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SQLite SQLite is a database, which implements a large subset of the SQL92 standard. It is simple, small, fast and reliable. Reliability is a consequence of simplicity. SQLite is a typeless database system. It is in the public domain. Everything about a database is stored in a single file. Databse files can so freely be shared between machines. A database can be up to 2 terabytes in size.

sqlite3 example1.sqlt
at the sqlite> command prompt type:
create table table1(x varchar(10), y smallint); 
insert into table1 values('hello!',  10);
insert into table1 values('goodbye', 20);
select * from table1;
.quit
When you access the database again, this information can be accessed again:
sqlite example1.sqlt
select * from table1; 
Situations where SQLite is good to use
  • SLite works well for websites with fewer than 100'000 hits/day.
  • SQLite database require no administration. SQLite is a good choice for devices or services that must work unattended and without human support. SQLite is a good fit for use in cell phones or PDAs.
  • It can be used as a replacement for ad hoc disk files.
  • It is well suited for internal or temporary databases
  • Experienced SQL users can employ the command-line sqlite program to analyze miscellaneous datasets.
Situations, where other RDBMS may work better
  • If many client programs accesse a common database over a
  • If you have a high-volume Websites
  • If you use a very large dataset larger than a few dozen GB of data.
  • SQLite uses reader/writer locks on the entire database file. This could be a problem if an application requires high concurrency.


Links:

Simplicity, Clarity, Generality B.W. Kernighan, R. Pike, in "The Practice of Programming".
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