Why SQLite with expo-sqlite in React Native? - Purpose & Use Cases

The Big Idea

What if your app could remember everything perfectly, even without internet?

The Scenario

Imagine you want to save your app data like notes or tasks directly on your phone without internet. You try to write and read files manually for each piece of data.

The Problem

Writing and reading files one by one is slow and confusing. You might lose data or make mistakes because you have to handle everything yourself, like searching through many files to find one note.

The Solution

Using SQLite with expo-sqlite lets you store all your data in one organized place. It works like a tiny database inside your app, so you can quickly save, find, and update information without hassle.

Before vs After

✗ Before

writeFile('note1.txt', 'Buy milk')
readFile('note1.txt')

✓ After

db.transaction(tx => {
  tx.executeSql('CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS notes (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT, text TEXT);');
  tx.executeSql('INSERT INTO notes (text) VALUES (?)', ['Buy milk']);
});

What It Enables

You can build apps that remember lots of data fast and safely, even when offline.

Real Life Example

A to-do list app that saves your tasks locally so you can check or add tasks anytime without internet.

Key Takeaways

Manual file handling is slow and error-prone.

SQLite with expo-sqlite organizes data efficiently inside your app.

This makes your app faster and more reliable for storing information.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using expo-sqlite in a React Native app?

easy

A. To store and manage data locally using a small database

B. To fetch data from a remote server

C. To style the app interface

D. To handle user authentication

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand expo-sqlite functionality

   expo-sqlite provides a way to store data locally on the device using a SQLite database.

2. Step 2: Compare options with expo-sqlite purpose

   Only To store and manage data locally using a small database describes local data storage with a database, which matches expo-sqlite's role.

3. Final Answer:

   To store and manage data locally using a small database -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   expo-sqlite = local database storage [OK]

Hint: expo-sqlite is for local data storage, not remote or styling [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing expo-sqlite with network data fetching
• Thinking expo-sqlite handles UI styling
• Assuming expo-sqlite manages user login

2. Which of the following is the correct way to open a database using expo-sqlite?

easy

A. const db = SQLite.newDatabase('mydb.db');

B. const db = SQLite.createDatabase('mydb.db');

C. const db = SQLite.connect('mydb.db');

D. const db = SQLite.openDatabase('mydb.db');

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall expo-sqlite database opening method

   The correct method to open or create a database is openDatabase.

2. Step 2: Match method names with options

   Only const db = SQLite.openDatabase('mydb.db'); uses openDatabase, which is the correct syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   const db = SQLite.openDatabase('mydb.db'); -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   openDatabase() opens SQLite DB [OK]

Hint: Use openDatabase() to open or create SQLite DB [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using createDatabase() which does not exist
• Using connect() or newDatabase() which are invalid
• Missing the correct method name openDatabase()

3. Given this code snippet, what will be logged to the console?

const db = SQLite.openDatabase('test.db');
db.transaction(tx => {
  tx.executeSql('CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS items (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY NOT NULL, name TEXT);');
  tx.executeSql('INSERT INTO items (name) VALUES (?)', ['apple']);
  tx.executeSql('SELECT * FROM items;', [], (_, { rows }) => {
    console.log(rows._array);
  });
});

medium

A. undefined

B. [{ id: 1, name: 'apple' }]

C. []

D. SyntaxError

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the SQL commands executed

   The code creates a table if missing, inserts one row with name 'apple', then selects all rows.

2. Step 2: Analyze the SELECT query result

   The SELECT returns one row with id 1 and name 'apple', logged as an array of objects.

3. Final Answer:

   [{ id: 1, name: 'apple' }] -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Inserted row appears in SELECT result [OK]

Hint: Inserted rows appear in SELECT query result array [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting empty array before insertion
• Confusing rows._array with undefined
• Assuming syntax error from correct SQL

4. What is wrong with this code snippet that tries to insert data into a SQLite table?

db.transaction(tx => {
  tx.executeSql('INSERT INTO users (name, age) VALUES (?, ?)', ['John']);
});

medium

A. The SQL statement has fewer values than placeholders

B. The table name is incorrect

C. The transaction method is missing a callback

D. The executeSql method cannot use placeholders

Solution

1. Step 1: Check SQL placeholders and values

   The SQL has two placeholders (?, ?) but only one value 'John' is provided.

2. Step 2: Identify mismatch causing error

   Mismatch between placeholders and values causes an error during execution.

3. Final Answer:

   The SQL statement has fewer values than placeholders -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Placeholders must match values count [OK]

Hint: Match number of ? placeholders with values array length [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring mismatch between placeholders and values
• Assuming table name is wrong without checking
• Thinking executeSql cannot use placeholders

5. You want to display a list of items stored in a SQLite table inside your React Native app. Which approach correctly updates the UI after fetching data from the database?

const [items, setItems] = useState([]);

useEffect(() => {
  db.transaction(tx => {
    tx.executeSql('SELECT * FROM items;', [], (_, { rows }) => {
      // What should go here?
    });
  });
}, []);

hard

A. items = rows._array;

B. return rows._array;

C. setItems(rows._array);

D. console.log(rows._array);

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand React state update

   To update UI, React state setter setItems must be called with new data.

2. Step 2: Identify correct way to update state

   Assigning directly to items or returning data won't update state; logging only shows data.

3. Final Answer:

   setItems(rows._array); -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use setItems() to update state and UI [OK]

Hint: Use setState function to update React state after DB fetch [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assigning directly to state variable instead of using setter
• Returning data inside executeSql callback
• Only logging data without updating state