SQLite is a relational database management system contained in a C programming library. In contrast to other database management systems, SQLite is not a separate process that is accessed from the client application, but an integral part of it.

SQLite is ACID-compliant and implements most of the SQL standard, using a dynamically and weakly typed SQL syntax that does not guarantee the domain integrity.

SQLite is a popular choice as embedded database for local/client storage in application software such as web browsers. It is arguably the most widely deployed database engine, as it is used today by several widespread browsers, operating systems, and embedded systems, among others. SQLite has many bindings to programming languages.

Unlike client–server database management systems, the SQLite engine has no standalone processes with which the application program communicates. Instead, the SQLite library is linked in and thus becomes an integral part of the application program. (In this, SQLite follows the precedent of Informix SE of c. 1984) The library can also be called dynamically. The application program uses SQLite's functionality through simple function calls, which reduce latency in database access: function calls within a single process are more efficient than inter-process communication. SQLite stores the entire database (definitions, tables, indices, and the data itself) as a single cross-platform file on a host machine. It implements this simple design by locking the entire database file during writing. SQLite read operations can be multitasked, though writes can only be performed sequentially.

Suggested Uses For SQLite:

• Application File Format.

  Rather than using fopen() to write XML, JSON, CSV, or some proprietary format into disk files used by your application, use an SQLite database. You'll avoid having to write and troubleshoot a parser, your data will be more easily accessible and cross-platform, and your updates will be transactional.

• Database For Gadgets.

  SQLite is popular choice for the database engine in cellphones, PDAs, MP3 players, set-top boxes, and other electronic gadgets. SQLite has a small code footprint, makes efficient use of memory, disk space, and disk bandwidth, is highly reliable, and requires no maintenance from a Database Administrator.

• Website Database.

  Because it requires no configuration and stores information in ordinary disk files, SQLite is a popular choice as the database to back small to medium-sized websites.

• Stand-in For An Enterprise RDBMS.

  SQLite is often used as a surrogate for an enterprise RDBMS for demonstration purposes or for testing. SQLite is fast and requires no setup, which takes a lot of the hassle out of testing and which makes demos perky and easy to launch.

Main features of SQLite:

• Transactions are ACID i.e. atomic, consistent, isolated, and durable even after system crashes and power failures.
• Zero-configuration - no setup or administration needed.
• Implements most of SQL92.
• A complete database is stored in a single cross-platform disk file.
• Supports terabyte-sized databases and gigabyte-sized strings and blobs.
• Small code footprint: less than 500KiB fully configured or much less with optional features omitted.
• Faster than popular client / server database engines for most common operations.
• Simple, easy to use API.
• Written in ANSI-C. TCL bindings included. Bindings for dozens of other languages available separately.
• Well-commented source code with 100% branch test coverage.
• Available as a single ANSI-C source-code file that you can easily drop into another project.
• Self-contained: no external dependencies.
• Cross-platform: Unix (Linux, Mac OS-X, Android, iOS) and Windows (Win32, WinCE, WinRT) are supported out of the box. Easy to port to other systems.
• Sources are in the public domain. Use for any purpose.
• Comes with a standalone command-line interface (CLI) client that can be used to administer SQLite databases.

SOURCE: INTERNET