1



                                                                     Exhibit 5.1

                             CHOATE, HALL & STEWART
                A PARTNERSHIP INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL CORPORATIONS
                                 EXCHANGE PLACE
                                 53 STATE STREET
                        BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109-2891
                             TELEPHONE (617)248-5000
                            FACSIMILE (617) 248-4000
                                 TELEX 49615860



                                          August 2, 1999

Ardent Software, Inc.
50 Washington Street
Westboro, Massachusetts 01581

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This opinion is delivered to you in connection with the registration
statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed on or about
August 2, 1999 by Ardent Software, Inc. (the "Company") under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, for registration under said Act of 114,151 shares of common
stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock"), of the Company.

         We are familiar with the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, its By-Laws, as amended, and the records of its corporate proceedings.
We have also examined such other documents, records and certificates and made
such further investigation as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this
opinion.

         Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the
shares of Common Stock to be sold by the Selling Stockholders pursuant to the
Registration Statement have been legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         We understand that this opinion is to be used in connection with the
Registration Statement and consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement. We further consent to the reference to this firm
in the section entitled "Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" in the
Registration Statement.

                                          Very truly yours,



                                          /s/ Choate, Hall & Stewart