Top Python Libraries

Top Python Libraries

Farewell SQLite! This Embedded Analytics Engine Rocks

DuckDB: The embedded OLAP database for fast analytics. Columnar storage, zero-config setup, and SQLite-like ease. 1.7M+ monthly downloads.

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Meng Li
May 30, 2025
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Unlocking Data Analytics with DuckDB: The Python Enthusiast's Guide

DuckDB is an embedded OLAP database designed for high-efficiency analytical queries, often dubbed the "SQLite for analytics."

Developed by the Dutch CWI database team under the MIT open-source license, DuckDB boasts over 1.7 million monthly downloads and 29.6k GitHub stars, matching Snowflake’s growth rate. DB-Engines predicts it will become a next-generation mainstream analytical engine.

Unlike traditional row-based databases like SQLite, DuckDB employs columnar storage and a vectorized query engine, significantly boosting performance for aggregation, complex filtering, and other analytical tasks. It requires no standalone server, embedding via a single binary file, supports languages like Python, R, and Java, and can be mastered in just 5 minutes.

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