The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

Turso is rewriting SQLite in Rust (Interview)

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.

01:15:54

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Episode guests

Glauber Costa

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Turso is pioneering the Limbo architecture to rewrite SQLite in Rust, addressing the database's limitations for better community contributions.

The introduction of Deterministic Simulation Testing (DST) enables rigorous testing scenarios that bolster developer confidence in system stability.

Turso aims to balance open-source contributions with business interests, ensuring a comprehensive transition strategy for existing SQLite users and developers.

Deep dives

Introduction to Terso and Limbo

Terso, founded by Glabra Costa, is an open-source distributed database that aims to replace SQLite. The project was initiated to address the limitations of SQLite, particularly its lack of contribution opportunities despite being public domain. By utilizing the LibSQL codebase, the team began to rewrite the database with a new architecture, codenamed Limbo, enabling additional flexibility and community contributions. This ambitious endeavor aims to maintain SQLite’s user-friendly features while incorporating innovations that allow for distributed systems.

Intro

2min

Optimizing Operations: The Brex and Software Tool Partnership

2min

Reinventing SQLite: The Rust Revolution

2min

Reimagining Database Solutions

22min

Rewriting SQLite with Rust: Challenges and Innovations

7min

Reinventing SQLite in Rust

19min

Enhancing SQLite: LibSQL's Ambitious Improvements and Development Challenges

3min

Reimagining SQLite in Rust

14min

The Future of Terso: Innovating Database Solutions

5min

Glauber Costa, co-founder and CEO of Turso, joins us to discuss libSQL, Limbo, and how they’re rewriting SQLite in Rust. We discuss their efforts with libSQL, the challenge of SQLite being in the public domain but not being open for contribution, their choice to rewrite everything with Limbo, how this all plays into the future of the Turso platform, how they test Limbo with Deterministic Simulation Testing (DST), and their plan to replace SQLite.

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Featuring:

Glauber Costa – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, X
Adam Stacoviak – Website, GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X
Jerod Santo – GitHub, LinkedIn, Mastodon, X

Show Notes:

Something missing or broken? PRs welcome!

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The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

Turso is rewriting SQLite in Rust (Interview)

Episode guests