The Data Dictionary uses a contents (.d) file that you specify to load table data into your database. A contents file contains data for a table.

Note: OpenEdge allows you to load table contents files exceeding 2GB.

Remember the following when loading table contents:

  • Table definitions must be in the database before you can load table contents.
  • You must load your sequence values separately.

There are two ways to load the table contents (.d) files:

  • Use the Data Dictionary.
  • Use the Bulk Loader (PROUTIL BULKLOAD) utility. For information about using the Bulk Loader, see the topic on administration utilities in Manage the OpenEdge Database.

For information about performing a binary dump and load, see Binary dump and load.

The table contents (.d) file contains information about the date and numeric formats of the session that generated the file. The Data Dictionary uses the same date and numeric formats to load the table contents file. This ensures that the data is loaded correctly.

To load table contents into a database:

  1. Make sure that the working database is the target database where you want to load the table contents.
  2. Choose Admin > Load Data and Definitions > Table Contents (.d files) from the menu bar. The Data Dictionary alphabetically lists all the tables defined for your database.
  3. Select the table names whose contents you want to load. Use the Select Some and Deselect Some buttons to select or deselect groups of tables.

    The Data Dictionary prompts you for the name of the contents file or (if you choose multiple files) the directory that contains the contents files you want to load into your current database.

  4. Specify the directory name, filename, or use the default value.

    When you load the contents of more than one table, enter a directory from which you want to load the contents files. If you do not specify a directory, the Data Dictionary loads the files from the current directory. The Data Dictionary loads each table from the corresponding table-dumpname.d filename.

  5. If your load contains large objects, accept the Include LOB default of yes; otherwise, choose no.
  6. If you chose yes in step 5, type in the LOB directory field the name of the directory that contains the LOB.
  7. Specify the error rate.

    As the Data Dictionary loads records from any files you designate, it might encounter data that cannot be loaded. The Data Dictionary does not load the record. It places all erroneous records in a table.e file (the name of the table with a .e extension). If you specify an error rate of 10 percent, the Data Dictionary must successfully load 90 records from every set of 100 records loaded.

  8. Select Output Errors to Screen to view error messages generated while loading table data. The default output for errors is to a file.
  9. Choose OK. After loading the table contents, the Data Dictionary displays a status message and prompts you to continue.
  10. Choose OK to return to the Data Dictionary main window.