SQLite

SQLite is a C library that implements a complete SQL database engine in a small package. It is built into most phones and computers and is bundled with many everyday apps.

Instead of running a separate database server, your program links to SQLite and reads and writes a single file. It supports most of SQL, including transactions, window functions and JSON. The project describes its source code as public domain, so anyone can use it for any purpose.

• The whole database lives in one file
• No separate server to install or run
• SQL with transactions and indexes
• JSON, date and window functions built in
• Command-line shell for quick tasks

Developers building desktop, mobile or embedded apps, and anyone who needs local storage for a small or medium app. It also suits tests and prototypes that need a real SQL database quickly.

SQLite is free to use for any purpose, since its source code is in the public domain. It is designed for one machine or process writing at a time, so it is not the right choice for many servers writing to the same data at once.