1. How to crate cubes in transformer?

Cubes are created using transformer. Cubes can be viewed using PowerPlay.
Cubes have impromptu query definition (IQD) files as their sources. IQD files are
generated from Cognos impromptu. IQD files contain, how the data has to be retrieved
through catalogs and logical databases.

To create a cube
1. Save the impromptu report as IQD file. (IQD)
2. Open transformer, go to file-new-ModelName(user defined)-data source name(DWH
name),source type(select impromptu query definition)-local data file(browse the IQD
file save earlier)-check the auto design check box-clk finish-database logon wizard
will be opened-enter user identifier and password to connect to the DB---click log
on---A new model will be generated with Dimension map, Data source, Measures,
power cube(still cube is not created) and Logical DB(imported from IQD file).

If you select "Run Auto design" option during the NEWMODELWIZARD,

transformer automatically creates a dimension map and a list of measures for you.
Even though transformer analyzes the data before creating a dimension map and list
of measures, many a time they may not be totally accurate.
To avoid this we need to create Dimensions manually.
3. Now create new Dimensions in the dimension map area as per the requirement. select
Dimension Map--insert Dimension--name the dimension--Drag and drop columns one
below the other from data source(see that the columns are in a hierarchy, Because
cubes will be created on these columns with all the possibilities to facilitate drilling,
slicing and dicing operations)..Check the diagram, it is displayed empty. Data will be
shown once the cube is created.
4. Go to "Run" and click on create power cubes. Cube will be created. Check the power
cube area in the Model. You will observe a cube in that area. This cube can be viewed
in PowerPlay.

This is one method of creating cube by using IQD file.

The method of creating cube is my creating a MODEL from Architect and
generating a CUBE from that MODEL.
How to generate cubes in Cognos please add this question I am asking this question so
many times but I am not getting the answer neither this question is getting added
Power Play Transformer contains dimension, measure, model and cube. We can generate
cube different way.
1. Just right click on cube name and build
2. We can write script in Unix. Using that we can generate cube.
What is loop in framework manager?
Loop: loop is a closed path (relation) that exists among 3 (or) more tables. For example,
if we have '3' tables T1, T2, T3 then, a loop exists among these tables only when we
create joins in the following fashion:
Loop: T1 ---> T2 ---> T3 ---> T1
To resolve the above problem, we have to create a shortcut (or) Alias to the Table T1.
 No Loop: T1 ---> T2 ---> T3 ---> Alias (or) Shortcut of T1
what is drill down and slicing and dicing whats the difference between them.
am not sure how to define a drill down but slicing can be defined as cutting horizontally
along the dimension is slicing
and cutting vertically along the measure is dicing..

2. What is Cognos Powerhouse and what is it used for?

Cognos Powerhouse is High-Productivity Application Development Solutions

equips you with high-productivity development environments for creating your data-
driven business solutions faster,whether for Web-based, client/server, or traditional
terminal-based access. PowerHouse has gained a worldwide reputation for productivity,
reliability, performance, and flexibility.

3. How can you restrict access onto different parts of report given a report?

Give me any example of semi and non additive measures..

Semi-Additive: Semi-additive facts are facts that can be summed up for some of the
dimensions in the fact table, but not the others. Non-Additive: Non-additive facts are
facts that cannot be summed up for any of the dimensions present in the fact table.
Current Balance and Profit Margin are the facts.Current Balance is a semi-additive fact,
as it makes sense to add them up for all accounts (what's the total current balance for all
accounts in the bank?), but it does not make sense to add them up through time (adding
up all current balances for a given account for each day of the month does not give us any
useful information). Profit Margin is a non-additive fact, for it does not make sense to
add them up for the account level or the day level.

4. What was the actual purpose of portfolio in Cognos

Portfolio is like a summary page. Using portfolio u can demonstrate a generated report
or survey to your clients. on one single portfolio you can place the links of the report,
some video clips, some images and many more items.
The Cognos Portfolio is ideal for presenting and packaging Impromptu reports, and for
combining them with information from documents produced by other products.As an
application developer, you can create briefing books that contain links to
ImpromptuReports, Power Play reports, Excel spreadsheets, or any other OLE client
application. Use Portfolio to set up briefing books that let users view reports in a
presentation style format.

