Client/Server Stand-in

SQLite works well as a “stand-in” database for those situations when a more robust RDBMS would normally be the right choice, were it available. SQLite can be especially useful for the demonstration and evaluation of applications and tools that normally depend on a database.

Consider a data analysis product that is designed to pull data from a relational database to generate reports and graphs. It can be difficult to offer downloads and evaluation copies of such software. Even if a download is available, the software must be configured and authorized to connect to a database that contains applicable data. This presents a significant barrier for a potential customer.

Now consider an evaluation download that includes support for a bundled SQLite demonstration database. By simply downloading and running the software, customers can interact and experiment with the sample database. This makes the barrier of entry significantly lower, allowing a customer to go from downloading to running data in just a few seconds.

Similar concerns apply to traditional sales and marketing demonstrations. Reliable network connectivity is often unavailable when doing on-site demonstrations to potential clients, so it is standard practice to run a local database server for demonstration purposes. Running a local database server consumes significant resources and adds administrative overhead. Database licenses may also be a concern.

The use of SQLite eliminates these issues. The database ...

Get Using SQLite now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.