1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We consent to the inclusion in the Registration Statement of Ardent
Software, Inc. on Form S-4 of our report dated March 1, 1999, which contains an
explanatory paragraph related to the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Prism
Solutions, Inc. and subsidiaries. We also consent to the reference to our firm
under the caption "Experts."
 


                                          PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
 
San Jose, California
   
March 30, 1999