Sqlite Database: B4X Booklets

B4X Booklets
SQLite Database
Copyright: © 2018 Anywhere Software Edition 1.4
Last update: 2018.11.25

Table of content 2 B4X SQLite Database
1 General information ..................................................................................................................... 5

1.1 B4X ...................................................................................................................................... 6
2 SQLite Database........................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 SQLite Database basics ........................................................................................................ 8
2.1.1 Database initialization SQL1.Initialize / SQL1.InitializeSQLite .................................... 8
2.1.2 Table creation CREATE TABLE .................................................................................. 9
2.1.3 INTEGER PRIMARY KEY rowid ................................................................................ 10
2.1.4 Adding data INSERT INTO.......................................................................................... 11
2.1.5 Updating data UPDATE ............................................................................................... 11
2.1.6 Reading data SELECT .................................................................................................. 11
2.1.7 Filtering WHERE ......................................................................................................... 14
2.1.8 Sorting ORDER BY ..................................................................................................... 15
2.1.9 Date / Time functions ..................................................................................................... 16
2.1.10 Other functions ........................................................................................................... 18
2.1.10.1 Get the data type of columns typeof() .............................................................. 18
2.1.10.2 Get the max length of the data in a column length() ......................................... 18
2.1.10.3 Get a sub string substr() .................................................................................... 18
2.1.10.4 Replace parts of a string replace() .................................................................... 19
2.1.10.5 Find a substring in a string instr() ..................................................................... 19
2.1.10.6 Round a number round() ................................................................................. 19
2.1.10.7 Get the total number of rows count() ................................................................ 19
2.1.10.8 Get the tables in the database sqlite_master ...................................................... 19
2.1.10.9 Get the column names of a table TableName .................................................... 19
2.1.10.10 Get the number of database rows that were changed changes() .................... 20
2.1.10.11 Get the PRIMARY KEYs from a table rowid .................................................. 20
2.1.11 ResultSet GetInt, GetInt2 etc B4A, B4i, B4J ........................................................... 21
2.1.12 Cursor GetInt, GetInt2 etc B4A only .................................................................... 22
2.1.13 Get Table information PRAGMA ............................................................................. 23
2.1.14 Deleting data DELETE FROM ............................................................................... 24
2.1.15 Rename a table ALTER TABLE Name RENAME TO........................................... 24
2.1.16 Add a column ALTER TABLE Name ADD COLUMN ......................................... 24
2.1.16.1 Update the database after having added a column ............................................. 24
2.1.17 Delete a table DROP TABLE .................................................................................. 24
2.1.18 Insert an image ........................................................................................................... 25
2.1.19 Read an image ............................................................................................................ 25
2.1.20 ExecQuery vs ExecQuery2 / ExecNonQuery vs ExecNonQuery2 .......................... 26
2.1.21 Insert many rows SQL.BeginTransaction / SQL.EndTransaction ............................ 27
2.1.22 Asynchronus queries .................................................................................................. 28
2.1.23 Batch inserts AddNonQueryToBatch / ExecNonQueryBatch .................................. 29
2.2 Multiple tables.................................................................................................................... 30
2.3 Transaction speed ............................................................................................................... 32
2.4 First steps ........................................................................................................................... 33
2.4.1 Reference the SQLite library ......................................................................................... 33
2.4.2 Declare the SQLite library ............................................................................................. 33
2.4.3 Initialize the SQLite library and the variables ............................................................... 34
2.5 SQLite Database first simple example program SQLiteLight1 ........................................ 37
2.5.1 Source code .................................................................................................................... 38
2.5.1.1 B4A Program initialization .................................................................................... 38
2.5.1.2 B4i Program initialisation ...................................................................................... 40
2.5.1.3 B4J Program initialisation ...................................................................................... 41
2.5.2 Database handling .......................................................................................................... 42
2.5.2.1 Create database....................................................................................................... 42
2.5.2.2 ReadDataBase ........................................................................................................ 42
2.5.2.3 ShowEntry .............................................................................................................. 43

2.5.2.4 AddEntry ................................................................................................................ 44
2.5.2.5 DeleteEntry ............................................................................................................ 45
2.5.2.6 UpdateEntry ........................................................................................................... 45
2.6 SQLite Database second simple example program SQLiteLight2 ................................... 46
2.6.1 Main module source code parts...................................................................................... 48
2.6.1.1 Declaration of the Process global variables ........................................................... 48
2.6.1.2 Show table .............................................................................................................. 49
2.6.1.3 ExecuteHtml show a table in a WebView............................................................. 50
2.6.1.4 ReadDatabaseRowIDs............................................................................................ 51
2.6.1.5 UpdateSelectedEntryDisplay ................................................................................. 51
2.6.1.6 WebView events _ OverrideUrl / _LocationChanged .......................................... 52
2.6.2 Edit Module source code parts ....................................................................................... 53
2.6.3 Filter Module source code parts ..................................................................................... 53
2.6.3.1 B4A ........................................................................................................................ 53
2.6.3.2 B4i .......................................................................................................................... 54
2.6.3.3 B4J ......................................................................................................................... 54
2.7 SQLite Database third simple example program SQLiteLight3 ...................................... 55
2.8 SQLite Database fourth example program SQLiteLight4 ................................................ 56
2.9 SQLite Viewer ................................................................................................................... 58
3 DBUtils version 2 ....................................................................................................................... 59
3.1 DBUtil functions ................................................................................................................ 60
3.1.1 CopyDBFormAssets B4A, B4 ..................................................................................... 61
3.1.2 CopyDBFormAssets B4J ............................................................................................. 61
3.1.3 CreateTable B4A, B4i, B4J .......................................................................................... 61
3.1.4 DeleteRecord B4A, B4i, B4J ....................................................................................... 61
3.1.5 DropTable B4A, B4i, B4J ............................................................................................ 62
3.1.6 EscapeField B4A, B4i, B4J .......................................................................................... 62
3.1.7 ExecuteHtml B4A, B4i, B4J ........................................................................................ 62
3.1.8 ExecuteJSON B4A, B4i, B4J ....................................................................................... 62
3.1.9 ExecuteList B4A, B4i, B4J ........................................................................................... 62
3.1.10 ExecuteListView B4A ............................................................................................. 63
3.1.11 ExecuteMap B4A, B4i, B4J ..................................................................................... 63
3.1.12 ExecuteMemoryTable B4A, B4i, B4J ..................................................................... 63
3.1.13 ExecuteTableView B4J ............................................................................................ 63
3.1.14 ExecuteSpinner B4A ................................................................................................ 63
3.1.15 GetDBFolder B4A, B4i, B4J ................................................................................... 64
3.1.16 GetDBVersion B4A, B4i, B4J .................................................................................. 64
3.1.17 InsertMaps B4A, B4i, B4J ....................................................................................... 64
3.1.18 SetDBVersion B4A, B4i, B4J .................................................................................. 64
3.1.19 TableExists B4A, B4i, B4J ...................................................................................... 64
3.1.20 UpdateRecord B4A, B4i, B4J .................................................................................. 64
3.1.21 UpdateRecord2 B4A, B4i, B4J ................................................................................ 64
3.2 Examples ............................................................................................................................ 65
3.3 DBUtilsDemo example program ...................................................................................... 65
3.3.1 Code differences............................................................................................................. 67
Main contributors: Klaus Christl (klaus), Erel Uziel (Erel)
To search for a given word or sentence use the Search function in the Edit menu.
All the source code and files needed (layouts, images etc.) of the example projects in this guide are
included in the SQLiteDatabase_SourceCode folder.
Updated for following versions:

B4A version 8.50
B4i version 5.30
B4J version 6.80
B4X Booklets:
B4X Getting Started
B4X Baisc Language
B4X IDE Integrated Development Environment
B4X Visual Designer
B4X CustomViews
B4X Graphics
B4X XUI B4X User Interface
B4X SQLite Database
B4X JavaObject NativeObject
B4R Example Projects

1 General information 5 B4X SQLite Database
1 General information
This guide covers the use of SQLite Databases in the B4X languages (B4A, B4i, B4J).
All the source code and files needed (layouts, images etc) of the example projects in this guide are
included in the SQLiteDatabase_SourceCode folder.
There are three folders for each project, one for each platform B4A, B4i and B4J.
What is a database (source Wikipedia Database):

A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The
data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality (for example, the availability of
rooms in hotels), in a way that supports processes requiring this information (for example, finding a
hotel with vacancies). The term "database" refers both to the way its users view it, and to the logical
and physical materialization of its data, content, in files, computer memory, and computer data
storage. This definition is very general, and is independent of the technology used. However, not
every collection of data is a database; the term database implies that the data is managed to some
level of quality (measured in terms of accuracy, availability, usability, and resilience) and this in
turn often implies the use of a general-purpose Database management system (DBMS). A general-
purpose DBMS is typically a complex software system that meets many usage requirements, and
the databases that it maintains are often large and complex.
The interface between your program and the database is the SQL language.
The data is stored in tables, each table has a certain number of columns and rows.
Each row contains a data set and the different data of a given set are stored in the columns.
Simple example programs are included in the SourceCode\SQL folder.
1 General information 6 B4X SQLite Database
1.1 B4X
B4X is a suite of BASIC programming languages for different platforms.
B4X suite supports more platforms than any other tool

ANDROID | IOS | WINDOWS | MAC | LINUX | ARDUINO | RASPBERRY PI | ESP8266 | AND
MORE...
• B4A Android
B4A includes all the features needed to quickly develop any type of Android app.
• B4i iOS
B4i is a development tool for native iOS applications.

B4i follows the same concepts as B4A, allowing you to reuse most of the code and build
apps for both Android and iOS.
• B4J Java / Windows / Mac / Linux / Raspberry PI
B4J is a 100% free development tool for desktop, server and IoT solutions.
With B4J you can easily create desktop applications (UI), console programs (non-UI) and
server solutions.
The compiled apps can run on Windows, Mac, Linux and ARM boards (such as Raspberry
Pi).
• B4R Arduino / ESP8266
B4R is a 100% free development tool for native Arduino and ESP8266 programs.
B4R follows the same concepts of the other B4X tools, providing a simple and powerful
development tool.
B4R, B4A, B4J and B4i together make the best development solution for the Internet of
Things (IoT).
2 SQLite Database 7 B4X SQLite database
2 SQLite Database
If you add a default database to your project in the files Tab, it is located in the DirAssets
folder. Databases cannot be accessed in DirAssets even if it's only for reading.
Therefore, you must copy it to another folder.
Example in the SQLiteLight1 programs.
B4A
With DirRootExternal you can also add a subdirectory.
For example: DirRootExternal & "/MyDatabase"
Don't forget to create the subdirectory: File.MakeDir(File.DirRootExternal, "MyDatabase")
Example code in the Starter module:

If File.Exists(File.DirRootExternal, "Database.db") = False Then
File.Copy(File.DirAssets, "Database", File.DirRootExternal, "Database.db")
End If
SQL1.Initialize(File.DirRootExternal, "Database.db", True)
Or in Activity_Create if you have only one Activity:

If FirstTime Then
If File.Exists(File.DirRootExternal, "Database.db") = False Then
File.Copy(File.DirAssets, "Database", File.DirRootExternal, "Database.db")
End If
SQL1.Initialize(File.DirRootExternal, "Database.db", True)
End If
B4i
In Application_Start. We use the default directory for the application.
'check if the database already exists

If File.Exists(File.DirDocuments, "persons.db") = False Then
'copy the default DB
File.Copy(File.DirAssets, "persons.db", File.DirDocuments, "persons.db")
End If
SQL1.Initialize(File.DirDocuments, "persons.db", True)
B4J
In App_Start. We use the default directory for the application.

