SAP Business Objects Universe Designer Interview Questions – Scenario Based
Loops occur when there are two different paths to accomplish one join. The following structure now includes PRODUCT_PROMOTION_FACTS in the Test Fashion universe. If users want to analyze articles versus time, there are now two join paths. Business Objects does not know which path to take, the one via SHOP_FACTS or the one via PRODUCT_PROMOTION_FACTS.
The circular appearance of these four joins is a loop, which can give undesired SQL results.
One way of spotting the problem table in the loop is the table which has at one end of the one-to-many relationship.
If loops are not resolved and report is run following error might come.
Error: Incompatible combination of objects
There are different methodologies to resolve loops depending on the type of loop.
Contexts
Context is simply a list of joins that defines a specific path for query.
It breaks loop by defining set of joins that define path through table in a loop.
It ensures that joins are not included from different path within the same sql.
If object from two different contexts are used in report. BO generates two different SQL.
Dis-advantage:
When you use a context, you expose the BO end user to the database structure. They are forced to decide which context they want to use to run their query. The role of the universe is to shield end users from the database structure, so they do not have to make such decisions.
To test the contexts:
Create a query which includes objects which are only in one context : BO should be able to get the correct result by determining the context.
Create a query which includes objects from both the contexts. BO should generate two queries and then unions it.
Create a query which includes object which are common two both the context. BO should prompt for contexts to be used.
Designer detects context by identifying table which has only many ends of joins attached. No joins following back from one to many are included.
Every Join except shortcut join must exist in at least one context.
Alias breaks the loop by using same table with different name in the query.
In above example we can create the alias for calendar_year_lookup table.
Original table would join to shop facts and alias will join to promotion fact which would break the loop.
However you would need to define the object based on there meaning.
e.g. to get the shopping month you can use original table whereas to get the promotion month you need to use alias table.
What is CHASM trap and how to resolve it
Fan traps and Chasm traps are problems in which are inherent in SQL that are caused by the order in which the elements of SELECT are processed.
In SQL a select statement processes SELECT, FROM and WHERE cause first and forms a result table in memory based on the tables specified in where clause and restrictions specified. However this does not cause a problem, but if aggregates are applied then it may cause a problem in particular circumstances.
These traps are difficult to identify unless you take a deeper look at the detailed data.
These traps return many row than expected.
Chasm trap is a common problem in relational database in which a join path returns more data than expected.
A chasm trap is a join path between three tables when two many-to-one join path converge on a single table and there is no context in place that separates the converging path.
You only get incorrect result in following situations.
There is many-to-one-to-many relationship between three table in universe.
The query includes objects based on the two “many” tables
There are multiple row returned for single dimension.
For example in above diagram there is no loop, but the flow around three table is many-to-one-many.
When a query that uses objects Y and Z is run, the inferred SQL includes tables B,C,A that have a many-to-one-many relationship. The chasm traps causes a query to return every possible combinations of one measure with every possible combination of another measure. The results in the values for each objects being multiplied by other. The effect is similar to a Cartesian product but known as CHASM trap.
CHASM trap is resolved by executing separate statement for Y and Z and combining the result.
Note: the chasm trap is not dependent on object type. Y and Z can be dimension
Detecting CHASM trap.
Unlike loops chasm traps are not detected automatically by designer. Need to detect manually.
Analyze the one to many relationship join paths in schema to detect CHASM trap graphically.
Analyze the proposed detected to separate the queries for such join paths.
Add additional dimension or detail objects to display more information in the report . If there is chasm trap aggregated value wil be doubled alerting you a chasm trap.
Now if you run query with client name and sale revenue or rental revenue. You would see correct result. However you want to see client name with sale and client revenue you would end up getting wrong result.
Suppose Sale revenue is 2000 and rental revenue is 4000 for client Kumar. You would see result as
Client Name Sale revenue Rental Revenue
Kumar 4000 8000
This is because of chasm trap.
Internally it is bringing result as micrcocube
Client Name Sale revenue Rental Revenue
Kumar 2000 4000
Kumar 2000 4000
And while projecting this data in report BO aggregates it to client name and shows wrong result.
Resolving CHASM trap.
Modify SQL parameters of the universe and click generate separate queries for measures. However this works with measures and might result in inefficient queries and does not works with dimensions.
Create a contexts for each fact. This solution works well and recommended.
When you create context and two entities from separte context are used in SQL. BO generates separate queries regardless of measure/dimension. Which solves this trap problem
When any new universe changes are deployed how does the end user get the view of the new classes/objects added(apart from specs doc)?
when universe get changed, we do export the changed universe to enterprise server. user gets the view of changed classes objects what ever we done at universe and already existed objects which are not changed are viewed as same like before.
I have 2 universes. that is u1 and u2. From u1,i created one report that is r1. Now i want to give the connection r1 to u2 and at the same time delete the connection from u1 to r1 ? How is it possible explain?
can change the connection for the report r1.For webI reports in query panel on left side we have query properties there we can change the connection of the universe to u2.then it will map to the u2.
What is meant by ZABO and FC(full-client)?
This module of the application is hybrid of the thin client and the Full Client Modules of Business Objects Reporting Module. ZABO stands for Zero Administration BusinessObjects. This application uses the hardware resources of the client machine for application level processing and communicates through the protocol defined for the browser to use the server resources for processing External requests (like running a database Query, creating a data provider to access data.)
ZABO means Zero Administration Business Objects and this is 3-tier level architecture.
No need to install any BO software.
Full Client means 2 -tier level architecture we can directly connect to repository only we defines key file and this Fullclient we need BO tools our local system also.
what happens if cardinalities are not resolved?
If Cardinalities are not specified between the tables i.e the relationship between the tables ( 1-1,1-MANY,MANY-MANY)
We get more results at report level more than the actual result,like a Cartesian product.
We can’t detect the Loops & Traps (Chasam & Fan) Which are mainly detected by the
CARDINALITIES option
What is aggregate navigation.
Aggregate Navigation is used to specify the incompatible objects.
Whenever we use Aggregate Aware we need to set up incompatilibities to work it properly (so BusinessObjects knows what SQL to generate)
For example, There are 2 aggregate tables fact table by
week and by day.If you set up a measure as aggregate aware from both tables – total quantity for example, the select might be something like: -
@Aggregate_Aware(sum(week_agg.qty),sum(day_agg.qty))
The week table listed first as this would be the preference. But as BusinessObjects needs a reason to not go to the week_agg table, this is done using incompatibilities. For example the Week Number dimension object would be compatible with the week_agg table as it will link to it and the data is held at an appropriate level to report against it. However the Date dimension object would be set as incompatible with the week_agg table, such that when it is selected alongside the Quantity object, BusinessObjects knows to jump to the next option in its select definition.
What is Index Awareness in Universe.
Index awareness is the ability to take advantage of the indexes on key column to speed data retrieval.
The objects that you create in the universe are based on database columns that are meaningful to an end user. For example, a customer objects retrives the fields that contains name. In this situation the customer table typically has primary key (e.g. in integer) that is not meaningful to the end user, but which is very useful for DB performance. When you set up index awareness in designer, you tell designer which database columns are primary and foreign keys. This can have dramatic effect on query performance in the following ways.
Designer Can take advantage of the indexes on key columns to speed up data retrieval
Designer can generate SQL that filters in the most efficient way. This is particularly more important in a start schema . If you build a query that involves filtering on a value from dimension table. Designer can apply the filter directly on the fact table using table foreign key. This eliminates unnecessary joins to dimensions tables.
