Rethinking SQLite: Surprisingly Powerful at Hyper-Scale

Contrary to popular belief, SQLite isn't just for small applications. This article argues that services like Cloudflare Durable Objects and Turso unlock SQLite's potential at hyper-scale. These platforms assign SQLite databases per entity, replacing the complexities of sharded databases. This approach solves challenges like rigid schemas, difficult schema changes, and complex cross-partition operations. While challenges remain—lack of open-source self-hosting and standardized protocols—SQLite's ACID compliance, efficient I/O, and rich SQL extensions make it a compelling alternative to traditional partitioned databases.