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The Borland Database Engine (BDE) has a driver-based architecture. Each distinct database format or data source usually requires a separate BDE driver. A given driver can support a closely related family of data sources. For example, the dBASE driver supports tables of the specifications dBASE III through Visual dBASE 7, and Microsoft FoxPro version 2.0, 2.5, and 2.6 file formats.

BDE is object-oriented in design, making it easy to extend and customize. To extend BDE to access an additional database system, simply install the appropriate BDE driver or ODBC driver for that database system.

In a client/server environment, the applications and development tools reside on the client PCs, while the data source resides on the SQL server. BDE is ideally suited for a client/server environment, because it provides transparent access to both server databases and local databases on PCs.