If File.Exists(File.DirData("jSQLiteLight2"), "persons.db") = False Then
File.Copy(File.DirAssets, "persons.db", File.DirData("jSQLiteLight2"), "persons.db")
End If
SQL1.InitializeSQLite(File.DirData("jSQLiteLight2"), "persons.db", True)
2.1 SQLite Database basics 8 B4X SQLite database
2.1 SQLite Database basics
Some simple SQL instructions.
Here you find the SQLite site : SQLite

Here you find the SQLite syntax : SQLite syntax
A very intersting website to learn SQL is this one : W3Schools SQL.
2.1.1 Database initialization SQL1.Initialize / SQL1.InitializeSQLite
To use a database, you must first initialize it!

This is idealy done in the Starter service for B4A, in Application_Start for B4i and in App_Start
for B4J.
B4A, B4i
SQL1.Initialize(DBDirName, DBFileName, True)
DBDirName = Directory name of the database.

DBFileName = Database file name.
True = Create if necessary False don't create the database.
SQL1.Initialize(DBDirName, DBFileName, True)
B4J
Add the line below in Main module #Region Project Attributes.

#AdditionalJar: sqlite-jdbc-3.7.2
And:
SQL1.InitializeSQLite(DBDirName, DBFileName, True)
DBDirName = Directory name of the database.

DBFileName = Database file name.
True = Create if necessary False don't create the database.
SQL1.InitializeSQLite(DBDirName, DBFileName, True)
In B4J, SQL1.Initialize is used to initialize SQL drivers.

To use SQLite, you must initialize it with SQL1.InitializeSQLite.
2.1.2 Table creation CREATE TABLE
You can create a database in a SQLite program on the PC or you can create it in the code like
below.
CREATE TABLE TableName (Col1 INTEGER, Col1 TEXT, Col2 REAL )

Creates a table with the name 'TableName' and three columns:
Column Index Name Variable Type
1 Col1 INTEGER
2 Col2 TEXT
3 Col3 REAL
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("CREATE TABLE TableName(Col1 INTEGER, Col2 TEXT, Col3 REAL")
Only these data types are available:

INTEGER is a 64-bit signed integer number.
REAL is a 64-bit IEEE floating point number.
TEXT is a string.
BLOB Binary Large OBject, the value is stored exactly as it was input.
NULL
INTEGER PRIMARY KEY is a special variable type used for identifier ID's. It is a long integer
value beginning with 1 and it is incremented by one each time a new data set is added to the
database.
SQL identifiers are case insensitive. You could use for example:
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("CREATE TABLE TableName(col1 integer, col2 text, col3 Real")
But in B4A, SQL.GetString(ColumnName), ColumnName is case sensitive!
The column names must be spelled exactly the same name as in the table creation.
With the example above, col1 works but Col1 will through an error.
2.1.3 INTEGER PRIMARY KEY rowid
INTEGER PRIMARY KEY is a special data type which is unique and will never change.
You can define a specific column dedicated to the PRIMARY KEY.
But this is not mandatory, SQLite has an internal column named rowid which can be used.
This is used in the SQLiteLight examples.
Each time you add a new record the PRIMARY KEY is incremented by 1.
When you delete a record the PRIMARY KEY of this record is lost.
When you load a database, and display it in a table be aware that the row indexes in the table are not
the same as the database rowids. Therefore, you must read and memorize the PRIMARY KEYs
somewhere to know which record is in which line.
Comparison:
• Creation.
o With a specific ID column.
"CREATE TABLE persons (ID INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, FirstName TEXT, LastName
TEXT, City TEXT)"
o With no specific ID column.
"CREATE TABLE persons (FirstName TEXT, LastName TEXT, City TEXT)"
• Reading.
"SELECT ID, FirstName AS [First name], LastName AS [Last name], City FROM
persons"
Reads the PRIMARY Key in the query.
"SELECT rowid AS ID, FirstName AS [First name], LastName AS [Last name],
City FROM persons"
Doesn’t read the PRIMARY Key in the query.
"SELECT FirstName AS [First name], LastName AS [Last name], City FROM
persons"
Note: If you use this query "SELECT * FROM persons" the rowid column is not
included. If you want it, you must specify it like in the examples above.
Read it like this "SELECT rowid, * FROM persons" or read it in a separate query.
• Inserting.
"INSERT INTO persons VALUES (NULL, ‘John’, ‘KERRY’, ‘Boston’)"
You must use NULL for the PRIMARY KEY column.
"INSERT INTO persons VALUES (‘John’, ‘KERRY’, ‘Boston’)"
2.1.4 Adding data INSERT INTO
INSERT INTO TableName VALUES ( Val1, Val2, Val3 )
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("INSERT INTO TableName VALUES (Val1, Val2, Val2)")

If you enter values like this:
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("INSERT INTO TableName VALUES (12, ‘John’, 235)”)
In this case, texts must be between two quotes like 'John’, numbers not like 12 and 235.
Or
SQL1.ExecNonQuery2("INSERT INTO TableName VALUES (?, ?, ?)" Array As Object(Val1, Val2,
Val2))
SQL1.ExecNonQuery2("INSERT INTO TableName VALUES (?, ?, ?)" Array As Object(12, “John”,
235))
2.1.5 Updating data UPDATE
UPDATE TableName Set Col1 = Val1, Col2 = ‘Val2’, Col3 = Val3 WHERE ID = idVal
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("UPDATE TableName Set Col1 = Val1, Col2 = 'Val2', Col3 = Val3 WHERE
ID = idVal")
Again, a text variable must be between two quotes like 'Val2’, numbers not like Val1 and Val3.
Or
SQL1.ExecNonQuery2("UPDATE TableName Set Col1 = ?, Col2 = ?, Col3 = ? WHERE ID = ?"
Array As Object(Val1, Val2, Val3, idVal))
Here no need to care with the quotes for text variables!
2.1.6 Reading data SELECT
The SELECT statement is used to query the database. The result of a SELECT is zero or more rows
of data where each row has a fixed number of columns.
A SELECT statement does not make any changes to the database.
Examples:
• The entire database:

SELECT * FROM TableName
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM TableName")
• A single column
SELECT Col1 FROM TableName
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT Col1 FROM TableName")
• Distinct values from a column, no duplicate values

SELECT DISTINCT Col1 FROM TableName
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT DISTINCT Col1 FROM TableName")
• Single entry (value)

SELECT Col1 FROM TableName WHERE rowid = idVal
Value = SQL1.ExecQuerySingleResult("SELECT Col1 FROM TableName WHERE rowid =
idVal")
• Max / min value in a column, in the examples the max and min values of the given column.
SELECT max(Col1) FROM TableName
SELECT min(Col1) FROM TableName
Max = SQL1.ExecQuerySingleResult("SELECT max(Col1) FROM TableName")
Min = SQL1.ExecQuerySingleResult("SELECT min(Col1) FROM TableName")
• Get the sum or average of a column

SELECT total(Col1) FROM TableName
SELECT avg(Col1) FROM TableName
Sum = SQL1.ExecQuerySingleResult("SELECT total(Col1) FROM TableName")
Average = SQL1.ExecQuerySingleResult("SELECT avg(Col1) FROM TableName")
There exist also a sum() function, but it’s better to use total().
If there is a row with a Null value, sum() returns Null, but Total() returns 0!
• Get calculations of columns.

For example, in a database with a column Number of type INTEGER and another column
Price of type REAL we want to get the Cost = Number * Price.
SELECT Number, Price, Number * Price FROM TableName
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT Number, Price, Number * Price FROM
TableName”)
Number = ResultSet1.GetInt2(0)
Price = ResultSet1.GetDouble2(1)
Cost = ResultSet1.GetDouble2(2)
Or giving the result a column name with Number * Price AS Cost.
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT Number, Price, Number * Price AS Cost FROM
TableName”)
Number = ResultSet1.GetInt(“Number”)
Price = ResultSet1.GetDouble(“Price”)
Cost = ResultSet1.GetDouble(“Cost”)
Some functions:
• sum() Calculates the sum of a column.
• avg() Calculates the average of a column.
• min() Calculates the min value of column.
• max() Calculates the min value of column.
• length() Calculates the number of characters of a string or the number of characters of
the string representation of a number.
• lower() Returns a string in lower case characters.
• upper() Returns a string in upper case characters.
• substr() Returns a sub string.
• typeof() Returns the data type of a column.
More details can be found in the SQLite documentaion here: Core Functions
and here: Expressions
and here: Date And Time Functions
2.1.7 Filtering WHERE
After the SELECT expression you can add a WHERE expression for filtering.
The WHERE expression is evaluated for each row in the input data as a Boolean expression. Only
rows for which the WHERE clause expression evaluates to true are included from the dataset before
continuing. Rows are excluded from the result if the WHERE clause evaluates to either false or
NULL.
Some operators used for filtering data:

• = > < >= <=
• AND OR BETWEEN
• LIKE
Examples:
• A single row.
Where the rowid has the value of the numeric variable idVal
SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE rowid = idVal
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE rowid = “ & idVal)
Where an ID column has the value of the variable idVal
SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE ID = idVal
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE ID = “ & idVal)
• A single entry (value).

SELECT Col1 FROM TableName WHERE rowid = idVal
Value = SQL1.ExecQuerySingleResult("SELECT Col1 FROM TableName WHERE rowid =
idVal")
• The rows where columns have given values.

SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE Col1 LIKE 'abc' AND Col2 LIKE 123
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE Col1 LIKE 'abc%' AND
Col2 LIKE 123")
The % character can be used as a wildcard:
abc means the exact sequence
%abc means beginning with any characters and ending with abc
abc% means beginning with abc and ending with any characters
%abc% means abc anywhere in the string
• The rows where a value in a column is between two given values.

SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE Col1 >= minVal AND Col1 <= maxVal
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE Col1 >= minVal AND
Col1 <= maxVal")
Or with BETWEEN which is the same.
SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE Col1 BETWEEN minVal AND maxVal
Cursor1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE Col1 BETWEEN minVal AND
maxVal")
Or with minVal and maxVal beeing variables:
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE Col1 BETWEEN " &
minVal & " AND " & maxVal)
2.1.8 Sorting ORDER BY
If a SELECT statement that returns more than one row does not have an ORDER BY clause, the
order in which the rows are returned is undefined.
Or, if a SELECT statement does have an ORDER BY clause, then the list of expressions attached to
the ORDER BY determine the order in which rows are returned to the user.
A query can be sorted either ascending or descending.

Add an ORDER BY expression at the end of the query.
• Read the entire database and ordering according to a given column:

SELECT * FROM TableName ORDER BY Col1 ASC ascending
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM TableName ORDER BY Col1 ASC")
SELECT * FROM TableName ORDER BY 2 DESC descending

ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM TableName ORDER BY 2 DESC")
The column to order can be given either by its name Col1 or its number 2.
The column numbering begins with 1.
• Read the given columns and sort on two of them.

SELECT FirstName AS [First name], LastName AS [Last name], City FROM persons
ORDER BY LastName ASC, FirstName ASC
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT FirstName AS [First name], LastName AS [Last
name], City FROM persons ORDER BY LastName ASC, FirstName")
The brackets [First name] are needed because of the spaces in the alias column names.
2.1.9 Date / Time functions
SQLite has no specific Date/Time data taype, but has several Date/Ttime functions.
Below the most useful for B4X:

• date(timestring, modifier, modifier, ...)
Returns a date.
• time(timestring, modifier, modifier, ...)
Returns a time.
• datetime(timestring, modifier, modifier, ...)
Returns a date and time.
For more details, examples and what timestring and modifiers are, please look at the SQLite
documentation.
In B4X the best way to store dates is to store them as ticks, which are the number of milliseconds
since January 1, 1970.
SQLite doesn’t have the same ticks but has "unixepoch" ticks which are the number of seconds
since January 1, 1970.
Examples of queries with Ticks in the DateTicks column:

DateTicks = 1448795854111 (B4A ticks):
• ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT date(DateTicks / 1000, 'unixepoch') ...")
Returns: 2015-11-29
• ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT time(DateTicks / 1000, 'unixepoch') ...")

Returns: 11:17:34
• ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT datetime(DateTicks / 1000, 'unixepoch') ...")

Returns: 2015-11-29 11:17:34
In these examples DateTicks / 1000 is the timestring and 'unixepoch' a modifier.
The date format of the data() function is yyyy-MM-dd there is no possibility to change this format
with ‘unixepoch’
The date() function is used in the SQLiteLight4 example.

Another solution could be to store the date as a String with yyyy-MM-dd or yyyy-MM-dd HH.mm
format.
Only these formats must be used if you want tu use the functions below.
And when you read the data you can return it with a format with the strftime function.
strftime(format, timestring, modifier, modifier, ...)
format can be:
%d day of month: 00
%f fractional seconds: SS.SSS
%H hour: 00-24
%j day of year: 001-366
%J Julian day number
%m month: 01-12
%M minute: 00-59
%s seconds since 1970-01-01
%S seconds: 00-59
%w day of week 0-6 with Sunday==0
%W week of year: 00-53
%Y year: 0000-9999
Examples with Date = ‘2017-03-09’
• ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT strftime(‘%d-%m-%Y’, Date) ...")

Returns: 09-03-2017
• ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT strftime(‘%m-%d-%Y’, Date) ...")

Returns: 03-09-2017
2.1.10 Other functions
2.1.10.1 Get the data type of columns typeof()
In a table with a column Part of type TEXT Number of type INTEGER and another column Price
of type REAL
SELECT typeof(Part), typeof(Number), typeof(Price) FROM TableName
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT typeof(Part), typeof(Number), typeof(Price) FROM
TableName”)
Get the data type with:
Column request or other request > result
Part: Cursor1.GetString(“Part”) or Cursor1.GetString2(0) > text
Number: Cursor1.GetString(“Number”) or Cursor1.GetString2(1) > integer
Price: Cursor1.GetString(“Price”) or Cursor1.GetString2(2) > real
2.1.10.2 Get the max length of the data in a column length()
For a string, the returned value is the number of characters not the number of bytes.
For a number, the returned value is the number of characters of its string representation.
For a blob, the returned value is the number of bytes.
SELECT max(length(Col1)) FROM TableName
MaxChars = SQL1.ExecQuerySingleResult("SELECT max(length(Col1)) FROM
TableName")
2.1.10.3 Get a sub string substr()
The substr(String, BeginIndex, Lenght) function returns a sub sting of String beginning with the
character at the BeginIndex position and with the number of characters given in Lenght.
If Lenght is omitted, substr returns the sub string from BeginIndex to the end of the string.
The index of the first character is 1.
Exampl:
Get the year from a date string ‘31/11/2016’
SELECT substr(Date, 7, 4) AS Year FROM TableName
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT substr(Date,7,4) AS Year FROM TableName")
Retieve a date into another format:

Change a date from YYYY-MM-DD format to DD.MM.YYYY format:
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT substr(Date,9,2) || ‘.’ || substr(Date,6,2) || ‘.’
|| substr(Date,1,4) AS Date FROM TableName")
Is || the concatenate operator.
|| ‘.’ || concatenates two strings with a dot . inbetween.

2.1.10.4 Replace parts of a string replace()
The replace(String, Target, Replace) function returns a string formed by substituting string Replace
for every occurrence of string Target in String. The replace function is case sensitive.
Equivalent to MyText.Replace(SubString) in B4X.
Example:
In a date like 2016-12-31 replace ‘–‘ by ‘/’ to get 2016/12/31
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT replace(Date,’-’,’/’) AS Date FROM TableName")
2.1.10.5 Find a substring in a string instr()

The instr(String, SubString) function finds the first occurrence of SubString within String and
returns the number of prior characters plus 1, or 0 if SubString is nowhere found within String.
Equivalent to MyText.IndexOf(SubString) in B4X.
Example:
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT instr(Date,’2016’) AS New FROM TableName")
2.1.10.6 Round a number round()
The round(Number, Digits) function returns a floating-point value Number rounded to Digits digits
to the right of the decimal point. If the Digits argument is omitted, it is assumed to be 0.
Equivalent to Round2(Number, Digits) in B4X.
Example:
Gets the value in the column Number and rounds it to two decimals and sets the column alias to
Value.
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT round(Number,2) AS Value FROM TableName")
2.1.10.7 Get the total number of rows count()
SELECT count() FROM TableName

NumberOfRows = SQL1.ExecQuerySingleResult("SELECT count() FROM TableName")
2.1.10.8 Get the tables in the database sqlite_master
SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE Type='table'

ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT name FROM sqlite_master Where Type='table'")
2.1.10.9 Get the column names of a table TableName
SELECT * FROM TableName

ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM TableName")
Do While ResultSet1.NextRow
ColumnName(i) = ResultSet1.GetColumnName(i)
Loop
2.1.10.10 Get the number of database rows that were changed changes()
Get the number of database rows that were changed or inserted or deleted by the most recently
completed INSERT, DELETE, or UPDATE.
SELECT changes() FROM TableName
NbChanges = SQL1.ExecQuerySingleResult("SELECT changes() FROM TableName")
2.1.10.11 Get the PRIMARY KEYs from a table rowid

Get the PRIMARY KEYs from a table and save them in a List, rowid is a reserved column name.
This is valid even if there is no column defined with PRIMARY KEY.

This function throws an error if the table is empty!
SELECT rowid FROM TableName
Private IDList As List
Private ResultSet1 As ResultSet
IDList.Initialize
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT rowid FROM TableName")
IDList.Add(Cursor1.GetLong2(0))
Loop
2.1.11 ResultSet GetInt, GetInt2 etc B4A, B4i, B4J
To read data from a database we use the ResultSet object.
We use a While / Do loop and ResultSet1.NextRow to go through the rows.
Examples:
Reads the rowids into a List:

ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT rowid FROM persons")
RowIDList.Initialize
RowIDList.Add(ResultSet1.GetInt2(0))
Loop
Fills three ListViews with data:

ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT FirstName, LastName, City FROM persons")
ltvFirstName.Clear
ltvLastName.Clear
ltvCity.Clear
ltvFirstName.Add(ResultSet1.GetString2(0))
ltvLastName.Add(ResultSet1.GetString2(1))
ltvCity.Add(ResultSet1.GetString2(2))
Loop
The following methods extract the different data from the Cursor.
• ResultSet.GetInt returns an Integer value.
• ResultSet.GeLong returns a Long value.
• ResultSet.GetDouble returns a Double value.
• ResultSet.GetString returns a String value.
• ResultSet.GetBlob returns a Binary Large Object, used for images.
For each method two version exist:

ResultSet.GetXXX(ColumnName) / ResultSet.GetXXX2(ColumnIndex)
ColumnName must be either:

• The name as defined in the table creation (case sensitive).
• The alias name defined in the query.
ColumnIndex is the column index in the query (beginning with 0).
From the example:
ResultSet.GetString(FirstName) ResultSet.GetString2(0)
2.1.12 Cursor GetInt, GetInt2 etc B4A only
The Cursor object exists only in B4A.

