#SQLITE VS SQL HOW TO#

I already mentioned that Core Data can use a SQLite database as its persistent store, but it also has support for other persistent store types, including a binary store and an in-memory store.Įven though Core Data knows how to use a SQLite database as its persistent store, that doesn't mean you can hand it any SQLite database. The framework adds a number of other compelling features, such as input validation, data model versioning, and change tracking. It can optionally persist the object graph to disk and it also offers a powerful interface for searching the object graph it manages.īut Core Data is much more than that. The framework is responsible for managing the life cycle of the objects in the object graph. The framework excels at managing complex object graphs. An object graph is nothing more than a collection of interconnected objects. Core Data and SQLite are solutions to different problems.Ĭore Data can use SQLite as its persistent store, but the framework itself is not a database.Ĭore Data is a framework for managing an object graph. That is the most important difference because there is very little to compare. The most important difference between Core Data and SQLite is that SQLite is a database while Core Data is not.

The SQLite website claims its the most used database in the world. Like many other databases, SQLite stores data and that is what it is good at. Even though SQLite is advertised as a relational database, it is important to realize that the developer is in charge of maintaining the relationships between records stored in the database. SQLite is a library that implements a lightweight database engine that is incredibly performant and, therefore, a great fit for embedded systems, such as mobile devices. Continue reading if you are interested in the long answer. Core Data is a framework for managing an object graph. Comparing Core Data and SQLite is like trying to compare apples and oranges. What is the difference between Core Data and SQLite? Even though it's a common question, it is the wrong one to ask.

Sqlite vs sql