/compat /sqlite/sqlite-feature-versions

SQLite feature versions: RETURNING, STRICT, ->> and DROP COLUMN

updated 2026-10-20

tool: SQLite
versions: SQLite 3.25 – 3.53
os: any

SQLite is embedded in your language runtime or operating system, so the version you get depends on where the library comes from, not on a server you install. Check it before using newer syntax: select sqlite_version();, or sqlite3.sqlite_version in Python.

Feature table

Feature	Since
Window functions (OVER)	3.25.0
ALTER TABLE … RENAME COLUMN	3.25.0
UPSERT (INSERT … ON CONFLICT DO UPDATE)	3.24.0
Generated columns	3.31.0
iif()	3.32.0
RETURNING	3.35.0
ALTER TABLE … DROP COLUMN	3.35.0
STRICT tables	3.37.0
-> and ->> JSON operators, unixepoch()	3.38.0
JSON functions built in by default	3.38.0
JSONB functions (jsonb_*)	3.45.0
concat(), concat_ws()	3.44.0

Check what your SQLite supports

bash

python - <<'EOF'
import sqlite3
db = sqlite3.connect(":memory:")
print("SQLite", sqlite3.sqlite_version)
tests = {
    "RETURNING": "create table t (id integer primary key, n int); insert into t (n) values (1) returning id",
    "STRICT": "create table s (n int) strict",
    "->> operator": """select '{"a":[1,2]}' ->> '$.a[1]'""",
    "unixepoch()": "select unixepoch('2026-01-01')",
    "concat_ws()": "select concat_ws('-', 'a', 'b')",
    "DROP COLUMN": "create table d (a, b); alter table d drop column b",
}
for name, sql in tests.items():
    try:
        *_, last = sql.split("; ")
        for stmt in sql.split("; ")[:-1]:
            db.execute(stmt)
        print(f"{name:14} ok   {db.execute(last).fetchall()}")
    except sqlite3.Error as e:
        print(f"{name:14} no   {e}")
try:
    db.execute("insert into s values ('x')")
except sqlite3.Error as e:
    print(f"{'STRICT check':14} ok   {e}")
EOF

Output

SQLite 3.53.1
RETURNING      ok   [(1,)]
STRICT         ok   []
->> operator   ok   [(2,)]
unixepoch()    ok   [(1767225600,)]
concat_ws()    ok   [('a-b',)]
DROP COLUMN    ok   []
STRICT check   ok   cannot store TEXT value in INT column s.n

Where SQLite versions come from

Python: the sqlite3 module links the SQLite library of the build (python.org installers, distro packages and uv-managed Pythons ship different versions).
Node.js: node:sqlite (Node 22.5+) bundles its own copy; better-sqlite3 also bundles one.
Android, iOS, browsers: each OS release fixes the version; check before relying on newer syntax.

Sources

config · sqliteSQLite PRAGMA journal_mode=WAL: concurrent readers and a writerPRAGMA journal_mode=WAL makes SQLite write changes to a -wal file, so readers keep working while one connection writes. It is stored in the database file.errors · sqliteSQLite: database is locked (SQLITE_BUSY)SQLite returns database is locked (SQLITE_BUSY) when another connection holds a write lock. Fix it with a busy timeout, WAL mode, and short write transactions.compare · sqlSQL INNER JOIN vs LEFT JOIN: which rows each one returnsINNER JOIN returns only rows that match on both sides; LEFT JOIN keeps every left row and fills NULL where nothing matches. Shown with real query output.

Feature table

Check what your SQLite supports

Where SQLite versions come from

Sources

Related pages