User's Guide

Part I. Introduction to SQL Anywhere

Chapter 3. Overview of SQL Anywhere

SQL Anywhere includes two executables for managing databases:

• The network server, for managing databases using a client/server arrangement on networks
• The database engine, for managing databases on a single computer in a standalone mode

PowerBuilder and InfoMaker users This chapter contains some information about connecting to a SQL Anywhere network server. The SQL Anywhere network server is not included with PowerBuilder and InfoMaker.

The SQL Anywhere server and SQL Anywhere engine manage databases in exactly the same way and are completely compatible. However, the SQL Anywhere engine has no support for network communications.

Server and engine The terms engine and server are used in this manual to refer to the database engine and database server. In contexts where either the engine or the server could be used, the terms are used interchangeably. When the engine and server need to be distinguished, the terms standalone engine and network server are sometimes used to emphasize which is meant.

The following sections describes the architecture for running SQL Anywhere on a single computer using the SQL Anywhere engine and for running SQL Anywhere across a network using the SQL Anywhere network server.

  For information on running more than one operating system on a single computer, see the section "Running mixed operating systems on a single computer".