How can I deal with the error: Sqlite3, OperationalError: unable to open database file?

Question

I have an ongoing project using the sqlite3 database. I created one test program that runs and passes it to the database:

/tmp/cer/could.db

The unit test program can make the DB without any problem. But, while using this same program, I got the following error:

OperationalError: unable to open database file

I tried to do it using:

1) an empty database. 2) the database and the unit test left behind. 3) no database at all.

But in all of the cases, I got the same error. Please guide me on this.

Answer 1

So your SQLite is unable to open that file due to some failure.

I will recommend you to check out this in the given order:

• Is the program running on the same machine as When you're testing your program, Is it a program running on the same machine?

• Is it running as the same user as you're testing it?

• Find out the disk you are using /tmp full or not. 

• Find out that the /tmp/cer directory have “odd” permissions or  not?

• Is the unit test code still using that database? 

• Your development code really trying to write to that database or not?

• Is it the same version of the SQLite library in the unit tests and the production code that you are using?

In case you are using some other system, there is a chance that the production system doesn't have a /tmp/cer directory. So correct it first. Now, if you're using the same machine but running as different users, you will have permissions/ownership problems. Disk space is also a big issue. If your problem is not solved by the above solutions then you need to provide some more information for the same problem for better troubleshooting.

If you want to get more insights into SQL, check out this SQL Course from Intellipaat.

Answer 2

To tackle with the mentioned error, ensure to check the following steps:

1. Make sure to check that database file is correct and exists. To avoid any kind of confusion, use absolute paths.

2. Confirm that you are having necessary permission like read and write for the program

3. Directory containing database file must exists.

4. There should not be any conflicting connection and also check for the disk space.