SQL LOADER POSITIONS (X, X) - HOW /WHENTO USE

hi -

i am trying to load a flat file where the fields are defined as either char (40), char (50), and date. The oracle database is also defined as the flat files. When I load it I get an error of "invalid number" as well as "data in column is exceeding max limit" although i checked the input file and it does not exceed. The values are below what the specified length is. Would I need to use the positions syntax and how would that work. see below for an example:

a - date
b - char (40)
c - char (50)

would i also need to terminate by whitespace as well? I am confused as to when and how to use the POSITIONS syntax. Received on Fri Jun 27 2003 - 03:25:17 CDT