SQLite Tutorial

SQLite Tutorials Roadmap

Section 1: Introduction to SQLite

  • What is SQLite?
    • Understanding its nature as an embedded, serverless, self-contained, transactional SQL database engine.
    • Key features and advantages (small footprint, no server required, zero-configuration, ACID compliant).
    • When to use SQLite (mobile apps, desktop apps, small websites, testing, embedded systems).
    • When *not* to use SQLite (high concurrency, large-scale enterprise applications, distributed databases).
  • SQLite vs. Other RDBMS (MySQL, PostgreSQL):
    • Comparing features, performance, and use cases.
  • Setting up Your Environment:
    • Downloading and installing the SQLite command-line shell.
    • Using GUI tools for SQLite (DB Browser for SQLite, DBeaver, etc.).
  • Your First SQLite Database and Table:
    • Creating a new database file (sqlite3 database_name.db).
    • Executing basic commands in the SQLite shell.
    • Creating a simple table.

Section 2: SQLite Data Types and Constraints

  • Understanding SQLite's Dynamic Typing:
    • Affinity types (TEXT, NUMERIC, INTEGER, REAL, BLOB).
    • How SQLite handles data types compared to static typing RDBMS.
  • Working with Common Data Types:
    • INTEGER, TEXT, REAL, BLOB.
    • Storing dates and times.
  • Implementing Constraints:
    • NOT NULL.
    • UNIQUE.
    • PRIMARY KEY (including INTEGER PRIMARY KEY and rowid).
    • FOREIGN KEY (with understanding of foreign key constraints in SQLite).
    • DEFAULT.
    • CHECK.

Section 3: SQLite Data Definition Language (DDL)

  • Creating Tables:
    • CREATE TABLE table_name (column1 datatype constraints, ...);
    • Creating tables with primary keys and foreign keys.
  • Modifying Table Structures:
    • ALTER TABLE table_name RENAME TO new_name;
    • ALTER TABLE table_name ADD COLUMN column_name datatype constraints;
    • Dropping columns (supported in newer SQLite versions).
    • Renaming columns (supported in newer SQLite versions).
  • Dropping Tables:
    • DROP TABLE table_name;
  • Creating and Dropping Indexes:
    • CREATE INDEX index_name ON table_name (column_name);
    • DROP INDEX index_name;

Section 4: SQLite Data Manipulation Language (DML)

  • Inserting Data:
    • INSERT INTO table_name (column1, ...) VALUES (value1, ...);
    • Inserting multiple rows.
    • Inserting data from a SELECT statement.
  • Updating Data:
    • UPDATE table_name SET column1 = value1, ... WHERE condition;
  • Deleting Data:
    • DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition;
    • DELETE FROM table_name; (deleting all rows).
    • TRUNCATE TABLE table_name; (if supported or simulate with DELETE).

Section 5: SQLite Data Query Language (DQL) - Retrieving Data with SELECT

  • The SELECT Statement:
    • Selecting columns and using *.
  • Filtering Data with WHERE:
    • Comparison operators.
    • Logical operators (AND, OR, NOT).
    • IN, BETWEEN, LIKE.
    • IS NULL, IS NOT NULL.
  • Sorting Data with ORDER BY.
  • Limiting Results with LIMIT and OFFSET.
  • Aliases (column and table).

Section 6: Aggregation and Grouping in SQLite

  • Aggregate Functions:
    • COUNT(), SUM(), AVG(), MIN(), MAX().
  • Grouping Data with GROUP BY.
  • Filtering Groups with HAVING.

Section 7: Joining Tables in SQLite

  • Understanding Joins in SQLite.
  • Types of Joins:
    • INNER JOIN.
    • LEFT JOIN (or LEFT OUTER JOIN).
    • CROSS JOIN.
    • NATURAL JOIN (use with caution).
  • Joining on Multiple Columns.
  • Using ON and USING clauses.

Section 8: SQLite Functions and Expressions

  • Built-in Functions:
    • String functions (length(), substr(), replace()).
    • Numeric functions.
    • Date and time functions (date(), time(), datetime(), strftime()).
  • Conditional Expressions (CASE statement).
  • Coalesce function.

Section 9: Advanced SQLite Concepts (Optional)

  • Subqueries.
  • Common Table Expressions (CTEs).
  • Window Functions (supported in newer SQLite versions).
  • Transactions (BEGIN TRANSACTION, COMMIT, ROLLBACK).
  • Views.
  • Attaching and Detaching Databases.
  • Using SQLite in Programming Languages (Python, Java, C#, etc.).
  • Full-Text Search (FTS) (FTS3/FTS4/FTS5).
  • JSON Functions (supported in newer SQLite versions).

Section 10: SQLite Administration and Utilities

  • Using the SQLite Command-Line Shell:
    • .help, .tables, .schema, .mode, .open, .quit.
  • Importing and Exporting Data (.import, .output).
  • Analyzing Database Performance (EXPLAIN QUERY PLAN).
  • Vacuuming the Database (VACUUM;) for optimization.
  • Integrity Check (PRAGMA integrity_check;).

Section 11: Practice and Real-World Use Cases

  • Building a simple application using SQLite as the data store (e.g., a to-do list, a contact book).
  • Working with sample SQLite databases.

Section 12: Further Learning and Community

  • Official SQLite Website and Documentation (sqlite.org).
  • Online Tutorials and Courses specifically for SQLite.
  • Books on SQLite.
  • Participating in Community Forums (Stack Overflow, Reddit r/sqlite).
  • Exploring how SQLite is used in popular software.