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SQLite.swift

A Swift library that wraps SQLite with type-safe queries and no raw SQL strings required.

GitHub Download 0.17.0
Stars
10.2k
Forks
1.6k
Licence
MIT
Language
Swift
Last update
12 days ago
Type
Library

What it is

SQLite.swift is a Swift library that sits on top of SQLite3, the small database engine built into many apps and devices. Instead of writing SQL as plain text, you describe tables and queries using Swift code, and the compiler can catch some mistakes before the app runs. It also lets you run raw SQL statements directly when you need to.

  • Create tables, insert rows, and query them with a typed Swift expression builder
  • Run parameterized raw SQL statements through a Swift-friendly wrapper
  • Use full-text search and inspect or migrate the database schema
  • Configure WAL journal mode with Connection(_, journalMode: .wal)

Great for

  • Swift developers building iOS, macOS, or other Apple-platform apps that store data locally in SQLite
  • Developers who want compile-time checks on their database queries
  • Teams that prefer Swift Package Manager for dependency management
  • Developers who need SQLCipher encryption support via Swift Package Manager

Not ideal for

  • Developers who want an async-first or ORM-style API; the README describes a query builder and raw-SQL wrapper, not that style
  • Projects that need full Linux support without caveats, since the README says Linux works only with some limitations
  • Anyone who wants a non-Swift database client
Step-by-step guide: how to use SQLite.swiftInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

How to get it

  1. 1

    Install with a package manager

    You'll need: Swift toolchain with Swift Package Manager · Xcode for Apple-platform projects (manual install path)

    Add to Package.swift dependencies

    .package(url: "https://github.com/stephencelis/SQLite.swift.git", from: "0.17.0")

    Build the project

    swift build
  2. 2

    Run it

    • Add the SQLite.swift dependency to your Package.swift file
    • Run swift build to fetch and compile the package
    • Import SQLite in a Swift file and open a database with Connection("path/to/db.sqlite3")
    • Create a table with db.run(users.create { ... }) and insert a row to confirm it works
  3. 3

    Get the most out of it

    • Use prepareRowIterator(_:) instead of prepare(_:) when you need to handle errors during row iteration
    • Write SQLite.Expression instead of Expression to avoid name clashes when using SwiftUI
    • Enable WAL mode with Connection(_, journalMode: .wal) or enableWAL() for better journaling behavior
    • Explore the Xcode playground included in the repository to try queries interactively
    • Use the Documentation/Index.md guide for full-text search and schema querying

Downloads

Source code (.zip)master branch · straight from GitHubRelease 0.17.0Release notes and source

Strengths

  • Type-safe, optional-aware query builder that reduces raw SQL string errors
  • Installs through Swift Package Manager with a single dependency line
  • MIT licensed with documentation and a playground in the project

Trade-offs

  • Iterating prepare() results crashes on errors unless you use prepareRowIterator(_:) instead, as the README warns
  • Linux support is described as limited and the Gitter chat is marked experimental
  • Latest release is 0.17.0 and the README does not state a minimum Swift or platform version

How it compares

ProjectStarsTypeLevelUpdatedBest for
SQLite.swift (this)10.2kLibraryintermediate12 days agoSwift developers building iOS, macOS, or other Apple-platform apps that store data locally in SQLite
kysely14.3kLibraryintermediate4 days agoTypeScript developers who want SQL control without losing compile-time type checks
Alamofire42.4kLibraryintermediate5 days agoSwift developers building iOS or macOS apps that call web APIs
typeorm36.7kLibraryintermediate8 days agoNode.js or TypeScript developers building apps backed by a relational database
sequelize30.3kLibraryintermediate5 days agoNode.js backend developers who use a relational SQL database
SDWebImage25.6kLibraryintermediate7 months agoiOS or macOS app developers who need to show remote images in lists or grids

Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.