How does data pump load and unload table data?

Data pump technology in database systems is designed to efficiently handle large volumes of data during load (import) and unload (export) operations. The correct answer highlights that data pump can utilize both direct path and external tables for this purpose.

Direct path loading allows the database to bypass certain layers of processing, writing data directly to the data files. This can significantly enhance performance, particularly when dealing with large datasets since it minimizes the overhead of conventional SQL insert operations.

External tables, on the other hand, allow interaction with data that is stored outside the database, such as flat files or other data sources. This method provides flexibility in terms of integrating data into the database from various external sources.

Using both methods, data pumps can efficiently transfer data into and out of tables, optimizing the processes based on the type of operation and the specific requirements of the data being handled. This versatility is why the answer is both methods are utilized in data pump load and unload operations.