Scribd
Upload
2 views

Database

The document provides an overview of database options in Flutter, including SQLite, NoSQL databases, key-value stores, and file-based storage, along with their use cases and considerations. It emphasizes the importance of choosing the right database based on data type, app complexity, and synchronization needs. Best practices for database operations and management in Flutter are also discussed, including error handling and securing sensitive data.

Uploaded by

ismailovich1904
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

Database

The document provides an overview of database options in Flutter, including SQLite, NoSQL databases, key-value stores, and file-based storage, along with their use cases and considerations. It emphasizes the importance of choosing the right database based on data type, app complexity, and synchronization needs. Best practices for database operations and management in Flutter are also discussed, including error handling and securing sensitive data.

Uploaded by

ismailovich1904
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼

▲▼▲▼▲▼
tags : #coding #flutter
references : Flutter Database and Storage Packages
▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼
▲▼▲▼▲▼
In Flutter, databases are crucial for storing and managing data locally on the device. Flutter
provides several ways to handle local storage, depending on the type and complexity of the
data you want to manage. Below is an overview of databases in general in Flutter, including
the most popular solutions, their use cases, and considerations.

Types of Databases in Flutter:


1. SQLite:
What it is: SQLite is a lightweight, serverless, self-contained relational database
engine. It’s widely used for local data storage in mobile apps, including Flutter.
How it works: Data is stored in tables, and you interact with it using SQL queries. It
supports CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete).
Popular Flutter Package: sqflite
When to Use: If you need relational data storage and can use SQL to structure
and query your data. It is a great option when you need to persist structured data.
Pros:
Lightweight and fast.
No server or backend required.
Well-suited for apps with moderate complexity and structured data.
Cons:
SQL-based, which might be difficult for those unfamiliar with SQL.
Lacks advanced features like automatic migrations and reactive queries.
2. NoSQL Databases:
What they are: NoSQL databases store data in non-tabular formats, which is flexible
and scalable. They are often document-based (storing JSON-like objects).
Popular Flutter Packages:
Firebase Firestore: A cloud-hosted, real-time NoSQL database. It's ideal for apps
that need real-time synchronization and don't require a relational schema.
Hive: A lightweight, fast, NoSQL database that stores data in binary format. It’s
well-suited for Flutter apps that need quick, local data storage without relational
structures.
ObjectBox: A database designed to store objects, making it more intuitive and
faster than relational databases.
Moor (for local NoSQL): While primarily built for SQLite, it has some NoSQL-style
features like reactive queries.
When to Use: If your data model is more document-based (e.g., JSON-like data
structures) or you need scalability, real-time synchronization, or easier migration
between devices.
Pros:
Flexible data models (e.g., JSON, key-value pairs).
Easy to integrate with real-time apps (e.g., Firestore).
NoSQL databases are often more scalable for larger datasets.
Cons:
May require more setup compared to SQLite.
Performance might degrade with very large datasets unless optimized
properly.
3. Key-Value Databases:
What it is: These databases store data as key-value pairs (like a dictionary or map).
Popular Flutter Packages:
SharedPreferences: A simple key-value store for small amounts of data
(preferences, settings).
When to Use: If you need to store small, simple data like user settings, flags, or
tokens.
Pros:
Extremely simple to use.
Ideal for non-complex data.
Cons:
Not suitable for complex data models or large datasets.
No querying capability beyond basic key-value access.
4. File-Based Storage:
What it is: For non-structured data, you can store files directly on the device. Flutter
provides APIs to work with files, such as reading and writing JSON, CSV, or plain text
files.
Popular Flutter Packages:
PathProvider: For finding commonly used directories on the device (like the app’s
document directory).
When to Use: When you need to store files (e.g., images, documents, large binary
data).
Pros:
Useful for handling non-relational data like images and text.
Good for exporting or importing files from the device.
Cons:
Not a database, so querying, indexing, or organizing data can be difficult.

Choosing the Right Database for Your App:


The choice of database depends on several factors, including the type of data, app complexity,
scalability requirements, and whether you need the data to be persistent across devices or
synchronized in real-time.

1. Relational Data:
If your app uses structured, relational data (tables, rows, columns), SQLite is a strong
choice. It provides a powerful querying capability using SQL and is widely supported.
Recommended Package: sqflite
2. Real-Time Data & Syncing:
If you need real-time data synchronization across devices or users (like chat apps,
collaborative apps), Firestore (Firebase) is a great choice. It’s cloud-based and supports
real-time updates.
Recommended Package: cloud_firestore (Firebase Firestore)
3. NoSQL with Object Storage:
If your data model is more flexible and document-based (e.g., you’re storing JSON-like
objects), NoSQL solutions like Hive or ObjectBox may be a good choice.
Recommended Package: hive (local storage)
Recommended Package: objectbox (local object-oriented storage)
4. Simple Key-Value Data:
If you only need to store simple key-value pairs (e.g., settings, preferences),
SharedPreferences is a simple and fast option.
Recommended Package: shared_preferences
5. Large Binary Data (Media Files):
If you need to store and manage large media files (images, videos, documents), file-based
storage might be more suitable. You can use path_provider to get the app’s document
directory and store files.
Recommended Package: path_provider

Database Operations in Flutter:


In Flutter, working with a database generally involves these basic operations:

6. Opening/Creating the Database:


The first step is to open or create a database. If you are using SQLite or a similar
system, you might use packages like sqflite or moor .
7. CRUD Operations:
Create: Insert new data into the database (using SQL or NoSQL).
Read: Query the database to retrieve data.
Update: Modify existing data in the database.
Delete: Remove data from the database.
8. Transactions:
For performing multiple operations as a batch, you can use transactions. This ensures
atomic operations (i.e., either all operations succeed or none at all).
9. Migration:
For databases that evolve over time (changing schema), migration is important to
handle updates to the database structure. You define upgrade paths when the schema
changes between versions.
10. Indexing:
Creating indexes on frequently queried fields helps improve the performance of
database queries, especially for larger datasets.

Best Practices:
11. Use a Repository Pattern:
Organize your database interactions using a repository pattern. This helps abstract the
logic for data management and keeps it separated from your UI code.
12. Database Migrations:
Always manage your database schema changes carefully with proper migrations to
prevent data loss. SQLite supports versioning with onUpgrade or onDowngrade
functions.
13. Avoid Blocking the Main Thread:
Ensure database operations, especially heavy ones like queries or inserts, do not block
the main UI thread. Flutter allows you to execute database operations in the background
using Isolates or Future .
14. Handle Errors Gracefully:
Database operations can fail, so it’s essential to handle errors properly. Use try-catch
blocks and ensure that your app can recover from database errors.
15. Secure Sensitive Data:
For storing sensitive data like passwords or personal information, make sure to use
encryption. You can use libraries like sqflite_sqlcipher or moor with encryption
enabled.
Conclusion:
In Flutter, databases are fundamental for handling persistent, local data storage. Choosing the
right database solution depends on your specific use case, whether you're working with
structured data, real-time syncing, or simple preferences. The most common databases for
Flutter are SQLite (via sqflite ), NoSQL (via cloud_firestore for Firebase or hive ), and
simple key-value storage (via shared_preferences ).

The goal is to choose a database that aligns with your app’s data needs and scale while
ensuring smooth and efficient data management.

You might also like