External Files
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InterBase permits external files to be used as external tables. These tables are limited in their functionality:
- From a database that is in read-write mode, you can execute only
SELECTandINSERTstatements on external tables. From a read-only database, you can execute onlySELECTstatement on external tables. - You cannot define indexes on external tables; they are outside of the control of the multigenerational architecture.
- The 2GB external file size limit has been removed from InterBase XE onward.
The default location for external files is <InterBase_home>/ext. InterBase can always find external files that you place here. If you want to place them elsewhere, you must specify the location in the ibconfig configuration file using the EXTERNAL_FILE_DIRECTORY entry.
Important:
For security reasons, it is extremely important that you not place files with sensitive content in the same directory with external tables.
For security reasons, it is extremely important that you not place files with sensitive content in the same directory with external tables.
Migration note: If you are migrating from InterBase 6.x or older to InterBase 7.x or newer, and your database includes external table files, you must either move these files to <InterBase_home>/ext or note their locations in ibconfig using the EXTERNAL_FILE_DIRECTORY entry