When a data file created on one platform is to be loaded on a different platform, the data must be written in a form that the target system can read. For example, if the source system has a native, floating-point representation that uses 16 bytes, and the target system's floating-point numbers are 12 bytes, then the target system cannot directly read data generated on the source system.
The best solution is to load data across an Oracle Net database link, taking advantage of the automatic conversion of data types. This is the recommended approach, whenever feasible, and means that SQL*Loader must be run on the source system.
Problems with interplatform loads typically occur with native data types. In some situations, it is possible to avoid problems by lengthening a field by padding it with zeros, or to read only part of the field to shorten it (for example, when an 8-byte integer is to be read on a system that uses 4-byte integers, or the reverse). Note, however, that incompatible data type implementation may prevent this.
If you cannot use an Oracle Net database link and the data file must be accessed by SQL*Loader running on the target system, then it is advisable to use only the portable SQL*Loader data types (for example, CHAR, DATE, VARCHARC, and numeric EXTERNAL). Data files written using these data types may be longer than those written with native data types. They may take more time to load, but they transport more readily across platforms.
If you know in advance that the byte ordering schemes or native integer lengths differ between the platform on which the input data will be created and the platform on which SQL*loader will be run, then investigate the possible use of the appropriate technique to indicate the byte order of the data or the length of the native integer. Possible techniques for indicating the byte order are to use the BYTEORDER parameter or to place a byte-order mark (BOM) in the file. Both methods are described in "Byte Ordering". It may then be possible to eliminate the incompatibilities and achieve a successful cross-platform data load. If the byte order is different from the SQL*Loader default, then you must indicate a byte order.