Enterprise Access uses Ingres Structured Query Language (SQL) to manipulate data. SQL consists of high‑level descriptions of actions to be performed against data, such as select and prepare. SQL requires no instructions for accessing data; it navigates its own way through the database.

The gateways use OpenSQL, which is a subset of Ingres SQL. OpenSQL is highly portable because it is designed to open applications to many different types of databases. All Enterprise Access and Ingres products support OpenSQL.

Applications coded in OpenSQL are more portable than applications that use Ingres SQL extensions. Applications utilizing any Ingres SQL extensions must be rewritten in OpenSQL for use with the gateway.

For more information about using OpenSQL, see the Ingres OpenSQL Reference Guide. For information about the specific host DBMS, see the Enterprise Access Developing Portable Applications.