The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

Why SQLite succeeded as a database (Interview)

Apr 30, 2016

01:19:20

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Richard Hipp, the creator of SQLite, discusses the history and success of the database, its development funding, and why it is the most widely deployed engine in the world.

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Quick takeaways

SQLite was created to address a specific problem with an informatics database, leading to the development of a lightweight, single-file database engine with basic SQL commands.

SQLite's widespread adoption can be attributed to its simplicity, ease of use, and embedded nature, which have made it popular across various devices and applications.

The sustainability of SQLite is ensured through the SQLite consortium, where companies pay an annual fee for financial support, enabling a dedicated team of engineers to work full-time on improving SQLite.

Deep dives

The Genesis of SQLite

SQLite was originally created to address a problem with an informatics database not starting properly. Richard Hip, the creator, saw the need for a simple database engine that could read data directly off the disk. He developed SQLite as a lightweight, single-file database engine with basic SQL commands. Contrary to the expectations, SQLite gained popularity and found its way into various devices and applications, becoming one of the most widely used database engines in the world.

Introduction

2min

Early Experiences and Building with Technology

8min

College Years and Moving Away from Software

4min

Naming, Marriage, and Taglines

5min

The Origin Story of SQLite

23min

Using SQLite in Production and Building Own Tools

7min

Embracing Bash on Windows

3min

Licensing and Sustainable Business Model of SQLite

27min

This episode is part of our remastered greatest hits collection and features Richard Hipp, the creator of SQLite, talking with us about its history, where it came from, why it has succeeded as a database, how its development has been sustainably funded, and the how and why of it being the most widely deployed database engine in the world.

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Featuring:

Richard Hipp – Twitter, Website
Adam Stacoviak – Mastodon, Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn, Website
Jerod Santo – Mastodon, Twitter, GitHub, LinkedIn

Show Notes:

SQLite Home Page
GDBM
fopen(3) - Linux manual page
Bruce Perens - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia who co-founded the Open Source Initiative (OSI)

Something missing or broken? PRs welcome!

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