Data Abstract has a unique approach for defining and implementing the middle tier - the server that stands between your clients and the database - and controls and validates data access. Rather than making you write a bunch of code or drop lots of components, data access is defined in a Schema, an XML file edited using Remobjects' highly visual Schema Modeler tool. Schemas define what tables to expose to the clients and how to expose them. They can define data access rules and restrictions for access and updates. They can also abstract different database types and structures, letting you expose a unified data layer regardless of the underlying database system, or make migration between different databases easy. An added benefit is that you don't have to write any SQL code - unless you want to.