Designer does not ignore duplicates with index awareness. If two customers have same name. Designer retrieves only one unless it is aware that each customer has a separate primary key.
To setup index awareness open the properties of objects, open “Keys” tab. Click insert and add respective PK and FK.
What are @functions
@Aggregate_Aware (2) @Prompt (3) @Script (4) @Select (5) @Variable (6) @Where
@Prompt: message prompts the end user to enter a specific value.
Syntax: @Prompt (‘message’, [‘type’], [lov], [MONO|MULTI], [FREE|CONSTRAINED])
@Script: This function recovers the results of Visual Basic for Applications macro (VBA macro).
Syntax: @Script (‘var_name’, ‘vartype’, ‘script_name’)
@Select: This function enables you to re-use the Select statement of an existing object.
Syntax: @Select (Classname\Objectname)
@Variable: The @Variable is used to reference the value assigned to a name or variable.
Syntax: @Variable(‘myname’)
@Where: This function lets you re-use the Where clause of an existing object.
Syntax: @Where (Classname\Objectname)
What is core Universe
The core universe is a universe to which other universes are linked. It contains
components that are common to the other universes linking to it. These
universes are called derived universes.The core universe represents a
re-usable library of components.
A core universe can be a kernel or master universe depending on the way the core universe components are used in the derived universes.
What is derived universe.
A derived universe is a universe that contains a link to a core universe. The
link allows the derived universe to share common components of the core
universe:
• If the linked core universe is a kernal universe, then components can be
added to the derived universe.
• If the linked core universe is a master universe, then the derived universe
contains all the core universe components. Classes and objects are not added to the derived universe. They can be hidden in the derived universe depending on the user needs of the target audience.
What are linked universes? Explain with advantages and disadvantages.
Linked universes are universes that share common components such as parameters, classes, objects, or joins. Among linked universes, one universe is said to be the kernel or master while the others are the derived universes.A kernel or master universe represents a re-useable library of components.
Derived universes may contain some or all of the components of the kernel or master universe, in addition to any components that have been added to it.
You have the following advantages when linking universes:
• Reduce development and maintenance time. When you modify a component in the core universe, Designer propagates the change to the same component in all the derived universes.
• You can centralize often used components in a core universe, and then include them in all new universes. You do not have to re-create common components each time you create a new universe.
• Facilitate specialization. Development can be split between database administrators who set up a basic core universe, and the more specialized designers who create more functional universes based on their specific field.
Requirements for linking universes
You can link the active universe to a core universe, only if the following requirements are met:
The core universe and derived universe use the same data account, or database, and the same RDBMS. Using the same connection for both the core and the derived universe makes managing the universes easier, but this can be changed at any time.
• The core and derived universes must be in the same repository.
• The core universe was exported and re-imported at least once. The derived
universe does not need to have been exported before creating a link.
• Exported derived universes are located in the same universe domain as
the core universe.
• You are authorized to link the given universe.
Restrictions when linking universes
You need to be aware of the following restrictions when linking universes:
• You cannot link to a universe that uses stored procedures.
• You can use only one level of linking. You cannot create derived universes from a universe which is itself derived.
• All classes and objects are unique in both the core universe and the derived universes. If not conflicts will occur.
• The two universe structures must allow joins to be created between a table in one universe to a table in the other universe. If not, then Cartesian products can result when a query is run with objects from both structures.
• Only the table schema, classes and objects of the core universe are available in the derived universe. Contexts must be re-detected in the derived universe.
• Lists of values associated with a core universe are not saved when you export a derived universe with the core universe structures.
Creating a link between two universes
You can link an active universe to another universe. When you do so, the active universe becomes the derived universe, and the linked universe becomes the core universe. Components from the core universe are inherited by the derived universe.
To link a universe to a core universe, the core universe must have been
exported to the repository.
Note: When you link universes, you can relocate the core universe within the same repository with out breaking the link. This allows you to export the core universe to a different repository folder, while keeping the links with derived universes valid.
What is Object Qualification
For the purposes of multidimensional analysis, objects are qualified as one of three types: dimension, detail, or measure.
How to create filter in Universe and what is advantages and disadvantages.
A condition object is a predefined Where clause that can be inserted into the Select statement inferred by objects in the Query pane.
Condition objects are stored in the Conditions view of the Universe pane. You access the conditions view by clicking the Conditions radio button at the right bottom of the universe pane
Using condition objects has the following advantages:
• Useful for complex or frequently used conditions.
• Gives users the choice of applying the condition.
• No need for multiple objects. Building universes Defining objects
• Condition objects do not change the view of the classes and objects in the Universe pane.
Note: You may need to direct users to use the condition objects view of the Universe pane. The only disadvantages for using condition objects is that you may want to force a condition on users to restrict their access to part of the data set. In this case you need to define a Where clause in the object definition.
Why do we need to create derived table in Universe.
Sometimes it not possible to create dimension/measure directly in universe in that case we use derived tables. E.g. First time users, union queries etc.
Explain security level in BO Universe
Defines the security access level of the object.You can select a security level which restricts use of the object to users with the appropriate security level. You can assign the following security access levels:
• Public
• Controlled
• Restricted
• Confidential
• Private
If you assign Public then all users can see and use the object. If you assign Restricted, hen only users with the user profile of Restricted or higher can see and use the object.
How to implement row level security in Universe.
You can define a WHERE clause that restricts access to row and limits the result set returned by a query.
To create restrictions Select Tools > Manage Security > Manage Access Restrictions and click rows
How do you determine when to use alias and when to use context.
There is no strict rule to follow for resolving loops. However, whenever possible you should use an alias instead of a context. When you use a context, you expose the BUSINESSOBJECTS end user to the database structure. They are forced to decide which context they want to use to run their query. The role of the universe is to shield end users from the database structure, so they do not have to make such decisions.
Contexts can be confusing for end users
A context can be confusing for end users when they are forced to make a decision about the meaning of an object. For example an object called Country can have several meanings; the customer’s country of residence, the shipment destination, or the product’s country of manufacture. When you run a query in BUSINESSOBJECTS or WEBINTELLIGENCE, you are also asked to indicate the correct database path to follow.
Deciding to use an alias or context
You can use the following rules to help you decide whether an alias or context is appropriate for resolving loops: When you create aliases and you end up with object names that sound very different (Customer’s Country of Residence, Shipment Destination, and Products Country of Manufacture), aliases are probably the right solution.
If you end up with object names that sound very similar (such as Ordered Products and Loaned Products as well as Ordered Products’ Country of Manufacture and Loaned Products’ Country of Manufacture), you should consider using contexts.
What are different ways to link universes.
You can use any the following approaches when linking universes:
• Kernel approach
• Master approach
• Component approach
You can use any of the three approaches individually, or, combine one
or more together.
Kernel approach
With the kernel approach, one universe contains the core components. These are the components common in all universes. The derived universes that you create from this kernel universe contain these core components as well as their own specific components.
In the example below, the universes Human Resources and Sales are derived from a kernel universe. They contain core components of the kernel universe as well as their own specific components.
Any changes you make to the kernel universe are automatically reflected in the core components of all the derived universes.
Master approach
The master approach is another way of organizing the common components of linked universes.
The master universe holds all possible components. In the universes derived from the master, certain components are hidden depending on their relevance to the target users of the derived universe.
The components visible in the derived universes are always a subset of the master universe. There are no new components added specific to the derived universe. The example below shows the universes Human Resources and Sales are derived from a master universe. They contain components from the master universe, some of which may be hidden. Any changes you make to the master universe are automatically reflected in the core components of all the derived universes.
