1. A method for performing on a computer system an unload of a hierarchical database utilizing a segment specific selection criteria, comprising the steps of: receiving said segment specific selection criteria wherein said segment specific selection criteria comprises a global directive and a set of segment directives; reading a database definition for said hierarchical database; building a logical processing map utilizing at least said global directive, said set of segment directives and said database definition; reading a segment from said hierarchical database; and writing said segment to a target unload file if said segment has a type identified by said logical processing map and said segment is not an excluded root segment.