# Database Configuration

## Contents

- [Quick Start Using SQLite](#quick)
- [Configuring Other Databases](#server)
- [Setting The Default Connection Name](#default)

Laravel supports the following databases out of the box:

- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- SQLite
- SQL Server

All of the database configuration options live in the **application/config/database.php** file.

<a name="quick"></a>
## Quick Start Using SQLite

[SQLite](http://sqlite.org) is an awesome, zero-configuration database system. By default, Laravel is configured to use a SQLite database. Really, you don't have to change anything. Just drop a SQLite database named **application.sqlite** into the **application/storage/database** directory. You're done.

Of course, if you want to name your database something besides "application", you can modify the database option in the SQLite section of the **application/config/database.php** file:

	'sqlite' => array(
	     'driver'   => 'sqlite',
	     'database' => 'your_database_name',
	)

If your application receives less than 100,000 hits per day, SQLite should be suitable for production use in your application. Otherwise, consider using MySQL or PostgreSQL.

> **Note:** Need a good SQLite manager? Check out this [Firefox extension](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/sqlite-manager/).

<a name="server"></a>
## Configuring Other Databases

If you are using MySQL, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL, you will need to edit the configuration options in **application/config/database.php**. In the configuration file you can find sample configurations for each of these systems. Just change the options as necessary for your server and set the default connection name.

<a name="default"></a>
## Setting The Default Connection Name

As you have probably noticed, each database connection defined in the **application/config/database.php** file has a name. By default, there are three connections defined: **sqlite**, **mysql**, **sqlsrv**, and **pgsql**. You are free to change these connection names. The default connection can be specified via the **default** option:

	'default' => 'sqlite';

The default connection will always be used by the [fluent query builder](/docs/database/fluent). If you need to change the default connection during a request, use the **Config::set** method.