SQLite Tutorial

SQLite is a popular relational database technology that is contained in a C programming library. SQLite is a compact library that reads and writes directly to ordinary disk files. It is, in essence, a serverless SQL database.

Our tutorial will start with the basics of SQLite such as how to retrieve and manipulate data. Then we will move to the more advanced topics such as how to create tables. We will conclude with a review of the functions that are proprietary to SQLite.

With this tutorial, you should be on your way to becoming proficient in SQLite and its programming language.

Prerequisites

There are no prequisities for this SQLite tutorial. You should be able to easily understand this tutorial and learn the basic concepts of MySQL as you progress to the more advanced topics.

Now, let's get started!

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Or jump directly to a topic in SQLite:

SQLite Functions

Functions - Alphabetical	SQLite Functions listed alphabetically
Functions - Category	SQLite Functions listed by category

SQLite Keys, Constraints and Indexes

Primary Keys	Create, add, and drop primary keys
Foreign Keys	Create foreign keys
Indexes	Create, drop, and rename indexes (Performance tuning)
Unique Constraints	Create, add, and drop unique constraints
ANALYZE Command	Gather statistical information about tables and indexes (used by query optimizer)

SQLite Database Administration

ATTACH DATABASE	Attach another database file to your connection
DETACH DATABASE	Detach an attached database from your connection
Vacuum	Reclaim unused space in database
Auto_Vacuum	Process that automatically reclaims unused space in database

SQLite Programming

Literals (Constants)	String, number, date, time, boolean literals
Comments within SQL	How to create comments within your SQL statement

SQLite Comparison Operators

Comparison Operators

Operators such as =, <>, !=, >, <, and so on

SQLite Query Types

SELECT Statement	Retrieve records from a table
SELECT LIMIT Statement	Retrieve records from a table and limit results
INSERT Statement	Insert records into a table
UPDATE Statement	Update records in a table
DELETE Statement	Delete records from a table
TRUNCATE TABLE Statement	Delete all records from a table (with optimizer)
UNION Operator	Combine 2 result sets (removes duplicates)
UNION ALL Operator	Combine 2 result sets (includes duplicates)
INTERSECT Operator	Intersection of 2 result sets
EXCEPT Operator	Result set of one minus the result set of another
Subqueries	A query within a query

SQLite Joins

JOIN Tables

Inner and Outer joins

SQLite Aliases

ALIASES

Create a temporary name for a column or table

SQLite Clauses

DISTINCT Clause	Retrieve unique records
FROM Clause	List tables and join information
WHERE Clause	Filter results
ORDER BY Clause	Sort query results
GROUP BY Clause	Group by one or more columns
HAVING Clause	Restrict the groups of returned rows

SQLite SQL Functions

COUNT Function	Return the count of an expression
SUM Function	Return the sum of an expression
MIN Function	Return the min of an expression
MAX Function	Return the max of an expression
AVG Function	Return the average of an expression

SQLite Conditions

AND Condition	2 or more conditions to be met
OR Condition	Any one of the conditions are met
AND and OR	Combine AND and OR conditions
LIKE Condition	Use wildcards in a WHERE clause
IN Condition	Alternative to multiple OR conditions
NOT Condition	Negate a condition
IS NULL Condition	Test for a NULL value
IS NOT NULL Condition	Test for a NOT NULL value
BETWEEN Condition	Retrieve within a range (inclusive)
EXISTS Condition	Condition is met if subquery returns at least one row

SQLite Tables and Views

CREATE TABLE	Create a table
CREATE TABLE AS	Create a table from another table's definition and data
ALTER TABLE	Add, modify, delete columns in a table; rename a table
DROP TABLE	Delete a table
VIEW	Virtual tables (views of other tables)

SQLite Data Types

Data Types

Data Types in SQLite

SQLite System Tables

SQLite System Tables

SQLite system tables and descriptions