Component approach
The component approach involves merging two or more universes into one universe. The Sales universe below was created by merging two universes: Part 1 and Part 2.
How do you distribute Universe?
Designer allows you to distribute universes by importing and exporting universes to the Central Management System (CMS) repository.
What is the list mode?
List Mode provides list of all the tables, joins, and contexts.àList mode command View
What is Parse checking?
Parse checking means how DESIGNER is to determine the validity of an object, join, or condition.
• Quick parsing checks only the syntax of components.
• Thorough parsing checks both the syntax and semantics of components.
If there are changes in the database on which you have already created a universe, how do you include those additional changes into your universe?
By refreshing the structure I get the updated database structure.
What is the difference between linking and including the universes?
• Linking a universe is a process, which includes the required objects/classes of the master on to the derived universe. But any change made to the master universe is reflected onto the derived universe.
• Including a universe creates all the required objects from the master universe on to the derived universe; any change made to the master universe does not impact the derived universe.
What is a list of values?
A list of values contains the data values associated with an object. These data values can originate from a corporate database, or a flat file such as a text file or Excel file. In Designer you create a list of values by running a query from the Query Panel. You can then view, edit, purge, refresh, and even export this file. A list of values is stored as an .lov file in a subfolder of the UserDocs folder.
What are the requirements for linking universes
You can link the active universe to a kernel universe, only if the following requirements are met:
The kernel universe and active universe were created from the same data account and the same RDBMS.
The kernel universe was exported and re-imported at least once.
Exported derived universes are located in the same universe domain as the kernel universe.
All classes and objects are unique in both the kernel universe and the derived universes. (Otherwise, collisions may occur.)You are authorized to link the given universe.
Note:
A derived universe does not recover the lists of values containing personal data from the kernel universe. However, if you need certain lists of values, you can use the following workaround: in the derived universe, create new objects defined in the same way as those in the kernel, then hide them. You can then assign them to these objects lists of values, which you can then modify and export.
How to create hierarchies in BO?
A hierarchy, which the designer sets up when creating the universe, consists of dimension objects ranked from “less detailed” to “more detailed”. The objects that belong to hierarchies are the ones you can use to define scope of analysis.
Creating hierarchies
You can create your own custom hierarchies from any dimensions available in
the report. The dimensions you include in a hierarchy can be local variables,
derived variables, or dimensions returned by data providers.
Note: You can also use a date-type user object as the basis for a time hierarchy.
For information on user objects see “Creating User Objects” on page 78.
To create a custom hierarchy
1. Click the Hierarchies command on the Analysis menu.
The Hierarchy Editor opens.
2. In the Hierarchy Editor, click New.
3. Type the name of the new hierarchy, then click outside the name box.
4. In the Available Dimensions box, click the first dimension for the new
hierarchy, then click Add.
The dimension you clicked appears in the new hierarchy’s folder in the
Available Hierarchies box.
Add the other dimensions you want to include and then click OK.
What are the disadvantages of Alias?
Aliases will create complex in structure of the Universe
What are linked Universes
Linked universes are universes that share common components such as parameters, classes, objects, or joins. Among linked universes, one universe is said to be the kernel or master universe while the others are the derived universes.
A kernel or master universe represents a re-usable library of components. Derived universes may contain some or all the components of the kernel or master universe, in addition to any components that have been added to it.
Approaches to linking universes
You can use one of three approaches when linking universes:
• The kernel approach
• The master approach
• The component approach
The Benefits of Linked Universes
You have the following advantages when linking universes:
• Reduce development and maintenance time. When you modify a component in the core universe, Designer propagates the change to the same component in all the derived universes.
• You can centralize often used components in a core universe, and then include them in all new universes. You do not have to re-create common components each time you create a new universe.
• Facilitate specialization. Development can be split between database administrators who set up a basic core universe, and the more specialized designers who create more functional universes based on their specific field.
Requirements for linking universes
You can link the active universe to a kernel universe, only if the following requirements are met:
The kernel universe and active universe were created from the same data account and the same RDBMS.
The kernel universe was exported and re-imported at least once.
Exported derived universes are located in the same universe domain as the kernel universe.
All classes and objects are unique in both the kernel universe and the derived universes. (Otherwise, collisions may occur.)
You are authorized to link the given universe.
Note: A derived universe does not recover the lists of values containing personal data from the kernel universe. However, if you need certain lists of values, you can use the following workaround: in the derived universe, create new objects defined in the same way as those in the kernel, then hide them. You can then assign them to these objects lists of values, which you can then modify and export.
Explain Universe Design Methodology.
The universe design methodology described in this manual consists of one planning stage, and three implementation phases:
Analysis of business problem and planning the universe solution
Designing a schema
Building the universe
Distributing the universe to users
Each implementation phase is based on an assumption that you have completed an initial planning phase. The planning phase can be done without using Designer, and is the decisive phase for the success or failure of your universe. A poorly planned universe that is not based on a study of user reporting needs will be difficult to design, implement, maintain, and will not be useful to your target users. Each of these phases is described as follows:
Plan the universe before you start using Designer
Before starting the first phase, you should spend up to eighty percent of the time allotted for the universe creation project, planning the universe. You should note the following points:
• You must analyze the data analysis and reporting needs of the target audience for the universe. The structures that you use to create the schema should be based on a clearly defined user need to access the data contained in those tables and columns.
• You should have a clear idea of the objects that you need to create before you start using Designer. Do not create objects by looking at the columns available in the database, but identify columns that match an object that you have already identified from your user needs analysis.
Designing a schema
You create a schema for the underlying database structure of your universe. This schema includes the tables and columns of the target database and the joins by which they are linked. You may need to resolve join problems such as loops, chasm traps, and fan traps, which may occur in the structure by using aliases or contexts. You test the integrity of the overall structure.
Building the universe
You create the objects that infer Select statements based on the components of your schema. You organize these objects into classes. These are objects that you have identified from an analysis of user reporting needs. You can create many types of objects to enhance user reporting capabilities, multidimensional analysis, and optimize query performance. You test the integrity of your universe structure. You should also perform tests by running reports in Web Intelligence.
Distributing the universe
You can distribute your universes to users for testing, and eventually for production, by exporting them to the Crystal Management System (CMS) repository.
Explain Universe Development Lifecycle.
Universe development is a cyclic process which includes planning, designing, building, distribution, and maintenance phases. You use Designer to design and build a universe, however, the usability of any universe is directly related to how successfully the other phases in the development cycle interact with
each other.
This section presents an overview of a universe design methodology that you can use to plan and implement a universe development project. The table below outlines the major phases in a typical universe development cycle:
Business object test SQL Server interview BHEL interview Analysis Services interview
Explain the concepts and capabilities of Business Object. A business object can be used to represent entities of the business that are supported in the design. A business object can accommodate data and the behavior of the business associated with the entity.....................
Read answer
What is broad cast agent?
A broadcast agent allows automation of emails to be distributed. It allows reports to be sent to different business objects. It also users to choose the report format and send via SMS, fax, pagers etc. broadcast.............Read answer
Explain the functional differences between BO and COGNOs.
Business objects in business intelligence are entities of the business. COGNOS makes BI and performance planning software...............Read answer
What is a universe? Explain the types of universes in business objects.
A universe connects the client to the data warehouse. It is a file defining relationships amongst the tables in the warehouse, classes and objects, database connection details...............Read answer
What is security domain in Business Objects?
Security domain in business objects is a domain containing all security information like login credentials etc. It checks for users and their privileges..................Read answer
What is batch processing in Business Objects?
