Delete Target Table FAQS

1. What does the "DELETE_ALL" Knowledge Module option do?

• The DELETE_ALL Knowledge Module option triggers the deletion of all rows in the target table, without affecting the table structure itself. It’s typically used in ETL processes to ensure the table is emptied before inserting new data.

2. Does the DELETE command remove the table or just the data?

• The DELETE command removes all data from the table but does not drop the table itself. The structure of the table remains intact, but all the rows are deleted.

3. What happens if the DELETE operation is not committed?

• If the DELETE command is not committed, any changes (i.e., deletion of the data) will be rolled back. The operation happens within a transaction that needs to be explicitly committed to finalize the changes.

4. Can the DELETE command be undone?

• Yes, the delete operation can be undone if it’s part of an uncommitted transaction. Once the transaction is committed, the deletion cannot be undone, unless you have a backup or some form of data recovery in place.

5. How do I ensure the delete operation is committed?

• To ensure the delete operation is committed, you must use a COMMIT command after the DELETE statement within the same transaction. This will finalize the changes and make the deletion permanent.

6. Can I delete data from multiple tables at once?

• The DELETE operation in the provided code snippet is applied to a single table at a time. However, you can extend the logic or use additional commands to delete data from multiple tables if needed.

7. What happens if the target table doesn’t exist?

• If the target table doesn’t exist or is incorrectly referenced, the DELETE statement will throw an error. It’s important to ensure that the table name is valid and the target exists in the database.

8. How does the odiRef.getTable function work?

• The odiRef.getTable function is used to dynamically reference the target table in the code. The parameters "L", "INT_NAME", and "A" specify the context or properties needed to retrieve the correct table name from the data integration system (such as Oracle Data Integrator).

9. When should I use this DELETE task in an ETL process?

• This DELETE task is typically used in an ETL process before loading new data into the target table. It clears out any old data so that the table can be populated with fresh information.

10. Is this operation safe to run in production environments?

• Running a DELETE operation in a production environment without a backup or careful consideration could result in data loss. Always ensure that backups exist and that the operation is tested in a staging or development environment first.