SQLite

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Overview

SQLite is a lightweight, serverless database engine that runs as an embedded part of an application rather than as a separate server process. Created by D. Richard Hipp in 2000, SQLite has become one of the most widely deployed databases in the world, powering everything from mobile apps to web browsers.

Key Characteristics

SQLite stores its entire database in a single file on disk, making it incredibly portable and simple to manage. It requires zero configuration and no separate server process, which means applications can simply read and write to the SQLite database file directly. The database file format is stable, cross-platform, and backwards compatible, ensuring that databases created years ago can still be read by newer versions.

Relationship to DuckDB

DuckDB's architecture was inspired by SQLite's embedded nature, but optimized for analytical rather than transactional workloads. While SQLite excels at handling concurrent writes and maintaining data integrity for applications, DuckDB is designed for efficiently processing large amounts of data for analysis. Both databases can be embedded directly into applications without requiring a separate server process.

Common Use Cases

SQLite serves as the database engine for many popular applications including all Android and iOS devices, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari web browsers. It's ideal for application file formats, small websites, data analysis, and any scenario where simplicity and reliability are prioritized over handling large numbers of concurrent users. The database is also excellent for development and testing since it requires no setup or administration.

Limitations

Unlike client-server databases, SQLite doesn't handle high concurrency well - it uses file-based locking which means only one write operation can occur at a time. It also lacks built-in user management and network access, as it's designed to be used locally within a single application rather than accessed over a network.