The readline library is a library that command-line applications use to allow users to edit their commands as they type them. More information about readline is available at it's web site {link: http://cnswww.cns.cwru.edu/php/chet/readline/rltop.html The GNU Readline Library}. - Scott The sqlite command-line utility (sensibly) links against readline if it is present. Readline is licensed under the GPL. Folk who wish to distribute their version of the sqlite utility under a license other than GPL may want to consider using the BSD {link: http://sourceforge.net/projects/libedit/ libedit} and read the thread around {link: http://sources.redhat.com/ml/guile/1999-02/msg00210.html Jim Blandy's comments} where the guile (lisp library) folk deal with a similar issue. --Derek **SQLite with readline already enabled** SQLite is available from Fink for OSX with readline already installed. Presently version 2.8.5. SQLite and SQLite3 are available from Darwinports... both support a Readline variant. **readline-enabled SQLite on Mac OS X** To include readline support on Mac OS X, do the following -- In latest version of readline source (4.3 when I did this), edit support/shobj-conf: Inside the darwin*|macosx* configuration... Replace: SHLIB_LIBS='-lSystem' With: SHLIB_LIBS='-lSystem -lcurses -lgcc' > ./configure > make > sudo make install readline headers will get installed most likely under /usr/local/include Then, in the SQLite source > ./configure Edit the Makefile: # Compiler options needed for programs that use the readline() library. # READLINE_FLAGS = -DHAVE_READLINE=1 -I/usr/local/include/readline # The library that programs using readline() must link against. # LIBREADLINE = -lreadline Then... > make > sudo make install You now have a happy, readline capable SQLite. (thanks to eno and instructions on the web) -- pkishor **Readline 5.0** Readline 5.0 has been released and appearently, it supports Mac OS X 10.3 out of the tarball. Just unpack, .configure, and make. -- Jeff Flowers