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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1


                            RAINING DATA CORPORATION

                     COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT - 2001


     This Agreement is made as of September 27, 2001 (the "Effective Date")
among RAINING DATA CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
ASTORIA CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P., a California limited partnership (the
"Purchaser").

     In consideration of the mutual promises and representations and warranties
of the parties hereto and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of
which is acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.   AUTHORIZATION AND SALE OF COMMON STOCK.

     (a)  Authorization. The Company will authorize the sale and issuance of One
Million Seven Hundred Sixty Thousand (1,760,000) shares of its Common Stock,
$0.10 par value ("Common Stock"), having the rights, privileges and preferences
as set forth in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

     (b)  Sale of the Shares. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the
Company will issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser will buy from
the Company, One Million Seven Hundred Sixty Thousand (1,760,000) shares of its
Common Stock (the "Shares") at a price of One Dollar Twenty-Five Cents ($1.25)
per share for an aggregate purchase price of Two Million Two Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($2,200,000)(the "Purchase Price").

     2.   CLOSING DATES; DELIVERY.

     (a)  Closing Date. The closing of the purchase and sale of the Shares
hereunder shall be held at the offices of the Company, 17500 Cartwright Road,
Irvine, California 92614-5846 at 2 p.m. local time on September 27, 2001 (the
"Closing") or as soon thereafter as the conditions to the Closing set forth in
Sections 5 and 6 have been satisfied or waived or at such other time and place
upon which the Company and the Purchaser shall agree (the "Closing Date").

     (b)  Delivery. As of the Closing, the Company shall issue irrevocable
instructions to its transfer agent to cause the issuance to the Purchaser of a
duly executed stock certificate or certificates evidencing the Shares registered
in the Purchaser's name as set forth above, representing the number of Shares
designated in Section 1(b) to be purchased by the Purchaser; for delivery to:
ABN Amro Securities,


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LLC, 350 Park Avenue, 3d Floor, New York, New York 10022; and the Company shall
exercise all best efforts to cause such stock certificate to be issued as soon
as possible.

     (c)  Payment of Purchase Price. Purchaser shall pay the full amount of the
Purchase Price at the Closing by wire transfer pursuant to the instructions of
the Company.

     3.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

     Except as specifically set forth in any disclosure schedule provided by the
Company and attached hereto (the "Disclosure Schedule"), the parts of which are
numbered to correspond to the Section numbers of this Agreement, the Company
hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser as follows:

     (a)  Organization and Standing. The Company is a corporation duly organized
validly existing and in good standing in the state or jurisdiction of its
incorporation and is qualified to do business in the State of California. The
Company and each of its subsidiaries in the United States and the United Kingdom
has the requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate its
properties and assets, and to carry on its business as presently conducted.

     (b)  Authority. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of
this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below) and all
other agreements or instruments related thereto have been duly authorized by all
necessary action on the part of the Company and its board of directors. The
Company has all right, power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver
this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby with the Purchaser, and this Agreement and said
Registration Rights Agreement, once executed by the Company and the Purchaser,
will constitute the legally binding valid obligations of the Company enforceable
in accordance with its terms, such enforceability being subject only to laws of
general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors
and rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief or other
equitable remedies.

     (c)  Capitalization.

          (i) On December 1, 2000 a Certificate of Merger was filed with the
Delaware Secretary of State effecting the merger transaction between the
Company, Raining Merger Sub, Inc. and PickAx, Inc. (the "Pick Merger") pursuant
to the terms and conditions of that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger between
said parties and Gilbert Figueroa dated as of August 23, 2000 as amended
(attached as an Exhibit to the Merger Proxy Statement (as hereinafter defined)
provided to the Purchaser hereunder). Pursuant to the Pick Merger, the Company
acquired all of the capital stock of PickAx,


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Inc., a Delaware corporation, and the Company changed its name to Raining Data
Corporation.

          (ii) As of the Effective Date the authorized capital stock of the
Company consists of 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 16,019,546
shares were issued and outstanding as of June 28, 2001; and 300,000 shares of
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock ("Preferred Stock"), all of which are
issued and outstanding. Such shares do not include the issuance or assumption or
exercise of any outstanding options or warrants to purchase capital stock of the
Company as of the Effective Date or the Closing Date.

          (iii) The outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock have
been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable
and were issued in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws,
subject to the reliance of the Company on representations made by the purchasers
thereof. The Preferred Stock has the rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions set forth in the current Certificate Of Designations of Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock of Raining Data Corporation filed with Delaware
Secretary of State.

