Using Load Scripts

This section describes how to write and run a load script using the COPY command.

Writing a Load Script

The COPY command requires an absolute pathname for a data file. It does not accept relative pathnames. However, you can specify the locations of your data files relative to your Linux working directory using vsql variables.

1. Create a vsql variable containing your Linux current directory.

   \set t_pwd `pwd`

2. Create another vsql variable that uses a path relative to the Linux current directory variable for a specific data file.

   \set input_file '\'':t_pwd'/Date_Dimension.tbl\''

3. Use the second variable in the COPY statement.

   COPY Date_Dimension FROM :input_file DELIMITER '|';

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all data files. Load the dimension tables before the fact table.

Running a Load Script

You can run a load script on any host, as long as the data files are on that host.

1. Change your Linux working directory to the location of the data files.

   $ cd /opt/vertica/doc/retail_example_database

2. Run the Administration Tools.

   $ /opt/vertica/bin/adminTools

3. Connect to the database.
4.  Run the load script.