SHSQL is a standalone SQL database that stores data in ASCII text files. It has a small memory footprint and code size and can be embedded directly into applications -- there is no server process. SHSQL is a pared-down SQL implementation but retains useful features such as timeout record locking and search engine comparison operators. A SHSQL database can be updated via SQL, or by editing data files with a text editor. Applications link to the supplied "C" language API. There is also a command-line SQL utility.