Oracle PL/SQL Programming: A Developer's Workbook

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? utl_file_dir = /tmp;/app/datafiles;/app/datafiles/q1 utl_file_dir = /tmp utl_file_dir = /app/datafiles/* utl_file_dir = /tmp utl_file_dir = /app/datafiles utl_file_dir = /app/datafiles/q1 utl_file_dir = '/tmp' utl_file_dir = '/app/datafiles' utl_file_dir = '/app/datafiles/q1' 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? ...