Best new features of SQLAnywhere 12

[former_SQLA_member1694893]

I'm upgrading SQLA from version 7 to version 12 and was entitled to give a small workshop regarding new features of the new version. I know that I can read the documentation and find some of them but, as I don't have any experience with this new version, I'm afraid of skipping some good or small improvement that made a big difference in running it. Could anyone share your opinion about it?

[VolkerBarth]

As Mark has stated, it would be easier to name some features if you tell about your particular needs, e.g. it will depend on whether you are using (or will be using):

• Synchronization/replication (particularly MobiLink has evolved largely)
• Ultralite / mobile devices
• Enterprise features (HA, OLAP, monitor...)
• Development enhancements (much more APIs...)

just to name a few topics.

[former_SQLA_member1694893]

Volker

Yes, you're right. I'm not using any synchronization or Ultralite. I will definitely use HA and OLAP. I don't know what to say about development enhancements as I use SQLA just as a backend to our software (an ERP).

[Breck_Carter · Accepted solution]

Not only did Version 12 contribute new features, but Versions 8 through 11 as well. The "Changes and Upgrading" section of the Help only goes back as far as Version 10 but it is well worth browsing for the highlights.

Many of the new features in Version 9 were covered in the book SQL Anywhere Studio 9 Developer's Guide.

Somewhat eclectic listicles may be found here: Top 10 Cool New Features In SQL Anywhere 10, Top 10 Cool New Features in SQL Anywhere 11 and Top 10 Features In SQL Anywhere 12.

And then there's my blog and the blogs by Chris Kleisath, Glenn Paulley, Tom Slee, Eric Farrar and Jason Hinsperger... lots of new features discussed there over the past four years.

The Big New Feature, of course, has been all the performance improvements over the years. You may find the occasional Query From Hell that performs worse than it did in Version 7 but for the most part everything will run much faster.

[Breck_Carter · Accepted solution]

My favorite new feature might be the builtin HTTP server because it opened up a whole new world of development possibilities.

[former_SQLA_member1694893 · Accepted solution]

Breck I definitely follow your blog! Talking about HTTP server, can you tell me what can you do with it?

[VolkerBarth · Accepted solution]

If you follow Breck's blog, you'll certainly know about Foxhound, Breck's browser-based SQL Anywhere database monitor:

The Foxhound server (or "engine") runs as a single SQL Anywhere database in a Version 12 engine configured to run as an HTTP (web) server.

In short, you can use SQL Anywhere as both a backend database and a webserver: Just set it up, and you have a full browser-based application within its own database...