SQLite's WAL Mode Checksum Issue: Silent Data Loss

This post delves into a flaw in SQLite's checksum mechanism within its Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) mode. When a checksum mismatch occurs in a WAL frame, SQLite silently discards the faulty frame and all subsequent frames, even if they are not corrupt. This design, while intentional, leads to potential data loss. The author analyzes the underlying reasons and proposes that SQLite should throw an error upon corruption detection instead of silently discarding data, thus improving data integrity. The discussion also touches upon the context of SQLite's usage in embedded systems and mobile devices, where corruption is more prevalent.