Q: How to get Oracle view into delimited UNIX file?

I'm not sure if such is possible in PL/SQL, but I have the following  requirement and am seeking recommendations for how such might be accomplished:

I have an Oracle view which I want to use to construct a flat delimited file  for feeding to an OLAP tool. To prepare the file from the view will require a  pass of several cursors against the view, and I see how to do this easily  using PL/SQL. However the output file has to be a flat file in a UNIX  subdirectory, with columns of data delimited by tabs (not sure if  line-terminating cr/lf is needed -- have to remember to ask vendor...)

Is this type of output doable somehow in PL/SQL? I thought perhaps I could  "kludge" use of DMBS.OUTPUT and put it to a file somehow, but that seemed  somewhat inelegant, if even possible. Also I was uncertain about use of the  TAB character. I'm still a PL/SQL rookie and not familar with all the  capabilities. Also all we have available is SQL*Plus on the server and the  base server itself (7.2 I believe). No Developer 2000, etc.

Perhaps someone has had to do something similar and has some experience they  might share? Any suggestions are welcomed (e-mail responses are appreciated).

Thank you.

Cy Received on Thu Oct 30 1997 - 00:00:00 CST