The High-Performance Loader

The High-Performance Loader (HPL) utility uses parallel processing to perform fast data loading and unloading. The HPL is available with the following database servers:

• Dynamic Server 10.0, 9.40, 9.30, 9.2x, 7.3x, and 7.24
• Workgroup Edition 7.3x and 7.24

The HPL requires significant preparation time but it is fast. Use the HPL for large migration jobs. The HPL can load data from any ASCII or COBOL file that meets certain format requirements.

You can use the HPL to load from large ASCII or COBOL databases. COBOL is supported up to Version 7.3.

HPL Tools

In addition to the advantage of speed, the following HPL features provide powerful tools for handling data from non-Informix sources:

• Drivers to handle different database types
• Filters and functions to manipulate data
• Code-set conversion
• The ipload GUI for UNIX
• The onpladm command-line utility for UNIX and Windows

Performance Advantage of the HPL

For extremely large databases, the HPL has a performance advantage over other IBM Informix data-migration utilities because it performs I/O and code-set conversions in parallel. The user, however, must invest significant preparation time before using the HPL, and the HPL program has a significant start-up time. Therefore, use the HPL only for large databases, for which the time savings in the actual loading or unloading of data makes the preparation time worthwhile.

For more information about the HPL, refer to the IBM Informix: High-Performance Loader User's Guide.