Sterling Software was an American software company founded in Dallas, Texas in 1981 by Sterling Williams and brothers Sam and Charles Wyly. The company was acquired by Computer Associates International in 2000 in a stock-for-stock transaction worth $3.3 billion.Computer Associates sold Sterling Software's Federal Systems Group to Northrop Grumman in 2000. It was known for its aggressive acquisitions, most notably the hostile take-over of Informatics General Corporation in 1985. Acquired Boston-based Cayenne Software for $11.4 million in cash in 1998, Sterling Software's 30th acquisition.