What is the Difference Between Realm and SQLite?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Realm and SQLite are both databases used in mobile application development, but they have some key differences:
- Database Management System: Realm is an object database management system, while SQLite is a relational database management system.
- Speed: Realm is faster than SQLite, allowing for quicker data insertion and management.
- Data Model: SQLite uses relational tables with ORM concepts, requiring objects to be transformed and broken into row-based stores. Realm, on the other hand, uses an object-oriented model, allowing objects in code to be written to the database without the need for transformation or an ORM layer, enhancing schema flexibility.
- Query System: SQLite's query system relies on SQL query syntax, while Realm offers a more versatile and faster alternative.
- Age and Popularity: SQLite is an older and more established database, but Realm has gained popularity among developers due to its modern features and ease of use.
- Scalability and Offline Synchronization: SQLite with Room or Core Data might not be sufficient for applications requiring high concurrency and offline synchronization, whereas Realm offers a more scalable solution.
In summary, Realm is an object-oriented, fast, and flexible database management system that is increasingly popular among mobile developers. SQLite, on the other hand, is a more established relational database management system that may require additional ORM layers and be less suitable for complex, high-concurrency, or offline-first applications.
Comparative Table: Realm vs SQLite
Here is a table comparing the differences between Realm and SQLite:
Feature | Realm | SQLite |
---|---|---|
Database Type | Object-oriented database | Relational database management system |
Speed | Faster than SQLite (up to 10x speed up over raw SQLite for normal operations) | Slower than Realm |
Ease of Use | Easier to use, with object conversion handled for you | Requires writing SQL commands, which can be more complex |
Data Storage | Stores data in a universal, table-based format using a C++ core | Stores data in a text file on a device |
Language Compatibility | Works with Java, Kotlin, Swift, Objective-C, Xamarin, and React Native | Primarily used with Android and iOS native platforms |
Portability | Provides a mobile-first alternative to SQLite | Suitable for a wider range of devices and mobile/desktop operating systems |
Offline Synchronization | Not mentioned | Not suitable for offline-first and complex schema evolution with agile changes |
Realm is an object-oriented database that stores data in the form of objects rather than in a tabular structure like SQLite. It is often used as a replacement for SQLite, especially in mobile app development, due to its ease of use and faster performance. SQLite is a relational database management system that uses SQL commands, which can be more complex to manage, especially for complex databases. While SQLite is widely used and portable across various devices and platforms, it may not be suitable for offline-first and complex schema evolution with agile changes.
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