Batch processing can be used to schedule reports. Objects can be also be used for batch processing. Batch processing can be used to also select the objects to be processed.................Read answer
What are the functional & architectural differences between business objects and Web Intelligence Reports?
Functional differences - Business objects, for building or accessing reports, needs to be installed on every pc. On the other hand, Web intelligence reports needs a browser and a URL of the server from where Business...................Read answer
What is slicing and dicing in business objects?
Slicing and dicing of business objects is used for a detailed analysis of the data. It allows changing the position of data by interchanging rows and columns.............Read answer
What is the security level used in BO?
Security level used in BO:- Row Level, Column Level...............Read answer
What is Object qualification?
Object qualification is an attribute of an object that helps to determine how it can be used in multidimensional analysis.............Read answer
What is BOMain.Key?
A BOMain.key file contains all relevant information about the repository. It contains the address of the repository security domain..................Read answer
OLAP database objects
The following are the OLAP database objects:Cubes: Data in cubes are persisted in a summarized version that helps to analyze data quickly. The data is persisted, through which reporting can be done easily..................
Read answer
Cubes
A data cube stores data in a summarized version which helps in a faster analysis of data. The data is stored in such a way that it allows reporting easily................Read answer
Data Sources
Data source is where the data comes from in data warehousing. The data collected from various sources and is cleaned..............Read answer
Fact Tables
Data in a warehouse comes from the transactions. Fact table in a data warehouse consists of facts and/or measures. The nature of data in a fact table is usually numerical. e.g. If I want to know the number..............Read answer
Database roles
Database level roles are used to manage the security of the database. The role can be either fixed or flexible...............Read answer
Explain the concepts and capabilities of OLAP.
Online analytical processing performs analysis of business data and provides the ability to perform complex calculations on usually low volumes of data. OLAP helps the user gain an insight on the data..............Read answer
Explain the functionality of OLAP.
Multidimensional analysis:- OLAP helps the user gain an insight on the data coming from different sources. OLAP helps faster execution of complex analytical and ad-hoc queries...............Read answer
What are MOLAP and ROLAP?
Multidimensional Online Analytical Processing and Relational Online Analytical Processing are tools used in analysis of data which is multidimensional..................Read answer
Explain the role of bitmap indexes to solve aggregation problems.
Bitmap indexes are useful in connecting smaller databases to larger databases. Bit map indexes can be very useful in performing repetitive indexes..............Read answer
Explain the encoding technique used in bitmaps indexes.
For each distinct value, one bitmap is used. The number of bitmaps can be reduced using log(C) bitmaps with to represent the values in each bin................Read answer
What is Binning?
Binning can be used to hold multiple values in one bin. Bitmaps are then used to represent the values in.............Read answer
What is candidate check?
Binning process when creates the binned indexes, answers only some queries. The base data is not checked. The process of checking the base data is called as a candidate check. Candidate check at times.............Read answer
What is Hybrid OLAP?
In a Hybrid OLAP, the database gets divided into relational and specialized storage. Specialized data storage is for data with fewer details while relational storage can be used for large amount of data..............Read answer
Explain the shared features of OLAP.
OLAP product by default is read only. If multiple access rights are required, admin needs to make necessary changes..................Read answer
Compare Data Warehouse database and OLTP database.
Data Warehouse is used for business measures cannot be used to cater real time business needs of the organization and is optimized for lot of data, unpredictable queries. On the other hand, OLTP database is for.................Read answer
What is the difference between ETL tool and OLAP tool?
ETL is the process of Extracting, loading and transforming data into meaningful form. This data can be used by the OLAP tool for to visualize data in different forms. ETL tools also perform some cleaning of data..................Read answer
What is the difference between OLAP and DSS?
Data driven Decision support system is used to access and manipulate data. Data Driven DSS in conjunction with On line Analytical Processing............Read answer
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7
Data Warehousing Interview questions and answers- posted on August 07, 2008 at 17:10 pm by Rajmeet Ghai
1.What is Data warehousing?
Answer - A data warehouse can be considered as a storage area where interest specific or relevant data........2.What are fact tables and dimension tables?
Answer - As mentioned, data in a warehouse comes from the transactions. Fact table in a data warehouse consists........3.What is ETL process in data warehousing?
Answer - ETL is Extract Transform Load. It is a process of fetching.........4.Explain the difference between data mining and data warehousing.
Answer - Data warehousing is merely extracting data from different sources, cleaning the........5.What is an OLTP system and OLAP system?
Answer - OLTP: Online Transaction and Processing helps and manages applications based........6.What are cubes?
Answer - A data cube stores data in a summarized version which helps in a faster analysis of data..........7.What is snow flake scheme design in database?
Answer - A snowflake Schema in its simplest form is an arrangement of fact tables.........8.What is analysis service?
Answer - Analysis service provides a combined view of the data used in OLAP.........9.Explain sequence clustering algorithm.
Answer - Sequence clustering algorithm collects similar or related paths, sequences of data.........10.Explain discrete and continuous data in data mining.
Answer - Discreet data can be considered as defined or finite data..........11.Explain time series algorithm in data mining.
Answer - Time series algorithm can be used to predict continuous values of data.......12.What is XMLA?
Answer - XMLA is XML for Analysis which can be considered as a standard for accessing data in OLAP.......13.Explain the difference between Data warehousing and Business Intelligence.
Answer - Data Warehousing helps you store the data while business intelligence.....14.What is Dimensional Modeling?
Answer - Dimensional modeling is often used in Data warehousing.......15.What is surrogate key? Explain it with an example.
Answer - Data warehouses commonly use a surrogate key.......16.What is the purpose of Factless Fact Table?
Answer - Fact less tables are so called because they simply contain........17.What is a level of Granularity of a fact table?
Answer - A fact table is usually designed at a low level of Granularity...........18.Explain the difference between star and snowflake schemas.
Answer - A snow flake schema design is usually more complex than a start schema.....19.What is the difference between view and materialized view?
Answer - A view is created by combining data from different tables........20.What is a Cube and Linked Cube with reference to data warehouse?
Answer - A data cube stores data in a summarized version which helps in a faster analysis............21.What is junk dimension?
Answer - In scenarios where certain data may not be appropriate to store in....22.What are fundamental stages of Data Warehousing?
Answer - Stages of a data warehouse helps to find and understand........Data Warehousing Interview - posted on May 11, 2009 at 14:40 pm by Vidya Sagar
23.What is Virtual Data Warehousing?
The aggregate view of complete data inventory is provided by Virtual Warehousing........24.What is active data warehousing?
The transactional data captured and reposited in the Active Data Warehouse......25.List down differences between dependent data warehouse and independent data warehouse.
Dependent data ware house are build........26.What is data modeling and data mining? What is this used for?
Designing a model for data or database is called data modelling........27.Difference between ER Modeling and Dimensional Modeling.
Dimensional modelling is very flexible for the user perspective........28.What is snapshot with reference to data warehouse?
A snapshot of data warehouse is a persisted report from the catalogue.........29.What is degenerate dimension table?
The dimensions that are persisted in the fact table is called dimension table.........30.What is Data Mart?
Data Mart is a data repository which is served to a community of people.......31.What is the difference between metadata and data dictionary?
Metadata describes about data. It is ‘data about data’. It has information about how and when......32.Describe the various methods of loading Dimension tables.
The following are the methods of loading dimension tables.......33.What is the difference between OLAP and data warehouse?
The following are the differences between OLAP and data warehousing......34.Describe the foreign key columns in fact table and dimension table.
