A full or relative repository path name that specifies the source of the database definitions. When you use the PATHNAME argument, any changes you make to database definitions are entered in both the repository and the database system file. Oracle Rdb recommends using the PATHNAME argument if you have the repository on your system and you plan to use any data definition statements. If you specify PATHNAME: o During compilation, your application attaches to the repository database definition and reads metadata from the dictionary definitions. SQL extracts the file name of the Oracle Rdb database from the dictionary and saves it for use at run time. o At run time, your application attaches to the Oracle Rdb database file name extracted from the dictionary at compilation.