With the SQL Anywhere tools, you can create a database to hold your data. Once the database is created, you can begin adding database objects, such as tables or users, and you can set overall database properties.

The SQL statements for creating, changing, and dropping database objects are called the data definition language (DDL). The definitions of the database objects form the database schema: you can think of the schema as an empty database.

Procedures and triggers are also database objects, but they are discussed in Using procedures, triggers, and batches.

If you want more conceptual information before you begin, see:

• Designing and creating your database
• Ensuring data integrity
• Using Sybase Central
• Using Interactive SQL