Open SQLite DB file from command-line

ddevienne's profile image ddevienne posted 10 months ago in General Permalink

Hi. Complete newbie to HeidiSQL, but not to DBs in general.

I have tons of SQLite DB files that I open:

  • sometimes from the Shell (Explorer);
  • sometimes from the command-line.

I've tried from the command-line, but that ignores the file on the CLI, and just opens the Session Manager. I've tried passing /? or -h or --help but that's not listing any options either, and just opens the UI

(well, not -h which errors out complaining about a missing host, so there are options seemingly hidding somewhere...)

From the CLI, why not directly open the SQLite DB? I'd like to similarly double-click .db files and have HeidiSQL open right away (after associating it to that extension of course). That's what I do with SQLiteSpy for example. Cannot do the same with HeidiSQL?

I have also tried drag-and-dropping the DB file to the left-hand-side session/connection area, to no avail.

I'm surprised to have to jump through hoops to open one-of SQLite DB. User ignorance? Am I missing something?

Would seem strange to force using that Session Manager for SQLite DBs, and forcing reselecting what the CLI or Explorer double-click know in terms of the DB to open.

Thanks for any insights. --DD

PS: I'm discovering the UI. There are interesting things, and seems fast. Nice. Thanks!

ansgar's profile image ansgar posted 10 months ago Permalink

Command line switches are documented in the online help.

Opening a file via double click by heidisql.exe will tell HeidiSQL to open it as a textfile and load that into a query tab. So that's not what you want.

Instead, you can open a SQLite file with the -h option (which is the "host" for all other database types). Plus some others, like so:

path\to\heidisql.exe -n=10 -l="sqlite3.dll" -h="C:\Users\whatever\Chinook_Sqlite.sqlite"
  • -n is the network type
  • -l is the library
  • -h is the host (or database file in case of SQLite)

Alternatively, you can create a session with multiple databases attached to the first one, with the context menu on the tree:

Description

ddevienne's profile image ddevienne posted 10 months ago Permalink

Thanks for the reply.

But honestly, this feels clunky. SQLite DB files have a magic cookie that easily allows them to identify them as such (and not a text file), from which the rest can be inferred.

PS: it's customary for tools with CLI args to have a textual help, on Windows with /? and/or with --help. You've used -h for something else, which is unfortunate, but at least you could support /? and --help IMHO. FWIW :)

PPS: Forum refuses that I post an HTTP link, so here it is messed-up on purpose sqlite-dot-org/fileformat.html#magic_header_string

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