Launching the SQLite shell

[daenney]

One nice benefit of this library is that there's no need for the target system to have sqlite installed, but as such the sqlite3 CLI will also be absent.

I've been looking at if it's possible to invoke the sqlite shell from this library, with the idea of embedding that as a subcommand in my own CLI. But I don't think that's possible currently?

[ncruces]

No, the SQLite shell is not a library, but an entire additional code base using the library.

I could, potentially, compile it to WASI but:

• as Wasm (much like Go) works best with static linking, it'll be another binary larger than the current one.
• I'd need to modify it somewhat if I wanted my VFS (OS layer) coupled with the shell; I could use the Unix VFS with WASI, but there'd be no file locking (dangerous) and no shared memory WAL.
• just “compile to WASI” doesn't necessarily solve shell like features, such as command completion and history; stdin is a very special file when attached to a shell; I don't know how good wazero is here.

So there are challenges, this is a project on its own. If you're interested, I definitely wouldn't stop anyone from working on it; I'll be as helpful as possible. You can look for places where I compile speedtest1 and mptest for how to get started.

But I suspect static linking the shell with musl might be more productive/satisfying? I'd investigate the zig toolchain for cross compilation.

[daenney]

Right yeah, that makes sense. Hadn't thought of using the zig toolchain, but that's a good point.

I'll fiddle around with it at some point and see if I can get anywhere.