Comment by bob1029
18 hours ago
I am really struggling to figure out what this is or how it provides value.
Edit:
This discussion isn't exactly what I was hoping for. I was looking for ways to better highlight the features or value proposition of this site. Not defenestrate it altogether.
E.g.: A simple modal that says "Welcome to SQLite Online! You can <core value proposition> with this tool." would have radically altered my initial perception.
For me: Try queries without the hassle of setting up a database. Learn SQL. Experiment. Etc.
I don't understand the people trying to convince others that this tool is useless by saying "just do it this way, duh!". It is useful, even from a rapid glimpse at the website.
Be kind and sensible.
The just-use-rsync line of thinking doesn't go away https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9224
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> For me: Try queries without the hassle of setting up a database.
That's the whole "database setup" in case of SQLite.
This method is not available on all devices and does not support sharing or collaboration.
The website, however, works on any platform and allows working together in a single shared database.
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Implicit assumptions: You know what a CLI is, you have one on your system, and how to install the sqlite3 binary somehow.
When I just started out with linux I was so frustrated with people just listing reams of commands, or files I needed to edit without stating I needed to look in /etc
How do I get this sqlite3 command to work on my Chromebook? When I type this in on my Windows machine it's not working either. Are there other steps I need to take first?
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if you don't want it to be persisted
I had the same reaction, why not just use the command line interface?
From there, I guess the value this adds is:
1. There is a UI, i.e. it has some autocomplete of sql syntax and it shows tables in a ... tabular format.
2. As others have mentioned, there are sharing features. Yes you could share a .db file, but with this you can also send a link viewable in a browser, with specific queries, etc.
#1 reminds me of MS Access from back in the day. Those were sql dbs underneath, but they had some interfaces to show you how to build queries. It wasn't a bad way to dip your toes into the basics of sql.
I think someone forgot what made the web the most popular platform in the world.
Where do I type that in on my iPad?
Some people might not have computers but still want to learn?
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It's clear that the tool is highly useful to the people who use it.
That being said, I feel like I'm dumped into the playground without understanding what I am playing with. A few short paragraphs, examples, screenshots, explanations, ect, would go very far.
Yes, we plan to add starter tips with explanations of their purpose.
> You can <core value proposition>
It may be difficult to briefly describe all the website’s capabilities right now, but the key features include:
If you want your points to appear in different lines in HN, use two backspaces :)
Thank you
As an educator I would've loved to have this last time I was teaching SQL.
1: No install
2: Ephermal (just reload if you've messed up?)
3: Good syntax highlighting
4: Visual UI to navigate the model
Why to pay for it though? That's a harder nut to crack, the UI is quite nice compared to many I've seen so maybe sell as an addon for those that provider hosted databases, collaborative spaces or as a desktop app. No obvious slam dunks though.
Agree with your edit saying that there should be a landing message that gives a quick overview. But with in a few moments I was able to see that you can create a database and then start inserting tables/records into it. Seems like a pretty good tool to learn how to create and manage a database without the hassle of having to download sqlite and start testing commands that might be new to you in the CLI
Yup, I think it would be a big help if the home page ('/') was a landing page explaining who it's for and why, and why. Is this for students? For prototyping? For quick analysis? Sample data? Importing real data? Use cases are key.
And then have a big hero button leading to the the actual tool ('/app' or '/playground' or whatever). Maybe preloaded with different sample data depending on the use case.
Right now, being dumped into a complicated interface with zero explanation is very confusing. (None of this is to criticize the project itself, just to help identify it to the people who might find the most value in it!)
Can’t people decide themselves what it’s for?
No?
I don't have the time to spend 10 minutes getting to know a product's features to try to figure out what it might be for.
Just tell me what it's for.
I mean, it's great if people can figure out other uses for it too. If they want to use it in a new way, awesome -- don't get me wrong. But products are generally built with specific purposes in mind. So don't hide those.
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I would have loved this 25-years ago during university.
Would have made homework (and just learning) significantly easier.
At first I thought that was about SQLite development itself