InterBase
InterBase is a lightweight, embeddable relational database management system (RDBMS) designed for high-performance data management in mobile, desktop, and server environments.[1] Originally developed in the 1980s by Jim Starkey and first released in 1984, it was initially sold to Ashton-Tate before being acquired by Borland in 1991, and has been maintained by Embarcadero Technologies since 2008 as part of its development tools portfolio.[2][3] One of InterBase's defining characteristics is its multi-version concurrency control (MVCC), which was among the first implementations in an enterprise-grade RDBMS, enabling efficient handling of concurrent transactions without locking to support real-time data access.[2] The system supports a wide range of platforms, including Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android, with editions tailored for embedded use (InterBase ToGo), scalable server deployments, and even a free limited version (IBLite).[1][3] InterBase emphasizes security and resilience, featuring AES-256 encryption, column-level data protection, TLS 1.2+ connectivity, and FIPS 140-3 compliance in its latest release, InterBase 15, which also introduces SHA-256 password hashing and enhanced platform support for modern operating systems like Windows Server 2025 and Ubuntu 24.[4] It complies with ANSI/ISO SQL standards and provides APIs such as ODBC, JDBC, and ADO.NET, alongside support for languages including C++, Java, and .NET.[3][1] Notable innovations include Change Views™, an award-winning technology for real-time data change tracking without application modifications, which has been recognized in IoT solutions, and features like live backups, incremental restores, and point-in-time recovery for minimal downtime.[1] With a small footprint and multi-core optimization, InterBase remains a proven choice for applications requiring ACID compliance, stored procedures, triggers, and fine-grained access controls.[3]Overview
Description and Purpose
InterBase is a proprietary relational database management system (RDBMS) developed and marketed by Embarcadero Technologies, designed to provide fast, scalable data storage solutions for a wide range of applications, including enterprise, desktop, and embedded systems.[1] It emphasizes embeddability, allowing it to be integrated directly into applications without requiring a separate server installation, which makes it particularly suitable for resource-constrained environments like mobile and IoT devices.[1] Originally developed in the 1980s by Jim Starkey and subsequently acquired by Ashton-Tate before being acquired by Borland, InterBase was positioned as a lightweight alternative to more resource-intensive databases such as Oracle or SQL Server, prioritizing ease of deployment and minimal administrative overhead while supporting robust SQL functionality.[5] A core purpose of InterBase is to enable zero-downtime maintenance and efficient data management through innovative features like Change Views, an award-winning technology for real-time change data capture that tracks field-level data alterations using standard SQL queries without compromising performance.[1] This allows developers to monitor and synchronize data changes seamlessly across distributed systems, supporting applications that require continuous operation. Additionally, InterBase incorporates journaling for instant disaster recovery, facilitating point-in-time restores and live backups that minimize data loss risks even during system failures.[6] As of 2025, InterBase continues to evolve as an ultrafast, embeddable database optimized for modern use cases, including IoT, mobile, and desktop applications, with its latest version, InterBase 15, enhancing security, platform support, and scalability while maintaining its reputation for low-cost, zero-administration deployment.[1] It has been recognized for innovative data handling, such as earning Total Telco's IoT Award for its scalable Change Views implementation in telecommunications.[7]Editions and Supported Platforms
InterBase is available in several editions tailored to different deployment needs, including the full-featured InterBase Server for enterprise environments, the embeddable InterBase ToGo for mobile and desktop applications, the InterBase Developer for evaluation and development, and the InterBase Desktop for single-user setups.[8] The Server edition supports licensed concurrent users and up to 32 CPU cores with additional licensing, with features like journaling for write-ahead logging and point-in-time recovery, while the ToGo editions limit to one user and 1-4 cores depending on the variant (Lite or Pro). The Developer edition is limited to 4 users and 8 cores for non-production use.[8] Licensing models include perpetual licenses for Developer, Desktop, and Server editions (with one year of maintenance included), and annual subscriptions for ToGo Pro; trial versions are offered for testing, and pricing tiers vary by edition and volume, requiring contact with Embarcadero sales for details.[9] The editions differ in capabilities such as encryption support, with Server, Developer, and Desktop providing AES-256 with FIPS compliance, ToGo Pro offering AES-256, and ToGo Lite providing no encryption.[8] Below is a comparison of key edition features:| Edition | Max Users | Max CPU Cores | Encryption | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | 4 | 8 | AES-256 + FIPS | Development and testing |
| ToGo Lite | 1 | 1 | None | Basic embedded apps |
| ToGo Pro | 1 | 4 | AES-256 | Advanced mobile/desktop embedding |
| Desktop | 1 | 4 | AES-256 + FIPS | Single-user desktop applications |
| Server | Licensed | 32 | AES-256 + FIPS | Enterprise client-server |