New concepts with Data Pump

Some new concepts were introduced with Data Pump when comparing it with the original export and import utilities; they are:

• Directory objects: In order to use Data Pump, the DBA must create a directory object that defines the location where it will create or locate the dump, log, or SQL files during an import or export operation, and grant privileges to the user on that directory object (such as READ and WRITE). If a directory object is not specified, a default directory object called DATA_PUMP_DIR is provided. This default DATA_PUMP_DIR is available only to privileged users unless access is granted by the DBA.

• Interactive command-line mode: This mode allows you to take full control of all Data Pump jobs running in the database. You can easily monitor and manage the jobs running, and do things such as stop, re-start, or kill a job. This also gives you the ability to detach from a running job and later reconnect to it, if necessary.