EXHIBIT 5.1
 
   
                                 March 10, 1997
    
 
Centura Software Corporation
1060 Marsh Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
 
   
    REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 (FILE NO. 333-20491)
    
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
   
    We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-20491)
filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on
January 27, 1997, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with the
Commission on March 10, 1997 (the "Registration Statement"), in connection with
the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 4,500,000
shares of your Common Stock (the "Shares"). As your counsel in connection with
this transaction, we have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with
the proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with the issuance of
the Shares.
    
 
    It is our opinion that upon conclusion of the proceedings being taken or
contemplated by us, as your counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the
shares, and upon completion of the proceedings being taken in order to permit
such transactions to be carried out in accordance with the securities laws of
the various states where required, the Shares when issued in the manner
described in the Registration Statement will be legally and validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.
 
    We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to said Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in said
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement
constituting a part thereof, and in any amendment thereto.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
   
                                          /s/ Venture Law Group
    
 
                                          VENTURE LAW GROUP