SQL*Loader Basics

SQL*Loader loads data in a variety of formats, performs filtering (selectively loading records based upon the data values), and loads multiple tables simultaneously.

During execution, SQL*Loader produces a detailed log file with statistics about the load. It may also produce a bad file (containing records rejected because of incorrect data) and a discard file (containing records that did not meet the specified selection criteria).

SQL*Loader can:

• load data from multiple datafiles of different file types

• handle fixed-format, delimited-format, and variable-length records

• manipulate data fields with SQL functions before inserting the data into database columns

• support a wide range of datatypes, including DATE, BINARY, PACKED DECIMAL, and ZONED DECIMAL

• load multiple tables during the same run, loading selected rows into each table

• combine multiple physical records into a single logical record

• treat a single physical record as multiple logical records

• generate unique, sequential key values in specified columns

• use your operating system's file or record management system to access datafiles

• load data from disk or tape

• provide thorough error reporting capabilities, so you can easily adjust and load all records

• use high-performance "direct" loads to load data directly into database files without Oracle processing. This feature is discussed in Chapter 8, "SQL*Loader Conventional and Direct Path Loads".