History

SQLite, developed in 2000 by D. Richard Hipp, is an open-source, self-contained, serverless database engine. It was created to provide a lightweight database that could be easily embedded into applications. Over the years, it has evolved significantly, becoming the most widely used database engine in the world.

SQLite's popularity can be attributed to its simplicity, reliability, and being in the public domain. Its zero-configuration setup and portability make it an ideal choice for developers looking for an easy-to-integrate database.

Benefits

• Lightweight and Efficient: SQLite requires minimal setup and resources, making it highly efficient. It can compile down to 256kb, about the size of one very grainy image.

• Serverless Architecture: Unlike other databases, SQLite does not require a separate server process, operating instead within the application process.

• Transactional: SQLite supports ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) transactions, ensuring reliable and consistent data handling.

• Cross-Platform: SQLite is cross-platform and runs on almost any operating system, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

• Public Domain: Being in the public domain, SQLite can be used freely for any purpose.

Sqlite is an embedded database, running in the same process as the application using it. This tight integration reduces latency and improves performance. For embedded systems like those we build at Bruinen, this is crucial for maintaining high throughput and low memory usage. It also makes deployment significantly faster.

Why it excels in edge environments

At Bruinen, we focus on edge computing solutions that require reliable and efficient data management. SQLite is particularly well-suited for edge environments due to:

• Low Resource Consumption: Its lightweight nature ensures that it can run on devices with limited hardware resources. Sqlite can run with as little as 100KiB of memory.

• Offline Capabilities: SQLite can operate without a network connection, making it ideal for edge devices that might experience intermittent connectivity.

• Fast Setup and Execution: With no need for configuration or a separate server, SQLite allows for rapid deployment and execution.

SQLite is battle tested (literally)

It was originally developed at General Dynamics for the US Navy. It is embedded in countless software and hardware products, including:

• Web Browsers: Major browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox use SQLite to store user data such as bookmarks and history.

• Mobile Devices: Both Android and iOS platforms incorporate SQLite for app data storage, making it ubiquitous in millions of smartphones and tablets worldwide. All your iMessages are in a Sqlite database (you can go find it on your Mac)

• Operating Systems: SQLite is used in many operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, for managing system settings and other data.

• Embedded Systems: It is a popular choice in embedded systems, such as automotive software, IoT devices, and industrial control systems, due to its lightweight footprint and robust performance.

• Application Software: Many applications, from financial tools to cars, use SQLite for local data management including Adobe, Spotify, Tesla, Dropbox and others.

SQLite is estimated to be used in billions of deployments, and its library has been included in virtually every computing device available today. More than one trillion databases are created every year.

Community and support

The vast adoption of SQLite is also supported by a strong community of developers and extensive documentation, making it easy to find solutions and best practices for implementation. Regular updates and a focus on stability and performance ensure that SQLite remains a reliable choice for both small-scale projects and enterprise-level applications.

For us

For Bruinen Delta, Sqlite was a no-brainer. It is simply to work with, small, and blazing-fast on-device. It supports exactly what we need - battle-tested reliability, extremely fast reads/writes, and a minimal footprint on the device.

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