Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Berkeley DB VS SQLite

Compare Berkeley DB VS SQLite and see what are their differences

Berkeley DB logo Berkeley DB

Berkeley DB (BDB) is a software library that provides a high-performance embedded database for...

SQLite logo SQLite

SQLite Home Page
  • Berkeley DB Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26
  • SQLite Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-21

Berkeley DB features and specs

  • Embedded Database
    Berkeley DB operates as an embedded database, meaning it runs within the application process, which enhances performance by eliminating inter-process communication delays.
  • Efficient Data Storage
    It provides highly efficient data storage, capable of managing large volumes of data with minimal overhead, making it suitable for resource-constrained environments.
  • High-performance
    The database is optimized for high performance with quick read and write operations which can be beneficial for applications requiring real-time data processing.
  • Multi-language Support
    Berkeley DB supports multiple programming languages, including C, C++, Java, Perl, and Python, enhancing its flexibility and usability in various development environments.
  • ACID Transactions
    It offers full ACID transaction support which ensures data integrity and reliability even in the occurrence of system failures.
  • Various Access Methods
    The database allows various data access methods including B-trees, hash tables, fixed or variable-length records, facilitating diverse use cases.

Possible disadvantages of Berkeley DB

  • Complexity
    Berkeley DB can be complex to configure and manage compared to more simplified database solutions, which might require a steep learning curve for new users.
  • Limited to No SQL
    It lacks native SQL support, which limits its use for applications that require complex querying capabilities inherent to SQL-based databases.
  • Standalone Features
    As an embedded database, it does not offer standalone database server features or client/server architecture, which may not align with all system architectures.
  • Limited Scalability
    Though efficient for embedded use, scaling Berkeley DB for large distributed systems can be challenging compared to databases designed for distributed architecture.
  • Oracle Licensing
    As a product owned by Oracle, users may face licensing challenges or restrictions, especially if integrating into larger Oracle-dependent ecosystems.

SQLite features and specs

  • Zero Configuration
    SQLite does not require any server setup or configuration, allowing for easy integration and deployment in applications.
  • Lightweight
    It is extremely lightweight, with a small footprint, making it ideal for embedded systems and mobile applications.
  • Self-Contained
    SQLite is self-contained, meaning it has minimal external dependencies, which simplifies its distribution and usage.
  • File-Based Storage
    Data is stored in a single file, which makes it easy to manage and transfer databases as simple files.
  • ACID Compliance
    SQLite supports Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability (ACID) properties, ensuring reliable transactions.
  • Cross-Platform
    SQLite is available on numerous platforms, including Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, providing a broad compatibility range.
  • Public Domain
    SQLite operates under the public domain, allowing for unrestricted use in commercial and non-commercial applications.

Possible disadvantages of SQLite

  • Limited Scalability
    SQLite is not designed to handle high levels of concurrency and large-scale databases, making it less suitable for large, high-traffic applications.
  • Write Performance
    Write operations can be slower compared to server-based databases, especially under heavy write loads.
  • Lack of Certain Features
    SQLite lacks some advanced features offered by other RDBMS like stored procedures, user-defined functions, and full-text search indexing.
  • Security
    As SQLite is file-based, it might lack some of the security features present in server-based databases, such as sophisticated access control.
  • Concurrency
    SQLite uses a locking mechanism to control access to the database, which can lead to contention and performance bottlenecks in highly concurrent environments.
  • Backup and Restore
    While it's straightforward to copy SQLite database files, it lacks the advanced backup and restore features found in more complex RDBMS.

Berkeley DB videos

Introduction to persistency and Berkeley DB

SQLite videos

SQLite | What, Why , Where

More videos:

  • Review - W20 PROG1442 3.3 UWP sqLite Review
  • Tutorial - How To Create SQLite Databases From Scratch For Beginners - Full Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Berkeley DB and SQLite)
Databases
4 4%
96% 96
NoSQL Databases
8 8%
92% 92
Relational Databases
2 2%
98% 98
Key-Value Database
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SQLite seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 18 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Berkeley DB mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Berkeley DB yet. Tracking of Berkeley DB recommendations started around Mar 2021.

SQLite mentions (18)

  • Can I have my Lightroom catalogue pointing at two sources...?
    Yes. A Lightroom catalog file is, after all, just a SQLite database. (Srsly, make a copy of your catalog file, rename it whatever.sqlite and use your favorite SQLite GUI to rip it open and look at the tables and fields). It's just storing the pathame to the RAW file for that file's record in the database. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Building a database to search Excel files
    I use visidata with a playback script I recorded to open the sheet to a specific Excel tab, add a column, save the sheet as a csv file. Then I have a sqlite script that takes the csv file and puts it in a database, partitioned by monthYear. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Saw this on my friends Snapchat story, this hurts my heart
    Use the most-used database in the world: https://sqlite.org/index.html. Source: over 2 years ago
  • "Managing" a SQLite Database with J (Part 2)
    With this in mind, I wrote a few versions of this post, but I hated them all. Then I realized that jodliterate PDF documents mostly do what I want. So, instead of rewriting MirrorXref.pdf, I will make a few comments about jodliterate group documents in general. If you're interested in using SQLite with J, download the self-contained GitHub files MirrorXref.ijs and MirrorXref.pdf and have a look. - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago
  • "Managing" a SQLite Database with J (Part 1)
    SQLite, by many estimates, is the most widely deployed SQL database system on Earth. It's everywhere. It's in your phone, your laptop, your cameras, your car, your cloud, and your breakfast cereal. SQLite's global triumph is a gratifying testament to the virtues of technical excellence and the philosophy of "less is more.". - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Berkeley DB and SQLite, you can also consider the following products

Kyoto Cabinet - Kyoto Cabinet: a straightforward implementation of DBM

PostgreSQL - PostgreSQL is a powerful, open source object-relational database system.

Tokyo Cabinet - Tokyo Cabinet: a modern implementation of DBM

MySQL - The world's most popular open source database

GDBM - GNU dbm (or GDBM, for short) is a library of database functions that use extensible hashing and...

Microsoft SQL - Microsoft SQL is a best in class relational database management software that facilitates the database server to provide you a primary function to store and retrieve data.