Syntax options: DATA | NO DATA Specifies whether the database created by the IMPORT statement includes the data and metadata contained in the source database, or the metadata only. DATA is the default. When you specify the NO DATA option, you import the metadata that defines a database from an .rbr file and exclude the data. Duplicating the metadata of a database while excluding the data offers the following benefits: o You can use established, tested metadata to create a database to store new data. Standardized metadata can be created once but used in multiple databases. o You can use the duplicated metadata to test the database structure. You can experiment with storage areas and storage maps, and by entering sample data, you can test other aspects of database structure. o If a database needs testing by someone outside of your group, you can submit the database metadata without exposing any sensitive data. Also, if the database is very large, you need not submit multiple reels of tape to the tester. NOTE The NO DATA option is not compatible with repository databases (CDD$DATABASE.RDB). An .rbr file, created by an EXPORT statement with the DATA option (the default) and generated from a CDD$DATABASE.RDB file, cannot be used with the NO DATA option for the IMPORT statement. SQL issues an error message stating that the NO DATA option is not valid for repository databases.