1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
   
     We consent to the use in this Registration Statement No. 333-73267 on Form
S-4 of Ardent Software, Inc. of our report dated January 22, 1999 appearing in
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is a part of such Registration Statement,
and to the reference to us under the headings "Summary Historical Financial
Data" and "Experts" in such Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
    
 
                                          /s/ Deloitte & Touche llp
                                          DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
   
            , 1999