I suggest not to use it !
The Cursor object holds the result data form a query.
The data is organized in rows each row contains the data for each column defined in the query.
Example:
Cursor1 = Starter.SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT FirstName As [First name], LastName As [Last
name], City FROM persons")
Each row holds 3 values, one for each column.
First, we need to set the index of the row with:

Cursor.Position = RowIndex sets the row index, the row count begins with 0.
Cursor1.Position = 0
We get the number of rows with:

Cursor.RowCount returns the number of rows, Cursor.RowCount = 0 if no result is found.
RowNb = Cursor1.RowCount
We get the number of columns with:

Cursor.ColumnCount returns the number of columns.
ColNb = Cursor1.ColumnCount
The following methods extract the different data from the Cursor.
• Cursor.GetInt returns an Integer value.
• Cursor.GeLong returns a Long value.
• Cursor.GetDouble returns a Double value.
• Cursor.GetString returns a String value.
• Cursor.GetBlob returns a Binary Large Object, used for images.
For each method two version exist:

Cursor.GetXXX(ColumnName) / GetXXX2(ColumnIndex)
ColumnName must be either:

• The name as defined in the table creation.
• The alias name defined in the query.
ColumnIndex is the column index in the query.
From the example:
Cursor.GetString(FirstName) Cursor.GetString2(0)
2.1.13 Get Table information PRAGMA

It uses a special query PRAGMA.
This query returns one row per column with following data :
Column index name Explanation
• 0 cid column index
• 1 name column name
• 2 type data type
• 3 dflt_value default value
• 4 notnull null if the database acccepts null values
• 5 pk primary key = 1 if the column is a PRIMARY KEY otherwise = 0
This is valid only if a column with a primary key was created.
Example using the column indexes:

ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("PRAGMA table_info (TableName)")
For j = 0 To ResultSet1.ColumnCount - 1
Log(i & " / " & j & " : " & ResultSet1.GetString2(j))
Next
Log(" ")
Loop
Or this code, using the column names:

ResultSet1= SQL1.ExecQuery("PRAGMA table_info (TableName)")
Log("ID : " & ResultSet1.GetString("cid"))
Log("Name : " & ResultSet1.GetString("name"))
Log("Type : " & ResultSet1.GetString("type"))
Log("Default value : " & ResultSet1.GetString("dflt_value"))
Log("Not null : " & ResultSet1.GetString("notnull"))
Log("Primary key : " & ResultSet1.GetString("pk"))
Log(" ")
Loop
2.1.14 Deleting data DELETE FROM

DELETE FROM TableName WHERE ID = idVal
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("DELETE FROM TableName WHERE ID = idVal")
2.1.15 Rename a table ALTER TABLE Name RENAME TO

Renames a given table.
ALTER TABLE TableName RENAME TO NewTableName)
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("ALTER TABLE TableName RENAME TO NewTableName")
2.1.16 Add a column ALTER TABLE Name ADD COLUMN

Add a new column to the database.
ALTER TABLE TableName ADD COLUMN Colname ColType)
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("ALTER TABLE TableName ADD COLUMN ColN TEXT")
2.1.16.1 Update the database after having added a column

Update the database after having added a new column.
• Sets the values of all rows in the new column to an empty string.
UPDATE TableName SET ColName = ''
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("UPDATE TableName SET ColN = ''")
• Sets the values of the rows in a column to a given new value where the value is another old
value.
UPDATE TableName SET ColName = 'ValueNew' WHERE ColName = 'ValueOld'
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("UPDATE TableName SET ColN = 'ValueNew' WHERE ColN = 'ValueOld'")
2.1.17 Delete a table DROP TABLE
The DROP TABLE statement removes a table added with the CREATE TABLE statement. The
name specified is the table name. The dropped table is completely removed from the database
schema and the disk file. The table can not be recovered. All indices and triggers associated with
the table are also deleted.
The optional IF EXISTS clause suppresses the error that would normally result if the table does not
exist.
DROP TABLE IF EXITS TableName

SQL1.ExecNonQuery("DROP TABLE IF EXISTS TableName")
2.1.18 Insert an image
To insert an image, we need a BLOB (Binary Large Object).

The column type in the database must be set to BLOB !
Sub InsertBlob
'convert the image file to a bytes array
Private InputStream1 As InputStream
InputStream1 = File.OpenInput(File.DirAssets, "smiley.gif")
Private OutputStream1 As OutputStream
OutputStream1.InitializeToBytesArray(1000)
File.Copy2(InputStream1, OutputStream1)
Private Buffer() As Byte 'declares an empty array
Buffer = OutputStream1.ToBytesArray
'write the image to the database

SQL1.ExecNonQuery2("INSERT INTO table2 VALUES('smiley', ?)", Array As Object(Buffer))
End Sub
Here we are using a special type of OutputStream which writes to a dynamic byte array.
File.Copy2 copies all available data from the input stream into the output stream.
Then the bytes array is written to the database.
2.1.19 Read an image
Using a ResultSet.GetBlob we fetch the stored image.

Now we are using an input stream that reads from this array and load the image.
Sub ReadBlob
Private ResultSet1 As ResutlSetr
'Using ExecQuery2 is safer as it escapes special characters automatically.
'In this case it doesn't really matter.
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery2("SELECT image FROM table2 WHERE name = ?", Array As
String("smiley"))
ResultSet1.NextRow
Private Buffer() As Byte 'declare an empty byte array
Buffer = ResultSet1.GetBlob("image")
Private InputStream1 As InputStream
InputStream1.InitializeFromBytesArray(Buffer, 0, Buffer.Length)
Private Bitmap1 As Bitmap

Bitmap1.Initialize2(InputStream1)
InputStream1.Close
End Sub
2.1.20 ExecQuery vs ExecQuery2 / ExecNonQuery vs ExecNonQuery2
The examples below suppose a table with three columns:

Col1 TEXT, Col2 INTEGER, Col3 INTEGER
There are two ways to execute a query.
• ExecQuery(Query As String)
Executes the query, you must take care of the datatype.
Example:
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE Col1 = '" & MyText &
"' AND Col2 >= " & minVal & " AND Col2 <= " & maxVal)
Note that MyText is between two quotes because the data field is a TEXT field!
• ExecQuery2(Query As String, StringArgs As Object())

The query includes question marks which will be replaced with the values in the array.
Example:
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery2("SELECT * FROM TableName WHERE Col1 = ? AND Col2 >=
? AND Col2 <= ? ", Array As Object (MyText, minVal, maxVal))
Note that ExecQuery2 is safer because it takes care of the column data type!
Note that with ExecQuery and text, you need to put the text between quotes like ‘text’.
With ExecQuery2 and text, you must not use the quotes, ExecQuery2 takes care of it.
The same for ExecNonQuery.
• ExecNonQuery(Query As String)
Executes the query, you must take care of the datatype.
Example:
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("INSERT INTO table1 VALUES('abc', 1, 2)")
Note that abc is between two quotes because the data field is a TEXT field!
• ExecNonQuery2(Query As String, StringArgs As Object())

The query includes question marks which will be replaced with the values in the array.
Example:
SQL1.ExecNonQuery2("INSERT INTO table1 VALUES(?, ?, ?)", Array As Object("abc”,
3, 4))
Note that ExecQuery2 is safer because it takes care of the column data type!
The same exists for ExecQuerySingleResult and ExecQuerySingleResult2.

2.1.21 Insert many rows SQL.BeginTransaction / SQL.EndTransaction
Sub InsertManyRows
SQL1.BeginTransaction
Try
For i = 1 To 500
SQL1.ExecNonQuery2("INSERT INTO table1 VALUES ('def', ?, ?)", Array As Object(i,
i))
Next
SQL1.TransactionSuccessful
Catch
Log(LastException.Message)
End Try
SQL1.EndTransaction
End Sub
This code is an example of adding many rows. Internally a lock is acquired each time a "writing"
operation is done.
By explicitly creating a transaction the lock is acquired once.
The above code took less than half a second to run on a real device.
Without the BeginTransaction / EndTransaction block it took about 70 seconds.
A transaction block can also be used to guarantee that a set of changes were successfully done.
Either all changes are made, or none are made.
By calling SQL.TransactionSuccessful we are marking this transaction as a successful transaction.
If you omit this line, all the 500 INSERTS will be ignored.
It is very important to call EndTransaction eventually.
Therefore, the transaction block should usually look like:
Try
'Execute the sql statements.
Catch
'the transaction will be cancelled
End Try
SQL1.EndTransaction
2.1.22 Asynchronus queries
The SQL library supports asynchronous select queries and asynchronous batch inserts.
Asynchronous means that the task will be processed in the background and an event will be raised
when the task completes. This is useful when you need to issue a slow query and keep your
application responsive.
The usage is quite simple:
SQL1.ExecQueryAsync("SQL1", "SELECT * FROM table1", Null)

...
Sub SQL1_QueryComplete (Success As Boolean, ResultSet1 As ResultSet)
If Success Then
Log(ResultSet1.GetInt2(0))
Loop
Else
Log(LastException)
End If
End Sub
The first parameter is the "event name". It determines which sub will handle the QueryComplete
event.
Since B4A 7.00, B4i 4.00 and B4J 5.50

you could use this code using a resumable sub and Wait For.
Dim rs as ResultSet
Dim SenderFilter As Object = SQL1.ExecQueryAsync("SQL", "SELECT * FROM table1", Null)
Wait For (SenderFilter) SQL_QueryComplete (Success As Boolean, rs As ResultSet)
If Success Then
Do While rs.NextRow
Log(rs.GetInt2(0))
Loop
rs.Close
Else
Log(LastException)
End If
2.1.23 Batch inserts AddNonQueryToBatch / ExecNonQueryBatch
SQL.AddNonQueryToBatch / ExecNonQueryBatch allow you to asynchronously process a batch of

non-query statements (such as INSERT statements).
You should add the statements by calling AddNonQueryToBatch and eventually call
ExecNonQueryBatch.
The task will be processed in the background. The NonQueryComplete event will be raised after all
the statements execute.
For i = 1 To 10000
SQL1.AddNonQueryToBatch("INSERT INTO table1 VALUES (?)", Array As Object(Rnd(0,
100000)))
Next
SQL1.ExecNonQueryBatch("SQL")
...
Sub SQL_NonQueryComplete (Success As Boolean)
Log("NonQuery: " & Success)
If Success = False Then Log(LastException)
End Sub
Since B4A 7.00, B4i 4.00 and B4J 5.50 you should use this code using a resumable sub.
For i = 1 To 1000
SQL1.AddNonQueryToBatch("INSERT INTO table1 VALUES (?)", Array(Rnd(0, 100000)))
Next
Dim SenderFilter As Object = SQL1.ExecNonQueryBatch("SQL")
Wait For (SenderFilter) SQL_NonQueryComplete (Success As Boolean)
Log("NonQuery: " & Success)
2.2 SQLite Database Multiple tables 30 B4X SQLite database
2.2 Multiple tables
A database can, of course, have more than one table.
Example: This is only a small simple example to demonstrate the principle.

