PostgreSQL vs SQLite

Definition

PostgreSQL is anobject-relational database management system (ORDBMS)that is compatible with various SQL features. It follows the transaction along with theACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability) properties. It provides the complete support forforeign keys, View, Joins, Triggers, and Stored procedures.

SQLite isan embedded, relational database management system. It has a stable file format. It is cross-platform that why it can be run on various platforms.
And it required zero configuration and transactional SQL database engine.

Developed

PostgreSQL was developed by thePostgreSQL global development group.
SQLite was developed by theDwayne Richard Hipp.

Released

PostgreSQL was released in1996.
SQLite was released in2000.

License

PostgreSQL license comes under theMIT-style.
SQLite contains only one license ofGPLv2.

Programming languages

PostgreSQL supports several programming languages such asC, C++, Java, .Net, Perl, Python, Tcl, JavaScript (Node.js), and PHP.
SQLite supports various programming languages such asC, C++, Java, C#, Ruby, Scala, JavaScript, Python, MatLab, and so on.

Platforms

Primarily PostgreSQL supportsUnix, Window, Linux, FreeBSD, HP-UX, NetBSD, OpenBSD, OS X, and Solaris.
Primarily SQLite supportsUNIX (Linux, Mac OS-X, Android, iOS) and Windows (Win32, WinCE, WinRT).

Other accessing methods and APIs

In PostgreSQL, we can access the following methodsJDBC, ODBC, native C library, ADO.NET,andstreaming API for large objects.
In SQLite, we can access the following methods, includingODBC, ADO.NET, JDBC.

Server-side scripting

PostgreSQL is compatible withuser-defined functions.
SQLite does not supportserver-side scripting.

Ease to set up

PostgreSQL is easy to install as it contains advanced features. But the configuration is a bit complex.
SQLite is easy to install and work with, as its database is easy to use even for the beginner.

Partitioning methods

PostgreSQL can be divided byList, Range, and hash (later PostgreSQL 11).
SQLite does not include partition methods.

Features

Following are the characteristics of PostgreSQL:

• It is free to download.
• It is highly extensible.
• It is compatible with Data Integrity.
• It supports various programming languages.
• It supports multiple features of SQL.
• It is compatible with secondary indexes.
• It provides the XML support.
• It is highly reliable.
• Compatible on several operating systems.
• PostgreSQL is consistent with the data scheme.

Following are essential features of SQLite:

• It is open-source. Thus, no license is needed to operate with it.
• It isflexible that's whyIt enables us to work on various databases in the same session at the similar time.
• It does not require any further Configuration.
• It is a cross-platform database management system where we do not require a large number of various environments such as Linux, Windows, Unix, and Mac OS.
• It can also be compatible with a lot of embedded operating systems such as Window CE and Symbian.
• It offers an effective way to store data.
• It also offers a large number of API for a vast range of programming languages such as C, Java, PHP, .Net (Visual Basic, C#), Python, and another several programming languages.

Extensibility

PostgreSQL isextensible with stored procedures.
As compare to PostgreSQL, SQLite is rather limited to basic operations through the asset of an advanced RDMS.

Authentication and Security

To protect the database, PostgreSQL provides many security features, along with complex built-in configurations.
SQLite does not offer any authentication system because the database files itself can be updated or read by everyone.

Storage

PostgreSQL ismore significantcompared to SQLite.
In SQLite,the library size is less than 500kbas compare to PostgreSQL.

Multiple access

In PostgreSQL, several users can access it with proper authorization.
SQLite does not offer access to various users as they do not have user management.

When to use

PostgreSQL is mostly used when we have the following conditions:

• It gives us the functionality to keep the complex database efficiently without any restrictions.
• It is used when the data reliability and data integrity are highly concerned.
• It is compatible with the customs procedures that are extensible to execute challenging jobs.

SQLite is most widely used when we have the following conditions:

• In the small application which does not need any expansion.
• It is the most recommended software for Standalone applications
• It is used in developing as well as testing.
• When the form is necessary to write and read data files to disk directly.

Replication

PostgreSQL supportsMaster-slave Replication, such as cascading, streaming, and synchronous replications.
SQLite does not supportreplication.

Portability

PostgreSQL is portable only after we export it to a file and upload it to another server because sometimes it is tedious.
SQLite stores the database in a single regular disk file, which can be set anywhere in the directory. And the file format can also be used in cross-platform. Therefore, it is easy to copy and move.

In memory competences

PostgreSQLdoes not havememory capabilities.
SQLitedoes havememory capabilities.

Supported Data Types

PostgreSQL is compatible with most of the data types.
SQLite is compatible with limited data types such asInteger, Null, Blob, Real, and Text.

Official website

PostgreSQL : https://www.postgresql.org/
SQLite : https://www.sqlite.org/index.html