DuckDB installation typically takes 1-2 minutes and requires approximately 60MB of disk space.
Prerequisites
Before starting, ensure you have:- Python 3.7+ (for the conversion script)
- DuckDB installed (
pip install duckdb
) - At least 200MB free disk space
- Downloaded the SQLite database files from our GitHub repository
DuckDB format is created by converting SQLite files using our conversion script, as DuckDB can directly read and import from SQLite databases.
Installation Methods
Method 1: Direct SQLite Import
DuckDB can directly query SQLite databases without conversion:1
Install DuckDB
2
Import SQLite Database
3
Verify Installation
Method 2: Using Conversion Script
1
Download Conversion Script
2
Convert SQLite to DuckDB
3
Convert Individual Tables
Method 3: Command Line Interface
1
Install DuckDB CLI
2
Import Using CLI
Performance Optimization
Create Indexes and Views
DuckDB-Specific Optimizations
Connection Examples
Advanced Analytics Features
Time Series Analysis
Geospatial Analytics
Data Science Integration
Jupyter Notebook Integration
Troubleshooting
Installation Issues
Installation Issues
Problem: DuckDB installation failsSolutions:
- Update pip:
pip install --upgrade pip
- Install specific version:
pip install duckdb==0.9.0
- Check Python version compatibility (3.7+)
- Try installing from conda:
conda install -c conda-forge duckdb
- Verify system requirements and available memory
SQLite Import Errors
SQLite Import Errors
Problem: Cannot import from SQLite databaseSolutions:
- Verify SQLite file exists and is readable
- Check SQLite file integrity:
sqlite3 world.sqlite3 "PRAGMA integrity_check;"
- Ensure DuckDB has read permissions
- Try importing individual tables
- Use absolute file paths
Performance Issues
Performance Issues
Problem: Queries are running slowlySolutions:
- Create appropriate indexes (see Performance section)
- Increase thread count:
SET threads = 8
- Use columnar operations instead of row-by-row processing
- Optimize SQL queries with
EXPLAIN
command - Consider using views for complex repeated queries
Memory Issues
Memory Issues
Problem: Out of memory errors during processingSolutions:
- Reduce memory usage:
SET memory_limit = '1GB'
- Process data in chunks using LIMIT and OFFSET
- Use streaming operations instead of loading all data
- Close connections when not needed
- Monitor memory usage during operations
Backup and Maintenance
Backup Strategies
Maintenance Commands
DuckDB automatically optimizes storage and doesn’t require frequent maintenance like traditional databases. Regular backups and occasional checkpoints are usually sufficient.
Integration with Data Science Stack
Apache Arrow Integration
Polars Integration
Next Steps
After successful installation:- Explore analytical queries using DuckDB’s powerful SQL extensions
- Integrate with your data science workflow using pandas, R, or other tools
- Set up automated backups using the provided scripts
- Experiment with advanced features like spatial functions and time series analysis
- Consider scaling to larger datasets using DuckDB’s columnar storage
Need Help?
Join our community discussions for DuckDB-specific questions and data science integration tips.