SQLite is a lightweight, file-based relational database used in mobile apps, embedded systems, edge computing, and serverless environments. Unlike PostgreSQL or MySQL, SQLite requires no server process—you call it as a library from your application. Advanced SQLite usage involves optimizing queries (indices, EXPLAIN QUERY PLAN), enabling extensions (full-text search FTS5, JSON support), tuning performance with pragmas (WAL mode, cache size), implementing replication (Litestream, rqlite), and deploying to edge networks (Cloudflare D1, Vercel Postgres serverless). SQLite is the most widely deployed database engine in the world—every iOS device, every Android phone, and most web browsers contain SQLite.