Oracle Utilities - OCP: Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional - page 596

SQL*Loader is used the same way with PDBs and non-CDBs. Do not attempt
to use SQL*Loader to load data from external files into tables in CDB$ROOT .
SQL*Loader control files and data files are not the same as database control
files and data files.
SQL*Loader Features
Here are some of the activities you can use SQL*Loader to perform:
■ Load data from local server file system, disk, tape, or named pipe, from a different
server across a network.
■ Load data from multiple data files and into multiple database tables during the same
load session.
■ Use SQL functions (DML) to manipulate the data before loading it.
■ Load data based on specifically selected values.
You can use SQL*Loader with or without a control file. In the upcoming sections we will
discuss SQL*Loader parameters, the control file, the data files, and the types of data loads.
SQL*Loader Parameters
Start SQL*Loader at the OS command line by entering sqlldr and optional parameters.
Unless you're doing only a one-time data load and you get it right the first time, we recom-
mend that you create a parameter file in which to keep the various parameters and values
that drive SQL*Loader behavior. After you've modified a long list of parameters on the
command line, you'll recognize the time-saving and troubleshooting benefit of using a
parameter file instead of entering and editing all the information on the command line:
■ Specify the PARFILE parameter on the command line, and for convenience keep the
PARFILE in the same directory as your control file and your data files.
■ You can also use the SQL*Loader control file OPTIONS clause to set parameter values.
If you specify a parameter on the command line, it will override parameter values that
you have specified in a parameter file or in the control file OPTIONS clause. Here's an example
of using the PARFILE on the command line:
C:\Temp>type sqlldr_parfile.txt
table=countries
userid=hr/hr@lne6
errors=10
silent=errors
C:\Temp>sqlldr parfile=sqlldr_parfile.txt silent=feedback