How to try SQL with SQLite

Choose SQLite

SQLite stores a complete database in one file and needs no server, account, or network connection. It is ideal for learning and is included with many operating systems and programming languages.

Open the command line

Install SQLite from sqlite.org or your package manager, then create or open a database file.

sqlite3 practice.db

Run a first query

At the sqlite> prompt, SQL statements end with a semicolon.

SELECT 'Hello, SQL!' AS message;

Use helpful commands

Commands beginning with a dot belong to the SQLite shell, not SQL. PostgreSQL uses tools such as psql, while MySQL uses the mysql client.

.headers on
.mode column
.tables
.quit