rqlite is a lightweight, open-source distributed relational database implemented in Go, and which uses SQLite as its storage engine.
With the release of rqlite 8.28.3, working with SQLite extensions in a Docker environment has become even more straightforward.
What’s New?
Whether you’re building a highly-available vector search engine or adding specialized functionality through SQLite extensions, rqlite’s latest Docker images make it all remarkably simple.
The latest rqlite Docker images now come preloaded with two powerful SQLite extensions: Sqlean and sqlite-vec. These extensions, support for which were introduced in rqlite 8.27.0, can now be enabled directly at container startup, allowing you to quickly deploy advanced database features with minimal setup.
Why This Matters
By integrating these extensions into the rqlite Docker images, you can now spin up a fully-functional, highly-available rqlite cluster with advanced capabilities in just seconds.
Getting Started with Docker and Extensions
Enabling these extensions in Docker is as simple as setting an environment variable. Here’s how you can get started:
docker run -e SQLITE_EXTENSIONS='sqlean sqlite-vec' -p4001:4001 rqlite/rqlite
This command starts a new rqlite container with both Sqlean and sqlite-vec extensions enabled. With this setup, you can immediately begin using the advanced functionality these extensions provide, whether you need vector search capabilities or a suite of additional SQLite functions.
Example: Building a Vector Search Engine
Let’s say you want to build a vector search engine using rqlite. By enabling the sqlite-vec extension, you can create a vector search system with minimal effort. Here’s a quick example of how you can set this up:
- Start your rqlite container with the
sqlite-vecextension enabled. - Create a virtual table to store your vector data:
127.0.0.1:4001> CREATE VIRTUAL TABLE vec_examples USING vec0(sample_embedding float[8]) 1 row affected
Now you can populate your table with vector data, and start executing vector search queries. And by adding more nodes to this instance, you get a highly-available, fault-tolerant cluster.
Next Steps
The new Docker support for SQLite extensions in rqlite 8.28.3 makes it easier than ever to deploy and manage advanced database features. Whether you’re developing a specialized application or just exploring the capabilities of SQLite extensions, rqlite’s Docker images provide a seamless, out-of-the-box experience.
As always, feedback and contributions from the community are welcome. To dive deeper into using SQLite extensions with rqlite, check out the official documentation or join the conversation in the rqlite Slack channel.