Back up the database. For example:

dbbackup -c "DBF=mydb.db;UID=DBA;PWD=sql" old-db-backup-dir

For more information, see Backing up databases.

If possible, defragment the drive where the new database will be stored because a fragmented drive can decrease database performance.

Shut down all SQL Anywhere database servers because the version 12 dbunload utility cannot be used against a database that is running on a previous version of the database server. For example:

dbstop -c "DBF=mydb.db;UID=DBA;PWD=sql"

Unload and reload (rebuild) the old database into a new version 12 database. For example:

dbunload -c "DBF=mydb.db;UID=DBA;PWD=sql" -an mydb12.db

Back up the new database before using it. For example:

dbbackup -c "DBF=mydb12.db;UID=DBA;PWD=sql" new-db-backup-dir

Validate the new database before using it. For example:

dbvalid -c "DBF=mydb12.db;UID=DBA;PWD=sql"