With LOAD/UNLOAD, you can
load user data from an input file into a base table
unload user data from a base table or a view to an output file
transfer user data from one base table or a view to another
Loading or unloading user data offline or online
When you execute the two statements you can choose between the operating modes OFFLINE and ONLINE. The main differences concern the performance, lock behavior and error handling.
The behavior of the OFFLINE operating mode is like that of the conventional LOAD. Processing takes place in a service task. The user space is locked exclusively against changes.
In the ONLINE operating mode better performance is achieved in processing small files. The user space is not locked exclusively against changes.
Detailed information on OFFLINE/ONLINE is provided in the description of the utility statements in the “SQL Reference Manual Part 2: Utilities”.