The SQL Anywhere RDBMS is the core component of SQL Anywhere. SQL Anywhere provides a series of tools for storing and managing data. You can use these tools to enter data into your database, to change your database structure, and to view or alter your data.
SQL Anywhere is intended for tasks that require a full-featured SQL database. It is designed to operate in varied environments. By taking advantage of available memory and CPU resources, SQL Anywhere provides very good performance in environments with ample resources. It also operates very well in environments with limited physical and database administration resources, including mobile computing and embedded database environments, and with workgroup servers.
SQL Anywhere excels in all the following roles:
A workgroup database server Workgroups ranging in size from a few people to several hundred people can use SQL Anywhere as a multiuser database server. It provides a high-performance database for workgroups, and is well suited for (but not limited to) environments where administration and hardware resources are limited.
SQL Anywhere can employ multiple CPUs and use up to 64GB of memory. Multigigabyte SQL Anywhere databases are currently in production use.
An embedded database Many applications require a database “behind the scenes.” These include Personal Information Managers, document management systems—just about any application that stores information. SQL Anywhere is designed to be the database for these applications.
A key requirement of embedded databases is that they be able to run entirely without administration. SQL Anywhere has demonstrated this facility in many demanding commercial applications.
Mobile computing Handheld, laptop, and notebook computers are now common in many workplaces. SQL Anywhere is intended to be the SQL database for these computers. With MobiLink synchronization and SQL Remote replication, SQL Anywhere extends transaction-based computing throughout the enterprise.
