Understanding SQLite Vs. MySQL

SQL is the abbreviation of structured query language which is used to interact with database management systems. The names of both SQLite and MySQL come from this query language. In this post, we will make sense of these database management systems. Although we are only comparing two different options, I remember how confusing it can be from when I started. I hope this fresh take will make understanding the two easier to understand.

What Is A Database Management System?

The term database management system is the category that database software falls under this includes SQLite and MySQL.

What Is A Database?

A database is used to store, retrieve, and manipulate data. You can think of it like an organized file cabinet. So with a dynamic CMS (Content Management System) the most popular being WordPress, posts, comments, settings, and more are all stored in the database. When you click on something requests are made to the database behind the scenes to generate the requested page.

Introduction To SQLite

Unlike traditional database management systems, SQLite stands out as a lightweight alternative. Unlike other options, it’s serverless meaning it doesn’t require a separate server process. The entire database is stored in a single file making it more portable. The SQLite library has support for operating systems like Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and even Javascript meaning it could run from a webpage in your web browser.

Introduction To MySQL

MySQL is what you would consider a traditional database management system. It has both a client and server architecture. MySQL is optimized for speed and performance and is scalable, allowing for clustering as well as optimizing via configuration. Unlike SQLite, MySQL has built-in user management and permissions (called grants). It also runs across different platforms cross-platform such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. Compatibility is key as they say, MySQL is likely to be compatible with most web applications.

SQLite Vs MySQL: What’s The Practical Difference?

Although both have some similarities they were not made equal. However, this is expected as the developers have very different goals for their software.

Starting at the installation size SQLite is less than 10MB (with everything included). Whereas MySQL server community edition (itself) is over 800MB. Next SQLite is a single file for a database whereas a single MySQL database contains many necessary files. Finally, we take into consideration that MySQL uses a client-server architecture and SQLite is a serverless database management system. By these, it’s clear that the makers have opposing viewpoints on portability and expected resource usage.

These directly affect performance, in most cases, a MySQL database will beat out a SQLite database in typical usage due to caching as well as being a combination of reads and writes. That said there are always exceptions and edge cases for example when you are the only user and it isn’t mission-critical like a homelab.

It all comes down to what’s the right tool for the job there are tasks better suited for MySQL and SQLite. Below are some questions to help you determine what is better suited for your project.

Which Should I Pick For My Project?

Before anything else, please confirm the compatibility if you are using existing software. This involves looking at the requirements of the software vendor as a choice is meaningless unless compatibility is confirmed. Moving on let us take a look at why you may want to pick one over the other.

SQLite

• Are you looking for something simple and lightweight?
• Do you need something portable?
• Are you looking for something better with limited resources?
• Need something for development or testing that won’t directly be going into a production environment?

MySQL

• Are you looking for something to support many users?
• How many users will be accessing as Mysql is better at handling many users?
• Do you require multiple users to connect to a centralized database?
• Are you looking for something that can be optimized to the hardware it’s running on?
• Will you be running many complex queries or making many writes to the database?

Conclusion

In conclusion, both MySQL and SQLite have their pros and cons, it depends on your use case. In this post, we have discussed the most predominant of those differences in a way that doesn’t require a database administrator to understand.

Additional Information

Done reading, why not check out these?

• Other SirsteveHQ posts on MySQL
• MySQL Reference Manual
• SQLite Docs