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VetroLog

Flutter Database Guide (sqflite & Drift)

Flutter is one of the most popular mobile frameworks. Most Flutter applications persist relational data using either sqflite or drift (formerly Moor).

VetroLog provides first-class support for Flutter SQLite databases out of the box with zero plugins.

📂 Where Flutter Stores Database Files

In Flutter, developers typically obtain the database path via one of two methods:

1. getDatabasesPath() (Standard sqflite)

Stores files in the system database path:

/data/data/<package_name>/databases/my_database.db

2. getApplicationDocumentsDirectory() (path_provider & Drift)

Stores files inside the application documents path:

/data/data/<package_name>/app_flutter/my_database.db

🚀 Running Your Flutter App for Inspection

To inspect your Flutter database:

  1. Connect your phone via USB or start an emulator.
  2. Launch your Flutter app in debug mode:
    Terminal window
    flutter run
    (Debug mode automatically sets android:debuggable="true" in the Android manifest).
  3. Open VetroLog.
  4. In the top bar, select your device and pick your app package name (e.g. com.example.my_flutter_app (Active)).
  5. All SQLite databases created by sqflite or drift will appear in the sidebar immediately.

VetroLog Inspecting Flutter SQLite Database

🔄 Reactive UI Updates with Drift & StreamBuilder

If your Flutter app uses reactive queries:

  • Drift: database.select(database.users).watch()
  • sqflite: Wrapped in a custom StreamController or ValueNotifier

When you edit a cell or delete a row in VetroLog:

  1. VetroLog writes the mutation directly to the phone’s SQLite database.
  2. The file system notifies the SQLite file watcher.
  3. Your Flutter UI updates instantly on the phone screen without restarting the app!

Live Table Inspection of Flutter Database

To get optimal performance and real-time synchronization in Flutter, ensure WAL mode is enabled:

import 'package:sqflite/sqflite.dart';


Future<Database> openMyDatabase() async {
  return await openDatabase(
    'my_app.db',
    version: 1,
    onConfigure: (db) async {
      // Enable foreign keys
      await db.execute('PRAGMA foreign_keys = ON;');
      // Enable Write-Ahead Logging for high performance & live sync
      await db.execute('PRAGMA journal_mode = WAL;');
    },
  );
}

Next Steps