Reg : txt Files in Server directory (UTL_FILE)

Question

Hi Experts,
Suppose, I've placed 5 +.txt+ files (procedure/table creation scripts) in a db server directory.
Is there any way I can loop through each of the files?
I need to pull the content of each file into oracle table using a procedure. So, I'm trying dynamically trying to use External Tables with Execute Immediate inside my proc. Will package UTL_FILE help in this?
Please give some suggestions.
Let me know if you have any concerns.
Ranit B.

Answer 1

As an alternative solution, have you considered using external LOB's? Using this approach could save significant overhead vs. the external tables solution because it doesn't require any schema objects for accessing the txt files (if you use an SQL script instead of a stored procedure).
http://docs.oracle.com/cd/B14117_01/appdev.101/b10796/adlob_bf.htm#1010878
Below is an excerpt from the link the Oracle docs above; this could be used as a starting point. (Substitute your directory name/file name for the BFILENAME arguments.)
/* This file is installed in the following path when you install */
/* the database: $ORACLE_HOME/rdbms/demo/lobs/plsql/fdisplay.sql */
/* Displaying BFILE data.  */
/* Procedure displayBFILE_proc is not part of DBMS_LOB package: */
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE displayBFILE_proc IS
   file_loc BFILE := BFILENAME('MEDIA_DIR', 'monitor_3060.txt');
   Buffer   RAW(1024);
   Amount   BINARY_INTEGER := 200;
   Position INTEGER        := 1;
BEGIN
   DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('------------ BFILE DISPLAY EXAMPLE ------------');
   /* Opening the BFILE: */
   DBMS_LOB.OPEN (file_loc, DBMS_LOB.LOB_READONLY);
   LOOP
      DBMS_LOB.READ (file_loc, Amount, Position, Buffer);
      /* Display the buffer contents: */
      DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE(substr(utl_raw.cast_to_varchar2(Buffer), 1, 250));
      Position := Position + Amount;
   END LOOP;
   /* Closing the BFILE: */
   DBMS_LOB.CLOSE (file_loc);
   EXCEPTION
   WHEN NO_DATA_FOUND THEN
      DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('End of data');
END;
SHOW ERRORS;