Unveiling SQLite The Unsung Hero of Databases

The article presents a collection of intriguing and lesser-known facts about SQLite, emphasizing its widespread use and unique characteristics. SQLite, the most widely deployed database, is maintained by just three individuals who do not accept outside contributions and instead generate revenue through licensing and paid support. This database, originally developed for a U.S. Navy destroyer, operates without a server, allowing direct access from the disk drive. SQLite's testing process is robust, with extensive test coverage, although some of its proprietary tests have not sold as expected. The article also highlights unconventional features like weak typing, backward compatibility, and idiosyncrasies such as its naming conventions, alongside comments from its creator, D. Richard Hipp.

Key Points:

• SQLite is the most used database globally, with over a trillion databases in active use.
• Maintained by three people; no outside contributions; invite-only contributions.
• Developed initially for the USS Oscar Austin, aiming to create a serverless database.
• SQLite operates with minimal constraints on data types, allowing unconventional inserts.
• Extensive testing with over 600 lines of test code for every line of production code.
• Unique business model with revenue generated through licenses, support, and consortium membership.
• High performance, sometimes rivaling filesystems and other databases like Redis.
• Backward compatibility is prioritized; any bugs are not fixed if it affects backward compatibility.
• SQLite is pronounced variably, with no official pronouncement rule by its creator.
  Link to Article