Filed by Computer Associates International, Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14d-2
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Sterling Software, Inc.
Commission File No. 001-08465

February 14, 2000

Dear Sterling Software client:

As you may have learned,  Computer  Associates  today  announced an agreement to
acquire Sterling  Software Inc.  (http://www.ca.com/press/2000/02/sterling.htm).
The planned merger is very exciting to everyone  involved in both companies.  By
combining  two  world-class   organizations   with   complementary   technology,
philosophies  and  values,  we  will  be in a  position  to  extend  our  global
leadership in the delivery of software and services that enable faster,  better,
safer and more reliable eBusiness computing.

Many of you may know CA from our  leadership  in key  technology  areas  such as
enterprise  management and Internet  security.  In addition to these high growth
markets,  we are extremely  focused on being the leading provider in storage and
network  management,  business  intelligence  and portal  solutions,  and in the
design, deployment and integration of enterprise applications.

CA's  business,  built  on a  combination  of  world-class  technology  and high
value-added  consulting  services,  will immediately  benefit from complementary
technology  and  services  from  Sterling  Software,  helping  you  exploit  the
incredible opportunities afforded by the Internet era.

Both Sterling Williams,  the president and CEO of Sterling  Software,  and I are
committed  to making this  transition  and merger the best the industry has ever
seen.  While the next few months will be filled with  intense  discussion  about
integration  opportunities,  product  strategies  and  plans  for  the  combined
company, our number one priority is to provide superior service, support, and an
open line of communication to our clients.

We invite  you to  contact us at  www.ca.com/sterlingclient  for any  assistance
during this  transition,  or on how we might  engage your  organization  to more
effectively support your business.

We look forward to a long and productive partnership.

Sincerely,

Sanjay Kumar
President and Chief Operating Officer


We urge  investors and security  holders to read the following  documents,  when
they become  available,  regarding the exchange offer and the merger  (described
above), because they will contain important information:

- - Computer Associates'  preliminary prospectus,  prospectus  supplements,  final
prospectus, and tender offer material.

- -  Computer  Associates'  Registration  Statement  on Form S-4 and  Schedule  TO
containing or incorporating by reference such documents and other information.

- - Sterling Software's Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9.

These  documents and amendments to these documents will be filed with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission.

When these and other documents are filed with the SEC, they may be obtained free
at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain for free each of these
documents (when available) from Computer Associates by directing your request to
Investor Relations at  www.ca.com/invest/questions or by fax at 631-342-6864, or
from Sterling Software by directing your request to  investor@sterling.com or by
fax at (214) 981-1215.