Android Database Pattern Comparisons

SQLiteOpenHelper

Pros

• Helper classes manages database creation and easy version management
• Makes it easy for ContentValue implementations to defer opening and upgrading the database util first use to avoid blocking application startup with long-running databases
• Not recommended if mobile device has direct access to online databases for security reasons

Cons

• ContentValues saves you from having to write insert statements yourself

SQLDelight

Pros

• generates Kotlin interfaces
• better tooling/validation than Room - IntelliJ plugin provides high=level features for .sq files like
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Refactoring/finding usages
  • Code autocompletion
  • Generating Queries after editing, compiler editors in the IDE
• SQLDelight incudes a runtime ColumnAdapter for storing an enum as TEXT
• SQLDelight is also pretty flexible in generation by creating object implementation support i.e. importing data from CSV objects