Oracle SQL*Plus COPY Command: Legacy Note

by

The SQL*Plus COPY command is a legacy way to copy query results between Oracle databases or schemas. It can still matter in older environments, but newer workflows usually use database links, CREATE TABLE AS SELECT, Data Pump, or application-level migration tools.

Legacy COPY syntax

COPY FROM user1/password@db1 TO user2/password@db2
CREATE destination_table
USING SELECT * FROM source_table;

Historically, COPY supported modes such as CREATE, APPEND, INSERT, and REPLACE, but it has datatype and feature limitations compared with modern Oracle tools.

Modern alternatives

  • CREATE TABLE ... AS SELECT ... over a database link.
  • Data Pump for schema or table movement.
  • SQL*Loader or external tables for file-based loads.
  • GoldenGate or other replication tools for ongoing migration.

Also avoid embedding passwords directly in command lines or scripts where they can leak through history, process listings, or logs.

Leave a Comment