Because it makes it SO easy to set up a database for your app that you end up with a super critical component of your application that looks exactly like a file. A file that can have any extension. And that file can be copied around to other servers. Even if there is PII in that file. Multiply this times the number of applications in your firm and you can see how this could get a little nuts.
DevOps and DBA teams would prefer that the database be a big, heavy iron thing that is very obviously a database server. And when you connect to it, that's also very obvious etc etc.
The sane thing would be to ban Excel and promote SQLite. Excel is often used for tabulated text (issue tracking) not calculations. Perfect use case for a relational db
For public-sector data preservation, it may be one of the best options.
The specification is publicly available
- It is widely adopted
- It is likely to remain readable in the future
- It has little dependency on specific operating systems or services
- It carries low patent risk
From the perspective of long-term continuity, avoiding dependence on any particular company or service is extremely important.
I have always loved SQLite.
I have also heard that some firms ban its use.
Why?
Because it makes it SO easy to set up a database for your app that you end up with a super critical component of your application that looks exactly like a file. A file that can have any extension. And that file can be copied around to other servers. Even if there is PII in that file. Multiply this times the number of applications in your firm and you can see how this could get a little nuts.
DevOps and DBA teams would prefer that the database be a big, heavy iron thing that is very obviously a database server. And when you connect to it, that's also very obvious etc etc.
I still love SQLite though.
The question is, do the same firms ban Excel? Excel spreadsheets often end up as shadow databases in unlikely places.
They generally cannot. But they do banish Access.
The sane thing would be to ban Excel and promote SQLite. Excel is often used for tabulated text (issue tracking) not calculations. Perfect use case for a relational db
Excel is made for calculations. But if you make it hard to make a DB, people will abuse Excel as a DB.
> DevOps and DBA teams
Ah so two teams nobody should listen to.
At least would take it with a grain of salt when the DBA wants you to depend more on the DBA.
Same with devops tbh.
"Hey everyone, we need to chose the option that involves us the most and provides us the most job security"
That's so dumb
2026 recommended storage formats: https://www.loc.gov/preservation/resources/rfs/data.html
For public-sector data preservation, it may be one of the best options.
The specification is publicly available
- It is widely adopted - It is likely to remain readable in the future - It has little dependency on specific operating systems or services - It carries low patent risk
From the perspective of long-term continuity, avoiding dependence on any particular company or service is extremely important.
Archivists also love formats close to native. SQLite lets the relational relationships be present in a way that csv cannot.