SQLite to MySQL conversion and synchronization.

Is it possible to convert SQLite to MySQL "as is"?

Probably the quick and easiest way to convert SQLite to MySQL includes two general steps:

  1. Export SQLite database to dump file using SQLite .dump command.
    sqlite3 sample.db .dump > dump.sql
  2. You can then (in theory) import SQLite dump into the MySQL database.
    mysql -p -u root -h 127.0.0.1 test < dump.sql

"In theory" means that solution wouldn't work as there are a few differences in grammars between MySQL and SQLite.

There are just some differences between SQLite and MySQL syntax

SQLite MySQL 
            BEGIN TRANSACTION;

            ...
            
            COMMIT;
            
            BEGIN;
            
            ...
            
            COMMIT;
AUTOINCREMENT AUTO_INCREMENT
TEXT varchars
double quotes (" ") backticks (` `)

These differences clearly answer NO to the question asked in the title of this section.

Write a Perl/ Python script to migrate SQLite to MySQL.

Another possible way is to write a free Perl or Python script for converting SQLite to MySQL.

In the most trivial way python code may looks like:

objects = ModelObject.objects.using('sqlite').all()

for obj in objects:
    obj.save(using='mysql')

We are a little bit closer at this point, but it is still just a half to complete a data migration job. Writing a simple python script is most likely not enough. SQLite to MySQL migration is a more complex job than just dumping data from a source SQLite and then importing this SQLite dump into the MySQL database.

To address the challenges of data migration between SQLite and MySQL, we offer DBConvert and DBSync software.

Four reasons for using DBConvert to convert data from SQLite to MySQL?

  1. DBConvert tools combine an intuitive interface with powerful and useful features to transfer SQLite files to local or remotely hosted MySQL servers quickly. Choose the whole source database or select just several database objects to be converted to the target DB in the Interactive GUI interface. You don't need to know how to write scripts to work with DBConvert migration tools.
  2. After making a copy of your source database to target DB, keep your databases in Sync with Update, Insert, and Drop synchronization features.
  3. You can configure a DBSync windows application to perform bidirectional replication between SQLite and MySQL (where two different databases simultaneously replicate changes from each other).
  4. In any combination, data migrations between the following databases are possible
    • SQLite,
    • MySQL, MariaDB, Percona on-premises,
    • Windows Azure SQL Databases for MySQL/ Azure SQL Data Warehouse
    • AWS RDS | Aurora,
    • SQL Cloud for MySQL
      • Please refer to the list of available conversion and sync directions in product info cards on the right.
Supported databases:
  • SQLite
  • MySQL
  • MariaDB
  • SingleStore DB (formerly MemSQL)
  • TiDB
  • Percona Server for MySQL
  • Vitess
  • Amazon RDS for MySQL
  • Amazon Aurora (MySQL Compatible)
  • Google Cloud SQL for MySQL
  • Azure Database for MySQL
  • ☑ Migrate to MySQL Dump, PHP Script
 DBConvert for SQLite & MySQL

Version: 1.9.0

Release Date: May 7, 2024

 Download 24.0 MB  Order from US$ 179
 DBSync for SQLite & MySQL

Version: 1.6.1

Release Date: April 9, 2024

 Download 24.3 MB  Order from US$ 179

Try All-in-one DB migration and Sync software.

DBConvert Studio

 Version: 4.1.5

Release Date: Nov. 1, 2024

Supported databases:

  • SQL Server
  • MySQL
  • MariaDB
  • Percona
  • Oracle
  • PostgreSQL
  • Access
  • FoxPro
  • SQLite
  • Interbase
  • Firebird
  • IBM DB2
  • MS Azure SQL
  • Amazon RDS
  • Amazon Aurora
  • Heroku Postgres
  • Google Cloud
  About Studio   Download 120.8 MB      Order from US$ 599

Using SQLite to MySQL conversion and synchronization tools.

When launching the DBConvert or DBSync application in GUI mode, it seamlessly guides you through the steps to initiate database migration or synchronization:

1. Connect to SQLite source database.

Specify the username/password and host/port parameters if your source database requires login credentials.

Connect to SQLite source database from DBConvert

2. Connect to MySQL destination database.

Specify parameters for the destination database similar to the source, defining connection settings and username/password pairs.

Connect to MySQL target database from DBConvert

NOTE #1: Each DBConvert or DBSync tool's name comprises two different databases, enabling any specified database to operate as the source or destination. Furthermore, the same type of database can function as both the source and destination.

NOTE #2: Connections to cloud databases (e.g., Amazon RDS, Google Cloud, or Azure SQL) aren't explicitly specified in the user interface but use the same settings as traditional on-premises databases.

NOTE #3: Connections to source and target databases remain active until you close the DBConvert/DBSync application or reopen new connections.

Refer to our documentation for specific source/ destination configurations for different databases.

3. Configure database migration options.

Specify the tables, fields, indices, and views you want to transfer to the MySQL destination database by checking/unchecking the corresponding boxes.

Customize general database/ tables settings. Or configure specific table , field, index object individually when migrating data.

Explore our articles in the user's manual about Configuring database migration options. for detailed information.

The screenshot below summarizes the general features available in DBConvert software.

DBConvert screenshot
  1. Select a direct connection or choose dump file as a workaround for firewalls.
  2. Views translation
  3. Flexible customization for all database elements
  4. Bulk Insert and Quantization options are used for speeding up the processing of large data volumes
  5. Conditional data migration and data filters.
  6. Full UNICODE architecture support
  7. Data mapping
  8. Detection of potential data migration issues before starting.
  9. Command line mode. Scheduling
  10. Savable configurations/ sessions

4. Detection of potential database migration issues. Errors and Warnings

The database enforces certain relations on the data, and on the customization step, an intelligent error checker verifies all possible data integrity and referential integrity issues. It highlights any problems before migration starts.

By default, DBConvert attempts to automatically map the database types of the source SQLite database to the closest equivalent of the target MySQL database types. However, you can manually change the data types for the entire database globally using the "Global mapping" or individually for each field.

Explore the Intelligent error checker for more information. on errors and warnings

5. Execution. The final stage of data migration.

Initiate the conversion or synchronization process after configuring source and destination databases in the previous steps.

Click the "Commit" button to start conversion. Here, you can also monitor the migration/synchronization process.

Optionally save connection settings and configuration parameters into the session file to schedule the launching of sync or migration jobs regularly.

Execution step of DBConvert products

Explore more about the options available during the execution stage

Command line mode

Pass previously saved sessions as parameters to the Command-Line DBConvert Client. A session retains SQLite source and MySQL target database connection settings with other specified options.

Example:

C:\Program Files\DBConvert\sqlite2mysqlPro\sqlite2mysqlPro_Cons.exe /Session:"Session_Name"

NOTE: First, run the software in GUI mode to create a session file with initial parameters.

Built-in scheduler.

Our applications include a built-in scheduler to run database migration and sync jobs at specified times. Set the scheduled date and time to execute job sessions automatically.

Find more Information about the built-in scheduler

DBConvert screenshot

Supported OS:

Requirements

  • Necessary privileges to write into database on the target MySQL server (this requirement is optional as there is an option to overcome the restrictions using dump file or PHP Script)
  • Necessary privileges to write into network shared folder (LAN or VPN) where destination database SQLite resides

Related Links

Highlights

Explore details regarding reverse migration.

MySQL to SQLite migration and synchronization tools.