Chapter 24. UTL_FILE Built-in Package

The UTL_FILE package, available in PL/SQL Version 2.3 and later, allows PL/SQL programs to read and write operating-system files. For example, you can use PL/SQL to create text-based reports that you can send as an email or view over the Web. This chapter tests your ability to establish file and directory privileges and use UTL_FILE to read and write operating-system files.

Beginner

24-1.

Before using UTL_FILE in your PL/SQL programs, what changes do you have to make to your instance parameter initialization file (your INIT.ORA file)? Can you read and/or write files in any directory on your database server?

24-2.

Suppose you want to enable read/write access on these three directories:

/tmp
/app/datafiles
/app/datafiles/q1

Which of the following sets of entries in the initialization file will successfully enable those directories?

  1. utl_file_dir = /tmp;/app/datafiles;/app/datafiles/q1 

  2. utl_file_dir = /tmp
utl_file_dir = /app/datafiles/*
  3. utl_file_dir = /tmp
utl_file_dir = /app/datafiles
utl_file_dir = /app/datafiles/q1
  4. utl_file_dir = '/tmp'
utl_file_dir = '/app/datafiles'
utl_file_dir = '/app/datafiles/q1'
  5. utl_file_dir = /tmp/
utl_file_dir = /app/datafiles/
utl_file_dir = /app/datafiles/q1/

24-3.

How can you specify that you want to read/write in any directory on the server? Under what circumstances would you use this setting?

24-4.

How can you specify that you want to read/write in the current directory for your session, regardless of that particularly location? ...

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