The primary keys of entity tables are the foreign keys of dimension tables.......35.What is cube grouping?
A transformer built set of similar cubes is known as cube grouping. A single level in one dimension......36.Define the term slowly changing dimensions (SCD).
Slowly changing dimension target operator is one of the SQL warehousing operators......37.What is a Star Schema?
The simplest data warehousing schema is star schema.......38.Differences between star and snowflake schema.
Star Schema: A de-normalized technique in which one fact table is associated with several dimension tables.......39.Explain the use of lookup tables and Aggregate tables.
At the time of updating the data warehouse, a lookup table is used.......40.What is real time data-warehousing?
The combination of real-time activity and data warehousing is called real time warehousing.......41.What is conformed fact? What is conformed dimensions use for?
Allowing having same names in different tables is allowed by Conformed facts.......42.Define non-additive facts.
The facts that can not be summed up for the dimensions present in the fact table are called non-additive facts.......43.Define BUS Schema.
A BUS schema is to identify the common dimensions across business processes......44.List out difference between SAS tool and other tools.
The differences between SAS and other tools are......45.Why is SAS so popular?
Statistical Analysis System is an integration of various software products which allows the developers to perform.......46.What is data cleaning? How can we do that?
Data cleaning is also known as data scrubbing. Data cleaning is a process which ensures the set of data is correct and accurate......47.Explain in brief about critical column.
A column (usually granular) is called as critical column which changes the values over a period of time.......48.What is data cube technology used for?
Data cube is a multi-dimensional structure. Data cube is a data abstraction to view aggregated data from a number of perspectives.........Business Objects Interview Questions - Part 1
Business objects repository is a set of database tables where the metadata of your application is stored.
2. When is the repository created?
In 5i/6i versions, the repository is created after installing the software. In Xi version a repository is created at the time of installation.
3. What is a domain?
A domain is nothing but a logical grouping of system tables.
4. How many domains are there in the basic setup and what are they?
There are three domains in the business objects. They are:
- Security domain: Contains the information about user/groups/access privileges etc.
- Universe domain: Contains the information about joins, loops, classes, objects and hierarchies.
- Document domain: Contains the output of reports.
5. Can we have multiple domains in business objects?
Yes. Security domain cannot be multiple.
6. What is a universe?
Universe is a semantic layer between database and the designer used to create objects and classes. It maps to data in the database.
7. What is a category?
A category is a grouping of certain entities.
8. What is an object?
An object is an instance of a class. It is nothing but an entity.
9. How you will link two universes?
In the BO designer, go to links option in the edit menu. Then universe parameter dialog box opens. Click add link button to select the universe from the list of available universes.
10. What are the different types of objects available in the universe class of business objects?
The different types of objects are:
- Dimension object: Provides the parameters which are mainly focus for analysis. Example: customer name, country name
- Detail object: Provides the description of a dimension object but is not the focus for analysis. Example: customer address, phone number.
- Measure object: Provides the numerical quantities. Example: sales, revenue.
Recommended Reading
More interview Questions on Business objects at
Business Objects Interview Questions - Part 2
Business Objects Interview Questions - Part 3
Business Objects Interview Questions - Part 4
Types of Dimensions in data warehouse
Conformed Dimension:
Conformed dimensions mean the exact same thing with every possible fact table to which they are joined.
Eg: The date dimension table connected to the sales facts is identical to the date dimension connected to the inventory facts.
Junk Dimension:
A junk dimension is a collection of random transactional codes flags and/or text attributes that are unrelated to any particular dimension. The junk dimension is simply a structure that provides a convenient place to store the junk attributes.
Eg: Assume that we have a gender dimension and marital status dimension. In the fact table we need to maintain two keys referring to these dimensions. Instead of that create a junk dimension which has all the combinations of gender and marital status (cross join gender and marital status table and create a junk table). Now we can maintain only one key in the fact table.
Degenerated Dimension:
A degenerate dimension is a dimension which is derived from the fact table and doesn't have its own dimension table.
Eg: A transactional code in a fact table.
Role-playing dimension:
Dimensions which are often used for multiple purposes within the same database are called role-playing dimensions. For example, a date dimension can be used for “date of sale", as well as "date of delivery", or "date of hire".
Recommended Reading:
Types of Facts in Data Warehouse
Data Warehouse Dimensional Modelling (Types of Schemas)
Slowly Changing Dimensions (SCD) - Types
SCD type 4 - Fast growing dimension
Data Warehouse Design Approaches
BO 100 Interview Questions
Business objects provides a set of tools for building data warehouses very efficiently. Business objects is an integrated query, reporting and analysis solution for business professionals that allow them to access the data in their corporate databases directly from their desktop and present and analyze this information in a business objects document.
What is Designer?
Designer is the Business objects product that is intended to develop the universes. These universe is the semantic layer of the database structure that isolates from technical issues of the database structure.
How many modes are there in BO & Designer?
There are two modes are there in BO and Designer are :
Enterprise Mode
Workgroup Mode
What are the different types of data providers supported by BO?
Queries on Universe
Stored procedure
Free hand SQL
Text files or Spread sheets
VBA Procedures
OLAP servers
SAP
What are the different multidimensional analysis methods available in Business Objects?
There are two multidimensional analysis methods available in BO, they are :
Slice and Dice
Drill Down
What are the different @ Functions?
@Aggregate_Aware
@Prompt
@Script
@Select
@Variable
@Where
What is the difference between @Prompt and @Script?
The @Prompt function lets you create an interactive object. In the Query Panel, this type of object causes a message to appear. This message prompts the end user to enter a specific value.
This function recovers the results of Visual Basic for Applications macro (VBA macro).
What is a context?
A context is a rule by which determines which of two paths can be chosen when more than one path is possible in the database.
What are the disadvantage of using contexts?
The disadvantage of using context is that you expose the business objects end user to the database structure. They are forced to decide which context they want to use to run their query. The role of the universe is to shield end users from the database structure, so they do not have to make such decisions.
What is BO?
BO is an excellent tool for generation of reports, carrying out detailed analysis, graphical presentation of the results and generation of alerts.
What are data integration tools?
Data integration tools are used to extract data from existing databases, carry out the necessary transformations and load the data into the target database using a GUI.
What are the components of data integrator?
Data Integrator has four components are :
Graphical designer : GUI to build and test ETL jobs for data cleansing, validation and auditing.
Data integration server : to integrate data from different source databases.
Metadata repository : to keep source and target metadata as well as transformation rules.
Administrator : A web based tool can be used to start, stop, schedule and monitor ETL jobs. The ETL jobs can be in batch mode or real time mode.
What is a Business Objects Repository?
The Business Objects repository is a centralized set of relational data structures stored on a database. This relational device enables Business objects and Web intellegence users to share resources in a controlled and secured environment.
What are the types of business objects repository domain?
The repository is made up of three domains are:
The security domain
The universe domain
The document domain
What is BI platform?
This platform provides a set of common services to deploy, use and manage the tools and applications. These services are security, broadcasting, collaboration, metadata and developer services.
What is BCA?
BCA is a software product for the users of WEBI and BO to process and distribute documents automatically at the scheduled dates and time.
What are the features in BCA?
Automated document scheduling and publishing
On the server side, CORBA–enabled features such as load balancing and server optimization using caches
Tracing BROADCAST AGENT activity
Access and security
What is a chasm trap?
Many to one joins from two fact tables converge on a single lookup table. This type of join convergence is called a Chasm trap.
What is a fan trap?
A one to many join links a table which is in turn linked by a one to many join. This type of fanning out of one to many joins is called a Fan trap.
