SQLite - Reliable, Lightweight and Fast Database Management System
Updated August 02, 2019
SQLite - Reliable, Lightweight and Fast Database Management System
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with SQLite
SQLite is a perfect relational database management system if your database is not of Enterprise level in terms of size and security. I have been working on this for quite some time now and I also go back to this database whenever we are starting with a new project and the development phase is involved. It's lightweight, reliable and robust to meet any of the database needs that you may come across. The best thing is that it is a zero-configuration server-less database which means you do not require to dedicate any specific server or space in memory for this database. The ease and fastness of working on this is unparalleled.
- The biggest one has to be that it is freeware and open source as well. It means for an entry level person who wants to learn relational database and even for a team in the early development stage where security and size of the data are not much, it is a perfect fit in those cases.
- It requires no extra configuration or space because it a server-less installation and also done in just a few mins. So, installing this is never a blocker. It is the actual lite version of SQL as the name suggests and it very powerful and capable of doing all the things which SQL can do, but lacks some of the security and advanced features.
- It prepares the data for us in a structured form in terms of Tables with a file size less than 1 Mb for the complete database entries. It saves us a lot of physical space.
- It is the most suitable DB for Android systems because mobile apps do not have a lot of space or resources for a separate DB, but this one integrates with the whole ecosystem very nicely and we are able to make the most out of it and that too with a file lesser than 1 Mb in size.
- Although it is excellent at what it does, you should be really careful and plan accordingly if you know that your database is going to scale at a huge level because it is not suitable of databases which are of Enterprise level and demands top-notch security and protection.
- If your project involves multiple people working on the same database simultaneously, then that becomes a big problem, because it only allows single write at one time. You really need to be forward thinking in a manner to predict if this database will cater to all the needs of your project.
- The most common difficulty with this is the lack of some of the basic functionality which is present in the other premier databases like Joints, Stored Procedure calls, Security and permission grants. If you do require all those things then you are better off not using this software.
- Lastly, if you are using this in an Andriod App development cycle then also your options are limited because it does not integrate with PostgreSQL and MySQL.
- SQLite comes with phenomenal documentation and support online. Also, it has a very active online community and most likely you will find the solution to any problem there.
- SQLite is a serverless relational database management system. So we do not need to have any pre-configurations to support it and also it does not require any physical space or memory because the complete DB file size is under 1 MB only.
- There is no learning curve because the syntax is the same as that of SQL and installation is very fast and straightforward. So we can get to work as soon as the tool gets installed.
- The best of all is that it is Freeware and an Open source too.
- MySQL and PostgreSQL
SQLite is considered better against these two depending on the needs and phase of the project. If we require a lightweight yet reliable database which should also be portable across different platforms and speed is the most important part of the query and data security is not the top priority at the moment. This is the best solution if you are working in Android App development ecosystem.