Exhibit 5.1


                                November 27, 1996


Centura Software Corporation
1060 Marsh Road
Menlo Park, CA  94025


     REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by you
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about November 29, 1996 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 1,000,000 shares of your Common Stock
reserved for issuance under the 1995 Stock Option Plan, 100,000 shares reserved
for issuance under the 1992 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 500,000 shares
reserved for issuance under the 1996 Directors' Stock Option Plan, (collectively
the "Plans").  As your legal counsel, we have examined the proceedings taken and
are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with
the sale and issuance of the Shares under the Plans.

     It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in
the Plans and pursuant to the respective agreements which accompany each grant
under the Plans, the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

     We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever it appears in the
Registration Statement and any amendments to it.

                                        Sincerely,

                                        VENTURE LAW GROUP
                                        A Professional Corporation

                                        /s/ Venture Law Group


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