Import may be invoked in an interactive mode from a host system command prompt, using the following syntax:
imp [username
[/password
]][@hostname
]
The Oracle username for the account to run Import.
The password for the username.
The hostname assigned to the database being connected to, as contained in the tnsnames.ora file or Oracle Names.
When running in interactive mode, Import will prompt for some, but not all, parameters as follows. Defaults appear at the end of each line.
Username: SYSTEM Password: Import file: expdat.dmp > Enter insert buffer size (minimum is 4096) 30720> List contents of import file only (yes/no): no > Ignore create error due to object existence (yes/no): no > Import grants (yes/no): yes > Import table data (yes/no): yes > Import entire export file (yes/no): no > Username: SCOTT Enter table names. Null list means all tables for user Enter table name or . if done:
Note that if the you answer “Y” to the prompt “Import entire export file (yes/no): no >” no further prompts are issued and all data is imported. If you answer “N”, usernames and tables to be imported are prompted for, as shown.