Oracle SQL*Loader: The Definitive Guide [Paperback]

Jonathan Gennick (Author), Sanjay Mishra (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1565929489 | ISBN-13: 978-1565929487 | Publication Date: April 26, 2001 | Edition: 1

SQLLoader is a ubiquitous tool in the Oracle world. It has been shipped with Oracle since at least Version 6 and continues to be supported and enhanced with each new version of Oracle, including Oracle8 and Oracle8i. The job of SQLLoader is to load data from flat files into an Oracle database. It's optimized for loading large volumes of data, and is flexible enough to handle virtually any input format.

Almost every Oracle user has to use SQLLoader at one time or another, and DBAs are frequently called upon to load data for the users in their organization. Despite SQLLoader's wide availability and usage, few DBAs and developers know how to get the most out of it. Oracle SQLLoader: The Definitive Guide has everything you need to know to put SQLLoader to its best use: an introduction to SQLLoader, a reference to all of its syntax options, and most importantly, step-by-step instructions for all the SQLLoader tasks you'd want to perform--and maybe some you didn't realize you COULD perform.

You'll learn how to construct the necessary control files and load from different types of files containing different types of data (e.g., fixed-width data, delimited data, and data of various datatypes). You'll also learn how to validate data, load it selectively, transform it as it is loaded, and recover after failure. This book explains how to optimize SQLLoader performance by adjusting the transaction size and using the new direct path option. It also covers the newest SQLLoader features--the loading of large object (LOB) columns and the new object types (nested tables, varying arrays, and object tables).

Oracle SQLLoader: The Definitive Guide is an indispensable resource for anyone who is new to SQLLoader; a task-oriented learning tool for those who are already using it; and a quick reference for every user. If you want to take best advantage of an essential Oracle tool, you need this book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Wow the title hits it bulls-eye - The Definitive Guide. - A humongous effort went into the book and the examples. It's another one for the desk, always to hand. Bravo Well Done" [e-mail]

About the Author

Jonathan Gennick is an O'Reilly & Associates editor specializing in database and programming titles. Prior to joining O'Reilly, Jonathan amassed some 17 years of programming and database management experience. During the latter part of his career he specialized in relational database programming, and more recently in database management. Jonathan got his start with relational database systems in 1990, first working with Ingres, and later with Digital's Rdb software. During that period he developed a fondness for SQL, and for the challenge of applying SQL creatively in ways that leveraged it's set-oriented capabilities. In 1994 Jonathan made the leap to Oracle, and is now often found writing about it. Recent projects include Oracle SQLLoader (O'Reilly & Associates, 2001); Oracle SQLPlus Pocket Reference (O'Reilly & Associates, 2000); Oracle SQL*Plus: The Definitive Guide (O'Reilly & Associates, 1999); More recently, Jonathan has made forays into other database products, coauthoring Transact-SQL Cookbook (O'Reilly & Associates, 2002) and editing Practical PostgreSQL (O'Reilly & Associates, 2002). Jonathan is certified as an Oracle DBA and is a member of MENSA and the Oracle Technology Network. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Information and Computer Science, with a Business Administration minor, from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Jonathan currently resides in Munising, Michigan with his wife Donna and their two children: Jenny and Jeff. Jonathan may be contacted by email at [e-mail], and you can learn more about him personally by visiting his website at http://gennick.com.

Sanjay Mishra is a certified Oracle database administrator with more than ten years of IT experience. He has been involved in the design, architecture, and implementation of many mission-critical and decision support databases. He has worked extensively in the areas of database architecture, database management, backup / recovery, performance tuning, Oracle Parallel Server, and parallel execution. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, and a Master of Engineering degree in Systems Science and Automation. He is the coauthor of Oracle Parallel Processing and Oracle SQL Loader: The Definitive Guide (both published by O'Reilly & Associates). Presently, he works as a database architect at Dallas Based i2 Technologies, and can be reached at [e-mail].

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1 edition (April 26, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565929489
• ISBN-13: 978-1565929487
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #350,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Computers & Technology > Databases > Oracle
  • #56 in Books > Computers & Technology > Databases > Relational Databases

More About the Author

I am an Oracle DBA, computer book editor, and writer residing in Munising, Michigan, and only six

blocks from Lake Superior. If you want to know more about me, please visit http://Gennick.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly information collected into one handy reference, June 30, 2001

By 

Mike Tarrani "www.tarrani.com" (Deltona, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oracle SQL*Loader: The Definitive Guide (Paperback)

Although Oracle does a reasonable job of clearly explaining SQL*Loader, this guide takes it a giant leap forward. First it collects everything you ever needed or wanted to know about SQL*Loader into a 251 page reference. It's written in a friendlier fashion than Oracle's documentation, and with more examples that are better written. On the whole, this promotes a better understanding of SQL*Loader, its strengths and limitations, and will allow DBAs to master every facet and nuance of this powerful tool. Considering the damage that can be inflicted on a production database if SQL*Loader is improperly used, all DBAs who use this tool to load data (and who doesn't?) should read this book and have a copy on their desk.

Another use for this book is as a training aid for new DBAs and as the basis for database administration policies and procedures that spell out when and how to load data into a production system. It also contains a wealth of information that can be incorporated into change control implementation and rollback plans when massive updates need to be performed. I like the thorough treatment, the fact that it's up-to-date, and the advice and tips that are imparted throughout this book. It's definitely a good addition to your professional library.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive info on SQL Loader all in one place, February 18, 2004

By 

Aaron Ping "ajping" (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oracle SQL*Loader: The Definitive Guide (Paperback)

I searched through several manuals and guides on Oracle only to discover that very few cover the SQL Loader tool in great detail. This book does so, and in a way that's fairly easy to read. It is a huge benefit over the sparse 2-3 pages of documentation you'll typically find elsewhere.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Start with this book and then go to the Oracle Docs, July 5, 2003

By 

Eric L. Yen (Covia, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oracle SQL*Loader: The Definitive Guide (Paperback)

This is the place to start if you want to know about SQL*Loader. The authors do a great job on covering how to use SQL*Loader and all the little nuances that it has. They also sprinkles in some good advise on how to handle situation that will probably come up when you use SQL*Loader. The back cover of the book indicates that it is updated for Oracle 9i. I have a little reservation about that because the book was written with an early release of Oracle 9i (it states so on page xii and xii).

Bottom line: start with this book for the easy read and clear explanations. Then go to the Oracle 9i doc for the updates like the Control File being expanded to include new parameters.