db.sqlite3

db.sqlite3#

1. What is db.sqlite3?#

db.sqlite3 is the default SQLite database used by Django during development. It stores all application data in a single file and is suitable for learning and local testing.

It is a SQLite database, stored as a single file on disk.

Location:

mysite/db.sqlite3

2. Why does Django create db.sqlite3?#

When you create a new Django project, Django configures SQLite as the default database because:

  • No installation required

  • Easy to use

  • Perfect for learning and development

  • Works out of the box

Django automatically creates this file after you run migrations.

3. When is db.sqlite3 created?#

The file appears when you run:

python manage.py migrate
Django then:

  • Creates database tables

  • Stores them in db.sqlite3

4. What does db.sqlite3 contain?#

It stores all project data, including:

  • Django system tables

  • User accounts

  • Admin data

  • Your app’s models

  • Migration history

Examples of tables inside:

  • auth_user

  • django_migrations

  • django_admin_log

  • tables from myapp

5. How Django uses db.sqlite3#

In settings.py, you’ll see:

DATABASES = {
    'default': {
        'ENGINE': 'django.db.backends.sqlite3',
        'NAME': BASE_DIR / 'db.sqlite3',
    }
}
This tells Django:

“Use SQLite, and store data in db.sqlite3.”

6. How to view db.sqlite3#

Option 1: Django shell

python manage.py dbshell
Option 2: SQLite GUI tools

  • DB Browser for SQLite

  • TablePlus

  • DBeaver

These tools let you:

  • Browse tables

  • View data

  • Run SQL queries

7. What db.sqlite3 is GOOD for#

  • Learning Django

  • Tutorials

  • Small projects

  • Local development

8. What db.sqlite3 is NOT good for#

  • Production websites

  • Multiple concurrent users

  • High traffic

  • Large datasets

In production, Django commonly uses:

  • PostgreSQL

  • MySQL

9. Should db.sqlite3 be committed to Git?#

Usually: NO

Add this to your project-level .gitignore:

db.sqlite3
Why?

  • Contains local data

  • Machine-specific

  • Changes frequently

10. What happens if you delete db.sqlite3?#

If you delete it:

  • All data is lost

  • Django can recreate it

To recreate:

python manage.py migrate

Then optionally:

python manage.py createsuperuser
Common beginner mistakes

  • Editing db.sqlite3 manually

  • Committing it to GitHub

  • Using it in production

  • Expecting it to sync across machines

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