I've always avoided the docker setup because I want control of where my database is and such details.
But yeah all I see when I look at the install instructions are the same steps as gitlab requires, unless you use Docker.
It would be possible for them to make a simpler package for simple users where they'd use sqlite for example. This can easily be upgraded to Postgres/MariaDB.
I like the ROOT setting because that means I can easily adopt gogs on my existing personal git server which simply uses a gitrepos directory in a home directory on a closet server.
So hypothetically were they to use a default database setting, and a default ROOT setting, you could have a working gogs setup with just two package manager commands, one to add the repo and one to install the package. That's painless!
Advanced step can be to create a mysql database and import your sqlite data.
I would love to share this little piece of information about GitLab installation with everyone.
Since there was a little confusion mentioning GitLab installation, I would love to clarify that our installation page [1] offers many different approaches. Before the installation process, please make sure that you read our Installation doc [2].
The Omnibus package may be the best choice installation since it is quicker to install, easier to upgrade, and it contains features to enhance reliability not found in other methods [2].
[1] https://about.gitlab.com/install/
[2] https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/install/
[3] Other official installation methods are via Docker, Kubernetes, Google Cloud Platform etc.