5. What is IQD?What is contained in IQD? How you create IQD In ReportNet

FrameWork?

(just Learned)IQD=Impromptu Query Definitions. IQD contains the query that is run
againt the database to get the data. It also contains the database Information. I still dont
know how is is created in FrameWork
Create a new namespace.<give it a name, say, IQDReportNet>
2. Create a new query subject inside IQDReportNet.
3.In the query subject definition window, pull in all the data you need.
4. after creating, click on the new query subject, from the properties pane, select "IQD"
from the drop down menu of externalizeMethod.
DONE.
to Publish. u need to create a package.
1. create a new package. a WIZARD will open.
2. Name the new Package; select the IQDReportNet object from the project.
3. add security, select language, select the funtion list(DB), select the location from the
WIZARD
4. Publish the package.

An .iqd file is typically created by Impromptu and contains the definition for a database
query.PowerPlay Transformer can access relational data sources via Impromptu Query
Definition files.If Impromptu is not available, you can manually create an .iqd file to
provide access to relationaldata sources.An Impromptu Query Definition describes a
source table from a Data Source. When you create amodel in Transformer, the contents of
the .iqd file are stored in the model and the embedded .iqdcontents are refreshed when the
data source is opened (that is, when you generate categories orcreate cubes). The .iqd
contents are also refreshed when you click OK on the Data Sourceproperty sheet. Input
values are retrieved from a supported database by executing an SQL querythat is stored in
the .iqd file.

6.How you drill from powerPLay to Impromptu?Explain all Steps.

goto tranformer,
build the cube
right click on the cube and open properties
go to drill through tab and select your report from that browse option

How create measures and Demensions?

You can create measure once you import all the data into the data source.You can create
measures and dimensions by draging the required source from datasource into dimension
map and measure tab.(need to find scope of measures for all the dimensions)
What are the different ways of adding data in Transformer?
Steps1. Right-click in the Data Sources list of your model and select Insert Data
Source.2. In the New Data Source wizard, enter the name of the data source in the Data
Source Name box.3. In the Source Type box, select the type of data source that
corresponds to your source type and click Next.4. In the Local Data File box, enter the
name of the source file.5. Enter the remaining parameters appropriate to your selected
source, and then click Finish.Note: Depending on the type of data source, Transformer
shows different options. For example, if your source is an Excel database, you must
provide the named range of cells from the Excel worksheet.6. Transformer adds your
specified source to the existing model, and you see your new source in the Data Sources
list.
Explain the process of creating the catalog?
1 Start Cognos Impromptu Administrator.
2.From the File menu select Catalog -> New.
3. In the File name text box, type the desired name of the catalog. In the Description text
box you can add a description but this is not mandatory.
4. In the Database dropdown select the database that you want to use or click on the
"Databases" button select an ODBC connection that you want to use i.e. DB2, Oracle etc.
and click the "New Database" button.
5. Click "Ok" and enter the database logon and password. Click "OK" again. You
should see a database icon in the lower left of you screen without a red X over it.
6. Select the tables that you want to use my highlighting them on the left side and using
the "Add" arrow key to add them to the "Catalog Tables" side. Click "Ok" when your
finished.
7. To create Joins in your tables select the table under the "Join path" window and the
table that you want to join it to from the "Available tables" window.
8. Click "Add" and choose the fields to join the tables, click the "Add link" button to
create your join.
What are the Ways to Import Data into Catalong?(2 ways)
one through Database optionother one though hotfile option

How do add dynamic titles in PP?

powerplayFrom format menu-->title, header & footer-->title-->insert report filename

what is the difference between group and associare?