Demo code example project SQLiteLight4.
Database with 3 tables:

• Stock Number INTEGER, ProductID INTEGER, Date INTEGER
number of products product ID date in Ticks
• Products Name TEXT, Price REAL, SupplierID INTEGER
product name product price supplier ID
• Suppliers Name TEXT, Address TEXT, City TEXT
suppliers name suppliers address suppliers city
In the table Stock we use the ID of the product rather than its name.
The same for the Supplier in the Products table.
Query example of a call for display:

Query = "SELECT Stock.Number, Products.Name AS Product, Suppliers.Name AS Supplier,
Products.Price AS Price, Stock.Number * Products.Price AS Value, date(Stock.Date /
1000, 'unixepoch') AS Date"
Query = Query & " FROM Stock, Products, Suppliers"
Query = Query & " WHERE Products.rowid = Stock.ProductID AND Suppliers.rowid =
Products.SupplierID"
We want to read following data:

• The number of items in stock Stock.Number.
The Number column in the Stock table.
• The product name Products.Name AS Product.
The Name column in the Products table and give this column the name ‘Product’.
• The supplier name Suppliers.Name AS Supplier.
The Name column in the Suppliers tabel and give this column the name ‘Supplier’.
• The product price Products.Price AS Price.
The Price column in the Products table and give this column the name ‘SPrice’.
• The value of these products in stock Stock.Number * Products.Price AS Value.
The multiplication of the number of items in stock with the product price and give this
column the name ‘Value’.
• The date when the product was entered date(Stock.Date / 1000, 'unixepoch') AS Date.
We use the SQLite date function where we give the Date column of the Stock table.
As the date is in B4A ticks we need to devide the value by 1000 to adapt it to ‘SQL ticks’
and we must add the parameter 'unixepoch' for ‘SQL ticks’.
The query involves the three tables Stock, Products and Suppliers:
FROM Stock, Products, Suppliers
We must add a WHERE expression:

• To connect the Products table rowid to the Stock ProductID column value.
Products.rowid = Stock.ProductID
• To connect the Suppliers table rowid to the Products SupplierID column value.
Suppliers.rowid = Products.SupplierID
2.2 SQLite Database Multiple tables 31 B4X SQLite database
Example of the result:
For more details, look at the SQLiteLight4 example program.

2.3 SQLite Database Transaction speed 32 B4X SQLite database
2.3 Transaction speed
If you have to do many inserts into a database, you should use BeginTransaction and
EndTransaction this will considerably speed up the process.
A transaction is a set of multiple "writing" statements that are automically committed.
It is very important to handle transactions carefully and close them.

The transaction is considered successful only if TransactionSuccessful is called. Otherwise no
changes will be made.
Typical usage:
Try
'block of statements like:
For i = 1 To 1000
SQL1.ExecNonQuery("INSERT INTO table1 VALUES(...)
Next
Catch
Log(LastException.Message) 'no changes will be made
End Try
SQL1.EndTransaction
2.4 SQLite Database First steps 33 B4X SQLite database
2.4 First steps
To use a database, we must:
2.4.1 Reference the SQLite library
First reference the SQL library in the Libs Tab in the lower right corner in the IDE.
B4A B4i B4J
2.4.2 Declare the SQLite library
Declare it with Public in the Process_Globals routine of the Main module or for B4A in the
Process_Globals routine of the Starter Service module.
I suggest, to define two other variables for the database path and file name:
Sub Process_Globals
Public SQL1 As SQL
Public SQLDataBasePath As String
Public SQLDataBaseName As String
B4A: In the Starter Module or in the Main module if you use only one Activity.
B4i and B4J: In the Main module.

2.4.3 Initialize the SQLite library and the variables
Set values to the variables and initialize the SQLite library.

The value of SQLDataBasePath will be different on the three operating systems.
Then it depends on if you generate a database in the code or if you copy a database from
File.DirAssets if it doesn’t exist.
Example for B4A.
SQLDataBasePath = File.DirInternal
SQLDataBaseName = "persons.db"
' File.Delete(SQLDataBasePath, SQLDataBaseName) ' for testing, removes the database

If File.Exists(File.DirInternal, SQLDataBaseName) = False Then
'if not, initialize it
File.Copy(File.DirAssets, SQLDataBaseName, SQLDataBasePath, SQLDataBaseName)
'initialize it
SQL1.Initialize(SQLDataBasePath, SQLDataBaseName, True)
'or create it
'CreateDataBase
Else
'if yes, initialize it
SQL1.Initialize(File.DirInternal, "persons.db", True)
End If
B4A
Initialize it in the Service_Create routine in the Starter Service.
Or in the Main module with If FirstTime Then / End If
If you already have a database in the Files folder of the project you need to copy it from
File.DirAssets in another folder.
Databases are NOT accessible from File.DirAssets even for reading only!
Sub Starter_Create(FirstTime As Boolean)

SQLDataBasePath = File.DirInternal
' File.Delete(File.DirInternal, "persons.db") ' only for testing, removes the

database

If File.Exists(SQLDataBasePath, SQLDataBaseName) = False Then
'and create it
CreateDataBase
Else
End If
B4i
In the Application_Star routine:
Private Sub Application_Start (Nav As NavigationController)

NavControl = Nav
Page1.Initialize("Page1")
Page1.RootPanel.LoadLayout("main")
NavControl.ShowPage(Page1)
SQLDataBasePath = File.DirDocuments
' File.Delete(SQLDataBasePath, "persons.db") ' only for testing, removes the database

'and create it
CreateDataBase
Else
End If
B4J
In the #Region Project Attributes you must reference the SQLite jar file :
#Region Project Attributes

#MainFormWidth: 600
#MainFormHeight: 800
#AdditionalJar: sqlite-jdbc-3.7.2
#End Region
In the AppStart routine:
Sub AppStart (Form1 As Form, Args() As String)

MainForm = Form1
MainForm.RootPane.LoadLayout("Main") 'Load the layout file.
MainForm.Show
SQLDataBasePath = File.DirData("jSQLiteLight1")
' File.Delete(File.DirData("jSQLiteLight1"), "persons.db") ' only for testing,

removes the database

SQL1.InitializeSQLite(SQLDataBasePath, SQLDataBaseName, True)
'and create it
CreateDataBase
Else
SQL1.InitializeSQLite(SQLDataBasePath, SQLDataBaseName, True)
End If
2.5 First example program 37 B4X SQLite database
2.5 SQLite Database first simple example program SQLiteLight1
There are three projects, one for each operating system.
This example programs are very simple projects with a very simple user interface.
The goal is to show how to use SQLite with as much as possible the same code for the three
operating systems and not optimizing the layouts nor use operating system specific layouts.
The source codes are located in these folders:

SQLiteDatabase_SourceCode\SQLiteLight1\B4A
SQLiteDatabase_SourceCode\SQLiteLight1\B4i
SQLiteDatabase_SourceCode\SQLiteLight1\B4J.
The database name, the table name and the column names are hard coded, to make the code better
readable.
At the first run the program generates a new example database.
Following functions are implemented:

• Add / Edit an entry
• Delete an entry
• Update an entry
• Display first, previous, next and last entry.
B4A B4i B4J

2.5.1 Source code
It is self-explanatory.
2.5.1.1 B4A Program initialization
2.5.1.1.1 Process_Global
We dim the process global variables.
Sub Process_Globals
Public SQL1 As SQL
Public CurrentIndex = -1 As Int ' index of the current entry
Public RowIDList As List ' list containing the IDs of the database
' we need it because the rowids can be different from the list indexes
' if we delete an entry its rowid is lost
End Sub
2.5.1.1.2 Globals
We dim all the views of the layout.
Sub Globals
Private lblRowID As Label
Private edtFirstName, edtLastName, edtCity As EditText
End Sub
2.5.1.1.3 Activity_Create
We check if the database already exists, initialize it, load it and show the first entry.
Sub Activity_Create(FirstTime As Boolean)

'**** opreating system specific code
Activity.LoadLayout("Main")
Activity.Title = "SQLiteLight1"
'**** program specific code

If FirstTime Then
' File.Delete(File.DirInternal, "persons.db") ' for testing, removes the database

If File.Exists(File.DirInternal, "persons.db") = False Then
'and create it
CreateDataBase
Else
End If
End If
End Sub
2.5.1.1.4 Activity_Resume
If the database is not initialized we initialize it, initialize the IDList list, read the database and show
the first entry.
Sub Activity_Resume
RowIDList.Initialize 'initialize the ID list
ReadDataBase 'read the database
ShowEntry(0) 'show the first entry
End Sub
2.5.1.1.5 Activity_Pause
Program closing:
If the program is closed by the user, we close the database.
Sub Activity_Pause (UserClosed As Boolean)

If UserClosed Then
SQL1.Close 'if the user closes the program we close the database
End If
End Sub
2.5.1.2 B4i Program initialisation
2.5.1.2.1 Process_Globas
Sub Process_Globals
Public App As Application
Public NavControl As NavigationController
Private Page1 As Page
Private HUD1 As HUD ' HUD library, used to display Toastmessages
Public lblRowID As Label

Public edtFirstName, edtLastName, edtCity As TextField
Public SQL1 As SQL
Private CurrentIndex As Int ' index of the current entry
Public RowIDList As List ' list containing the RowIDs of the database
' we need it because the IDs can be different from the list indexes
' if we delete an entry its ID is lost
End Sub
2.5.1.2.2 Application_Start
Private Sub Application_Start (Nav As NavigationController)
NavControl = Nav
Page1.Initialize("Page1")
Page1.Title = "iSQLiteLight1"
Page1.RootPanel.Color = Colors.White
Page1.RootPanel.LoadLayout("main")
NavControl.ShowPage(Page1)

' File.Delete(File.DirDocuments, "persons.db") ' for testing, removes the database

If File.Exists(File.DirDocuments, "persons.db") = False Then
'and create it
CreateDataBase
Else
End If
RowIDList.Initialize 'initialize the RowID list

End Sub
2.5.1.2.3 Page_Resize
Private Sub Page1_Resize(Width As Int, Height As Int)
' read the databes
ReadDataBase
CurrentIndex = 0
ShowEntry(CurrentIndex)
End Sub
2.5.1.3 B4J Program initialisation
2.5.1.3.1 Process_Globals
Sub Process_Globals
'operating system objecte
Private fx As JFX
Private MainForm As Form
Private lblToastMessage As Label
Public ToastMessageTimer As Timer
'program specific objects and variables

Public lblRowID As Label
Public edtFirstName, edtLastName, edtCity As TextField
Public SQL1 As SQL
Private CurrentIndex = 0 As Int ' index of the current entry
Public RowIDList As List ' list containing the RowIDs of the database
' we need it because the IDs can be different from the list indexes
' if we delete an entry its ID is lost
End Sub
2.5.1.3.2 AppStart
Sub AppStart (Form1 As Form, Args() As String)
MainForm = Form1
MainForm.RootPane.LoadLayout("Main") 'Load the layout file.
MainForm.Show
MainForm.Title = "jSQLiteLight1"
ToastMessageTimer.Initialize("ToastMessageTimer", 1000)

' File.Delete(File.DirData("jSQLiteLight1"), "persons.db") ' for testing, removes the
database

If File.Exists(File.DirData("jSQLiteLight1"), "persons.db") = False Then
'and create it
CreateDataBase
Else
End If
RowIDList.Initialize
'initialize the ID list
' read the databes

ReadDataBase
CurrentIndex = 0
ShowEntry(CurrentIndex)
End Sub
2.5.2 Database handling
2.5.2.1 Create database
We create the ‘persons’ table with the three following columns:

• FirstName the persons first name with TEXT data type.
• LastName the persons last name with TEXT data type.
• City the city where the person is living with TEXT data type.
Same code for all three operating systems!
Private Sub CreateDataBase

Private Query As String
'create the database with 3 columns

Query = "CREATE TABLE persons (FirstName TEXT, LastName TEXT, City TEXT)"
SQL1.ExecNonQuery(Query)
'Fill a few entries

Query = "INSERT INTO persons VALUES (?, ?, ?)"
SQL1.ExecNonQuery2(Query, Array As Object ("John", "KENNEDY", "New York"))
SQL1.ExecNonQuery2(Query, Array As Object ("Peter", "FALK", "Los Angeles"))
SQL1.ExecNonQuery2(Query, Array As Object ("Jack", "LONDON", "Seattle"))
SQL1.ExecNonQuery2(Query, Array As Object ("Ronald", "REGAN", "Los Angeles"))
End Sub
2.5.2.2 ReadDataBase
We
- Define a ResultSet and read the rowids from the database.
- Check if the database is not empty.
- Fill IDList with the rowids of all entries.
- Set the current index to 0
- Close the ResultSet
Why do we use a List with the rowids?

