Sybase iAnywhere  is expanding its database management portfolio with the release of Advantage Database Server 8.1. Advantage Database Server is a high-performance embedded client/server data management system that provides both ISAM table-based and SQL-based data access, enabling application developers to easily chart a growth path for legacy database applications to today's modern techniques. The updated features, including improved user defined functions, TCP/IP support, and enhanced SQL performance and replication improvements, will enhance Advantage Database Server 8.1 with ease of use, performance and efficiency. Advantage 8.1 provides developers with the functionality they require to easily build scalable business applications with low administration requirements.

"Advantage is designed specifically for application developers who require powerful database functionality that is easy to deploy and doesn't create unnecessary administrative overhead," said Chuck Vertrees, product manager for Advantage Database Server. "The enhancements and updates in Advantage 8.1 have allowed us to further enhance the usability and developer productivity of Advantage. All of the changes are customer-driven and have been a direct result of developer feedback."

Functionality Enhancements of Advantage Database Server 8.1: 

• User Defined Functions (UDFs): By encapsulating frequently performed  or complex operations into user defined functions, SQL statements and  scripts become easier to write, understand, and debug. 
• TCP/IP support: The ability to communicate with the Advantage Database  Server using TCP/IP is now available; providing an alternative to the  default proprietary transport implemented using UDP. 
• Increased SQL performance: Performance has been improved for many  types of SQL statements with shorter execution times. 
• Vertical Filtering for Replication: It is now possible to define vertical filters on replicated tables to control which columns of data  are replicated. This provides greater control over the replication  process and allows for more flexible scenarios. For example, vertical  filters make it possible to replicate to a target table that has fewer  columns than the source table.