1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of BMC
Software, Inc. of our report dated October 21, 1998, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Boole & Babbage, Inc., included in the BMC
Software, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2000
(which financial statements are not presented separately therein), filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP




San Jose, California
January 19, 2001