The "Client" is database drivers for different environments. JDBC, OCBC, ODBO, Python. Unfortunately, drivers only exist for Windows and Linux - but the JDBC driver is pure Java, so if you want to code Java against HANA from a Mac, you can do it (simply download any Client package, unzip and use the jgdbc.jar as JDBC driver.
The best choice is not even in the package: node.js drivers for HANA. Easiest way to get is
npm install hdb
Full (!) Open Source,
https://github.com/SAP/node-hdbFully agree with your comment about independent ecosystem. I'm not officially related anymore, but still pushing internally.
HANA (even HANA One) is too expensive, there's not obvious go-to-market route for smaller shops and all that information is purely curated hence hard to navigate. Well, SAP is just beginning to open up, so call it beginners mistakes. And hope we'll learn fast...
