SharedPreferences and SQLite are two distinct mechanisms for storing and managing data in Android applications, each serving different purposes and catering to different use cases. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between SharedPreferences and SQLite in Android:
Storage Mechanism:
SharedPreferences: SharedPreferences is a lightweight key-value pair storage mechanism provided by the Android framework. It stores primitive data types such as boolean, int, float, long, and String values. SharedPreferences are stored as XML files in the app’s private storage directory.
SQLite: SQLite is a relational database management system that offers a full-featured SQL database engine. It allows developers to create and manage structured databases with multiple tables, rows, and columns. SQLite databases are stored as single files in the app’s private storage directory.
Data Structure:
SharedPreferences: SharedPreferences stores simple key-value pairs, making it suitable for storing small amounts of data such as user preferences, settings, and application state.
SQLite: SQLite stores data in a structured format, allowing developers to define complex database schemas with multiple tables and relationships. It is suitable for storing larger amounts of structured data such as user profiles, product catalogs, and application data.
Querying and Manipulation:
SharedPreferences: SharedPreferences provides simple methods for reading, writing, and deleting key-value pairs. However, it does not support complex querying or manipulation operations.
SQLite: SQLite offers a full range of SQL query capabilities, allowing developers to perform complex querying, filtering, sorting, and aggregation operations on database tables. It supports standard SQL syntax for creating, inserting, updating, and deleting data.
Performance and Scalability:
SharedPreferences: SharedPreferences are suitable for storing small amounts of data and are generally faster and more lightweight than SQLite. However, they may not be suitable for storing large datasets or complex data structures.
SQLite: SQLite is optimized for performance and scalability, making it suitable for handling large datasets and complex data structures. It offers efficient indexing and querying capabilities, making it ideal for applications that require robust data management.