          (iv) There are no options, warrants, conversions, privileges or other
contractual rights presently outstanding to purchase or otherwise acquire any
shares of the stock or other securities of the Company, except for (1) stock
options granted to employees, directors and contractors of the Company or its
subsidiaries; (2) warrants or stock options granted or assumed in connection
with the December 1, 2000 merger with PickAx, Inc.; (3) warrants or other stock
rights held by the Purchaser or its affiliates; and (4) a de minimis amount
which may be unaccountable due to past record keeping practices.

     (d)  Shares. The Shares, when issued in compliance with the provisions of
this Agreement, will be validly issued (including without limitation, issued in
compliance with applicable state and federal securities laws), fully paid and
nonassessable and will have the rights, preferences and privileges described in
the Certificate; and the Shares shall be free of any liens or encumbrances,
other than any liens or encumbrances created by or imposed upon the holders
thereof through no action of the Company; provided however that the Shares will
be subject to restrictions on transfer under federal and securities laws and the
terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement,
including but not limited to the representations and warranties of the Purchaser
being relied upon by the Company hereunder as the basis for federal and state
securities law exemptions.

     (e)  Subsidiaries. As of the Effective Date, the Company owns all
outstanding capital stock of Omnis Software, Inc., a California corporation,
Omnis Holdings Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of England, Omnis
Software


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Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of England, Omnis Holdings UK, a
corporation organized under the laws of England; Omnis Software GmbH, a
corporation organized under the laws of Germany; and PickAx, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.

     (f)  Financial Statements. The Company has delivered to the Purchaser (i)
the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of March 31, 2001, and
the related audited statements of operations, changes in stockholder's equity
and cash flows of the Company for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001, together
with the notes thereto and the report and certification of auditor relating
thereto; and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of
June 30, 2001 and the unaudited statements of operations, changes in
stockholder's equity and cash flows of the Company as of June 30, 2001 for the
three (3) months then ended, together with the notes thereto; all as part of the
SEC Filings provided to the Purchaser hereunder (collectively the "Financial
Statements"). The Financial Statements are complete and correct in all material
respects and accurately set out and describe in all material respects the
financial condition and operating results of the Company as of the dates, and
during the periods, indicated therein.

     (g)  Reports. The Company has delivered to the Purchaser copies of the
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), without exhibits; and
the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001 as filed
with the SEC (collectively "SEC Filings"). Such SEC Filings complied at the time
they were filed in all material respects with applicable requirements of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Since June 30, 2001 there has not been any material change in the assets,
liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the
Company except (i) changes in the ordinary course of business, none of which has
had or is expected to have a material adverse effect on such assets,
liabilities, conditions or result of operations; and (ii) a severe shortage of
current working capital for the Company and its affiliates necessitating this
transaction with the Purchaser.

     (h)  No Conflict. The execution and delivery of the Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby with the Purchaser will not
materially conflict with or result in any violation of, or default, or give rise
to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or to
a loss of a material benefit under any provision of the Certificate or bylaws of
the Company or any legally enforceable contract or agreement between the Company
and any third person or entity (including the accelerated vesting of stock
options material to the Company) or any judgment, order, decree, statute, law,
ordinance, rule or regulation known to and applicable to the Company or its
properties or assets, subject to federal and state securities laws; and the
Company is not a party to any outstanding agreement which material obligation or
agreement is inconsistent with this Agreement; provided further


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that the consummation of the contemplated transactions will result in
adjustments of rights under the antidilution provisions of certain warrants
issued by the Company in the PickAx merger and certain warrants or other rights
held by the Purchaser.

     (i)  Governmental Consents. No consent, approval, order or authorization
of, or registration, designation, declaration or filing with, any local, state
or federal governmental authority on the part of the Company is required in
connection with the Company's valid execution and delivery of this Agreement, or
the offer, sale or issuance of the Shares or the consummation of any other
transaction with the Purchaser contemplated hereby, except the filing of a Form
D notice under Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and any other post-sale filings required by applicable state
securities laws. The offer, sale and issuance of the Shares in conformity with
the terms of this Agreement are exempt from the registration requirements of
Section 5 of the Securities Act and from the qualification requirements of
applicable state securities laws, assuming the accuracy of the representations
and warranties of the Purchaser as set forth in Section 4 of this Agreement.

