Why is DB_CONNECTION always set up to SQLite in Laravel 11+?

Why is DB_CONNECTION always set up to SQLite in Laravel 11+?

Laravel is a popular PHP web application framework that provides an elegant and expressive syntax for building web applications. Laravel 11 and later versions come with SQLite as the default database driver, which is set up automatically during the installation process. There are several reasons why Laravel uses SQLite as the default database connection:

1. Simplicity: SQLite is a self-contained, file-based database engine that does not require any external setup or configuration. This makes it an ideal choice for development environments where setting up a separate database server can be time-consuming and complex.
2. Speed: SQLite is known for its fast performance, especially for small to medium-sized applications. Since Laravel is designed to be a high-performance framework, using SQLite as the default database driver helps to ensure that applications built using Laravel are fast and responsive.
3. Flexibility: SQLite supports both transactional and non-transactional database operations, making it a versatile choice for different types of applications. Laravel's support for SQLite also makes it easier for developers to test their applications locally using the same database engine that will be used in production.
4. Compatibility: SQLite is a widely used database engine that is supported by most operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and others. This makes it a good choice for developers who need to build applications that can run on multiple platforms.
5. Low resource requirements: SQLite has low resource requirements, making it an excellent choice for applications that run on low-resource environments, such as shared hosting or virtual private servers.

In summary, Laravel uses SQLite as the default database connection because it is simple, fast, flexible, compatible, and has low resource requirements. These characteristics make SQLite an ideal choice for building web applications using Laravel. However, Laravel also supports other database engines, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle, so developers can choose to use a different database engine if they have specific requirements that cannot be met by SQLite.