SQL Anywhere puts power on PCs

Abstract

Sybase Inc.'s latest addition to the Sybase SQL Anywhere 11 line is SQL Anywhere, Version 5.0, a transaction-oriented server-side database product that offers particularly good graphical administrative tools when run under Windows 95 or Windows NT. The database provides a complete set of performance statistics, which are accessible from its SQL Central database administration tool or from client applications. SQL Anywhere can be used as either a standalone database or a network database server in a client/server environment.

It isn't easy to find high-powered client/server features in a PC database. Desktop packages such as Microsoft Corps Access, Lotus Development Corp.'s Approach, and Borland International Inc.'s Paradox focus on complete, easy-to-use file server packages that just don't offer the industrial strength features needed for serious client/server applications. Enter Sybase Inc. with its latest addition to the Sybase System 11 line, Sybase

SQL Anywhere (the new name for Watcom SQL, acquired in Sybase's merger with Powersoft Corp.) SQL Anywhere, Version 5.0, is a transaction-oriented server-side database product that offers particularly good graphical administrative tools when run under Windows 95 or Windows NT. It also runs comfortably with client applications on the same PC, making it a good choice for stand-alone, workgroup, and mobile scenarios, or on advanced network servers for distributed environments. Remote-access features support message-based replication, and SQL Anywhere interoperates with Sybase SQL Server with help from Transact SQL and Interactive SQ compatibility.

The database provides a complete set of performance statistics, which are accessible from its SQL Central database administration tool or from client applications. The statistics can also be used by Windows NT'S performance monitor.

SQL Anywhere can be used as either a stand-alone database or a network database server in a client/server environment. Unfortunately, it doesn't include client-side application development tools such as form designers, query builders, or report generators -- an important distinction between this product and other desktop database management system packages. Microsoft Visual Basic and Sybase PowerBuilder lead as prime candidates for compatible application development. Client applications communicate with SQL Anywhere via Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), embedded SQL for C or C++, DDE, or API DLL. OLE support is absent but in the works.

Watcom SQ remains as SQ Anywhere's principal language dialect, and Transact SQL compatibility has been added for a closer tie to Sybase SQL Server. The package conforms to ANSI SQL89 with additional features as defined in IBM's DB2 and SAA specification and in ANSI SQL92. SQL Anywhere supports stored procedures, batches, user-defined functions, user-defined data types, statement-level triggers, message-based replication, ODBC 2.5, a SQL Server gateway, performance monitoring, transaction log mirroring, support for Messaging API E-mail calls, and SQL Central.

SQL Central looks and feels like the Windows 95 Explorer and makes database management very easy. Creating, maintaining, and backing up databases; managing transaction logs; and compressing, decompressing, unloading, and reloading operations are all initiated through SQL Central.

SQL Anywhere utilities presented wizards to guide me through the required operational steps. For example, when I chose to back up my database, the wizard asked which parts of the database I wanted to back up, suggested choices for file locations, and offered to rename, erase, or continue to use the current transaction log.

SQL Central displays database schema as a hierarchy of containers and their contents. The server container sits atop this hierarchy showing the names of all running databases. Clicking on a database container expands the view to reveal the underlying containers for tables, views, stored procedures, users and groups, user-defined data types, connected users, database spaces, and SQL remote.

SQL Central has good support for the right mouse button. Clicking on a table name, for example, popped up a menu that let me open, copy, validate, or delete the table, view its data, or examine its properties. The properties option offers a tabbed dialog showing general information, column definitions, constraints, permissions, and statistics. While adding a new table, I was able to drag and drop columns with similar data types and properties from other tables. This drag-and-drop convenience can also be used to add new users to user groups. SQL Central has a built-in editor with color-coded language keywords for generating or revising stored procedure or trigger-code snippets.