I was hoping that my background of writing php / mysql would make the sqlite3 option the most straightforward without having to learn a new system. I have made a singleton class that I import to each viewcontroller and then each VC uses the singleton to make data inserts and requests.
This is the approach I'm using with my app too. As much as I like Core Data (or at least the idea of it) and while I'm certainly open to giving it a shot again in the future, I find sqlite to be much easier to work with.
As for applications that allow you to edit a sqlite database (using DDL and DML) I've found several in the Mac App Store, but there are two that stand out for me:
Base by Menial
This is a very nice sqlite database editor that gives you graphical editors for designing tables and editing data as well as a console view for composing and running SQL statements.
Navicat Essentials for SQLite
There is an expensive full version and a less expensive essentials version. I got the essentials version which gives you everything Base includes plus it lets you create different database connection objects with various editable paraments. The super expensive full version includes a graphical data modeler.
Navicat is currently my goto appliaction for database editing. It provides not only a basic console view but also a "code" editor view that lets you save your progress and/or run it in one view. Very convenient.
Both of the above mentioned titles have been updated numerous times since I've purchased.
Before purchasing Navicat, from the Mac App Store, check their website as they can give you special upgrade pricing that they can't provide through the Mac App Store.
Keep us updated!
