Verify Installation

Before moving on, verify your setup end-to-end: command resolution, version output, and a successful SQL query.

Core Concepts

Verification Checklist

flowchart LR
  A[Command found] --> B[Version shown]
  B --> C[Can open database]
  C --> D[Can run SQL query]
  D --> E[Ready for CLI lessons]

What Each Check Proves

Check	Command	What it proves
Binary resolution	where sqlite3 / which sqlite3	PATH is configured
Version	sqlite3 --version	CLI runs successfully
Query execution	sqlite3 ":memory:" "SELECT 1;"	SQL engine executes statements

Windows

# Confirm command resolution and executable location.
where sqlite3

# Check version.
sqlite3 --version

# Run one SQL statement in memory.
sqlite3 ":memory:" "SELECT 1 AS ok;"

Expected output
where prints one or more paths, --version prints version, query prints 1.

macOS/Linux

# Confirm command resolution and executable location.
which sqlite3

# Check version.
sqlite3 --version

# Run one SQL statement in memory.
sqlite3 ":memory:" "SELECT 1 AS ok;"

Expected output
which prints a path, --version prints version, query prints 1.

Code Examples

# Optional: run SQLite in interactive mode for one command.
# The .quit command exits the shell cleanly.
sqlite3 ":memory:"
SELECT 'verify complete' AS status;
.quit

Expected output
SQLite prompt appears; query returns verify complete; shell exits on .quit.

SQLite-Specific Nuances

SQLite Nuance

If sqlite3 works but your application still fails, the app may bundle a different SQLite library version.

CLI verification confirms the terminal toolchain, not every app runtime.

Common Pitfalls / Best Practices

Pitfall

Copying commands into an old terminal session right after changing PATH.

Open a new terminal first to avoid false negatives.

Best Practice

Save a short "environment check" note with your sqlite3 path and version. It makes future debugging much faster.

Quick Challenge

Run this command and note the exact version:

sqlite3 ":memory:" "SELECT sqlite_version() AS version;"

View Solution

Expected shape:

version
e.g. 3.46.0

Any valid SQLite version confirms installation is functional.