowing read and write operations to continue, ensuring minimal disruption during backup processes.
https://sqlite.org/backup.html
Its Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) mode improves concurrency by allowing multiple readers and one writer to access the database simultaneously, enhancing performance in multi-threaded applications.
SQLite integrates seamlessly with embedded systems and IoT devices, making it a popular choice for edge computing applications that require lightweight and efficient data management.
https://sqlite.org/whentouse.html
Its JSON1 extension enables SQLite to handle JSON data natively, allowing applications to store, query, and manipulate semi-structured data directly within the database.
SQLite is highly optimized for mobile applications and is widely used in platforms like Android and iOS as the default database engine for local storage needs.
https://sqlite.org/android.html
SQLite provides database encryption through extensions like SEE (SQLite Encryption Extension), ensuring secure data storage for applications dealing with sensitive information.
https://sqlite.org/see/doc/trunk/www/index.wiki
Its small footprint and self-contained nature make it ideal for embedded systems and single-user applications, where simplicity and efficiency are critical.
https://sqlite.org/mostdeployed.html
The open-source nature of SQLite ensures an active community that regularly contributes to its development, providing updates, fixes, and enhancements to meet evolving application requirements.
https://sqlite.org/copyright.html
SQLite supports cross-platform compatibility, enabling developers to use it on various operating systems and programming environments without modifications.