IMPORT DB

You can use the IMPORT DB command to import all the data belonging to a database application. Only the owner of the schema may execute the IMPORT DB command.

Prerequisites

You can use the demo databases DEMODB and TESTDB. You have exported the required data using the EXPORT DB command. Start the Loader and log on to the database TESTDB as database system administrator DBADMIN with the password SECRET. Use the session mode: loadercli -d testdb -u dbadmin,secret.

Activities

Data is to be imported into the TESTDB database. You can make entries after the keyword CATALOG and/or DATA to select what is to be imported, the database catalog and/or the data belonging to the application.

Caution Caution

If you import a table, the Loader also creates all the objects and links (views, foreign key dependencies with other tables…) that are defined for the table. If the necessary objects are not present and the import therefore cannot be executed, the Loader notifies you of this fact. Typical error messages include -25451 and -25392. If these errors occur, the import is terminated at this point.

More informatione: Messages documentation

End of the caution.

Importing the Database Catalog

You can import the database catalog information for all database users belonging to the application of a database.

IMPORT DB

CATALOG INSTREAM 'demodb_ddl.catalog'

The database catalog (CATALOG) is imported in the DDL (default value) format.

Importing the Application Data

You can import the application data for all database users.

IMPORT DB

DATA INSTREAM 'demodb_pages.data'

The application data (DATA) is imported in the PAGES format (default value).

IMPORT DB

DATA INSTREAM 'demodb_records.data' RECORDS

The application data (DATA) is imported in the RECORDS format. A PAGES import uses a database format (based on a page) and does not write Log entries, so it is faster than an import that uses the RECORDS format of the Loader. However, the tables imported in the PAGES format are write-protected until you back up the data.

Importing the Database Catalog and the Application Data

You can import the data belonging to a database application

IMPORT DB

CATALOG INSTREAM 'demodb_ddl.catalog'

DATA INSTREAM 'demodb_pages.data'

Note the sequence of the syntax elements. Always enter the syntax element for the import of the database catalog first, and then the syntax element for the import of the application data.

Excluding Tables from the Import

By specifying a data stream after the keyword CONFIGURATION, you can exclude the application data of tables that are specified in this data stream. The tables must be identified in the data stream by specifying the schema and table name.

Test the Loader behavior for different tables. When you exclude tables, you must be careful not to violate any dependencies, such as by excluding the tables CITY or HOTEL. You want to exclude the EMPLOYEE table from the import. Create the employee.configuration file with the following contents:

HOTEL,EMPLOYEE

Specify the following import command in the Loader session mode. Note the sequence of the syntax elements. First, enter the syntax element that excludes the table from the import.

IMPORT DB

CONFIGURATION INSTREAM 'employee.configuration'

CATALOG INSTREAM 'demodb_ddl.catalog'

DATA INSTREAM 'demodb_pages.data'

The database catalog entries of all tables are always imported, regardless of the restrictions made in employee.configuration.

Additional Log Functions

If you specify a data stream after the keyword PACKAGE, the command entries from the SYSLOADER.TRANSFORMATIONMODEL table are exported to the specified data stream. This is an additional logging option. Always enter the PACKAGE syntax element as the last syntax element.

IMPORT DB

CATALOG INSTREAM 'demodb_ddl.catalog'

See also: Loader, Additional Log Functions (package_spec)

Complete Syntax of the IMPORT DB Command

Combining the syntax options can result in correspondingly complex commands. Note the sequence of the syntax elements.

IMPORT DB

CONFIGURATION INSTREAM FILE 'employee.configuration' CSV ASCII

CATALOG INSTREAM FILE 'demodb_ddl.catalog' DDL

DATA INSTREAM FILE 'demodb_pages.data' PAGES

PACKAGE OUTSTREAM FILE 'demodb_import.package' CSV

For a complete syntax description, see IMPORT DB command in the Loader documentation.

More Information

Other commands for Importing

Session Mode