SQLite is a self-contained, serverless SQL database engine that stores its entire database in a single file on disk. .NET provides first-class SQLite support via the System.Data.SQLite NuGet package, making it easy to read structured data into Dynamo without standing up a database server.
Setting Up the Database
Use DB Browser for SQLite (free) to create a .db file, design tables, and add data visually. After each change press Write Changes to persist to disk. For this example, create a Persons table with columns Id, FirstName, LastName, and Age.
Dynamo C# Node
Install the System.Data.SQLite NuGet package in a C# Class Library project. The node accepts a file path, opens the connection, runs a SELECT query, and returns the first column from every row:
using Autodesk.DesignScript.Runtime;
using System.Data.SQLite;
using System.Text;
public static class DynamoDb
{
[MultiReturn(new[] { "Result" })]
[IsVisibleInDynamoLibrary(true)]
public static Dictionary<string, object> Connection(string filePath)
{
if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(filePath))
return new Dictionary<string, object> { { "Result", "" } };
StringBuilder names = new StringBuilder();
// SQLite connection string: "Data Source=<path>"
using (var connection = new SQLiteConnection("Data Source=" + filePath))
{
connection.Open();
SQLiteCommand command = connection.CreateCommand();
command.CommandText = "SELECT [FirstName], [LastName], [Age] FROM Persons;";
using (var reader = command.ExecuteReader())
{
while (reader.Read())
{
// GetString(0) reads the first column — FirstName
names.AppendLine(reader.GetString(0));
}
}
}
return new Dictionary<string, object> { { "Result", names.ToString() } };
}
}The using block ensures the connection and reader are closed and disposed even if an exception occurs. See the follow-up article for a more scalable approach using typed business models.