When you group data, Impromptu sorts the data item you are grouping and removes
duplicatevalues. You can organize your report by grouping on one or more data items.By
associating a grouped data item to another data item, you can eliminate
duplicateinformation from your report.You can associate one or more data items with a
grouped data item. An associated data itemshould have a one-to-one relationship with the
grouped data item. For example, Order No. is agrouped data item. For each order
number, there is an Order Date. Order No. and Order Datehave a one-to-one relationship.

what are the limitations of cognos reportnet?

what are the enhancements in reportnet ?
Limitations:When Report Net concatenates strings locally and if any of the involved
strings contain nullvalues, the result of the concatenation is an empty cell or a null value.
This occurs becauseReport Net requires that an expression that involves a null value
return a null value.Enhancements:• Creates a two-layer best practices Framework
Manager model• Supports BI Series 7 single sign on• Does not require installation and
configuration of Cognos Report Net SDK• Provides an update capability to the
Framework Manager model• interoperability with either Report Net 1.1 or Cognos 8 by
installing and configuring theAppropriate SDK components • Includes regular and
measure dimensions that can be used with Cognos 8 Studios

please explain the different stages in creating a report in cognos report net
Before creating any report in report net make sure you are have the planning information
you need.
Creating a report involves following steps:
Specifying a package
Choose a package through cognos connection>report studio>Select a module from the
list.
Choosing a report template
Create a empty report first,click one of the predefined report templates ,click OK.
Adding query items
In the insertable objects plane,select the query item that you want to add to report,drag it
to the desired location.
Saving report
Save the report from file menu.
Running the report
Open the report that you want to run.
From the Tools menu, click Validate Report.
A message box appears indicating whether any errors were found in the report.
If you want to enable Design Mode Only filters defined in the package, from the File
menu,
click Use Model Design Filters.
Use these filters to limit the amountOpen the report that you want to run.
From the Tools menu, click Validate Report.
A message box appears indicating whether any errors were found in the report.
If you want to enable Design Mode Only filters defined in the package, from the File
menu,
click Use Model Design Filters.
If you want to set run options, from the Run menu, click Run Options.
From the Run menu, click one of the options to produce the report in the format you
want.
You can produce a report in HTML, PDF, CSV, XLS, or XML.
what is Cognos Visualizer and Cognos Scripting?
visualizer is trends to creating a reports
Visualizer is a representation of data cubes in a dashboard format. We can drill through to
the ground level of a hierarchy as like in power play report but cannot add or remove
fields dynamically.
Cognos script editor : We can write cognos macros or programs in this tool and can fine
tune or process some execution.

Cognos Visualizer:Cognos Visualizer provides powerful visual analysis to communicate

complex business dataquickly and intuitively. By going beyond simple pie or bar graphs,
you can view and combinedata in a way that lets you immediately see areas of concern,
trends, and other indicators.Cognos scripting:You can use the Cognos Script editor, or
any other OLE compliant editor to create, modify,compile, and run macros.A macro is a
set of commands that automates the running of an application. You can automatemost
Cognos Business Intelligence applications by using the Cognos Script language (a
BASIC-like language) the Cognos Script Editor, and OLE automation
Visualizer is a representation of data cubes in a dashboard format. We can drill through to
the ground level of a hierarchy as like in power play report but cannot add or remove
fields dynamically.
Cognos script editor : We can write cognos macros or programs in this tool and can fine
tune or process some execution.
what are different datasources to develop models
Work with Source Data
Transformer supports a wide range of local data sources, including
• Impromptu query definition files (.iqd), which can query local or server-based databases
• delimited ASCII files (.asc) and comma-separated variable files (.csv)
• fixed-field text files
• local databases, including Microsoft Access, which can specify SQL queries against
local or
server-based databases, Clipper, dBase, FoxPro, and Paradox
• PowerHouse portable subfiles
• spreadsheet crosstabs and databases, including Excel and Lotus 1-2-3
what are versions of cognos from starting release to latest in the market
version 5, latest version is 8.3 then reportNet 1.1.

what are products of Cognos

Cognos 6.6 7.0,7.3(PowerPlay, Impromptu)--ReportNet1.0,1.1mr1, 1.1mr22---ReportNet
8.0(latest)IWR is use by Impromptu to publish reports, PPES is used by PP, Cognos
Connection is used by repornet. there are many other tools but these are the main.

