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Carlos Reyes
Carlos Reyes
30,056 Points
Posted by Carlos Reyes
Carlos Reyes
30,056 Points

Typing sqlite3 in min 11:35

In min 11:35 when I type "sqlite3" my prompt changes to "sqlite3 " then I type .help, and it changes again to "...>". By hiting crtl-z it is stopped and I can see again the "treehouse ~ $" prompt, then fg and I return to "...>"

My questions are how do I close sqlite3? What else to type after ".help", to get the hints?

1 Answer

Sam Hall
PLUS
Sam Hall
Courses Plus Student 8,636 Points
Sam Hall
Sam Hall
Courses Plus Student 8,636 Points

I accidentally typed ls after launching sqlite3 and I got stuck with the ..> prompt as well. This is what I found out, in case it is useful for someone.

  • Commands in sqlite3 start with a dot. For example: .help.
  • If you type anything that doesn't start with a dot at the sqlite> prompt, it expects that you are typing SQL statements. This changes to prompt to ..> to allow you to add more lines.
  • The way to get out of this is to type a semi-colon (;). This ends the sql statement and will take you back to the sqlite> prompt.
  • To leave from the sqlite> prompt, type .quit or .exit.

For example, here I start sqlite and then accidentally type ls. I end the statement using ; and the quit. The syntax error is because ls is not valid SQL:

treehouse ~ $ sqlite3                                                   
SQLite version 3.11.1 2016-03-03 16:17:53                               
Enter ".help" for usage hints.                                          
Connected to a transient in-memory database.                            
Use ".open FILENAME" to reopen on a persistent database.                
sqlite> ls                                                              
   ...> ;                                                               
Error: near "ls": syntax error                                          
sqlite> .quit                                                           
treehouse ~ $

I found that .help works so long as you are at the sqlite> prompt.

Further info: http://www.tutorialspoint.com/sqlite/sqlite_commands.htm, http://www.sitepoint.com/getting-started-sqlite3-basic-commands