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Replace SQLite's C busy_timeout with a GVL-releasing Ruby handler

takeaway 3 connections

SQLite's native busy_timeout is a C callback that keeps holding Ruby's GVL during its waits, preventing other Puma workers from doing Ruby work. Re-implementing the busy_handler in Ruby with Kernel#sleep releases the GVL and lets SQLite I/O behave as external I/O, flattening the latency curve.

type
recommendation
takeaway Replace SQLite's C busy_timeout with a GVL-releasing Ruby handler
about
SQLite Busy Handler concept
The recommendation is about implementing the busy_handler in Ruby.
takeaway Replace SQLite's C busy_timeout with a GVL-releasing Ruby handler
about
Global Interpreter Lock concept
The point of the fix is to release the GVL during DB waits.
takeaway Replace SQLite's C busy_timeout with a GVL-releasing Ruby handler
from_talk
How (and why) to run SQLite in production talk
Fix #2 in the talk's performance journey.

Provenance

Created in
How (and why) to run SQLite in production — Stephen Margh... 2026-04-17 23:20
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