Loading Data with gpload

The Greenplum gpload utility loads data using readable external tables and the Greenplum parallel file server (gpfdist or gpfdists). It handles parallel file-based external table setup and allows users to configure their data format, external table definition, and gpfdist or gpfdists setup in a single configuration file.

Note

gpfdist and gpload are compatible only with the Greenplum Database major version in which they are shipped. For example, a gpfdist utility that is installed with Greenplum Database 4.x cannot be used with Greenplum Database 5.x or 6.x.

Note

MERGE and UPDATE operations are not supported if the target table column name is a reserved keyword, has capital letters, or includes any character that requires quotes (" ") to identify the column.

To use gpload

1. Ensure that your environment is set up to run gpload. Some dependent files from your Greenplum Database installation are required, such as gpfdist and Python 3, as well as network access to the Greenplum segment hosts. On Windows clients, gpload also requires that you install the following packages:

   pip install psycopg2 pyyaml
   

2. Create your load control file. This is a YAML-formatted file that specifies the Greenplum Database connection information, gpfdist configuration information, external table options, and data format.

   See the Greenplum Database Reference Guide for details.

   For example:

   ---
   VERSION: 1.0.0.1
   DATABASE: ops
   USER: gpadmin
   HOST: cdw-1
   PORT: 5432
   GPLOAD:
      INPUT:
       - SOURCE:
            LOCAL_HOSTNAME:
              - etl1-1
              - etl1-2
              - etl1-3
              - etl1-4
            PORT: 8081
            FILE: 
              - /var/load/data/*
       - COLUMNS:
              - name: text
              - amount: float4
              - category: text
              - descr: text
              - date: date
       - FORMAT: text
       - DELIMITER: '|'
       - ERROR_LIMIT: 25
       - LOG_ERRORS: true
      OUTPUT:
       - TABLE: payables.expenses
       - MODE: INSERT
      PRELOAD:
       - REUSE_TABLES: true 
   SQL:
      - BEFORE: "INSERT INTO audit VALUES('start', current_timestamp)"
      - AFTER: "INSERT INTO audit VALUES('end', current_timestamp)"
   
   

3. Run gpload, passing in the load control file. For example:

   gpload -f my_load.yml
   
   

Parent topic: Loading and Unloading Data