Default: The default value is 0 (zero), which limits memory use based on the value of the PGA_AGGREGATE_TARGET initialization parameter. When memory use approaches that value, loading of some partitions is delayed.
Purpose
The PARTITION_MEMORY parameter lets you limit the amount of memory used when you are loading many partitions. This parameter is helpful in situations in which the number of partitions you are loading use up large amounts of memory, perhaps even exceeding available memory (this can happen especially when the data is compressed).
Once the specified limit is reached, loading of some partition rows is delayed until memory use falls below the limit.
Syntax and Description
PARTITION_MEMORY=n
The parameter value n is in kilobytes.
If n is set to 0 (the default), then SQL*Loader uses a value that is a function of the PGA_AGGREGATE_TARGET initialization parameter.
If n is set to -1 (minus 1), then SQL*Loader makes no attempt use less memory when loading many partitions.
Restrictions
This parameter is only valid for direct path loads.
This parameter is available only in Oracle Database 12c Release 1 (12.1.0.2) and later.
Example
The following example limits memory use to 1 GB.
> sqlldr hr CONTROL=t.ctl DIRECT=true PARTITION_MEMORY=1000000