We use for the ID the rowid which is unique.
If we delete an entry its rowid is lost, which means that the rowid numbers are not simply the row
indexes but there can be ‘holes’ in the list.
Private Sub ReadDataBase

RowIDList.Clear 'initialize the RowID list

'We read only the internal 'rowid' column and put rowids in a List
RowIDList.Add(ResultSet1.GetInt2(0)) 'add the rowid's to the RowID list
Loop
CurrentIndex = 0 'set the current index to 0
ResultSet1.Close 'close the ResultSet, we don't need it anymore
End Sub
2.5.2.3 ShowEntry
We get the selected entrys rowid from IDList, read the entry from the database, fill the EditText
views and close the ResultSet.
Private Sub ShowEntry(EntryIndex As Int)

Private RowID As Int
If RowIDList.Size = 0 Then 'check if the database is empty

Return 'if yes leave the routine
End If
RowID = RowIDList.Get(EntryIndex) 'get the RowID for the given entry index
'read the entry with the given RowID
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT * FROM persons WHERE rowid = " & RowID)
lblRowID.Text = RowID 'display the RowID
ResultSet1.NextRow 'set the next row
edtFirstName.Text = ResultSet1.GetString("FirstName") 'read the FirstName column
edtLastName.Text = ResultSet1.GetString("LastName") 'read the LasstName column
edtCity.Text = ResultSet1.GetString("City") 'read the City column
ResultSet1.Close 'close the ResultSet, we don't it anymore
End Sub
2.5.2.4 AddEntry
We first check if an entry with the same name already exists.

If yes, we display a message.
If not, we add the new entry.
Display the new entrys ID.
Close the ResultSet.
We use ExecQuery2 instead of ExecQuery, it’s easier because we don’t need to take care of the data
type, the routine converts the data to the correct SQLite type.
The ? sign is a placeholder for the data which must be given in the array.
Private Sub AddEntry

Private RowID As Int
'we check if all fields are filled

If edtFirstName.Text = "" Or edtLastName.Text = "" Or edtCity.Text = "" Then
Msgbox("One or more data is missing", "Missing data")
Return
End If
'we check if an entry with the same name already exists

Query = "SELECT * FROM persons WHERE FirstName = ? AND LastName = ? AND City = ?"
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery2(Query, Array As String (edtFirstName.Text, edtLastName.Text,
edtCity.Text))
If ResultSet1.NextRow = True Then

'if it exists show a message and do nothing else
ToastMessageShow("This entry already exists", False)
Else
'if not, add the entry
'we use ExecNonQuery2 because it's easier, we don't need to take care of the data types
Query = "INSERT INTO persons VALUES (?, ?, ?)"
SQL1.ExecNonQuery2(Query, Array As String(edtFirstName.Text, edtLastName.Text,
edtCity.Text))
ToastMessageShow("Entry added", False) ' confirmation message for the user
'to display the ID of the last entry we read the max value of the internal 'rowid' column
RowID = SQL1.ExecQuerySingleResult("SELECT max(rowid) FROM persons")
RowIDList.Add(RowID) 'add the last ID to the list
CurrentIndex = RowIDList.Size - 1 'set the current index to the last one
lblRowID.Text = RowID 'display the last index
End If
ResultSet1.Close 'close the ResultSet, we don't it anymore
End Sub
Small differences for the three operating systems:

• B4A
• B4i
HUD1.ToastMessageShow("Entry added", False) ' confirmation for the user
• B4J the ToastMessageShow function is a routine in the program.

fx.Msgbox(MainForm, "One or more data is missing", "Missing data")
2.5.2.5 DeleteEntry
We ask the user if he really wants to delete the selected entry.
If the answer is yes then we delete it.
And set the new CurrentIndex.
Sub DeleteEntry
Private Answ As Int
'ask the user for confirmation

Answ = Msgbox2("Do you really want to delete " & edtFirstName.Text & " " &
edtLastName.Text, "Delete entry", "Yes", "", "No", Null)
If Answ = DialogResponse.POSITIVE Then 'if yes, delete the entry

Query = "DELETE FROM persons WHERE ID = " & IDList.Get(CurrentIndex)
SQL1.ExecNonQuery(Query) 'delete the entry
IDList.RemoveAt(CurrentIndex) 'remove the ID from the list
If CurrentIndex = RowNumber - 1 Then 'if the current index is the last one
CurrentIndex = CurrentIndex - 1 'decrement it by 1
End If
RowNumber = RowNumber - 1 'decrement the row count by 1
ShowEntry(CurrentIndex) 'show the next entry
ToastMessageShow("Entry deleted", False) 'confirmation for the user
End If
End Sub

• B4A / B4J
• B4i
2.5.2.6 UpdateEntry
We use ExecNonQuery2 instead of ExecNonQuery because it’s easier, we don’t need to take care
of the data type.
The ? sign is a placeholder for the data which must be given in the array.
Sub UpdateEntry
Query = "UPDATE persons Set FirstName = ?, LastName = ?, City = ? _

WHERE ID = " & IDList.Get(CurrentIndex)
SQL1.ExecNonQuery2(Query, Array As String(edtFirstName.Text, _
edtLastName.Text, edtCity.Text))
ToastMessageShow("Entry updated", False)
End Sub

• B4A / B4J
• B4i
2.6 SQLiteLight2 Second program 46 B4X SQLite database
2.6 SQLite Database second simple example program SQLiteLight2
This example program is an evolution of the SQLiteLight1 project.

The program generates a default database if there is none available.
Added a screen displaying the database in a table, using a WebView.
Following functions are implemented:

• Add an entry
• Edit an entry
o First, Previous, Next and Last entry
o Update an entry
o Delete an entry
o Go to First, Prev, Next and Last entry
• Filter
o AND / OR Boolean operator
o Filter
The user interfaces are somewhat different between the thre operating systems.
I prefered making the user interfaces more operation system like with specific objects, rather than
making them almost the same, especially for B4A and B4i
B4A Main screen Edit screen Filter screen
B4i Main screen Edit screen Filter screen
B4J Main screen Edit screen Filter screen

2.6.1 Main module source code parts
Only the SQLite related routines are shown. Operating system routines are not shown.
2.6.1.1 Declaration of the Process global variables
We declare operating system dependant variables either in Process_Globals (B4i, B4J) or Globals
in B4A.
Sub Process_Globals
' different operating system variables
'
'
'operating system indepenant variables
Public SQL1 As SQL
Public CurrentIndex = -1 As Int 'index of the current entry
Public RowIDList As List 'list containing the IDs of the database

'we need it because the IDs can be different from the list indexes
'if we delete an entry its ID is lost
' used in ExecuteHTML

Private HtmlCSS As String
HtmlCSS = "table {font-family:helvetica;width: 100%;border: 1px solid #cef;text-
align: left; }" _
& " th { font-weight: bold; background-color: #acf; border-bottom: 1px solid
#cef; }" _
& "td,th { padding: 4px 5px; }" _
& ".odd {background-color: #def; } .odd td {border-bottom: 1px solid #cef; }" _
& "a { text-decoration:none; color: #000;}"
End Sub
2.6.1.2 Show table
We define the SQL query.

Depending if the filter is active we add the filter query and change the filter button text.
We load the database query result in a WebView and read the database IDs.
'Shows the database in a table in a WebView

Private Sub ShowTable
Query = "SELECT FirstName As [First name], LastName As [Last name], City FROM
persons"
'depending if the filter is active or not we add the filter query at the end of the
query
'the filter query is defined in the Filter Activity
If Filter.flagFilterActive = False Then
btnFilter.Text = "Filter" 'change the text in the Filter button
Else
Query = Query & Filter.Query
btnFilter.Text = "UnFilter"'change the text in the Filter button
End If
'displays the database in a table
wbvTable.LoadHtml(ExecuteHtml(SQL1, Query, Null, True))
ReadDataBaseIDs
End Sub
2.6.1.3 ExecuteHtml show a table in a WebView
This routine generates the Html string for the LoadHtml method.
It is extracted from the DBUtils class.
It is the same for all three operating systems.
'This routine is extracted from the DBUtils code module

'Creates a html text that displays the data in a table.
'The style of the table can be changed by modifying HtmlCSS variable.
Private Sub ExecuteHtml(SQL As SQL, Query As String, StringArgs() As String, Clickable
As Boolean) As String
If StringArgs <> Null Then
ResultSet1 = SQL.ExecQuery2(Query, StringArgs)
Else
ResultSet1 = SQL.ExecQuery(Query)
End If
Private sb As StringBuilder
sb.Initialize
sb.Append("<html><body>").Append(CRLF)
sb.Append("<style type='text/css'>").Append(HtmlCSS).Append("</style>").Append(CRLF)
sb.Append("<table><tr>").Append(CRLF)
For i = 0 To ResultSet1.ColumnCount - 1
sb.Append("<th>").Append(ResultSet1.GetColumnName(i)).Append("</th>")
Next
sb.Append("</tr>").Append(CRLF)
Private row As Int

row = 0
If row Mod 2 = 0 Then
sb.Append("<tr>")
Else
sb.Append("<tr class='odd'>")
End If
For i = 0 To ResultSet1.ColumnCount - 1
sb.Append("<td>")
If Clickable Then
sb.Append("<a href='http://").Append(i).Append(".")
sb.Append(row)
sb.Append(".stub'>").Append(ResultSet1.GetString2(i)).Append("</a>")
Else
sb.Append(ResultSet1.GetString2(i))
End If
sb.Append("</td>")
Next
sb.Append("</tr>").Append(CRLF)
row = row + 1
Loop
ResultSet1.Close
sb.Append("</table></body></html>")
Return sb.ToString
End Sub
2.6.1.4 ReadDatabaseRowIDs
We read the rowids from the database. We need this because the entry numbering is not straigt
forward. If we delete an entry with a given rowid this one is lost to maintain all the other rowids the
same.
The routine is the same for all three operating systems.
'Reads the database rowids in RowIDList

Private Sub ReadDataBaseRowIDs
If Filter.flagFilterActive = False Then

Else
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT rowid FROM persons" & Filter.Query)
End If
'We read only the ID column and put them in the IDList
RowIDList.Initialize 'initialize the
ID list
RowIDList.Add(ResultSet1.GetInt2(0)) 'add the rowid's to the RowID list
Loop
If RowIDList.Size > 0 Then
CurrentIndex = 0 'set the current index
to 0
Else
CurrentIndex = -1 'set the current index
to -1, no selected item
ToastMessageShow("No items found", False)
End If
ResultSet1.Close
'close the ResultSet, we don't need it anymore
End Sub
2.6.1.5 UpdateSelectedEntryDisplay
When the user selects an entry, we display it in a Label.