explain how to create powerplay reports

To create a powerplay report

1)You have to create a IQD file from impromptu by saving IMR report as IQD
2)Use Frame Work manager model and externalise the query subject you want to use in
powerplay transformer and powerplay
When you have the IQD file published to a location such as UNC
Go to powerplay transformer model and select new ,
select the data source name , and IQD file location either published from FM or
Impromptu (saved as IQD)
You will see all the query items in the explorer then you can specify the dimensions like
time and measures.
Then generate categories for the dimensions and measures .
Right click the cube and select create power cube , after that view the cube in cognos
powerplay explorer.
We can also publish the cube to PPES(Powerplay enterprise server)
Publish the cube to the upfront
Use powerplay web explorer to view the cube
what is model and say about process how to create model and how to test model
Model Definition
Model in PowerPlay Transformer is combiantion of five windows- Dimension Map,Data
Source, Measures,Power cube,Sign On. Models specify the data sources and then
defining the dimensions, levels,and measures.They may also contain dimension views,
user classes, user class views, and other authentication-related information.
The information for a model is stored in a model file, with the extension .pyi (binary,
means platform depentent) or .mdl (text,platform independent).
Process To Create A Model
Steps
1. From the File menu, click New to open the New Model wizard.
2. In the Model Name box, enter a name for your model.
3. To control data access by means of user class authentication, select the Include
Security in this Model check box.
4. Click Next and enter the name of initial data source in the Data Source Name box.
5. Select a Source Type from the list, and click Next.
6. Depending on the selected type, Transformer shows different options. Enter the
parameters that correspond to your data source.
7. On the last page of the New Model wizard select the Run AutoDesign option to have
Transformer create a preliminary structure , or by clearing this check box users own
degisn can be created
8. When click Finish.
Transformer opens a new model based on specified source and shows you information
about the source data.
Testing A Model
Model can Be Tested By check model option in Tool menu
what type problems we can face in general at report runnig time
the most common problems are -
1.No Data Appears in the Report (to remove this check data source or package)
2.Unexpected or incorrect values appears in reports , may be report is running with
limited data
3.The report filter does not work, values are not coming in filter option
4.report is not able to oprm in excel ,cvs or xml
how can create users and permissions in Cognos
In impromptu menu go to Catlog->User profiles -> userclass tab -> click on Creator ->u
can give there folder access,table access,filters,Governor etc
how can i test reports in cagonos
In cognos report net by the validate report option a report can be tested. If there will be
any error, it will specify the the error, unless it will give message -'report specification is
valid'.

how can i schedule reports in cognos

By using Cognos Schedular, one can schedule the running reports in Impromptu to
execute and save it in desired format.

By using Cognos MACRO script language the reports can be executed and distributed to
recipients by using mail applications.

Compiled Cognos MACROs can be scheduled using Cognos Schedular.

what is catalog and types of catalogs in cagonos and which is better

catalog is a file containing the information (Database tables) that Impromptu users need
to create reports.
• personal • distributed • shared • secured
shared catalog is better
types of catalog in cognos impromptu.
personal,master distributed,shared,secured
master distributed catalog is better
types of catalog in cognos impromptu.
personal,master distributed,shared,secured
master distributed catalog is better
Catalog: a catalog is a file, which contains folders, columns, conditions, calculations and
prompts.
1. Catalog does not contain any data.
2. It just contains the table structures and metadata definitions.
Types of Catalogs: in cognos, we have '4' types of catalogs:
1. Distributed Catalog.
2. Personal Catalog.
3. Shared Catalog.
4. Secured Catalog.
In general, we choose either Distributed Catalog (or) Shared Catalog.
what is the difference between a cascading report and drillthru report?why do we go for
drill thru report?
cascading report works based on the condition
but drill thru work based on the data item what we select as a drill thru options
What is meant by Junk Dimension?
ans:- a diamension which does not changes the grain level is called junk diamension.
grain- lowest level of reporting.
"The junk dimension is simply a structure that provides a convenient place to store the
junk attributes"
A junk dimension is a convenient grouping of flags and indicators.
What is meant by Junk Dimension?
How do you perfom while running the report?
Where will you see the time of running report?
Size of the cube?
What are the types of prompts in ReportNet?
What is macro and how it will be work?
What is difference between Cognos and Cognos ReportNet?
How do you create cube in ReportNet?
There are 10 facts are there.How will you connect all?

the main diff b/w cognos & Report-net is , connection to the single database in cognos
and in the reportnet multi-databases can be connected. it is a web based toll
1)
Problem Description

What are looping joins and how do you resolve them?

