Features Overview

HeliosDB-Lite provides advanced database features typically found in enterprise systems, all in a lightweight embedded package.

Core Features

Database Branching

Create isolated database branches for development, testing, or experimentation without duplicating data. Similar to Git branches for your database.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: Branching Guide

Time-Travel Queries

Query data as it existed at any point in time using AS OF TIMESTAMP syntax. Perfect for auditing, debugging, and historical analysis.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: Time-Travel Guide

Materialized Views

Create pre-computed views with automatic or incremental refresh. CPU-aware scheduling prevents system overload.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: Materialized Views Guide

Vector Search

Built-in HNSW vector indexing for similarity search, RAG applications, and AI/ML workloads. Supports product quantization for memory efficiency.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: Vector Search Guide

Security Features

Row-Level Security (RLS)

Fine-grained access control at the row level. Essential for multi-tenant applications.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: RLS Guide

Encryption at Rest

AES-256-GCM transparent data encryption with secure key management.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: Encryption Guide

Multi-Tenancy

Built-in tenant isolation with quotas, plans, and CDC support.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: Multi-Tenancy Guide

Performance Features

Self-Maintaining Filter Index (SMFI)

Automatic bloom filters and zone maps for storage-level filtering. Speculatively creates indexes based on query patterns.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: SMFI Guide

Per-Column Storage & Compression

FSST (string) and ALP (numeric) compression with per-column configuration for optimal storage efficiency.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: Per-Column Storage Guide

SQL Features

Triggers

PostgreSQL-compatible triggers for automating database operations in response to INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE events.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: Triggers Guide

Procedural Language (PL)

Multi-dialect procedural language supporting PL/pgSQL, T-SQL, PL/SQL, and DB2 SQL PL for stored procedures and functions.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: PL Guide

Primary Keys

Unique row identification with automatic indexing and NOT NULL constraints.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: Primary Keys Guide

Foreign Keys

Referential integrity constraints with CASCADE, SET NULL, and DEFERRED enforcement modes.

:octicons-arrow-right-24: Foreign Keys Guide

High Availability

HA Tier 1-3

Multi-tier high availability with warm standby (Tier 1), multi-primary replication (Tier 2), and sharding (Tier 3).

:octicons-arrow-right-24: HA Guide

Feature Comparison

Feature	HeliosDB-Lite	SQLite	PostgreSQL
Embedded Mode	✅	✅	❌
Server Mode	✅	❌	✅
Database Branching	✅	❌	❌
Time-Travel	✅	❌	❌
Vector Search	✅	❌	Extension
Row-Level Security	✅	❌	✅
Materialized Views	✅	❌	✅
Triggers	✅	✅	✅
Procedural Language	✅	❌	✅
Primary Keys	✅	✅	✅
Foreign Keys	✅	✅	✅
Per-Column Compression	✅	❌	❌
HA (Multi-Tier)	✅	❌	Extension
Transparent Write Forwarding	✅	❌	❌

Feature Index

For developers looking for source code locations, see the Feature Index.