     (j)  Litigation. To the knowledge of the Company, there is no action,
proceeding or investigation pending or threatened, or any basis therefor known
to the Company, that questions the validity of this Agreement, or the right of
the Company to enter into, or to consummate the transactions with Purchaser
contemplated hereby, or which might result, either individually or in the
aggregate, in any material adverse change in the assets, condition, affairs or
prospects of the Company, financially or otherwise, or any material change in
the current equity ownership of the Company. The Company (a) is not a party to
any such lawsuit or similar action or proceeding, (b) is not a party to or
subject to any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or
government agency or instrumentality in such connection, and (c) does not intend
to initiate any such action, suit, proceeding or investigation.

     (k)  Adverse Effects. There is no fact within the knowledge of the Company
as of the Closing Date (other than publicly known facts relating to political or
economic matters of general applicability that may adversely affect all
comparable entities) that will have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, condition, assets, liabilities, operations, financial performance, net
income or prospects or on the ability of the Company to comply with or perform
any covenant or obligation under this Agreement; subject however to the risk
factors and disclosures set forth in the SEC Filings.

     (l)  Full Disclosure. The representations and warranties of the Company
contained in this Agreement do not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements contained herein or therein in light of the circumstances under which
they were made not misleading.


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     (m)  Brokers or Finders. The Company has not incurred and will not incur,
as a result of any action taken by the Company or its representative or agent,
any liability for brokerage or finders' fees or agents' commissions or any
similar charges in connection with this Agreement or the transactions with
Purchaser contemplated hereby. The Company agrees to fully indemnify and defend
and hold harmless Purchaser from and against all such liabilities incurred by
the Company in connection with the transactions with Purchaser contemplated by
this Agreement, and all costs and expenses (including reasonable fees of
counsel) of investigating and defending such claims.

     (n)  Effective Dates. The representations and warranties of the Company set
forth in this Agreement are true in all respects as of the date of this
Agreement and further shall be true in all material respects on and as of the
Closing as though made at that time.

     4.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER.

     The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants and covenants to the Company
with respect to its purchase of the Shares as follows:

     (a)  Organization; Authority. The Purchaser is a limited partnership duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
California, is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing under
the laws of each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the
ownership or leasing of its properties requires such qualification. The
Purchaser has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its
properties and assets. The execution, delivery and performance by the Purchaser
of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and all other agreements
or instruments related thereto have been duly authorized by all necessary action
on the part of the Purchaser. The Purchaser has all right, power and authority
to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and the Registration Rights
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and this
Agreement and said Registration Rights Agreement, once executed by the Company
and the Purchaser, will constitute the legally binding valid obligations of the
Purchaser enforceable in accordance with its terms, such enforceability being
subject only to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency
and the relief of debtors and rules of law governing specific performance,
injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

     (b)  Accredited Investor. The Purchaser is an "accredited investor" as that
term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933
("Securities Act") (excerpts of the definition of "accredited investor" are
attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit A). The principal office of
Purchaser is located in the State indicated in the space provided in the
signature page hereof.


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     (c)  Experience. The Purchaser, by reason of his or its business and
financial experience has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in
financial and business matters and in making investment decisions of this type
that the Purchaser is capable of (i) evaluating the merits and risks of an
investment in the Shares and making an informed investment decision, (ii)
protecting his or its own interest and (iii) bearing the economic risk of such
investment. If the Purchaser has retained a stockholder representative with
respect to the investment in the Shares, then the Purchaser shall, prior to or
at the Closing hereunder, (x) acknowledge in writing such representation and (y)
cause such representative to execute and deliver such statements or other
certificates to the Company containing such representations as are reasonably
requested by the Company.

     (d)  Investment Intent. The Purchaser is acquiring the Shares for
investment for his or its own account, not as a nominee or agent and not with
the view to, or any intention of, a resale or distribution thereof, in whole or
in part, or the grant of any participation therein. The Purchaser has not been
formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Shares.

     (e)  Certain Restrictions. The Purchaser understands that the Shares have
not been registered under the Securities Act or state securities laws and are
being issued by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions
of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws that depend upon,
among other matters, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the
accuracy of the Purchaser's representations as expressed herein. The Purchaser
further understands that the Company shall have no obligation to register the
Shares under the Securities Act or any state securities laws or to take any
action that would make available any exemption from the registration
requirements of such laws, except pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement
to be entered into in connection with this Agreement. The Purchaser acknowledges
that the Shares must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under
the Securities Act or unless an exemption from such registration is available.
The Purchaser hereby acknowledges that because of the restrictions on transfer
or assignment of such Shares to be issued hereunder, the Purchaser may have to
bear the economic risk of the investment commitment in the Shares for an
indefinite period of time. The Purchaser further acknowledges and understands
that any investment in the Company is inherently speculative and subject to
material financial risks and that its or his entire investment in the Company
could be lost.