The routine is the same for all three operating systems.
Private Sub UpdateSelectedEntryDisplay

Query = "SELECT FirstName, LastName, City FROM persons WHERE rowid = " &
RowIDList.Get(CurrentIndex)
ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery(Query)
ResultSet1.NextRow
lblSelectedItem.Text = ResultSet1.GetString("FirstName") & " " &
ResultSet1.GetString("LastName") & " " & ResultSet1.GetString("City")
ResultSet1.Close
End Sub
2.6.1.6 WebView events _ OverrideUrl / _LocationChanged
We use a WebView event when the user selects an entry.

The content of the routine is the same, only the event name changes in B4J.
B4A and B4i:
'Routine from the DBUtils demo program

Private Sub wbvTable_OverrideUrl (Url As String) As Boolean
'parse the row and column numbers from the URL
Log(Url)
Private values() As String
values = Regex.Split("[.]", Url.SubString(7))
Private row As Int
row = values(1)
CurrentIndex = row
UpdateSelectedItem
Return True 'Don't try to navigate to this URL
End Sub
The URL variable holds the return value from the WebView event.
It could look like this http//2.7.stub/ where 2 is the col index and 7 is the row index.
The col and row values are extracted in values = Regex.Split("[.]", Url.SubString(7))
values(0) holds the col value
values(1) holds the row value
values(2) holds the end of the string
B4J: the OverrideURL event doesn’t exist in B4J so we use LocationChanged.
Private Sub wbvTable_LocationChanged (Location As String)

'parse the row and column numbers from the Location string

values = Regex.Split("[.]", Location.SubString(7))
Private row As Int

row = values(1)
CurrentIndex = row
UpdateSelectedItem
End Sub
The Location string holds the return value from the WebView event.
2.6.2 Edit Module source code parts
In the Edit module, there is nothing really special.
2.6.3 Filter Module source code parts
Most of the code is self explanatory.
For the filter data selection, we use for:

• B4A Spinners
• B4i Pickers
• B4J ComboBoxes
These are filled with the data from the database.

The first item in each object is “no filter”, which means that this column is not filtered.
But as there can be multiple entries with the same data we fill them with ‘distinct’ data, one name is
shown only once.
The code is shown for one objcet only, the principle is the same for the others.
2.6.3.1 B4A
'Initialize the Spinners

Private Sub UpdateFilters
Private Query1 As String
'We execute a query for each column and fill the Spinner
'We use SELECT DISTINCT to have each existing first name in the database only once
Query1 = "SELECT DISTINCT FirstName FROM persons ORDER BY FirstName ASC"
'fill the FirstName Spinner

ResultSet1 = Main.SQL1.ExecQuery(Query1)
'we add 'no filter' as no selection
spnFirstName.Add("no filter")
'we fill the Spinner with the data from the database
spnFirstName.Add(ResultSet1.GetString("FirstName"))
Loop
2.6.3.2 B4i
We use Pickers.
'Initialize the Pickers

'We execute a query for each column and fill the Spinner
'fill FirstName Picker

Private lst As List

lst.Initialize

lst.Add("no filter")
'we fill the Picker with the data from the database
lst.Add(ResultSet1.GetString("FirstName"))
Loop
picFirstName.SetItems(0, lst)
2.6.3.3 B4J
We use ComboBoxes.
'Initialize the ComboBoxes

'We execute a query for each column and fill the ComboBox
'fill the FirstName ComboBox

cbxFirstName.Items.Clear
cbxFirstName.Items.Add("no filter")
'we fill the Spinner with the data from the database
cbxFirstName.Items.Add(ResultSet1.GetString("FirstName"))
Loop
2.7 SQLiteLight3 Third program 55 B4X SQLite database
2.7 SQLite Database third simple example program SQLiteLight3
A third example program is in the SQLiteLight3 program.

This program is almost the same as SQLiteLight2, all functions are the same.
The differences are the database path, database name, table name, column number, column names,
column alias names and column data types are variables instead being hard coded.
It allows also to generate a new database by:

- changing in Globals the values of the variables listed above
- in Activity_Create
-- comment this line: 'File.Copy(File.DirAssets, SQLDateBaseName, SQLDataBasePath,
SQLDateBaseName)
-- uncomment this line: CreateDataBase
The code has comments and is, I hope, self explanatory.
One example to show the difference:
For the query to show the table.
In SQLiteLight2 the names are hard coded:
Sub ShowTable
Private i As Int
Query = "SELECT FirstName As [First name], LastName As [Last name], _
City FROM persons"
In SQLiteLight3 the names are varaibles defined in Globals:
Sub ShowTable
Private i As Int
Query = "SELECT "

For i = 0 To ColNumber - 1
If i < ColNumber - 1 Then
Query = Query & ColNames(i) & " As [" & ColAliasNames(i) & "], "
Else
Query = Query & ColNames(i) & " As [" & ColAliasNames(i) & "] "
End If
Next
Query = Query & " FROM " & SQLTabelName
2.8 SQLiteLight4 Fourht program 56 B4X SQLite database
2.8 SQLite Database fourth example program SQLiteLight4
This SQLite example program, SQLiteLight4, is a bit more elaborated than SQLiteLight2.
In SQLiteLight2 there is only one table, in this program there are three tables.
The purpose of this example is to show the principle of managing several tables.
To make the code more readable, all names are hard coded and not stored in variables like in
SQLiteLight3.

The program manages a spare part stock. The tables are intentionally very simple with just a few
columns and not all possible errors or mistakes a user can make are checked to keep the code simple
and easier to read and understand.
The database has three tables:

• Stock Number INTEGER, ProductID INTEGER, Date INTEGER
number of products product ID date in Ticks
• Products Name TEXT, Price REAL, SupplierID INTEGER
product name product price supplier ID
• Suppliers Name TEXT, Address TEXT, City TEXT
suppliers’ name suppliers’ address suppliers’ city
In the table Stock we use the ID of the product rather its name. The same in the table Products for
the Supplier. The advantage is that we memorize a reference to the data in the original table instead
of copying the data into another table. If we change once the data in the original table all the data in
other tables are updated automatically.
Query example of a call for display:

Query = "SELECT Stock.Number, Products.Name AS Product, Suppliers.Name AS Supplier,
Products.Price AS Price, Stock.Number * Products.Price AS Value, date(Stock.Date /
1000, 'unixepoch') AS Date"
Query = Query & " FROM Stock, Products, Suppliers"
Query = Query & " WHERE Products.rowid = Stock.ProductID AND Suppliers.rowid =
Products.SupplierID"
2.8 SQLiteLight4 Fourht program 57 B4X SQLite database
We want to read following data:

• The number of items in stock Stock.Number.
The Number column in the Stock table.
• The product name Products.Name AS Product.
The Name column in the Products table and give this column the name ‘Product’.
• The supplier name Suppliers.Name AS Supplier.
The Name column in the Suppliers table and give this column the name ‘Supplier’.
• The product price Products.Price AS Price.
The Price column in the Products table and give this column the name ‘Price’.
• The value of these products in stock Stock.Number * Products.Price AS Value.
The multiplication of the number of items in stock with the product price and give this
column the name ‘Value’.
• The date when the product was entered date(Stock.Date / 1000, 'unixepoch') AS Date.
We use the SQLite date function where we give the Date column of the Stock table.
As the date is in B4A ticks we need to devide the value by 1000 to adapt it to ‘SQL ticks’
and we must add the parameter 'unixepoch' for ‘SQL ticks’.
The query concerns the three tables Stock, Products and Suppliers:
FROM Stock, Products, Suppliers
We must add a WHERE expression:

• To connect the Products table rowid to the Stock ProductID column value.
Products.rowid = Stock.ProductID
• To connect the Suppliers table rowid to the Products SupplierID column value.
Suppliers.rowid = Products.SupplierID
Example of the result:

2.9 SQLite Viewer 58 B4X SQLite database
2.9 SQLite Viewer
There is a B4A SQLiteViewer program in the forum, that allows you to load and display databases.
The program uses the DBUtils module and the table is shown in a WebView view.
The usage of the DBUtils module is explained in the DBUtils chapter.
3 DBUtils 2 59 B4X SQLite database
3 DBUtils version 2
For those who are not familiar with SQLite, Erel has written DBUtils code modules that should
make things easier.
Note: DBUtils is a code module and not a library!

To use it, you must load the file DBUtils.bas to your project in the IDE menu Project / Add Existing
Module. This will add the module to your project.
You will be asked this:
You can choose between three options.

