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The PowerCenter 8 Mapping Design examination is composed of the thirteen sections listed
below. All candidates should be aware that Informatica does not recommend preparing for
certification exams only by studying the software documentation. The exams are indented for
candidates who have acquired their knowledge through hands-on experience. This Skill Set
Inventory is intended to help you ensure that there are no gaps in your knowledge. If you are
thoroughly knowledgeable in the areas mentioned in this Skill Set Inventory, there will not be
any surprises when you take the examination.
The examination is designed to test for “expert level” knowledge. Informatica strongly
urges you to attain a complete understanding of these topics before you attempt to take
the examination. Hands-on experience with the software is the best way to gain this
understanding.
1. Designer configuration
A. Be familiar with the rules for using shared and non-shared folders.
B. Understand the meaning of each of the Designer configuration options.
C. Know what Designer options can be configured separately for each client machine.
D. Be familiar with the Designer toolbar functions, such as Find.
2. Transformation ports
A. Know the rules for linking transformation ports together.
B. Know the rules for using and converting the PowerCenter datatypes.
C. Know what types of transformation ports are supported and the uses for each.
D. Be familiar with the types of data operations that can be performed at the port level.
4. Transformation Language
A. Know all the possible reasons why an expression may be invalid.
B. Understand how to use strings correctly in PowerCenter expressions.
C. Know the rules regarding connecting transformations to other transformations.
D. Know the rules for mapping and mapplet validation.
E. Be familiar with all transformation language functions and key words.
F. Know how the Integration Service evaluates expressions.
G. Be able to predict the output or result of a given expression
5. Source Qualifier transformation
A. Understand how the Source Qualifier transformation handles datatypes.
B. Know how the default query is generated and the rules for modifying it.
C. Understand how to use the Source Qualifier transformation to perform various types of joins.
6. Aggregator transformation
A. Know how to use PowerCenter aggregate functions.
B. Understand how to be able to use a variable port in an Aggregator transformation.
C. Be able to predict the output of a given Aggregator transformation.
D. Know the rules associated with defining and using aggregate caches.
8. Lookup transformation
A. Know the rules and guidelines for using connected and unconnected Lookup transformations.
B. Know the ways a Lookup transformation may cause a session to fail.
C. Be familiar with the meaning of all Lookup transformation properties.
D. Know how the Integration Service processes a dynamic lookup cache.
E. Know what types of Lookup transformations are supported under various configurations.
9. Joiner transformation
A. Know how to create and use Joiner transformations.
B. Know how to configure a Joiner transformation for sorted input.
C. Understand the supported join types and options available for controlling the join.