What is a Loop?
In a relational database, a loop occurs when joins form multiple paths between lookup tables. if a query includes more than one path, the information returned can be incorrect. The rows that are returned are an intersection of the results for each path, so fewer rows are returned than expected.
What is universe?
A universe is a set of classes and objects intended for a specific application or group of users.
What are the types of OLAP?
ROLAP (Relational OLAP)
MOLAP (Multidimensional OLAP)
HOLAP (Hybrid OLAP)
What are the different schemas supported by BO Designer?
Star Schema
Snowflake Schema
Multistar Schema
Normalized production Schema
Data warehouse with aggregates
What is the repository?
The repository is the database in which the information about the users and data is present. It is created and maintained by the general supervisor. It is used to share resources of business objects.
What are the types of repository domains?
There are three types of repository domains
Universe domain : It holds all the exported universes and there may be more than one universe domain in the repository.
Document domain : It holds all exported documents, templates, scripts, and lists of values.
Security domain : secured connections are stored in this.
How is a fan trap solved?
A Fan trap is solved in the following way :
Creating an Alias and applying Aggregate Aware function.
Using Multiple SQL statements for each Measure.
What is user objects?
User objects are end–user personal objects that are not shared with other end-users. This is because the user objects are stored locally in a specific user object definition file. If an end-user tries to refresh or edit query that contains another user's user object, the user object is automatically removed from the query and report. A user object is stored inside the Universe folder.
What are the various Business Objects products?
User Module
Designer
Supervisor
Auditor
Set Analyzer
Info View (Web Intelligence)
Business Objects Software Development Kit (SDK)
Broadcast Agent
What are strategies?
A strategy is a script that automatically extracts structural information from a database or flat file.
What are the different types of Strategies?
In Designer we can specify two types of strategies :
Built in strategies
External strategies
What are the types of users in Business Objects?
General Supervisor
Supervisor
Designer
Supervisor Designer
End User
Versatile User
What is Web Intelligence?
Web Intelligence is a decision support solution designed to meet critical query, reporting and analysis needs over the World Wide Web and has features very similar to Business Objects.
What are master/detail reports?
Master/detail reports enable you to split large blocks of data into sections. This type of presentation allows you to avoid repeating values and also to display subtotals.
What are calculation contexts?
By default, BUSINESSOBJECTS determines the result of a measure based on the dimension or dimensions in the part of the report in which the measure is inserted. These sets of dimensions are called calculation contexts. Calculation contexts are dynamic in BUSINESSOBJECTS.
What is Dimension?
It is a structural attribute of a cube, which is used for multidimensional analysis.
What is supervisor?
Supervisor is the product is used to set up and maintain a secure environment for Business Objects products.
What are the types of dimensions?
There are four types of dimensions are :
Informational Dimension
Structural Dimension
Categorical Dimension
Partitioning Dimension
What is a Data Provider?
The data source (Query) is called as the data provider.
What are the tasks of the universe designer?
The responsibilities that universe designer has
Designing, Creating and maintaining the Universe
Distributing the Created Universes
What are different types of parsing?
There are two types of parsing are :
Quick parsing
Thorough parsing
What is the use of Check integrity?
Check Integrity can detect :
Invalid syntax in the SQL definition of an object, condition, or join.
Loops
Isolated tables
Isolated joins
Loops within contexts
Missing or incorrect cardinalities
What are the user profiles in Supervisor?
SUPERVISOR offers several standard profiles for the various types of users of Business Objects products.
General Supervisor
Supervisor
Designer
Supervisor-Designer
User
Versatile
What is a LOV?
A list of values is a file that contains the data values associated with an object. Lists of values can reveal information about the contents of a database.
What is a category in supervisor?
A category is a keyword or phrase end-users can assign to documents when they send them to users, groups, or BROADCAST AGENT.
What are the disadvantages of using a Alias?
When we create Alias, it creates a new/extra table and this increases the number of tables in the universe, and this can be a problem, if performance is a issue
What are the types of connection available in Designer?
The database connection is categorized into three types :
Personal
Shared
Ssecured
Explain personal, shared and secured?
Personal : The user and the universes, which are created using the personal connection belongs to that computer and can be accessed from that computer only, create it.
Shared : In shared type of connection we can use the common resources such as universes and documents. This can be used by several users. The parameters are stored locally in locdata folder with name sdac.lsi or sdac.ssi. This shared type of connection is used to setup in testing environment before publishing them.
Secured : In secured type of connection we can centralize and control access to secure the data. The secured connections are stored in security domain and are distributed to all the designers and supervisors who have the appropriate privileges.
When do u use a Context?
When you have dimension objects in one or both fact tables, you should always use a context.
What is symbolic objects?
Objects whose values are text are referred to as Symbolic objects.
What is data mining?
Data Mining is the analysis of data and use of software techniques for extracting hidden, comprehensible, and useful information from databases.
When do u use Multiple Universes?
You can use multiple universes to solve a Chasm trap in a WEBINTELLIGENCE universe when Multiple SQL for Measures cannot be used as there are dimension objects defined for one or both of the fact tables.
What are the different methods by which we can link the universes?
There are three approaches available for linking universes :
The kernel approach
The master approach
The component approach
Explain kernel approach, master approach and component approach?
Kernel Approach : With the kernel approach, one universe contains the core components. These are the components common in all universes. The derived universes that you create from this kernel universe contain these core components as well as their own specific components.
Master Approach : In this approach, one master universe holds all possible components. In the universes derived from this master, certain components are hidden; in other words, the components visible in the derived universes are a subset of the master universe.
Component Approach : It involves merging two or more universes into one universe.
What is a report bursting?
Report bursting allows you to maintain the version documents based on the user profiles.
Post Your Answers Your Name Your Email-ID
What is aggregate awareness?
Aggregate awareness is a feature of DESIGNER that makes use of aggregate tables in a database. These are tables that contain pre-calculated data. The purpose of these tables is to enhance the performance of SQL transactions; they are thus used to speed up the execution of queries.
What is metadata?
Metadata is defined as the data about data. Metadata describes the entity and attributes description.
What is a Batch?
Batches provide a way to group sessions for either serial or parallel execution by the Informatica Server.
Define Cubes?
A cube consists of a set of ordered dimensions and measures. A cube may have one or several dimensions.
What is surrogate key?
A system generated artificial primary key that is not derived from any data in the database. It is similar to the object identifier in an object oriented system.
What is slice and dice?
An operation that allows one to select a portion of the data of a fact on the basis of specified values in one or several dimensions.
What are the benefits of linked universe?
A dynamic link may considerably reduce development and maintenance time. When you modify a component in the kernel universe, DESIGNER propagates the change to the same component in all the derived universes.
Instead of re–creating common components each time you create a new universe, you can centralize such components in a kernel universe, and then include them in all new universes.
Linked universes facilitate specialization. Development can be split between database administrators who set up a basic kernel universe, and the more specialized designers who create more functional universes based on their specific field.
Can Dimension and Measure objects both be used for Drill down analysis?
NO, Measure object cannot be used in Drill down analysis.
What is drill down?
The drill down operation performs the operation opposite to the roll–up operation, i.e., it moves from a more general level to a detailed level in a hierarchy, thus presenting more detailed measures.
What is drill across?
The drill across operation executes queries involving more than one cube.
What is drill through?
The drill through operation allows one to move from data at the bottom level in a cube to data in the operational systems from which the cube was derived.
What is the default qualification of a object?
By default, DESIGNER automatically assigns a dimension qualification to an object you create.
