Sybase 8-K Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Exhibit 99.4

February 18, 2005

Pieter Van der Vorst
SVP & Chief Financial Officer
Sybase, Inc.
One Sybase Drive
Dublin, CA 94568
(Delivered by hand)

Dear Pieter:

This is to inform you of your 2005 Executive Compensation as approved by the Compensation Committee.

     Cash Compensation (effective January 1, 2005)

•   Annual base salary: $ 348,000
(Paid semi-monthly at $14,500.00)

•   Incentive bonus target: 73.1% ($254,410)

•   Total target earnings (TTE): $602,410

     Your incentive bonus target will be based on Sybase, Inc. overall company performance as follows:

•	50% on Sybase revenue of $820 M
•	50% on Sybase profit before taxes (PBT) of $164.6 M
Payment of annual incentive bonus will be based on following:

e)   Sybase revenue:

•   70% at 95% of target performance

•   100% at 100%

•   3 for 1 after 100% (e.g. 130% at 110%)

f)   Sybase PBT

•   80% at 80% of target performance

•   100% at 100%

•   3 for 1 after 100% (e.g. 130% at 110%)

Pieter Van der Vorst
February 18, 2005

Page 2

     Long-Term Incentives

(e)   Sybase Restricted Stock Grant:

•   7,000 shares (3-year cliff vest grant)

(f)   Sybase Performance-based Restricted Stock:

•   28,000 shares

2005 Performance-Based Restricted Stock and Performance Share/Unit
Payout Program

Gate 1: In each of the three years, there needs to be positive cash flow from operations
Gate 2:
Component	Weight			Growth			Threshold			Payout Scale
										Achievement			Payout
Compounded Annual Growth											100	%		100	%
Rate in Revenue		40	%		7.00	%		50	%		50	%		50	%
											<50	%	no payout
Income Before Tax Growth Rate		35	%		10.40	%		70	%		100	%		100	%
											70	%		70	%
											<70	%	no payout
Total Shareholder Return (based on S&P 400)		25	%	Median				90	%		100	%		100	%
											90	%		90	%
											<90	%	no payout

I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for your contributions in 2004. I look forward to your support and contributions in 2005.

Sincerely,

/s/ JOHN S. CHEN

John S. Chen
Chairman, CEO and President

CC: HR File