Solution Description

Looping joins could potentially return incorrect data.

An example of a looping join,

B -> C
A -> < > -> D
E -> F

When you select an item from table A and D, Impromptu will try to choose the shortest
path, e.g. if A -> D existed, then this is the path Impromptu will take. But in the above
situation, the two paths are equal and so Impromptu has to make a choice, e.g. "A -> B ->
C -> D" OR "A -> E -> F -> D". Impromptu makes it's choice based on how the catalog
was constructed, which cannot be altered once it's created; order of the tables in the
catalog.
The two paths could return different results depending on the relationship between the
tables in the path.
The report would be fine IF Impromptu chose the expected path. The choice is not always
right.

Eliminating looping joins prevents Impromptu from making the wrong choice. To
eliminate looping joins, you can either break unnecessary joins, e.g. reports do not need a
join between table F and D, e.g.

B -> C -> D
A -> <
E -> F

But if you need all the joins, use ALIAS tables to break the looping join. Add an alias
table for table A and break the join from table A and E, e.g.

A -> B -> C
> -> D
Alias A -> E -> F

Both solutions could affect existing reports.

2)
Title: Looped joins
Created: Nov 04, 1999
Applies To: Impromptu - 2.0
Impromptu - 3.01
Impromptu - 3.03
Impromptu - 3.04
Impromptu - 3.5
Impromptu - 4.0
Impromptu - 5.0
Impromptu - 7.1

Problem Description

Under the Joins dialog on the Analyze Tab it states a Loop join is present. What does this
mean and how can it be resolved?

Solution Description

A Loop Join occurs when there are multiple paths between database tables. An example
of this is A joins to B and B joins to C and C joins to A.

The proper definition of join strategies in an Impromptu catalog is crucial to the success
of an ad-hoc reporting environment. Impromptu shelters the user from having to know
any of the technical information about the database, including name, location, table and
column names, and join strategies. The Impromptu Administrator must be very thorough
in their definition and testing of the join strategies. Impromptu provides an ability to
analyze the joins and determine any anomalies. The most common is the Loop Join.

The implications of the loop join is that there is no way to predetermine which of the
various join paths will be used by Impromptu when creating the SQL. SQL is
dynamically generated for each report as it is created and before it executes. For example,
to create a report using columns from tables A and C, we could join from A=>B=>C or
directly from A=>C. In some cases, both of these joins would result in the same data
being retrieved. However, in other cases it may result in different data. Impromptu will
always try to use the shortest route in joining multiple tables. It will also try to use the
tables that are already included in the query, rather than including an additional table.

There is no hard and fast rule to resolving Loop Joins. There are four basic resolutions:
1. Break the join
2. Create alias tables with different join strategies
3. Use the join expression editor to specify the join
4. Modify SQL
Each of these resolutions is done for a different reason and may have some issues
associated with it. Determine the best resolution for your situation by analyzing the data
with regards to the results required from the join structure.

Example:

The join structure looks like this:

A = B
A = C
B = C

This is producing incorrect results. To resolve this issue, make table C an alias to omit the
loop in the join structure and this will result in data displaying correctly.

