For our purposes here, loading data refers to initially creating datasets in a geodatabase. Any user with proper edit privileges can insert data into an existing feature class or table. Loading data into the geodatabase is a task typically reserved for those with access to the data owner account credentials. Data should always be loaded (and feature classes and tables created) under the data owner account; in other words, the user loading the data must be connected to the geodatabase as the data owner.
Note
Never load data while connected as the sde user; this will make the sde account the owner of that data.
There are many ways to load data into the geodatabase, and these vary based on the format of the source data. Let's discuss some of these methods where they are applicable, and their pros and cons.