EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (No. 33-83850 and No. 33-61294) of Centura Software
Corporation of our report dated February 10, 1998, except as to Note 13, which
is dated February 27, 1998, appearing on page 39 of this Annual Report on Form
10-K. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Selected
Financial Data" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K insofar as it relates to each
of the five years in the period ended December 31, 1997. However, it should be
noted that Price Waterhouse LLP has not prepared or certified such "Selected
Financial Data."
 
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
 
Price Waterhouse LLP
San Jose, California
March 30, 1998