Actian Zen

Additional features

Reliable Database Management System (DBMS)

Provides a robust and dependable foundation for data storage and management, ensuring data integrity and availability.

Small-Footprint

Designed to occupy minimal disk space and memory resources, making it ideal for deployment on resource-constrained devices at the edge, mobile phones, or IoT sensors.

Low-Maintenance / Zero-DBA

Requires very little administration and is largely self-managing, eliminating the need for a dedicated database administrator, which is crucial for embedded and distributed applications.

High-Performance DBMS

Optimized for extremely fast data access, writes, and processing, crucial for real-time applications and high-transaction environments.

Purpose-Built for Edge Data Management

Specifically engineered to handle local and distributed data processing directly on devices and gateways in mobile, IoT, and remote/branch office settings.

ACID-Compliant

Guarantees Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability for all transactions, ensuring data reliability even in unexpected failures.

Embedded Database

Designed to be seamlessly integrated and bundled directly within applications by Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

Multi-Model Database (SQL & NoSQL)

Offers the flexibility of both a full ANSI-compliant SQL Relational Database Engine (SRDE) for complex queries and reporting, and a high-speed, direct record-level access MicroKernel Database Engine (MKDE) via the Btrieve API for transactional key-value store operations.

Interchangeable Data Access

Both SQL and Btrieve APIs can access the same data files, allowing developers to choose the most efficient method for different tasks, or even use both concurrently.

Backward Compatibility

Ensures seamless upgrades to new versions without requiring data migration, code rewrites, recompilation, or even reinstallation of existing applications, significantly simplifying maintenance.

Cross-Platform Data Portability

Supports a wide array of operating systems (Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi OS) and CPU architectures (x86, ARM), with the same data types and file formats across all, enabling "copy and go" data movement without ETL.

Scalable Architecture (from Core to Enterprise)

Built with a single, modular architecture that scales from ultra-small Zen Core libraries (as low as 2MB) for single-user mobile apps to Zen Edge for gateways and Zen Enterprise Server capable of supporting thousands of concurrent users and large-scale deployments.

Transactional Engine (MKDE)

Provides direct, record-level, high-performance access using a key-value store, ideal for high-volume transactional data.

Relational Engine (SRDE)

Offers full ANSI-compliant SQL access for set-based operations, reporting, and ad-hoc queries.

Self-Tuning Capabilities

The database automatically optimizes internal configurations and resource usage for best performance without manual intervention.

Maximum Data File Size up to 64TB

Supports extremely large individual data files, accommodating massive datasets.

Large Key Lengths (up to 1024 bytes)

Allows for long and complex primary/secondary keys.

Large SQL Bound Column Sizes (up to 2GB)

Supports storing significant amounts of data within a single SQL column.

Data Compression (Page & Record)

Optimizes disk space usage by compressing both data pages and individual records.

Variable Record Sizes & Blank Truncation

Efficiently stores data by only using necessary space and removing trailing blanks.

Multi-Core Processor Awareness

Leverages modern multi-core CPUs for improved performance and scalability.

64-bit Engines (Microkernel & SQL)

Provides enhanced performance and the ability to utilize larger memory spaces.

IPv4 and IPv6 Network Support

Ensures compatibility with modern networking infrastructures.

Row-Level Locking

Allows multiple users to access and modify data concurrently with fine-grained locking to prevent conflicts.

Over-the-Wire Encryption & Data Encryption

Secures data during transmission and at rest using strong encryption standards like AES 256-bit.

Cluster Environments Compatibility

Can operate effectively in clustered setups for higher availability and scalability.

Internationalization (I18N) Support

Handles various character sets and code page translations (including UTF-8) for global applications.

Data Backup Agents & VSS Writer

Integrates with third-party backup solutions and provides tools for consistent backups without interrupting operations.

AuditMaster

An add-on product for comprehensive auditing of all database access and changes, crucial for compliance and security.

DataExchange

A replication solution for ensuring business continuity, enabling warm backups, reporting, or synchronization of data across multiple Zen databases.

SDKs for Multiple Languages

Offers Software Developer Kits (SDKs) and APIs for popular programming languages including C/C++, C#, Java (JCL, JDBC), ODBC, OLE DB, Delphi (PDAC), Perl, PHP, and Python (via SWIG).

Zen Control Center (ZCC)

A graphical utility for managing the database, creating/editing tables, configuring servers, and editing data.

License Administrator Utility

Manages database licenses.

Monitor Utility

Provides real-time insights into engine activities, resource usage, sessions, and communication statistics for performance monitoring.

System Analyzer Utility

Helps diagnose connection issues and provides information about system components.

Maintenance Utility

Allows creating and editing schema-less files.

Rebuild Utility

Converts file formats and rebuilds files in MKDE format.

Function Executor

Assists developers by simulating direct API operations into MKDE for testing and debugging schema-less data.

SQL Syntax Enhancements

Continuous improvements to SQL capabilities, including new functions and optimized operations.

JSON and BLOB Data Types

Support for storing unstructured and binary data efficiently.

UUIDs as Primary Keys

Allows using Universally Unique Identifiers as primary keys for distributed systems.

Soft Deletes

Provides a logical deletion mechanism to retain historical data without physical removal.

Auto Timestamps

Automatically manages created_at and updated_at fields for records.

Custom Column Types

Flexibility to define custom data types beyond standard ones.

Foreign Keys to Non-Primary Columns

Supports defining relationships using columns other than primary keys.

Composite Keys Support

Allows using multiple columns to form a single primary or foreign key.

Docker Container Support

Can be deployed and managed within Docker containers, compatible with Kubernetes orchestration.

Deployment Options

Supports on-premise, cloud, hybrid, and air-gapped/disconnected environments, meeting diverse deployment needs.

Zero-Copy Data Sharing (Zen Core)

Enables efficient and secure data sharing between mobile devices and server environments without requiring ETL processes.

Royalty-Free Developer Licensing (Zen Core)

Allows developers to embed and distribute Zen Core with their mobile applications without additional licensing costs.