A directory object is a logical alias for a physical directory path name on the operating system. Directory objects can be created, dropped, and granted access permissions to different users. The following tutorial exercise shows you some good examples:

>sqlplus /nolog

SQL> connect SYSTEM/globalguideline

SQL> CREATE DIRECTORY test_dir AS '/oraclexe/test';

Directory created.

SQL> GRANT READ ON DIRECTORY test_dir TO hr;

Grant succeeded.

SQL> GRANT WRITE ON DIRECTORY test_dir TO hr;

Grant succeeded.

SQL> CREATE DIRECTORY temp_dir AS '/oraclexe/temp';

Directory created.

SQL> DROP DIRECTORY temp_dir;

Directory dropped.