The unformatted copy (also known as binary copy) is designed for unloading and reloading entire tables. An unformatted unload file can be reloaded into a different table, even a different database, as long as the table to be loaded has an identical definition (the same columns and types). An unformatted data file can be moved to a different installation or machine, as long as the target machine has the same architecture as the source machine.

The utilities designed for quick unloading and reloading of tables or databases—copydb and unloaddb (and their VDBA equivalent features)—both use the unformatted form of COPY by default. They automate the process so you can easily recreate and reload tables of identical layout. For information on copydb and unloaddb, see the Command Reference Guide.