title: How do I parallel direct-path load using Oracle external tables?
body: <p>Some years ago, Thomas Kyte said this (<a href="http://robertgfreeman.blogspot.com/2005/05/oracle-external-tables.html?showComment=1117287300000#c111728730017733217" rel="nofollow">here</a>):</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>My favorite use of external tables:</p>
    
    <p>Load this really big file ASAP. In the past, setup the scripts to parallel direct path load. Coordinate the firing of said scripts. Review log files to make sure they all finished. Split up input file or use skip and load to slice the file up. In short, a pain in the butt.</p>
    
    <p>Now:</p>
  
  <pre><code>create table ET parallel;
  create table new_table (...) parallel
  as
  select * from ET;
  </code></pre>
    
    <p>parallel direct path load made trivial. </p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Except this isn't valid syntax... </p>
  
  <p>How do I use Oracle's external tables to perform a "parallel direct path load"?</p>