     (f)  Compliance with Securities Laws. The Purchaser will observe and comply
with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as
now in effect and as from time to time amended, in connection with any offer,
sale, pledge, transfer or other disposition of the Shares. In furtherance of the
foregoing, and


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in addition to the restrictions contained herein or in the Registration Rights
Agreement, the Purchaser will not offer to sell, exchange, transfer, pledge, or
otherwise dispose of any of the Shares unless at such time at least one of the
following is satisfied: (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act
covering the Shares proposed to be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of,
describing the manner and terms of the proposed sale, transfer or other
disposition, and containing a current prospectus, shall have been filed with the
SEC and shall then be effective under the Securities Act; (ii) such transaction
shall be permitted pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144; (iii) counsel
representing the Purchaser, satisfactory to the Company, shall have advised the
Company in a written opinion letter reasonably satisfactory to the Company and
its counsel, and upon which the Company and its counsel may rely, that no
registration under the Securities Act would be required in connection with the
proposed sale, transfer or other disposition; or (iv) an authorized
representative of the SEC shall have rendered written advice to the Purchaser
(sought by the Purchaser or counsel to the Purchaser, with a copy thereof and of
all other related communications delivered to the Company) to the effect that
the SEC would take no action, or that the staff of the SEC would not recommend
that the SEC take action, with respect to the proposed sale, transfer or other
disposition if consummated. The Purchaser is aware of the provisions of Rule 144
promulgated under the Securities Act which permit limited resale of shares
purchased in a private placement subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions, including the requirement that the Shares be held for a minimum of
one (1) year and in certain cases two (2) years, after they have been purchased
and paid for within the meaning of Rule 144.

     (g)  Restrictive Legend. All certificates representing the Shares
deliverable to the Purchaser hereunder and any certificates subsequently issued
with respect thereto or in substitution therefor, unless a sale, transfer or
other disposition is executed pursuant to one or more of the alternative
conditions set forth in Section 4(f) shall have occurred, or unless the
conditions of paragraph (k) of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act
shall have been satisfied, shall bear a legend substantially as follows, in
addition to any legend the Company determines in its sole judgment is required
pursuant to any applicable legal requirement:

          "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD,
     PLEDGED, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
     REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND THE OTHER
     CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THAT CERTAIN COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED
     AS OF SEPTEMBER ____, 2001 AND THAT CERTAIN REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
     DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER ____, 2001, COPIES OF EACH OF WHICH RAINING DATA


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     CORPORATION WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, TO THE HOLDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE
     UPON WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR"

The Company, at its discretion, may cause a stop transfer order to be placed
with its transfer agent(s) with respect to the certificates for the Shares but
not as to the certificates for any part of the Shares as to which said legend is
no longer appropriate when one or more of the alternatives set forth in Section
4(f) shall have been satisfied.

     (h)  Access to Information. The Purchaser has had access to all information
regarding the Company and its present and prospective business, assets,
liabilities and financial condition that the Purchaser reasonably considers
important in making the decision to purchase the Shares. The Purchaser has
received and has reviewed the SEC Filings of the Company. The Purchaser has had
an opportunity to discuss the business, management and financial affairs and
prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries with the Company's management and
has had the opportunity to review the United States facilities of the Company
and its subsidiaries. The Purchaser acknowledges and understands that such
discussions, as well as any written information issued by the Company, were
intended to describe certain material aspects of its business and prospects but
were not intended as and were not a thorough or exhaustive description or
disclosure of the subject matter thereof.

     (i)  Absence of Claims. The Purchaser has no knowledge of any causes of
action or other claims that could have been or in the future might be asserted
by the Purchaser against the Company or any of its predecessors, successors,
affiliates, assigns, directors, employees, agents or representatives arising out
of facts or circumstances occurring at any time on or prior to the date hereof
and in any manner relating to any duty or obligation of the Company or such
other related person or entity to the Purchaser or any affiliate.

     (j)  No Conflict. The execution and delivery of the Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not materially
conflict with any legally enforceable contract or agreement between the
Purchaser and any third person or entity; and the Purchaser is not a party to
any outstanding agreement which any material obligation or agreement is
inconsistent with this Agreement.

