Adobe Systems has confirmed it will help sponsor the work of the SQLite database project, joining a new consortium alongside Mozilla and Symbian.

SQLite, which is an embedded SQL database engine with core source code in the public domain, has been built into the firm's newly released Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) software.

So it's perhaps of little surprise that Adobe's announcement to sponsor SQLite has coincided with the launch of AIR, which has tools for programmers to build apps that run inside an internet browser and integrate with the desktop.

The San Jose-based company's open source boss Dave McAllister said in a blog post on Sunday:

"Adobe's support of the SQLite Consortium demonstrates Adobe's commitment to open source, and belief that technologies such as SQLite should remain independent and free in the best interests of the community."

Members of the consortium, which was launched in December 2007, receive a number of benefits that include extra support provided by SQLite developers, which amounts to "undivided attention" of at least 23 staff days per year. ®