Database Management with SQLite

SQLite is a lightweight Relational Database Management System - it stores data in a specified format and uses the SQL language to work with the data. SQL style database management systems are a great way of storing data - particularly if your data is modestly large because it will not be stored in RAM as you work with it.

We chose to use SQLite because it involves the least set up, assumes no knowledge of server management and easily integrates with R and Python.

For Windows Users

We will install SQLite so that it plays nicely within Cygwin. Its time to go back to the setup-x86_64.exe we told you not to delete. We will use it to install sqlite. Proceed as follows:

  • Click through the installation until you arrive at the page "Select packages."
  • Change 'View' from Pending to Not Installed
  • Type sqlite into the search function and wait for the results to be filtered.
  • Find the following lines:
    • libsqlite3_0
    • sqlite3
  • For each line, click on the word 'Skip.' located next to each of these. 'Skip' should then be replaced with some numbers (the version which we will install)
  • Now click on "Next" in the bottom right corner and continue accepting all options until the installation is complete.

Partial Installation with Cygwin

Clicking through all the pages before and after "Select Packages", will not install or modify anything you have done previously - it will only install the new packages that you have selected.

For Mac Users

Open up a terminal and enter the following

brew install sqlite3

Then hit the Return key.

For Linux Users

SQLite should already be installed on your system.

Verifying the Installation

To check, open a terminal and then type (followed by hitting the return key):

sqlite3 --version

If it is installed, you should see something similar to the following returned:

3.15.2 2016-11-28 19:13:37

This is the version number that you have installed. Ensure that the version you have installed is 3.10.1 or higher.