PROUTIL with the BULKLOAD qualifier allows you to load data tables into a database. Using contents files and bulk loader description (.fd) files, the Bulk Loader loads large amounts of data faster than the regular Data Administration or Data Dictionary Load utility.

The Bulk Loader can also load table data in formats other than contents files. For information about other file formats can load, see the IMPORT statement in OpenEdge Development: ABL Reference.

The Bulk Loader bypasses any CREATE TRIGGER statements and deactivates all indexes it encounters.

To load table contents with the Bulk Loader utility:

  1. Create a Bulk Loader description file using the Data Administration tool, Data Dictionary, or a text editor. If you use the Data Dictionary or Data Administration tool, it automatically writes the description file. If you use a text editor, you must create the file.

    Using a text editor to modify a description file that the Bulk Loader has created allows you to customize the file to suit your needs. For more information see Creating a Bulk Loader description file.

  2. Verify that the table definitions are in the database.
  3. Run the Bulk Loader utility.

    The bulkloader syntax is:

     proutil db-name[ -yy n] -C bulkload fd-file [ -B n]

    Where db-name specifies the database you are using; -yyn indicates the start of a 100-year period in which any two-digit DATE value is defined; fd-file identifies the bulk loader description file; and -B n indicates the Blocks in Database Buffers startup parameter; n specifies the number of blocks.

    See PROUTIL BULKLOAD qualifier for complete syntax details and more information about the PROUTIL BULKLOAD.

Note: On exceptionally small systems, you might encounter memory problems when using the Bulk Loader utility. To work around these problems, split the description file into several smaller files.

The Bulk Loader utility checks the description file to determine which data file contains the customer table's dumped records. In this example, it is customer.d.

The order of the fields in the description file must match the order of the fields in the data (.d) file. If they do not match, the Bulk Loader attempts to load data into the wrong fields.

The Bulk Loader utility automatically deactivates a data table's indexes, so you must run the Index Rebuild utility after the Bulk Loader loads the data files. If the Bulk Loader encounters duplicate key values during a load, it continues to load the data file's records. You must manually correct the data before you run the Index Rebuild utility.