About SQL Anywhere

Chapter 1. Introduction
About SQL Anywhere

A full SQL database management system

Developed on personal computers for personal computers, SQL Anywhere is a full-featured transaction-processing SQL database management system which has excellent performance while requiring fewer resources (memory space, disk space, and CPU speed) than other database management systems.

SQL Anywhere is available for Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows 3.x, OS/2, NetWare, Solaris/Sparc, HP-UX, AIX, DOS, and QNX operating systems.

SQL Anywhere can be used as a standalone database management system or (on non-UNIX operating systems) as a network database server in a client/server environment.

Database files are compatible between versions and across all operating systems. The operating systems on which you are entitled to run SQL Anywhere depends on your license agreement.

SQL Anywhere is a fast and efficient database for many environments, from notebook computers to servers supporting large numbers of concurrent users. It is a flexible and scalable solution for today's diverse needs.

ODBC support

With an efficient ODBC driver and full ODBC 2.1 level 2 support, as well as other interfaces, SQL Anywhere is also an ideal database for developers. Whether you are using C, PowerBuilder, or other application development tools, and whether you are developing single-user or client/server applications, SQL Anywhere provides you with all the capabilities you expect from a full SQL database server.

Supplied components

Sybase SQL Anywhere is a multi-platform database management system that is available in both Standard and Professional Editions, and which is included as a part of several other products, including Powersoft PowerBuilder, Optima++, and S-Designor. Depending on which operating system you are using, and which particular product you have purchased, you may have access to some or all of the features described in this manual.

The components available to you depend on the operating system you are running, and on the particular product you have purchased. This section describes the contents of the SQL Anywhere Standard Edition. Additional tools and components are included in SQL Anywhere Professional. If you received SQL Anywhere as part of another product, consult the product documentation to see which components are available to you.

SQL Anywhere components

The SQL Anywhere Standard Edition CD-ROM includes the following components. Your use of these components is subject to the software license agreement.

Standalone database engine For same-machine database access.
Network server and client For client/server database access across a network.
SQL Remote Message-based replication technology.
Sybase Central Graphical administration utility
ISQL Interactive SQL utility.
Command-line administration utilities For database management tasks.

A DBMS for many platforms and environments

SQL Anywhere is available for the following operating systems:

Windows and Windows NT The standalone database engine and multiuser network server are available for each of Windows 3.x, Windows 95, and Windows NT. The Sybase Central administration utility is available for Windows 95 and Windows NT only.
OS/2 The standalone database engine and multiuser network server are available for OS/2. These include a Presentation Manager version of ISQL, and command-line administration utilities. Sybase Central is not available for OS/2.
NetWare The network server is available as a NetWare Loadable Module (NLM). The ISQL utility is also available as an NLM.
UNIX The standalone engine is available for Sun Microsystems Solaris/Sparc, Hewlett Packard HPUX, and IBM AIX. This includes a character-mode ISQL and command-line administration utilities.
QNX The network server only is available for QNX. This includes a character-mode ISQL and command-line administration utilities.
DOS The standalone database engine and multiuser network server are available for DOS. This includes a character-mode ISQL and command-line administration utilities.

For information about supported releases of these operating systems, see your Read Me First .