[eastern]

> expectation that the file changes only when you click Save is broken

This has nothing to do with sqlite. You can have (or not have) gradual saves in any file format. It's a choice that the developers of that app made.

> file format may have braking changes

The sqlite file format is unchanged for 19 years now. A world of features and capabilities have been added since. Don't hold your breath waiting for the sqlite format to change.

[quickthrower2]

This is not gradual saves. File changes when nothing has saved even, according to that comment.

Fair enough about the history of it not changing and you can always embed a frozen copy if it does. But this is a pragmatic assumption not a guarantee.