     (k)  Full Disclosure. The representations and warranties of the Purchaser
contained in this Agreement do not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the
statements contained herein or therein in light of the circumstances under which
they were made not misleading.


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     (l)  Brokers or Finders. The Purchaser has not incurred and will not incur,
as a result of any action taken by the Purchaser or its representative or agent,
any liability for brokerage or finders' fees or agents' commissions or any
similar charges in connection with this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby. Purchaser agrees to fully indemnify and defend and hold
harmless the Company from and against all such liabilities incurred by Purchaser
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and all
costs and expenses (including reasonable fees of counsel) of investigating and
defending such claims.

     (m)  Effective Dates. The representations and warranties of the Purchaser
in this Agreement are true in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and
further shall be true in all material respects on and as of the Closing as
though made at that time.

     5.   PURCHASER'S CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.

     The obligation of the Purchaser to purchase the Shares at the Closing are
subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions, the waiver of which
shall not be effective against the Purchaser if not consented to in writing:

     (a)  Representations. The representations and warranties made by the
Company in Section 3 hereof shall be true and correct when made, and shall be
true and correct on the Closing Date.

     (b)  Covenants. All covenants, agreements and conditions contained in this
Agreement to be performed by the Company on or prior to the Closing Date shall
have been performed or complied with in all material respects.

     (c)  Compliance Certificate. The Company will have delivered to the
Purchaser a Certificate dated as of the Closing signed by the President of the
Company certifying that the conditions set forth in Section 5(a) and (b) have
been fulfilled.

     6.   COMPANY'S CONDITIONS TO CLOSING.

     The obligation of the Company to sell and issue the Shares of the Closing
Date is, at the option of the Company, subject to the fulfillment as of the
Closing Date of the following conditions:

     (a)  Representations. The representations made by the Purchaser in Section
4 hereof shall be true and correct when made, and shall be true and correct on
the Closing Date.

     (b)  Covenants. All covenants, agreements and conditions contained in this
Agreement to be performed by the Purchaser on or prior to the Closing Date shall
have been performed or complied with in all material respects.


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     (c)  Compliance Certificate. If the Purchaser is not an individual, the
Purchaser will have delivered to the Company a Certificate dated as of the
Closing signed by the President or General Partner of the Purchaser certifying
that the conditions set forth in Section 6(a) and (b) have been fulfilled.

     7.   USE OF PROCEEDS.

     The Company shall be entitled to use the proceeds from the sale of the
Shares for such corporate purposes as determined by the management of the
Company from time to time.

     8.   REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

     The Company will register all the Shares to be purchased by the Purchaser
resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the securities laws of
such states as the parties may reasonably agree upon, pursuant to the terms of
that certain Registration Rights Agreement substantially in the form attached
hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit B (the "Registration Rights
Agreement").

     9.   MISCELLANEOUS.

     (a)  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to contracts
entered into and wholly to be performed within the State of California, and
without reference to the principles of conflicts of law. All disputes arising
under this Agreement shall be brought in the Superior Court of the State of
California in San Francisco County or the Federal Court for the Northern
District of California, and such courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction over
disputes under this Agreement. Each of the parties expressly consents to
jurisdiction and venue in the state and federal courts located in the State of
California, San Francisco County, for all purposes of this Agreement or any
dispute or controversy hereunder.

     (b)  Successors and Assigns. The Purchaser shall not have any right to
assign or transfer this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder
to any third person or entity without the prior written consent of the Company,
which may be withheld in its sole discretion. Except as limited by the
foregoing, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the respective officers, directors, stockholders, affiliates, partners,
members, agents, representatives, successors and assigns of each of the parties
hereto.

     (c)  Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement
constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties
with regard to the subject matter hereof; and any prior or contemporaneous
agreements, promises, understandings, covenants, conditions, representations or


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warranties of any kind or nature with regard to said subject matter not
expressly set forth herein, whether written or oral or express or implied, shall
be superseded and of no force or effect. Any modification or amendment or waiver
of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties to be valid.

     (d)  Waiver; Remedies. Any failure to enforce or delay in enforcing any of
rights or obligations for the benefit of a party shall not be treated as a
waiver thereof. Any waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall not operate as
a waiver of any subsequent breaches. All rights or remedies specified for a
party herein shall be cumulative and in addition to all other rights and
remedies of the party hereunder or under applicable law.

