SQL Anywhere contains a built-in HTTP web server that allows you to create online web services in SQL Anywhere databases. SQL Anywhere web servers support HTTP and SOAP over HTTP requests sent by web browsers and client applications. The web server performance is optimized because web services are embedded in the database.

SQL Anywhere web services provide client applications with an alternative to traditional interfaces, such as JDBC and ODBC. They are easily deployed because additional components are not needed, and can be accessed from multi-platform client applications written in a variety of languages, including scripting languages — such as Perl and Python.

In addition to providing web services over an HTTP web server, SQL Anywhere can function as a SOAP or HTTP client application to access standard web services available over the Internet and other SQL Anywhere HTTP web servers. For more information about accessing web services using web clients, see Accessing web services using web clients.