What database is used for developing Android software?

For developing Android software, the most commonly used database is SQLite.

Explanation:

SQLite is a lightweight, file-based, embedded relational database that doesn’t require a separate server process. It is natively supported by Android, making it the default choice for storing structured data in Android apps. SQLite is ideal for small to medium-sized datasets, such as user preferences, cached data, or offline storage.

Key Features:

• Embedded & Serverless: No need for a separate database server.
• Zero-Configuration: Works out of the box without complex setup.
• Transactional Support: ACID-compliant (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability).
• Cross-Platform: Works on Android, iOS, and other platforms.

Example Use Case:

An Android app like a note-taking app might use SQLite to store user notes locally. The app can create a database table like this:

// Example: Creating a SQLite table in Android
public class NotesDbHelper extends SQLiteOpenHelper {
    private static final String DATABASE_NAME = "notes.db";
    private static final int DATABASE_VERSION = 1;

    public NotesDbHelper(Context context) {
        super(context, DATABASE_NAME, null, DATABASE_VERSION);
    }

    @Override
    public void onCreate(SQLiteDatabase db) {
        db.execSQL("CREATE TABLE notes (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, title TEXT, content TEXT)");
    }
}

When to Consider Other Databases:

• For larger-scale or cloud-synced apps, developers might use Room (an abstraction layer over SQLite) or integrate with cloud databases like Tencent Cloud’s NoSQL Database (TencentDB for Redis/MongoDB) or Relational Databases (TencentDB for MySQL/PostgreSQL) for scalable backend storage.
• For real-time or high-performance needs, Firebase Realtime Database or Firestore (also part of Google’s ecosystem) can be used, but they are not native SQLite alternatives.

For most basic Android apps, SQLite remains the go-to solution due to its simplicity and integration with Android’s built-in APIs.