How to store data when SQL sucks

Is SQLite the only option for data storage in a cross-platform desktop app? WTF?

SQL is such a broken leaky abstraction and most NoSQL stuff is even worse (JSON for queries? Seriously?). Either way though none of that helps desktop apps unless you want to manage a separate database process.

I'm tempted to write my own B+tree impl but that's like a pain in the ass. Where is libpersistent-data-structures that I can drop into my project?

Oh, and if you need an embedded DB you can always use this 'basic' database.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_DB

um,  just got, and what you are asking op is Berkley_DB, the oldest and fastest. If you ini and awk layout, you will feel at home with Berkley_DB.