You can use SQL Anywhere to build a complete application and database on a single computer. In the simplest arrangement, this is a standalone application or personal application: it is self-contained with no connection to other databases. In this case, the database server and the database can be started by the client application, and it is common to refer to the database as an embedded database. As far as the end user is concerned, the database is a part of the application.

Many relational database management systems require experienced staff for administration. A characteristic of SQL Anywhere databases is the ability to run entirely without administration.

The SQL Anywhere personal database server is generally used for embedded applications. Embedded applications have the following architecture, with a client application connecting through a programming interface to a database server running on the same computer: