Common use cases for SQLite

Even considering the drawbacks, the benefits of being able to access and manipulate a database without involving a server application are huge. SQLite is used worldwide for testing, development, and in any other scenario where it makes sense for the database to be on the same disk as the application code. SQLite’s maintainers consider it to be among themost replicated pieces of software in the world.

How to install SQLite

Binaries for SQLite can be installed at theSQLite Downloadpage. This page has versions of SQLite for Windows, Mac OS X, andLinux. The last number in each file name is the current SQLite version. Our video walkthrough uses the version number3200100. You should download whichever version is listed on the SQLite Download page, and replace3200100in the instructions below with the version number you downloaded. For example, if the name of the file you download issqlite-tools-win-x64-3490100.zip, you would change3200100in each command to3490100.

Installing SQLite on Windows

For Windows machines:

• Download thesqlite-tools-win-x64-3490100.zipfile and unzip it.
• From yourgit-bash terminal, open the directory of the unzipped folder withcd ~/Downloads/sqlite-tools-win-x64-3490100.zip/sqlite-tools-win-x64-3490100.zip/. 3.Try running sqlite with the commandwinpty ./sqlite3.exe. If that command opens asqlite>prompt, congratulations! You’ve installed SQLite.

We want to be able to access this command quickly from elsewhere, so we’re going to create an alias to the command. Exit thesqlite>prompt by typing inCtrl+C, and in the same git-bash terminal without changing folders, run these commands:

echo "alias sqlite3=\"winpty ${PWD}/sqlite3.exe\"" >> ~/.bashrc

and

source ~/.bashrc

The first command will create the aliassqlite3that you can use to open a database. The second command will refresh your terminal so that you can start using this command. Try typing in the commandsqlite3 newdb.sqlite. If you’re presented with asqlite>prompt, you’ve successfully created thesqlite3command for your terminal. EnterCtrl+Cto quit. You can also exit by typing.exitin the prompt and pressingEnter.

Video Tutorial:Setting Up SQLite Locally (Windows)

Installing SQLite on Mac

For Macs, use the Mac OS X (x86) sqlite-tools package:

• Install it, and unzip it.
• In your terminal, navigate to the directory of the unzipped folder usingcd.
• Run the commandmv sqlite3 /usr/local/bin/. This will add the commandsqlite3to your terminal path, allowing you to use the command from anywhere.
• Try typingsqlite3 newdb.sqlite. If you’re presented with asqlite>prompt, you’ve installed SQLite! Entercontrol+dto quit. You can also exit by typing.exitin the prompt and pressingreturn.

Video Tutorial:Setting Up SQLite Locally (Mac)

Installing SQLite on Linux

In Ubuntu or similar distributions:

• Open your terminal and runsudo apt-get install sqlite3. Otherwise, use your distribution’s package managers.
• Try typing in the commandsqlite3 newdb.sqlite. If you’re presented with asqlite>prompt, you’ve successfully created thesqlite3command for your terminal. You can exit by typing.exitin the prompt and pressingenter.

Conclusion

You’ve installed database software and opened a connection to a database. Now you have the full power of SQL at your fingertips. You’ll be able to manage all the data for any application you can dream of writing.

To explore how to use SQLite in real-world applications, check outLearn Node-SQLite. This course teaches you how to integrate SQLite withJavaScriptusing the node-sqlite3 package, making it a great next step after learning SQLite basics.

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