Correct Join Structure:

A = B
A = C alias
B=C

use this query i am retriving all years OCt data from 01-10-2004 to 30-10-2007

i need to restrect this query to current date and current year

[gosales_goretailers].[Orders].[Order month]between 01 and

to_number(to_char(current_date,'MM'))and [gosales_goretailers].[Orders].[Order
month]=to_number(to_char(current_date,'MM'))
pass polar ID
You have a function called 'extract' in cognos.
Ex:- extract(month,the dte field). by giving like this you will get month. so you can keep
a filter to restrict the rows only for october.
How to show the data reported horizontally:
(For example:)
employee skill
1 a
1 b
1 c
2 d
2 e
2 f

Report result:
1 abc
2 def

Assuming 3 records per grouped item:

1. Group on employee
2. Create a running count based on the skill field.
3. Create 3 calculated columns based on the count field.
Call them skill1, skill2, skill3:
if (count = 1) then (skill) else null
if (count = 2) then (skill) else null
if (count = 3) then (skill) else null

4. Create 3 more calculated columns using the maximum function. Call them maxskill1,
maxskill2, maxskill3

maximum (skill1)
maximum (skill2)
maximum (skill3)

5. Group on employee on maxskill1 on maxskill2 on maxskill3

6. report employee axskill1 maxskill2 maxskill3

How to pass multiple values from picklist prompt to sub report filter

The sub-report only includes the first value.

"When the sub-report query runs, it checks for the first row in the Customer Name
column and shows only information for that customer. If you want a sub-report to show
information for another row in the column, place the main report in a form frame that
shows only one row at a time. When you insert the sub-report into the form frame as
well, it changes as you click through the rows in the main report. For example, the main
and sub-report above are both in a form frame that shows only one row of the Customer
Name column at a time. Each time you scroll to another customer name, the sub-report
shows only information for that customer."

How can I create a dynamic column name in Cognos

1.Create a calculated column which contains the information that the header is to contain,
such as "Report for year 1999" (concatenated text and date to string sub string
extraction).
2.Highlight the report, and then right-click.
3.Select Properties, and then click the Headers/Footers tab.
4.Clear the Column Title Header check box. This will remove the headers from your
columns.
5.Reinsert the rest of the column headers; insert text will work. For the dynamic column,
from the Insert menu, click Data and select the calculated column you created and insert
it into the report.

which are the OLAP tools available that are supported by Oracle?

Oracle Warehouse Builder is ETL Tool its not OLAP Tool.

The OLAP Tool is Oracle Discoverer the version is 3i and 4i.

Oracle Business Intelligence Discoverer, this the OLAP provided by Oracle corparation itself,
BO(Business objects 6.5,11i), Cognos which directly support to oracle

I am loaded with questions as I am an experienced ETL coder, but not an analytical

report builder. I am using analysis services to build a cube but am trying to choose
the reporting architecture. Can someone please confirm whether or not reporting
services (using the business intelligence report) will allow for slicing and dicing, or is
it only a static report builder. Also, if I am using the cube browser in analysis
services, where can I put the option of NON EMPTY so that I don't see records that
are blank.

Reporting services allows the slicing and dicing functionality. to see the non empty records, i
think you have to create a calculated measure,to hide all the non empty rows.
What is Data Warehouse

Data Warehouse

Data from different data sources is stored in a relational database for end use analysis

Data from different data sources is stored in a relational database for end use analysis Data is organized in
summarized, aggregated, subject oriented, non volatile patterns.

Data is a data warehouse is consolidated, flexible collection of data Supports analysis of data but does not
support online analysis of data.

The DSS is (Decision Support System) used for the decision making purposes, not for day-2 day
issues.by the top level/ sr/middle level managments people in a established company.

but the OLTP SYSTEMS handles the day-day transactions, data entries, billing etc issues .

The DSS WILL be handled by only a few users , especially

top poeple in the corporate ladder hence The number of users who are making use of DSS are less.

but in OLTP(ONLINE TRANSACTION PROCESSING) the number of the users are high, since no such
kind of decision making is entailed.

The DSS is (Decision Support System) used for the decision making purposes, not for day-2 day
issues.by the top level/ sr/middle level managments people in a established company.

but the OLTP SYSTEMS handles the day-day transactions, data entries, billing etc issues .

The DSS WILL be handled by only a few users , especially

top poeple in the corporate ladder hence The number of users who are making use of DSS are less.

but in OLTP(ONLINE TRANSACTION PROCESSING) the number of the users are high, since no such
kind of decision making is entailed.