How to Efficiently Retrieve a List of Column Names from an SQLite3 Database?

Accessing SQLite3 Column Names: A Streamlined Approach

Database migration often requires verifying the existence of specific columns. This article explores efficient methods for retrieving column names from an SQLite3 database, offering a superior alternative to parsing complex SQL queries.

While a StackOverflow solution suggests using SELECT sql FROM sqlite_master WHERE tbl_name = 'table_name' AND type = 'table', this method necessitates cumbersome parsing. A more direct and efficient solution utilizes the PRAGMA table_info() statement.

The PRAGMA table_info() Solution

PRAGMA table_info(table_name) provides a concise way to obtain a table's column details. The syntax is simple:

PRAGMA table_info(table_name);

This returns a result set with the following columns:

• cid: Column index.
• name: Column name.
• type: Column data type.
• notnull: Indicates whether NULL values are allowed (1 for NOT NULL, 0 otherwise).
• dflt_value: Column's default value.

By iterating through this result set, you can easily extract the required column names, streamlining your database migration process. For verifying column existence, PRAGMA table_info() surpasses the SELECT sql method in efficiency and clarity.

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