On Tue, Feb 16, 2010 at 10:24:58AM +0000, Phil Hibbs scratched on the wall:
> Thanks, Jay, you're absolutely right. I've encountered a few csv
> incompatibilities myself, even within the same tool (one case used \"
> whereas the other used "").
>
> Well, except for your last point, I only wanted sqlite3.exe to script
> some unit tests, so it really is why I downloaded SQLite. I can cope
> though.
Fair enough, but I think you understand the point I'm getting at.
I'm actually very encouraged by effort to build a robust virtual table
module that deals with CSV files. I *would* like to see solid,
quality CSV support. Although it might be somewhat ancillary to
the database system itself, solid import and export functions
are important to lowering the barrier-of-entry, and making the overall
product more valuable as a general-purpose tool.
My main concern has always been that support of a top notch CSV
library is a *much* larger effort that most people think and when
faced with a limited amount of development resources I would
consider it less important than more central issues**. If it was a
simple fix, that's one thing, but this is something much larger.
However, building the CSV library as a module addresses most of these
concerns. First and foremost, if a significant effort is going to be
made to "do it right," the payback is much larger. Building a module
makes the functionality available to every user and every application
that uses SQLite, not just folks that use the command-line shell.
It also puts a nice clear line between module development and core
database development. This helps with development, testing, upkeep,
and support, even if there are some developers helping out on both
sides of the fence.
I hope we see great things from this effort.
** on the other hand, now that we've got checkpoints, recursive trigger
support, and foreign keys, what's left? Better FTS would be nice.
right/full outer joins? More ALTER TABLE support? The development
team has really been on top of most of the major missing features.
-j
--
Jay A. Kreibich < J A Y @ K R E I B I.C H >
"Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs. We have
a protractor." "I'll go home and see if I can scrounge up a ruler
and a piece of string." --from Anathem by Neal Stephenson
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