Re: utl_file

"Howard J. Rogers" <hjr_at_dizwell.com> wrote in message news:3fdf62be$0$18688$afc38c87_at_news.optusnet.com.au...
> "Pete Finnigan" <plsql_at_petefinnigan.com> wrote in message
> news:xvqMjmAsZx3$Qxgp_at_peterfinnigan.demon.co.uk...
> > Hi Peter
> >
> > From 9iR2 the utl_file_dir parameter in the init.ora file is obsolete.
> > There is a metalink note describing this fact 196939.1 "Ext/Pub
> > UTL_FILE_DIR init.ora parameter obsolete from 9.2" From 9iR2 you need to
> > create a directory object and pass this to fopen in utl_file. Have a
> > look at the package source or search tahiti for an example.
> >
> > kind regards
> >
> > Pete
>
> This is a bizarre one, Pete. Have a look at my 9i Release 2 system:
>
> SQL> select * from v$version;
>
> BANNER
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> Oracle9i Enterprise Edition Release 9.2.0.1.0 - Production
> PL/SQL Release 9.2.0.1.0 - Production
> CORE 9.2.0.1.0 Production
> TNS for 32-bit Windows: Version 9.2.0.1.0 - Production
> NLSRTL Version 9.2.0.1.0 - Production
>

[Snip]

> SQL> show parameter utl_file
>
> NAME TYPE VALUE
> ------------------------------------ ----------- -------------------------

--


> ---

> utl_file_dir                         string      C:\

>

> So the thing remains settable, and useable. Yet that's what the Metalink

> note you refer to says, which is rather odd.

>

> Since I've been merrily setting utl_file_dir in class as part of my log

> miner demo (where the static dictionary file gets written to) for the best

> part of a year, and the demo has had no more than it's usual share of

> disasters thanks to my abysmal typing skills, I'd have to question whether

> this particular Metalink note is actually describing reality, or Oracle

> intentions.

>

> Which is not to say that 'create directory' isn't a better way to go, for

> sure. But to say utl_file_dir is actually obsolete in 9iR2 is, I think,

> inaccurate.

>

> Unless I'm missing something.

>

> Regards

> HJR

>

>

Howard,
As I recently implemented usage of UTL_FILE_DIR init.ora feature on a
9.2.0.4 XP version (that works like your example), I too was puzzled.

I think the difference can be explained in the actual title of the
Metalink note - "UTL_FILE_DIR init.ora parameter obsoleted from 9.2".
That is a true statement, namely that the new directory facility that
can be selective to the individual user renders the init.ora method
obsolete.

That is different to saying that the existing method has been removed.

Bit subtle though.

Regards,
Neil