EXP vs EXPDP (Data Pump): Differences and How to Identify Dump Format
Oracle database exports come in two major flavors: EXP (legacy export) and EXPDP (Data Pump export).
Both produce .dmp files, but the internal formats are completely different and incompatible. This article explains the key differences and how to identify which format you're dealing with.
What is EXP (Legacy Export)?
The original export utility dating back to Oracle 7.
- Command:
exp - Supported versions: Oracle 7–11g (deprecated in 11g)
- Import:
impcommand - Characteristics: Simple and straightforward. Runs on the client side
exp scott/tiger FILE=export.dmp TABLES=(EMP,DEPT)What is EXPDP (Data Pump)?
The modern export utility introduced in Oracle 10g.
- Command:
expdp - Supported versions: Oracle 10g–23ai (current recommended method)
- Import:
impdpcommand - Characteristics: Runs server-side for speed. Supports parallelism, compression, and encryption
expdp scott/tiger DIRECTORY=dump_dir DUMPFILE=export.dmp TABLES=EMP,DEPTKey Differences
| EXP (Legacy) | EXPDP (Data Pump) | |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | Oracle 7 | Oracle 10g |
| Execution | Client-side | Server-side |
| Speed | Standard | Fast (parallel processing) |
| Compression | No | Yes |
| Encryption | No | Yes |
| Job Control | None | Pause/resume |
| DIRECTORY Object | Not required | Required |
| Network Export | No | Yes |
| Current Status | Deprecated (11g+) | Recommended |
| File Compatibility | Incompatible with each other | |
How to Identify .dmp File Format
Both formats use the same .dmp extension. Here's how to tell them apart:
Method 1: Check File Header Bytes
On Linux/macOS:
# Check hex dump of first few bytes
hexdump -C export.dmp | head -3
# Look for text strings
strings export.dmp | head -5- EXP format: Contains
EXPORT:Vnear the beginning - EXPDP format: Contains binary headers and master table metadata
Method 2: Use OraDB DUMP Viewer (Recommended)
OraDB DUMP Viewer automatically detects EXP vs EXPDP when you open a file. No guesswork needed.
- Open the .dmp file in OraDB DUMP Viewer
- The format is displayed in the window title and status bar
- Browse and export data the same way regardless of format
Method 3: Try imp / impdp
If you have an Oracle environment, try one of the utilities:
# Test if EXP format
imp user/pass FILE=export.dmp SHOW=y LOG=check.log
# Test if EXPDP format
impdp user/pass DIRECTORY=dump_dir DUMPFILE=export.dmp SQLFILE=check.sqlA format mismatch will produce a clear error message.
When You Receive an EXP Format File
Since EXP is deprecated, newer Oracle versions may not include the imp command. Your options:
- Use OraDB DUMP Viewer — No Oracle needed, supports both EXP and EXPDP
- Install an older Oracle Client version to access
imp
Summary
EXP and EXPDP files share the same .dmp extension but are internally incompatible. If you're unsure about the format, OraDB DUMP Viewer is the easiest way to check — it auto-detects the format and lets you browse and export data from either type.