What are Lookup and Fact Tables?
A lookup (Dimension) table contains information about the entities. In general the Dimension and details objects are derived from lookup tables. A fact table contains the statistical information about transactions.
What is slice?
The slice operation performs a selection on one dimension of a cube,resulting in a subcube.
What is roll up?
The roll up operation transforms detailed measures into summarized ones. This is done when on moves up in a hierarchy or reduces a dimension.
What is materialized view?
A view which is physically stored in a database. Materialized views allow query performance to be enhanced by precalculating costly operations.
What are the main components of the Designer Interface?
The main components that interact in the designing of universe are
Table browser : The table browser is used to choose the tables and columns.
The Structure pane : The Structure pane refers the database structure of the universe.
The Universe pane : The Universe pane refers the components in which it is going to use in BO or WEBI documents.
Does Cardinality have any effect on the generation of the query?
Cardinality has no effect in the generation of SQL. Its sole purpose is to provide enough information to DESIGNER so that it can detect and resolve loops.
What are new in BO 5.1?
Save business objects documents in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).
Add hyperlinks to reports such as mail addresses and web site addresses. These hyperlinks are maintained when you save the report in HTML or PDF.
Zero Administration : Only the business objects client software installed on the windows pc; all middleware is stored and administered on the web intelligence web server and the server side processing is handled by the web intelligence system.
What is a class?
A class is a collection of objects with in a universe. A class can further divided into subclasses. Using this classes and subclasses we can define the hierarchy.
What is Drill up/down/by/through?
Drill mode allows you to analyze data from different angles and on different levels of detail.
Drill down displays next level of detail in hierarchy.
Drill up goes back up through the hierarchy to display data on less detailed levels.
By using Drill by option you can move to another hierarchy to analyze other data that belongs to a different hierarchy.
Drill Through - If the lowest level of detail you need is not currently available in the report, you can drill through to the database directly from drill mode and get the data you need. You do not have to edit the query in the Query Panel.
What are the ways by which you can distribute the Universe?
There are two ways to distribute a universe: through the repository or through the file system .
What are enterprise and workgroup modes?
Enterprise mode means that you are working in an environment with a repository. Workgroup mode means that you are working without a repository. The mode in which you save your universe determines whether other designers are able to access them. By default, a universe is saved in the mode in which you are already working. For example, if you launched a session in enterprise mode, any universe you save is automatically in that mode.
What is a macro?
A macro is a series of commands and functions that are stored in a Visual Basic for Applications module and can be run whenever you need to perform the task. If you perform a task repeatedly, you can automate the task with a macro. You create macros using the Visual Basic Editor.
Is a default lov assigned to a Measure object?
No default list of values is assigned to measure objects.
What is aggregate aware?
Aggregate awareness is a feature of DESIGNER that makes use of aggregate tables in a database. These are tables that contain precalculated data. The purpose of these tables is to enhance the performance of SQL transactions; they are thus used to speed up the execution of queries.
What is the syntax of a Aggregate Aware function?
The syntax of the @Aggregate_Aware function is as follows : @Aggregate_Aware(sum(agg_table_1), ... sum(agg_table_n)) where agg_table_1 is the table with the highest level of aggregation, and agg_table_n the table with the lowest level.
Is Universe MOLAP or OLAP?
MOLAP - Multidimensional Online Analytical Processing.
What is intelligent binning?
A powerful BUSINESSMINER feature which automatically and intelligently divides numeric values into "bins" based on the range, values and distribution of the data.
What is an add-in?
Add-ins are programs that add optional commands and features to BUSINESSOBJECTS. Add-ins are usually created by those responsible in your company for adding customized features to BUSINESSOBJECTS. All you probably need to do is install and uninstall add-ins that are sent to you.
Can a Universe have more than one fact Table?
Yes. Typically a universe can have more than one fact table and numerous aggregated tables.
What is the difference between built in strategies and external strategies?
Built in Strategies : Designer provides a number of default strategies which we can use. These are strategies for extracting joins, detecting cardinalities, and creating default classes and objects. Options for indicating default strategies are located in the Database tab of the Options dialog box.
External Strategies : We can also create our own strategies. Such strategies are referred to as external strategies. With an external strategy, we can specify the exact way that objects and joins are to be extracted from the database structure. The strategy we use, for example, can be a script generated from a CASE Access tool. An external strategy is specific to one RDBMS.
Is Universe MOLAP or OLAP?
MOLAP - Multidimensional Online Analytical Processing.
What is intelligent binning?
A powerful BUSINESSMINER feature which automatically and intelligently divides numeric values into "bins" based on the range, values and distribution of the data.
What is an add-in?
Add-ins are programs that add optional commands and features to BUSINESSOBJECTS. Add-ins are usually created by those responsible in your company for adding customized features to BUSINESSOBJECTS. All you probably need to do is install and uninstall add-ins that are sent to you.
Can a Universe have more than one fact Table?
Yes. Typically a universe can have more than one fact table and numerous aggregated tables.
What are the different schemas supported by BO Designer?
Star Schema
Snowflake Schema
Multistar Schema
Normalized production Schema
Data warehouse with aggregates
What is a join?
Join combines columns and data from two or more tables. Join is the relation that occurs between the two tables that helps to combine into one table. The purpose of join is that to restrict the Cartesian product.
How many types of join are available?
Designer supports the following types of joins :
equi joins
outer joins
theta joins
shortcut joins
What is theta join?
A join is a relational operation that causes two or more tables with a common domain to be combined into a single table. The purpose of joins is to restrict the result set of a query run against multiple tables.
How do you determine that you are working on the latest edition of the Universe?
Each time you export a universe to a universe domain, DESIGNER increments the revision number of the universe. In this way, you can determine which is the latest version of the universe.
What are the resources that are managed by supervisor?
Business objects products
Universes
Documents
Repository domains
Stored Procedure
What are linked universe?
Linked universes are universes that share common components such as parameters, classes, objects, or joins. Among linked universes, one universe is said to be the kernel or master universe while the others are the derived universes.
What are two modes for importing users & groups from supervisor?
Batch Mode : The purpose of batch mode is to automate user and group import operations with no intervention from the interface.
Interactive Mode : Dialog boxes will appear as the file is imported to allow you to confirm the information. This is the default mode.
What is the difference between rolap and molap?
ROLAP (Relational OLAP) : Users see their data organized in cubes and dimensions but the data is really stored in RDBMS. The performance is slow. A storage mode that uses tables in a relational database to store multidimensional structures.
MOLAP (Multidimensional OLAP) : Users see their data organized in cubes and dimensions but the data is really stored in MDBMS. Query performance is fast.
What types of tables?
BUSINESSOBJECTS has three types of table. It has two basic table types that display data in a list and crosstabs, which are a special kind of table that allows you to summarize data.
Tables
Crosstab tables
Free Standing Cells
. Define Business objects.
Business object can be considered as integrated analysis, reporting and query for the purpose of finding solution to some business professionals that can be helpful for them to retrieve data from the corporate databases in a direct manner from the desktop. This retrieved information can be presented and analyzed within a document that of business objects. Business objects can be helpful as an OLAP tool by the high level management as a major part of Decision Support Systems.
Top 50 Business object interview questions
There are many advantages in making use of business objects and they are
- User friendliness
- Business terms that are familiar
- Graphical interface
- Deployment of documents on an enterprise basis by making use of WebI
- Dragging and dropping
- Powerful reports for a lesser amount of time.
