The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source Turso is rewriting SQLite in Rust (Interview)
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Jan 30, 2025 Glauber Costa, co-founder and CEO of Turso, shares insights on reimagining databases by rewriting SQLite in Rust with a project called Limbo. He discusses the challenges of SQLite's public domain status and the need for contributions. Glauber highlights the innovative use of Deterministic Simulation Testing for ensuring reliability and the future aspirations of the Terso platform, including open-source engagement. The conversation also touches on the creation of LibSQL and the team's vision for a billion databases, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and community involvement.
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LibSQL Origin Story
- Glauber and Pekka, experienced database engineers, wanted to make SQLite distributed and replicable.
- They initially chose to fork SQLite (creating LibSQL) due to perceived complexities of a rewrite, drawing on their experience with ScyllaDB.
Open Source Philosophy
- SQLite's public domain status and closed contribution model, while successful, limit community involvement.
- Glauber believes a truly open model can foster more innovation, contrasting it with the Linux kernel's evolution.
Limbo's Impact
- While LibSQL achieved moderate success and served as a valuable learning experience, it didn't replace SQLite.
- Limbo, the rewrite, garnered significant community interest, demonstrated by 8,000 GitHub stars and diverse contributions.