5.4.7 lobdata statement (specification of LOB input file information)

When loading data to a table containing LOB columns or entering LOB data as an input parameter for a constructor function, you can use the lobdata statement to specify the LOB information.

Criteria
Specify the lobdata statement when loading data to a table with LOB columns (except when loading data only to the LOB column structure base table).
You can also specify the lobdata statement when loading data to a table with abstract data type columns using LOB data as an input parameter to a constructor function.
Rules
  1. You can specify the lobdata statement if you also specify the -k f, -k c, or -k v option.
  2. You can load data to both LOB column structure base tables and LOB columns at the same time or to the LOB column structure base tables first and then to the LOB columns.
    If you are loading data only to the LOB column structure base table, do not specify the lobdata statement. The lobdata statement is required to store data in both LOB column structure base tables and LOB columns at the same time or to the LOB columns later.
  3. If you are providing a LOB input file for each LOB column and LOB parameter (LOB data as an input parameter to the constructor function), specify the file name in the data section corresponding to the LOB column in the input data file.
    If you specify the absolute path name of this file, the size of the input data file increases, resulting in complicated coding.
    If all LOB input files are stored in one directory, you should specify the directory name in the lobdata statement and the file names in the input data file, in which case the utility combines the specified directory name and file name to obtain the absolute path name. Note that this directory name specification is valid only when the names of LOB input files are specified in the input data file; otherwise, the utility ignores the directory name, if specified.
Organization of this subsection
(1) Format
(2) Explanation
(3) Notes

(1) Format

lobdata [LOB-input-file-directory-name]

(2) Explanation

(a) LOB-input-file-directory-name

~<path name>

Specifies the name of the directory that contains the LOB input files.

If the group of LOB input files is contained in a single directory, this operand specifies the absolute path name of that directory.

Specify the path name in such a manner that the absolute path name of the LOB input files is obtained when the specified path name is combined with the LOB column file name in the input data file specified in the source statement, or with the name of the LOB column input file specified in the lobcolumn statement.

Notes
  1. The absolute path name created can be no greater than 1,023 bytes.
  2. If you specify the absolute path name of the LOB input file in the input data file using the source statement or in the LOB column input file using the lobcolumn statement, you can omit the directory name of the LOB input files.

(3) Notes

The following table describes the data loading method depending on whether or not there is a LOB column, an abstract data type column with the LOB attribute, or a lobdata statement. This example uses SGMLTEXT type as the abstract data type column with the LOB attribute.

Table definitionlobdata statement
SpecifiedNot specified
With LOB columnWith SGMLTEXT type columnsData is loaded to the LOB column structure base table, SGMLTEXT type columns, and LOB columns at the same time.Data is loaded to the LOB column structure base table and SGMLTEXT type columns at the same time. Data is then loaded to LOB columns.
Without SGMLTEXT type columnsData is loaded to the LOB column structure base table and LOB columns at the same time.Data is first loaded to the LOB column structure base table and then to LOB columns.
With no LOB columnWith SGMLTEXT type columnsData is loaded to the abstract data type column structure base table and SGMLTEXT type columns at the same time.
Without SGMLTEXT type columnsResults in an error.Data is loaded to the table without a LOB column or SGMLTEXT type column.