Why does clearing an SQLite database not reduce its size?

Posted by Thorsten Lorenz on Stack Overflow See other posts from Stack Overflow or by Thorsten Lorenz
Published on 2010-03-30T11:48:13Z Indexed on 2010/03/30 11:53 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 356

Filed under:

sqlite

I have an SQLite database.

I created the tables and filled them with a considerable amount of data.

Then I cleared the database by deleting and recreating the tables. I confirmed that all the data had been removed and the tables were empty by looking at them using SQLite Administrator.

The problem is that the size of the database file (*.db3) remained the same after it had been cleared.

This is of course not desirable as I would like to regain the space that was taken up by the data once I clear it.

Did anyone make a similar observation and/or know what is going on?

What can be done about it?

Related posts about sqlite

How to add SQLite (SQLite.NET) to my C# project

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I followed the instructions in the documentation: Scenario 1: Version Independent (does not use the Global Assembly Cache) This method allows you to drop any new version of the System.Data.SQLite.DLL into your application's folder and use it without any code modifications or recompiling… >>> More
dotConnect or "sqlite.phxsoftware.com" for using Entity Framework with SQLite

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Which is the better choice out of dotConnect or "sqlite.phxsoftware.com" for using Entity Framework with SQLite (in C#)? >>> More
SQLite table does not exist exception for existing SQLite database (and table)

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I've followed the instructions given here for introducing an existing SQLite database to your Android app. When I query the table "android_metadata" this is fine. But when I run a similar query on my own table "words" (which has _id for primary integer key) I get a table does not exist exception… >>> More
Android Jelly bean database is locked (code 5)

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Im getting a database is locked (code 5) in my ListActivity the code works in the other versions of the Emulator but fails in the 4.1 version of the emulator E/SQLiteLog( 2132): (5) database is locked E/SQLiteDatabase( 2132): Failed to open database '/data/data/id.online.mydroid/databases/geo… >>> More
Android:accessing assets folder sqlite databse file with .sqlite extension

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
How to read data from the assets folder sqlite database file with .sqlite extension in my android application? Thanks >>> More

Developer IT