TL;DR
SQLite has been written in C since its launch in 2000 and remains implemented in generic C because of speed, broad compatibility, small runtime dependencies, and language stability. The project has no current plans to rewrite the codebase in another language, though a Rust rewrite is discussed as a conditional possibility contingent on several maturity and tooling milestones.
What happened
Since its initial release on 2000-05-29, SQLite has been implemented in portable C and continues to be maintained in that language. The project team argues C best meets the needs of a widely embedded, low-level library: it enables highly optimized code, can be invoked from nearly any other language, and imposes only a handful of standard C library dependencies in minimal builds. The authors also emphasize the advantage of C’s long-standing stability — a conservative, well-understood language reduces churn during development. The site explains why alternative approaches were rejected: object-oriented languages like C++ or Java would limit cross-language use, and newer “safe” languages such as Go or Rust currently bring runtime checks and behaviors that the SQLite developers believe would introduce performance costs or complicate their error-recovery and test strategies. The project does note conditions under which a Rust rewrite might become plausible in the future.
Why it matters
- Portability: C libraries can be called from most platforms and languages, widening SQLite’s applicability across ecosystems.
- Performance: C allows low-level optimizations that the maintainers see as essential for a heavily used database engine.
- Small runtime footprint: Minimal dependencies make SQLite suitable for embedded and constrained environments.
- Stability and maintainability: Using a long-established language reduces the risk of toolchain or language-spec churn.
- Future-proofing: The team lists explicit preconditions for any potential Rust rewrite, indicating careful evaluation rather than sudden migration.
Key facts
- SQLite has been implemented in generic C since its inception on 2000-05-29.
- The project cites performance, compatibility, low dependency, and stability as primary reasons for using C.
- In a minimal configuration, SQLite relies only on a small set of standard C library routines: memcmp, memcpy, memmove, memset, strcmp, strlen, and strncmp.
- More complete builds also use routines such as malloc/free and OS file I/O interfaces, but overall dependency counts remain low.
- The developers argue object-oriented languages (e.g., Java or C++) would hinder cross-language usage and provide limited benefit for this project.
- The team is cautious about ‘‘safe’’ languages (like Rust or Go), noting added runtime checks, different OOM behavior, and potential performance or testing complications.
- A Rust rewrite is described as possible but conditional; the site lists specific preconditions that Rust would need to meet before a recode would be entertained.
- The page states there are no plans to recode SQLite in any other programming language at this time.
- This content was last updated on 2025-05-09 15:56:17Z.
What to watch next
- There are no plans to recode SQLite in another language at this time (confirmed in the source).
- Potential for a future Rust rewrite if the listed preconditions are met — not confirmed in the source.
- Community advocacy from Rust proponents to contact the SQLite developers and make the technical case — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- SQLite: A self-contained, serverless, zero-configuration SQL database engine commonly embedded into applications.
- C (programming language): A general-purpose, procedural programming language known for low-level access to memory and minimal runtime.
- Object-oriented programming: A design paradigm that models software as interacting objects combining state and behavior; it is a design approach rather than a single language.
- Safe languages: Languages (for example, Rust or Go) that include features intended to help prevent common programming errors like memory safety violations.
- Out-of-memory (OOM): A condition where a program or system cannot allocate required memory; different languages and runtimes handle this situation in different ways.
Reader FAQ
Why was SQLite written in C?
The developers chose C for its speed, wide compatibility with other languages and platforms, minimal runtime dependencies, and the language’s long-term stability.
Why not implement SQLite in an object-oriented language like Java or C++?
The site argues OOP languages can limit cross-language use and that object-oriented design can be achieved in C; historical immaturity and incompatibilities of early C++/Java also influenced the original choice.
Could SQLite be rewritten in a ‘‘safe’’ language like Rust or Go?
The authors say it could be recoded in Rust in the future but only after several maturity and tooling milestones are met; they view a Go rewrite as unlikely. A rewrite is not planned now.
Which C library routines does SQLite require in minimal builds?
In a minimal configuration it uses memcmp, memcpy, memmove, memset, strcmp, strlen, and strncmp; fuller builds use malloc/free and OS file I/O.
Why Is SQLite Coded In C Table Of Contents 1. C Is Best Note: Sections 2.0 and 3.0 of this article were added in response to comments on Hacker News…
Sources
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