PL/SQL CSV Import: Key Considerations

When importing a CSV file using PL/SQL, it is important to remember the following considerations:

1. Make sure the format of the CSV file is correct, including the correct settings for field separator and text qualifier.
2. Make sure that there is a corresponding table structure in the database that can store the data from the CSV file, and the field types and order should match the data in the CSV file.
3. To read a CSV file using the UTL_FILE package in PL/SQL, you can open the file with the FOPEN function and read data line by line with the GET_LINE function.
4. To improve performance, data retrieved can be inserted into a database table using the INSERT statement along with the BULK COLLECT feature to insert multiple rows at once.
5. When inserting data, be sure to handle any special characters, empty values, date formats, etc. that may exist in the CSV file to ensure data integrity and accuracy.
6. It’s recommended to backup the data in the database tables before importing data to prevent potential loss or damage due to import errors.
7. When importing a large amount of data, one option to consider for increasing efficiency is using external tables or tools like SQL*Loader.
8. After the import is completed, it is necessary to validate and clean the imported data to ensure its quality and consistency.