     (e)  Notices, Etc. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
required or permitted to be given hereunder ("Notices") shall be in writing and
shall be delivered prepaid (a) by personal delivery, (b) by a nationally
recognized overnight courier service, (c) by United States first class
registered or certified mail return receipt requested, or (d) by telefacsimile,
using equipment that provides written confirmation of receipt, addressed to the
other party at the address or facsimile number for such party provided herein;
and the date of notice shall be the earlier of (i) actual receipt of notice by
any permitted means, or (ii) three (3) business days following dispatch by
overnight delivery service or the United States Mail; provided however any
notice delivered by telefacsimile shall be effective only if the facsimile is
legible and if a confirming copy is sent by any other permitted means hereunder
within ten (10) days after transmission. All Notices shall be addressed: (x) if
to the Purchaser, at the Purchaser's address or telefacsimile number set forth
on the signature page hereof, or at such other address or number as the
Purchaser shall have furnished to the Company in writing for such purpose, or
(y) if to the Company, at its address or telefacsimile number set forth on the
signature page hereof, to the attention of the President of the Company, or at
such other address or number as the Company shall have furnished in writing to
the Purchaser for such purpose, with a copy to: Morrison & Foerster LLP, 425
Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105, Attention: Stafford Matthews,
Esq.

     (f)  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which may be executed by less than all of the parties
hereto, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties actually
executing such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one
instrument.

     (g)  Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or
invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the
extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of
such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.


                                       12
<PAGE>   13

     (h)  Interpretation. The titles and section headings set forth in this
Agreement are for convenience only. When the context requires, the plural shall
include the singular and the singular the plural, and any gender shall include
all other genders. No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted or
construed against any party because such party or its counsel was the drafter
thereof. As used in this Agreement, the words "include" and "including," and
variations thereof, shall not be deemed to be terms of limitation, but rather
shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without limitation. Except as
otherwise indicated, all references in this Agreement to "Sections," "Exhibits"
and "Schedules" are intended to refer to Sections of this Agreement and Exhibits
and Schedules to this Agreement.

     (i)  Attorneys' Fees. In the event suit is brought to enforce or interpret
any part of this Agreement or any of the rights or obligations of any party
hereunder, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover as an element of
such party's costs of suit, and not as damages, reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses, court costs and expert witness fees and costs.

     (j)  Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties and covenants of the parties contained in or made pursuant to this
Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Closing; provided however that such representations and warranties shall be
deemed made as of the Effective Date and as of the Closing Date.

     (k)  Taxes. The Purchaser shall be responsible for all sales, use and
transfer taxes, including but not limited to any value added, stock transfer,
gross receipts, stamp duty and real, personal or intangible property transfer
taxes, due by reason of the consummation of the issuance, sale or purchase of
the Shares, including but not limited to any interest or penalties in respect
thereof.

     (l)  Expenses. Each of the parties shall bear all of its own costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the
sale and purchase of the Shares, including legal and accounting fees incurred in
connection therewith.


                                       13
<PAGE>   14

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into and executed this
Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.


RAINING DATA CORPORATION


By: /s/ Geoffrey Wagner
    -----------------------------
        Geoffrey Wagner, Chairman

17500 Cartwright Road
Irvine, California 92614-5846
Attn: President
Fax:  (949) 250-8187


PURCHASER:

ASTORIA CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.

By: Astoria Capital Management, Inc.,
    Its General Partner


By: /s/ Richard W. Koe
    ----------------------
    Richard Koe, President

6600 92nd Avenue S.W.
Suite 370
Portland Oregon 97223
Fax: (503) 244-3801

State of Principal Office:  Oregon


                                       14
<PAGE>   15

                            RAINING DATA CORPORATION
                         COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                                    EXHIBIT A




                        DEFINITION OF ACCREDITED INVESTOR
           (as provided in Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933)

(a)  Accredited Investor. "Accredited Investor" shall mean any person who comes
     within any of the following categories, or who the issuer reasonably
     believes comes within any of the following categories, at the time of the
     sale of the securities to that person:

           . . .

(3)  Any organization described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue
     Code, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or partnership,
     not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered,
     with total assets in excess of $5,000,000;

(4)  Any director, executive officer, or general partner of the issuer of the
     securities being offered or sold, or any director, executive officer, or
     general partner of a general partner of that issuer;

(5)  Any natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with that
     person's spouse, at the time of his purchase exceeds $1,000,000;

(6)  Any natural person who had an individual income in excess of $200,000 in
     each of the two most recent years or joint income with that person's spouse
     in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable
     expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year;

           . . .


                                       15
<PAGE>   16

                            RAINING DATA CORPORATION
                         COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                                    EXHIBIT B


                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT