How to Test SQLite Database Upgrades Before Releasing an Android App on the Play Store?

How can I test upgrading the SQLite database before uploading the new version of my Android app on the Play Store?

// Example of SQLiteOpenHelper for managing database versions
public class MyDatabaseHelper extends SQLiteOpenHelper {

    private static final String DATABASE_NAME = "my_database.db";
    private static final int DATABASE_VERSION = 2; // Increment this for each upgrade

    public MyDatabaseHelper(Context context) {
        super(context, DATABASE_NAME, null, DATABASE_VERSION);
    }

    @Override
    public void onCreate(SQLiteDatabase db) {
        // Create tables
    }

    @Override
    public void onUpgrade(SQLiteDatabase db, int oldVersion, int newVersion) {
        // Upgrade logic goes here
        if (oldVersion < 2) {
            // Migrate from version 1 to 2
        }
    }
}

Testing SQLite database upgrades is a critical step in the app development lifecycle, especially when changes are made to the database schema. This ensures the integrity of existing user data and seamless functionality of the new app version.

// SQLiteOpenHelper implementation for handling upgrades
@Override
public void onUpgrade(SQLiteDatabase db, int oldVersion, int newVersion) {
    if (oldVersion < 2) {
        db.execSQL("ALTER TABLE my_table ADD COLUMN new_column TEXT;"); // Example migration
    }
}

Causes

• Changes in the database schema require thoughtful migration logic.
• New features may necessitate adjustments in data organization.

Solutions

• Create a backup of the existing database before testing upgrades.
• Use unit tests to verify that upgrades are applied correctly without data loss.
• Implement a thorough migration strategy in the onUpgrade() method of SQLiteOpenHelper.

Mistake: Skipping version increments in database versioning.

Solution: Always increment the version number in SQLiteOpenHelper.

Mistake: Not handling data migrations properly in onUpgrade method.

Solution: Thoroughly plan migrations for each version increment to avoid data loss.