3.1 DBUtil functions
Following functions are available:
Methods B4A B4i B4J

CopyDBFromAssets x x x
CreateTable x x x
DeleteRecord x x x
DropTable x x x
EscapeField x x x
ExecuteHtml x x x
ExecuteJSON x x x
ExecuteList x x x
ExecuteList2 x x x
ExecuteListView x
ExecuteMap x x x
ExecuteMemoryTable x x x
ExecuteTableView x
ExecuteSpinner x
GetDBFolder x x x
GetDBVersion x x x
InsertMaps x x x
SetDBVersion x x x
TableExists x x x
UpdateRecord x x x
UpdateRecord2 x x x
3.1.1 CopyDBFormAssets B4A, B4
CopyDBFromAssets(FileName As String) As String

Copies a database file that was added in the project Files tab. The database must be copied to a
writable location because it is not possible to access a database located in File.DirAssets.
This method copies the database in:
• B4A, to the storage card with rp.GetSafeDirDefaultExternal. If the storage card is not
available, the file is copied to the internal folder File.DirInternal.
• B4i, to File.DirDocumemts.
The target folder is returned. If the database file already exists, then no copying is done.
3.1.2 CopyDBFormAssets B4J
CopyDBFromAssets (FileName As String, AppName As String) As String

Copies a database file that was added in the project Files tab. The database must be copied to a
writable location because it is not possible to access a database located in File.DirAssets.
This method copies the database in:
• B4J, to C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\AppName
UserName your user name
AppName the given App name
The target folder is returned. If the database file already exists, then no copying is done.
3.1.3 CreateTable B4A, B4i, B4J
CreateTable(SQL As SQL, TableName As String, FieldsAndTypes As Map, PrimaryKey As

String)
Creates a new table with the given name.
FieldsAndTypes - A map with the fields names as keys and the types as values.
You can use the DB_... constants for the types.
PrimaryKey - The column that will be the primary key. Pass empty string if not needed.
3.1.4 DeleteRecord B4A, B4i, B4J
DeleteRecord(SQL As SQL, TableName As String, WhereFieldEquals As Map)

Deletes records.
WhereFieldEquals, Map with the WHERE conditions.
Map Key = Column,
Map Value = WHERE condition value
3.1.5 DropTable B4A, B4i, B4J
DropTable(SQL As SQL, TableName As String)

Deletes the given table.
3.1.6 EscapeField B4A, B4i, B4J
EscapeField(f As String) As String
3.1.7 ExecuteHtml B4A, B4i, B4J
ExecuteHtml(SQL As SQL, Query As String, StringArgs() As String, Limit As Int,

Clickable As Boolean) As String
Creates an html text that displays the data in a table in a WebView.
The style of the table can be changed by modifying the HtmlCSS variable.
StringArgs() - Values to replace question marks in the query. Pass Null if not needed.
Limit - Limits the results. Pass 0 for all results.
3.1.8 ExecuteJSON B4A, B4i, B4J
ExecuteJSON(SQL As SQL, Query As String, StringArgs() As String, Limit As Int, DBTypes

As List) As Map
Executes the given query and creates a Map that you can pass to JSONGenerator and generate
JSON text.
StringArgs()- Values to replace question marks in the query. Pass Null if not needed.
DBTypes - Lists the type of each column in the result set.
Usage example: (don't forget to add a reference to the JSON library)
Dim gen As JSONGenerator
gen.Initialize(DBUtils.ExecuteJSON(SQL, "SELECT Id, Birthday FROM Students",
Null, 0, Array As String(DBUtils.DB_TEXT, DBUtils.DB_INTEGER)))
Dim JSONString As String
JSONString = gen.ToPrettyString(4)
Msgbox(JSONString, "")
3.1.9 ExecuteList B4A, B4i, B4J
ExecuteList(SQL As SQL, Query As String, StringArgs() As String, Limit As Int, List1 As

List)
Executes the query and fills the List with the values.
3.1.10 ExecuteListView B4A
ExecuteListView(SQL As SQL, Query As String, StringArgs() As String, Limit As Int,

ListView1 As ListView, TwoLines As Boolean)
Executes the query and fills the ListView with the values.
If TwoLines is true then the first column is mapped to the first line and the second column is mapped
to the second line.
In both cases the value set to the row is the array with all the records values.
3.1.11 ExecuteMap B4A, B4i, B4J
ExecuteMap(SQL As SQL, Query As String, StringArgs() As String) As Map

Executes the query and returns a Map with the column names as the keys and the first record values
As the entries values.
The keys are lower cased.
Returns Null if no results found.
3.1.12 ExecuteMemoryTable B4A, B4i, B4J
ExecuteMemoryTable(SQL As SQL, Query As String, StringArgs() As String, Limit As Int)

As List
Executes the query and returns the result as a list of arrays.
Each item in the list is a strings array.
3.1.13 ExecuteTableView B4J
ExecuteTableView(SQL As SQL, Query As String, StringArgs() As String, Limit As Int, _

TableView1 As TableView)
Executes the query and fills the TableView with the values.
3.1.14 ExecuteSpinner B4A
ExecuteSpinner(SQL As SQL, Query As String, StringArgs() As String, Limit As Int,

Spinner1 As Spinner)
Executes the query and fills the Spinner with the values.
3.1.15 GetDBFolder B4A, B4i, B4J
GetDBFolder As String
Returns the path to a folder where you can create a database, preferably on the secondary storage.
3.1.16 GetDBVersion B4A, B4i, B4J
GetDBVersion(SQL As SQL) As Int

Gets the current version of the database.
If the DBVersion table does not exist it is created and the current version is set to version 1.
3.1.17 InsertMaps B4A, B4i, B4J
InsertMaps(SQL As SQL, TableName As String, ListOfMaps As List)

Inserts the data to the table.
ListOfMaps - A list with maps as items. Each map represents a record where the map keys are the
columns names and the maps values are the values. Note that you should create a new map for each
record (this can be done by calling Dim to redim the map).
3.1.18 SetDBVersion B4A, B4i, B4J
SetDBVersion(SQL As SQL, Version As Int)

Sets the database version to the given version number.
3.1.19 TableExists B4A, B4i, B4J
TableExists(SQL As SQL, TableName As String) As Boolean

Tests whether the given table exists.
3.1.20 UpdateRecord B4A, B4i, B4J
UpdateRecord(SQL As SQL, TableName As String, Field As String, NewValue As Object,

WhereFieldEquals As Map)
Updates a single record in the database.
Field - Column name
NewValue - new value
WhereFieldEquals - Map where the map keys are the column names and the map values the values
to update.
3.1.21 UpdateRecord2 B4A, B4i, B4J
UpdateRecord2(SQL As SQL, TableName As String, Fields As Map, WhereFieldEquals As Map)

Updates multiple records in the database.
Fields – Map where the map keys are the column names and the map values the new value.
WhereFieldEquals - Map where the map keys are the column names and the map values the values
to update.
3.2 Examples
You find Erels' examples in the Forum under: [B4X] DBUtils 2.
These examples are not explained in this chapter.
3.3 DBUtilsDemo example program
This example program shows the use of some DBUtils features.

The database used is personsflca.db, which contains persons data:
• FirstName
• LastName
• Address
• City
SQLiteDatabase_SourceCode\DBUtilsDemo\B4A
SQLiteDatabase_SourceCode\DBUtilsDemo \B4i
SQLiteDatabase_SourceCode\DBUtilsDemo \B4J.
They need following libraries:

• SQL
• XUI
Most of the code is the same for all three products B4A, B4i and B4J.
DBUtils functions used:

• DBUtils.CopyDBFromAssets
• DBUtils.ExecuteHTML
• DBUtils.ExecuteMemoryTable
• DBUtils.ExecuteList
• DBUtils.UpdateRecors2
• DBUtils.InsertMaps
• DBUtils.DeleteRecord
The code is not explained in detail, I think that it is enough self explanatory.
B4J
B4A B4i
3.3.1 Code differences
The main code differences between the three products are the start of the program which are
operating system specific and the WebView event routines.
The WebView event routines are the same in B4A and B4i but different in B4J
B4A and B4i, the event is called OverrideUrl.
Private Sub WebView1_OverrideUrl (Url As String) As Boolean

values = Regex.Split("[.]", Url.SubString(7))
SelectedCol = values(0)
SelectedRow = values(1)
UpdateSelectedData 'updates the selected entry
Return True 'Don't try to navigate to this URL

End Sub
B4J the event is called LocationChanged.
Private Sub WebView1_LocationChanged (Location As String)

If Location.Contains("stub") Then
values = Regex.Split("[.]", Location.SubString(7))
SelectedCol = values(0)
SelectedRow = values(1)
UpdateSelectedData 'updates the selected entry

End If
End Sub

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B4X Booklets

Copyright: © 2018 Anywhere Software Edition 1.4

Last update: 2018.11.25

1 General information ..................................................................................................................... 5

2.5.2.3 ShowEntry .............................................................................................................. 43

Main contributors: Klaus Christl (klaus), Erel Uziel (Erel)

Updated for following versions:

B4R Example Projects

What is a database (source Wikipedia Database):

B4X is a suite of BASIC programming languages for different platforms.

B4X suite supports more platforms than any other tool

B4i is a development tool for native iOS applications.

• B4J Java / Windows / Mac / Linux / Raspberry PI

• B4R Arduino / ESP8266

Example code in the Starter module:

Or in Activity_Create if you have only one Activity:

In Application_Start. We use the default directory for the application.

'check if the database already exists

In App_Start. We use the default directory for the application.

'check if the database already exists

2.1 SQLite Database basics

Some simple SQL instructions.

Here you find the SQLite site : SQLite

2.1.1 Database initialization SQL1.Initialize / SQL1.InitializeSQLite

To use a database, you must first initialize it!

DBDirName = Directory name of the database.

Add the line below in Main module #Region Project Attributes.

DBDirName = Directory name of the database.

In B4J, SQL1.Initialize is used to initialize SQL drivers.

2.1.2 Table creation CREATE TABLE

CREATE TABLE TableName (Col1 INTEGER, Col1 TEXT, Col2 REAL )

SQL1.ExecNonQuery("CREATE TABLE TableName(Col1 INTEGER, Col2 TEXT, Col3 REAL")

Only these data types are available:

2.1.3 INTEGER PRIMARY KEY rowid

2.1.4 Adding data INSERT INTO

INSERT INTO TableName VALUES ( Val1, Val2, Val3 )

SQL1.ExecNonQuery("INSERT INTO TableName VALUES (Val1, Val2, Val2)")

2.1.5 Updating data UPDATE

2.1.6 Reading data SELECT

• The entire database:

• Distinct values from a column, no duplicate values

• Single entry (value)

• Get the sum or average of a column

• Get calculations of columns.

2.1.7 Filtering WHERE

Some operators used for filtering data:

• A single entry (value).

• The rows where columns have given values.

• The rows where a value in a column is between two given values.

2.1.8 Sorting ORDER BY

A query can be sorted either ascending or descending.

• Read the entire database and ordering according to a given column:

SELECT * FROM TableName ORDER BY 2 DESC descending

• Read the given columns and sort on two of them.

2.1.9 Date / Time functions

Below the most useful for B4X:

Examples of queries with Ticks in the DateTicks column:

• ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT time(DateTicks / 1000, 'unixepoch') ...")

• ResultSet1 = SQL1.ExecQuery("SELECT datetime(DateTicks / 1000, 'unixepoch') ...")