Xamarin SQLite Database

SQLite is a widely used relational database management system that can be embedded in mobile applications. In Xamarin, SQLite is a lightweight and efficient way to store and manage data in your mobile apps. In this article, we will cover the basics of using SQLite in Xamarin applications.

Syntax

SQLite in Xamarin is composed of the following basic components:

• SQLite.Net-PCL: SQLite is a native C library, and SQLite.Net-PCL provides an interface for using SQLite in Xamarin. SQLite.Net-PCL is a cross-platform library that can be used in Android, iOS, and UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps.

• SQLiteConnection: The SQLiteConnection class is used to create a connection to the SQLite database.

• Table attribute: The Table attribute is used to define the name of the table in the SQLite database.

• SQLiteCommand: The SQLiteCommand class is used to execute SQL commands in SQLite.

Example

Here is an example of using SQLite in Xamarin to create a table with two columns: ID and Name.

First, we need to create a model class that represents the data we want to store in the SQLite database:

using SQLite;

[Table("Person")]
public class Person
{
    [PrimaryKey, AutoIncrement, Column("ID")]
    public int ID { get; set; }
    [Column("Name")]
    public string Name { get; set; }
}

In the Person class, we are using the Table attribute to define the name of the table in the SQLite database as "Person". We also have two properties: ID and Name.

Next, we need to create a connection to the SQLite database:

using SQLite;

public class SQLiteDataStore
{
    readonly SQLiteConnection database;

    public SQLiteDataStore(string dbPath)
    {
        database = new SQLiteConnection(dbPath);
        database.CreateTable<Person>();
    }
}

In the SQLiteDataStore class, we are creating a new SQLiteConnection object with the path to the SQLite database file. We are also calling CreateTable method to create the table automatically in the database.

Now we can add some data to the database using a SQLiteCommand object:

public void AddPerson(Person person)
{
    database.Insert(person);
}

In the AddPerson method, we are using the Insert method of the SQLiteConnection class to insert a new Person object into the Person table in the database.

Output

You can use SQLite tools to check the table is created successfully.

Explanation

SQLiteDatabase is used for storing important structured data in private tables or SQLite databases. The classes SqLiteDatabase and SQLiteOpenHelper provide simple and easy to use methods to manage data stored in SQLiteDatabase.

Use

SQLite in Xamarin is commonly used to store data in mobile apps. It is especially useful for storing data that needs to be accessed quickly or frequently. SQLite is also a good choice for offline apps, because it allows you to store data locally on the device, without requiring an internet connection.

Important Points

• SQLite.Net-PCL is a cross-platform library for using SQLite in Xamarin apps.

• The SQLiteConnection class is used to create a connection to the SQLite database.

• The Table attribute is used to define the name of the table in the SQLite database.

• The SQLiteCommand class is used to execute SQL commands in SQLite.

Summary

SQLite is a powerful tool for managing data in Xamarin apps. It is easy to use and provides a lightweight and efficient way to store data on the device. In this article, we covered the basics of using SQLite in Xamarin apps, including creating tables, inserting data, and accessing the database.