SAP Hana
A multi-model in-memory database with built-in graph engine supporting both property graphs and knowledge graphs. Provides built-in graph algorithms for path finding and network analysis. Part of SAP Business Technology Platform.
- Overall rank
- #21
- First released
- November 2010
- License
- Proprietary
- Built with
- C++
Sources 8 references
Protocols Native binary, JDBC/ODBC
SQL/graph access (openCypher, GraphScript) runs over HANA's proprietary, documented SQL Command Network Protocol; JDBC and ODBC are vendor-shipped standard connectors, while the Python DB API, Node.js, Ruby and Go drivers speak the binary protocol directly rather than through JDBC/ODBC. Rejected HTTP/REST (pass_B): OData/XMLA are optional web interfaces the application developer must build, not a built-in query channel.
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This document describes the SQL Command Network Protocol of the SAP HANA database, the protocol used by SAP HANA database clients to communicate with the SAP HANA database.
SAP HANA SQL Command Network Protocol Reference · reviewed 2026-08-02 -
SQLDBC is the basis for most interfaces; however, it is not used directly by applications.
SAP HANA Client Interface Programming Reference · reviewed 2026-08-02 -
Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) is a Java-based application programming interface (API) which includes a set of functions that enable Java applications to access a data model in a database.
SAP HANA Client Interface Programming Reference · reviewed 2026-08-02 -
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is a standard application programming interface (API) that provides a set of functions that enable applications to access a data model in a database.
SAP HANA Client Interface Programming Reference · reviewed 2026-08-02
License Proprietary
Confirms current value. SAP's own developer license agreement treats the software as proprietary, with no source code rights granted and reverse engineering prohibited.
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Ownership of and title in the SAP Software and Tools and to all intellectual property rights in any SAP proprietary information embodied in the SAP Software are and shall remain in SAP and its licensors.
Master Software Developer License Agreement for SAP HANA, Express Edition · reviewed 2026-08-02
Released 2010-11
Refined current value '2010' to '2010-11': SAP's own history page and independent reporting both place first customer shipment in late November 2010.
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2010 - SAP HANA was announced and a pre-release version was shipped to select customers in November of that year.
What is SAP HANA? · reviewed 2026-08-02 -
The first product shipped in late November 2010.
SAP HANA · reviewed 2026-08-02
Language C++
Confirms current value. A former SAP HANA Core Platform developer's technical blog post states the core is C++; SAP's own docs confirm C++ is used for the Application Function Library layer but don't state the core language as directly.
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HANA is the in-house database powering many of SAP's products. It is written in C++ with Python tests, and the entire code base lives inside of a single git repository.
HANA C++ Development Environment and Processes · reviewed 2026-08-02