Using SQLite from C# in Business Apps — WAL Mode, Exclusive Locking, Corruption Countermeasures, and When to Reach for EF Core (archived 2026-07-27)

Key Points

• To provide a practical guide for integrating SQLite into C# business applications.
• Describes connection strings and pooling in Microsoft.Data.Sqlite.
• Explains WAL mode, SQLITE_BUSY handling, and transaction management.
• Discusses alternatives like EF Core and methods for database maintenance such as VACUUM INTO.
• Demonstrates improved performance in write operations using WAL mode and transactions.
• Identifies common pitfalls in type-mapping with SQLite in C# applications.
• Suggests the use of EF Core for complex database needs beyond simple SQLite usage.