Creating a SQL Anywhere database

To create a SQL Anywhere database, you first define the tables it will have (entities), the columns in each table (attributes), and the relationships between tables (keys and constraints).

It is recommended that you create a Conceptual Database Model (CDM) for your new database. You can use CDM applications such as Sybase PowerDesigner to create and validate your database design. These tools construct SQL statements that are submitted to the database server, typically through its ODBC interface. If you are using one of these tools, you do not need to construct SQL statements to create tables, assign permissions, and so on. See PowerDesigner Physical Data Model.

For more information about designing databases and creating a CDM, see the Sybase PowerDesigner documentation at [external link] http://infocenter.sybase.com/help/index.jsp.

For more information about database objects such as tables and views, see Working with database objects.

You can also use Sybase Central, Interactive SQL, or the command line to create or initialize a SQL Anywhere database. After creating the database, you can connect to it and add tables and other objects.

Transaction log

When you create a database, you must decide where to place the transaction log. This log stores all changes made to a database, in the order in which they are made. In the event of a media failure on a database file, the transaction log is essential for database recovery. It also makes your work more efficient. By default, it is placed in the same directory as the database file, but this configuration is not recommended for production use.

For more information about placing the transaction log, see The transaction log.

Database file compatibility

A SQL Anywhere database is an operating system file. It can be copied to other locations just as any other file is copied.

Database files are compatible among all operating systems, except where file system file size limitations or SQL Anywhere support for large files apply. See SQL Anywhere size and number limitations.

A database created from any operating system can be used from another operating system by copying the database file(s). Similarly, a database created with a personal database server can be used with a network database server. SQL Anywhere database servers can manage databases created with earlier versions of the software, but old servers cannot manage newer databases.