You might want to dump and load your database to:

• Create a new version of a database
• Use a constant table in multiple databases
• Economize disk space
• Convert a database to a new OpenEdge release or a different operating system platform
• Load updated data definitions to upgrade a database schema

When you dump a database, you must first dump the database or table definitions, and then dump the table contents. The definitions and contents must be in separate files and cannot be dumped in one step. You perform both procedures with the Data Administration tool if you are using a graphical interface, or the Data Dictionary if you are using a character interface.

You can also dump and load the table contents with PROUTIL. This option dumps and loads the data in binary format. To prevent user logins from interfering with mass loads, run PROUTIL in database maintenance mode. For more information, see Restrict database access.

OpenEdge Data tools automatically attempt to disable triggers before performing the dump or load. If you do not have Can-Dump and Can-Load privileges, the Data tool asks if you want to dump or load the database without disabling the triggers. See Maintain Security for information about assigning privileges.

For information on manually dumping and loading database contents using ABL syntax, see the entries for EXPORT and IMPORT in OpenEdge Development: ABL Reference.