There are various kinds of products related with business objects and they are
- User module
- Designer
- Supervisor
- Auditor
- Set Analyzer
- Info View
- Business Objects – Software Development – Kit
- Broadcast Agent
Designer is a module related with Business Objects IS used by the designers for creating and maintaining universes. Universes can be considered as semantic layer that can isolate the end users from the various issues that are technical and related with the structure of database. Universe designers has the possibility for distributing the universes to the end users after moving these as file through the system of files or can be done by exporting the files to the repository.
5. What are the kinds of modes associated with designer and business objects?
There are especially two different kinds of modes associated with these platforms, they are
- Enterprise mode
- Workgroup mode
There are two different methods related with multidimensional analysis available inside BO and these methods are
- Slice & Dice
- Drill down
There are various different kinds of users associated with business object, they are
- General supervisor
- Supervisor
- Graphical Interface
- Designer
- Supervisor Designer
- End User
- Versatile User
Business objects help you in accessing the data from variety of sources. You have the possibility of accessing data from RDBMS like oracle, MS SQL server and IBM DB2.
9. Define the kinds of data providers?
There are various kinds of data providers available for the business objects and they are
- Stored procedures
- Queries over universe
- Free hand – SQL
- VBA procedures
- SAP
- OLAP servers
- Personal data files
This is a kind of analysis mode associated with business objects and helps in breaking down data as well as in viewing data from all the possible angles and the levels of detail for discovering the factor that has caused good – bad result.
11. What is a personal connection?
Personal connection can be created only by a single user and it can’t be made used by others. The details regarding such a connection can be usually stored inside PDAC.LSI file.
12. What is Shared connection?
This is a kind of connection that is usually made used by other user via a server which is shared one. The details regarding the connection can be stored within the SDAC>LSI file which can be found within the installation folder of the business objects.
13. What is a secured connection?
Secured connection is a kind of connection that can be helpful in overcoming the various limitations associated with the former connections. The rights related with this kind of connection can be set over documents as well as objects. Universes can be brought inside central repository only by making use of secured connection. The parameters regarding these connection care usually saved inside CMS.
14. Define custom hierarchies?
The custom hierarchies can be used for defining the universe for facilitating drill down that is customized and can happen between objects from different or same classes considering the user requirements.
15. How can custom Hierarchies be created?
The custom hierarchies can be created by following the path tools ->hierarchies in BO designer.
16. Define a context in the universe.
Context can be defined as the particular path of join between a specific group of joins or the tables for the purpose of a particular query. A particular object that can be found inside the column of a table, belonging to particular context is supposed to be compatible to all the various kinds of objects belonging to the same context. In the case of objects that are from the various kinds of context, different kinds of SQL can be generated, and the results can be merged inside micro cube. This is for making sure that there is no incorrect result associated with a loop or any other kind of issue related with join path.
17. How can Contexts be created?
Context can be created by making use of feature associated with context or by manual procedures. The context are usually created by making use of logical calculation or based on the business requirements. The detect context may not be much useful in this case and so it should be done by making use of manual procedure.
18. Define a Chasm Trap.
Chasm trap is a condition that arises when the values inside the fact table get inflated at the time of measuring the values from two different fact tables by considering the dimensions inside dimension table.
19. How can Chasm Trap be solved?
Chasm trap should be solved by making use of two different methods.
- In the case of SQL parameters in universe, the option generates numerous queries for each and every measure that needs to be chosen. This helps in generating SQL statement for every measure and gives the correct results.
- Another approach is to include two joints in different contexts, where the problem will get solved by generating two synchronized queries.
Using SQL queries from the database level, Derived tables are created in the universe. The columns of the derived table will be the columns selected in the query. Derived table can be used in the complex calculations which are difficult to be achieved in the report levels. Using a dblink, tables can be accessed from a different schema, is another use of derived tables.
21. Define User Objects.
User objects is a universe of classes and objects which is created by the universe designer. Once the objects consisted in the universe does not matches your necessities, then the user can create his own objects called User objects.
22. List out the @functions.
The @functions are:
- @Aggregate_Aware
- @Script
- @Select
- @Variable
- @where
- @Prompt
The @prompt function asks the end user to enter any specific values. The Visual Basics for applications macro’s results will be recovered by using @Script function. An existing statements SELECT statement can be re-used by using @Select function. For a name or variable, the value assigned to it will be referenced using @Variable. An existing object’s where clause can be re-used by @Where functions.
24. How many Domains are there in Business Objects? What are they?
There are three Domains in Business Objects and they are:
- Security
- Document
- Universe
Using @Derived_table function, we can access one derived table from another. The syntax is as ,
@derived_table(the derived table name)
26. Define Slice in Business Objects.
Slice works with the master or detail reports and it is used to rename, reset and delete the blocks.
27. Differentiate Dice and Slice.
- Slice: It renames, reset and delete the blocks. It works with the master/detail report.
- Dice: It displays the data and removes the data. It turns the crosstabs and tables into c harts and vice versa.
- Large blocks of data can be split into sections by using master/detail report. Repeating values can be avoided by using this and also the subtotals can be displayed.
The class can be defined as a collection of objects in a universe. Subclasses can be derived from classes and using these classes and the subclasses, we can create a hierarchy.
30. How many approaches are there for linking universes?
There are three approaches available for linking the universes and they are:
- The Kernal approach.
- The Master approach.
- The Component approach.
Data mining is the process through which you can extract the required details from the database, which can be made used for making conclusions.
32. List out the available Drill modes.
Drill modes helps to analyze data from different angles and different state of details. The available Drill modes are;
- Drill up.
- Drill down.
- Drill by.
- Drill through.
when we have a same fact tables in different grains,we use aggregate_awarness function to define one object for measures in fact tables.the syntax is as,
@aggregate_aware(highest_level.lower level)
34. Define the term fan trap?
A one to many join links to a table which respond with another one to many join links is called fan trap.
35. Define Data provider.
The query or the data source is called as the data provider.
36. When we use a context?
Context is created when the dimension objects are present in one or both fact tables.
37. What is a standard mode?
Only the users within the group can be accessed in this mode.
38. List out the schemas supported by Business Objects Designer.
There are five different schemas supported by Business Objects designer and they are:
- star schema.
- Snowflake schema
- Multistar schema
- Normalized production schema.
- Data warehouse with aggregates.
Channel is a website with ‘push’ technology. It is to make the users know up-to-date information. Each and every Business Objects channel will be associated with a broadcast agent, who can have several channels.
40. What are the restrictions over user objects?
User objects are not shared with other end users. It is stored in a specific user object definition file. So if any end-user tries to refresh or edit the query contains another user’s user object, it will be automatically cleaned and removed.
41. List out the tasks of universe designer.
The tasks consists of,
- Designing the universe.
- Creating the universe.
- Maintaining the universe.
- Distributing the universe
The main components it consists of are:
- The table browser.
- The structure pane.
- The universe pane.
To maintain the version documents according to the user profiles, we use report bursting.
44. Define WEBI.
Web intelligence is a solution that is specialized in supporting the decisions related with queries, reports and analysis.
45. Abbreviation of DSS is?
Decision Support Systems.
46. Define strategies.
To automatically extract structural information from database or from a flat file we use a script known as strategy.
47. Give a definition for universe.
It is a set of objects and classes.these objects and clss es will be intended for an application or a group of users.
48. Define secured mode.
Secured mode restrict the access of specific users over specific commands.
49. What is Drill by?
Using drill by we can move to other hierarchy and analyze the other data, which belongs to another hierarchy.
50. What is a list of values?
It is file which contains the data values associated with an object.
No comments:
Post a Comment