Business Segments and International Operations (Income from Continuing Operations by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 31, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	Nov. 30, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total revenue									$ 397,572	$ 405,341	$ 377,554
Total costs of revenue and operating expenses									108,471	125,878	130,290
Total contribution margin									289,101	279,463	247,264
Other unallocated expenses									218,487	309,172	232,510
Income (loss) from operations	$ 28,809	$ 20,299	$ 20,284	$ 1,222	$ (62,364)	$ 13,606	$ 12,344	$ 6,705	70,614	(29,709)	14,754
Other expense, net									(5,027)	(5,571)	(2,400)
Income (loss) before income taxes									65,587	(35,280)	12,354
OpenEdge [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total revenue									276,172	276,267	295,934
Total costs of revenue and operating expenses									72,497	72,938	77,085
Total contribution margin									203,675	203,329	218,849
Data Connectivity and Integration [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total revenue									40,955	48,009	37,926
Total costs of revenue and operating expenses									9,329	12,760	13,819
Total contribution margin									31,626	35,249	24,107
Application Development and Deployment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total revenue									80,445	81,065	43,694
Total costs of revenue and operating expenses									26,645	40,180	39,386
Total contribution margin									$ 53,800	$ 40,885	$ 4,308