**Course Title:** SQLite Mastery: Lightweight Database Management **Section Title:** Introduction to SQLite and Relational Databases **Topic:** What is SQLite and why use it? **Overview** In this topic, we'll delve into the world of SQLite, a lightweight and self-contained relational database management system. You'll learn what SQLite is, its history, features, and benefits. By the end of this topic, you'll understand why SQLite is a popular choice for various applications and be ready to start exploring its capabilities. **What is SQLite?** SQLite is a free and open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) designed to be self-contained, serverless, and zero-config. It was created by D. Richard Hipp in 2000 and is now maintained by the SQLite Consortium. SQLite is written in C and is widely used in various applications, including web browsers, mobile devices, and embedded systems. **Key Features of SQLite** 1. **Serverless**: SQLite doesn't require a separate server process. It runs in the same process as the application, making it lightweight and efficient. 2. **Zero-Config**: SQLite doesn't require any configuration or setup. It's ready to use as soon as you create a database file. 3. **Self-Contained**: SQLite is a single file that contains the database, making it easy to distribute and manage. 4. **Relational**: SQLite supports standard SQL (Structured Query Language) and relational database concepts, such as tables, indexes, views, and triggers. 5. **ACID Compliant**: SQLite follows atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability (ACID) principles, ensuring reliable and secure data storage. **Why Use SQLite?** 1. **Easy to Use**: SQLite is simple to learn and use, even for developers without extensive database experience. 2. **Cross-Platform**: SQLite is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices. 3. **Low Overhead**: SQLite has a small footprint and requires minimal resources, making it suitable for resource-constrained environments. 4. **Secure**: SQLite has a robust security model that includes encryption, access control, and SQL injection protection. 5. **Free and Open-Source**: SQLite is free to use, modify, and distribute, with a permissive license that allows for commercial use. **Use Cases for SQLite** 1. **Web Applications**: SQLite is a popular choice for web applications that require a lightweight and easy-to-use database. 2. **Mobile Devices**: SQLite is widely used in mobile devices, such as iPhones and Android devices, due to its small footprint and low overhead. 3. **Embedded Systems**: SQLite is used in various embedded systems, such as set-top boxes, routers, and industrial control systems. 4. **Desktop Applications**: SQLite is used in desktop applications that require a lightweight and reliable database. **Example Use Case** Suppose you're building a web application that requires storing user data. You can use SQLite as the database management system to store user information, such as usernames, passwords, and profiles. Here's an example SQL query that creates a table for storing user data: ```sql CREATE TABLE users ( id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, username TEXT NOT NULL, password TEXT NOT NULL, profile TEXT ); ``` **Conclusion** In this topic, you learned what SQLite is, its features, and benefits. You also saw some examples of use cases where SQLite is a popular choice. SQLite is a powerful and lightweight database management system that's easy to use and learn. **What's Next?** In the next topic, we'll explore the structure of relational databases and learn about tables, indexes, views, and triggers. **Additional Resources** * SQLite Official Documentation: <https://www.sqlite.org/docs.html> * SQLite Consortium: <https://www.sqlite.org/consortium.html> **Leave a Comment or Ask for Help** If you have any questions or need help with understanding the material, feel free to leave a comment below.