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Informatica
Pavan 1/5/2011
Informatica 8.1.1
PC8 is service-oriented for modularity, scalability and flexibility.
Service
Manageme nt Tools
The Repository Service and Integration Service (as replacement for Rep Server and Informatica Server) can be run on different computers in a network (so called nodes), even redundantly. Management is centralized, that means services can be started and stopped on nodes via a central web interface. Client Tools access the repository via that centralized machine, resources are distributed dynamically. Running all services on one machine is still possible, of course. . It has a support for unstructured data which includes spreadsheets, email, Microsoft Word files, presentations and .PDF documents. It provides high availability, seamless fail over, eliminating single points of failure. It has added performance improvements (To bump up systems performance, Informatica has added "push down optimization" which moves data transformation processing to the native relational database I/O engine whenever its is most appropriate.) Informatica has now added more tightly integrated data profiling, cleansing, and matching capabilities. Informatica has added a new web based administrative console. Ability to write a Custom Transformation in C++ or Java. Midstream SQL transformation has been added in 8.1.1, not in 8.1. encryption and description User defined functions
Portability Supports
Performanc e
grid and pushdown optimization is not there in 7.0 but in 8.0 these are available
Capabilities
Through 7.0 migration is critical where as with 8.0 migration is possible and easy
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3) Performance tuning in Informatica? Ans) Network connections: The performance of the Informatica Server is related to network connections. Data generally moves across a network at less than 1 MB per second, whereas a local disk moves data five to twenty times faster. Thus network connections often affect on session performance. So avoid network connections. Flat files: If your flat files stored on a machine other than the informatica server, move those files to the machine that consists of informatica server. Relational data sources: Minimize the connections to sources, targets and informatica server to improve session performance. Moving target database into server system may improve session performance. Staging areas: If u uses staging areas u force informatica server to perform multiple data passes. Removing of staging areas may improve session performance. Distributing load: Distributing the session load to multiple informatica servers may improve session performance. Data Movement: Run the informatica server in ASCII data movement mode improves the session performance .Because ASCII data movement mode stores a character value in one byte .Unicode mode takes 2 bytes to store a character. If a session joins multiple source tables in one Source Qualifier, optimizing the query may improve performance. Also, single table select statements with an ORDER BY or GROUP BY clause may benefit from optimization such as adding indexes. We can improve the session performance by configuring the network packet size ,which allows data to cross the network at one time .To do this go to server manger ,choose server configure database connections. If u are target consists key constraints and indexes u slow the loading of data .To improve the session performance in this case drop constraints and indexes before u run the session and rebuild them after completion of session. Running parallel sessions by using concurrent batches will also reduce the time of loading the data. So concurrent batches may also increase the session performance . Partitioning the session improves the session performance by creating multiple connections to sources and targets and loads data in parallel pipe lines. In some cases if a session contains a aggregator transformation, You can use incremental aggregation to improve session performance. Avoid transformation errors to improve the session performance. If the session contains lookup transformation You can improve the session performance by enabling the look up cache. If Ur session contains filter transformation, create that filter transformation nearer to the sources or you can use filter condition in source qualifier. Aggreagator, Rank and joiner transformation may often decrease the session performance .Because they must group data before processing it. To improve session performance in this case use sorted ports option.
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5) How do we do unit testing in Informatica?How do we load data in informatica? Ans) Unit testing are of two types 1. Quantitaive testing 2.Qualitative testing Steps. 1. First validate the mapping 2.Create session on the mapping and then run workflow. Once the session is succeeded the right-click on session and go for statistics tab. There you can see how many number of source rows is applied and how many number of rows loaded in to targets and how many number of rows rejected. This is called Quantitative testing.If once rows are successfully loaded then we will go for qualitative testing. Steps 1.Take the DATM(DATM means where all business rules are mentioned to the corresponding source columns) and check whether the data is loaded according to the DATM in to target table. If any data is not loaded according to the DATM then go and check in the code and rectify it.This is called Qualitative testing.This is what a developer will do in Unit Testing. 6) How do you handle decimal places while importing a flatfile into informatica? Ans) While importing flat file definition just specify the scale for a numeric data type. In the mapping, the flat file source supports only number data type (no decimal and integer). In the SQ associated with that source will have a data type as decimal for that number port of the source . source ->number data type port ->SQ -> decimal data type .Integer is not supported. Hence decimal is taken care. Import the field as string and then use expression to convert it, so that we can avoid truncation if decimal places in source itself. 7) Diff between static and dynamic cache? and please explain with one example? Ans) Difference between static and dynamic cache-
Static cache
1) Once the data is cached , it will not change. example unconnected lookup uses static cache. 3) while using a static cache in lookup we can use all operators like =,<,>... while giving condition in condition tab 5) It is read-only cache
Dynamic cache
2) The cache is updated as to reflect the update in the table( or source) for which it is reffering to.(ex. connected lookup). 4) but in using dynamic cache we only can use = operator 6) Dynamic Cache: It is Read and Write
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10)To cache a target table/FF src and 1)insert rows or 2)update existing rows in the cache
8) What is power center repository? Ans) Standalone repository. A repository that functions individually, unrelated and unconnected to other repositories. Global repository. (PowerCenter only.) The centralized repository in a domain, a group of connected repositories. Each domain can contain one global repository. The global repository can contain common objects to be shared throughout the domain through global shortcuts. Local repository. (PowerCenter only.) A repository within a domain that is not the global repository. Each local repository in the domain can connect to the global repository and use objects in its shared folders. Power Center repository is used to store informatica's meta data . Information such as mapping name,location,target definitions,source definitions,transformation and flow is stored as meta data in the repository. 9) How the informatica server sorts the string values in Ranktransformation? Ans) We can run informatica server either in UNICODE data moment mode or ASCII data moment mode.Unicode mode: in this mode informatica server sorts the data as per the sorted order in session. It uses the sort order configured in session properties. ASCII Mode:in this mode informatica server sorts the data as per the binary order 10) Is sorter an active or passive transformation?What happens if we uncheck the distinct option in sorter.Will it be under active or passive transformation? Ans) Sorter is an active transformation. if you don't check the distinct option it is considered as a passive transformation. because this distinct option eliminates the duplicate records from the table. 11) What is the difference between stop and abort Ans) stop: In the session if u want to stop a part of batch you must stop the batch, if the batch is part of nested batch, Stop the outer most batch Abort: You can issue the abort command , it is similar to stop command except it has 60 second time out . If the server cannot finish processing and committing data within 60 sec 12) Explain about Informatica server Architecture?
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54) How do I import VSAM files from source to target. Do I need a special plugin Ans) As far my knowledge by using power exchange tool convert vsam file to oracle tables then do mapping as usual to the target table. 55) What is meant by aggregate fact table and where is it used? Ans) Basically fact tables are two kinds 1. Aggregated factable and Factless fact table. Agregated factable has aggregarted columns. for eg. Total-Sal, Dep-Sal. where as in factless factable will not have aggregated colums and it only has FK to the Dimension tables. 56) What are Target Types on the Server? Ans) Target Types are File, Relational and ERP. 57) What are mapping parameters and varibles in which situation we can use it Ans) If we need to change certain attributes of a mapping after every time the session is run, it will be very difficult to edit the mapping and then change the attribute. So we use mapping parameters and variables and define the values in a parameter file. Then we could edit the parameter file to change the attribute values. This makes the process simple. Mapping parameter values remain constant. If we need to change the parameter value then we need to edit the parameter file . But value of mapping variables can be changed by using variable function. If we need to increment the attribute value by 1 after every session run then we can usemapping variables . In a mapping parameter we need to manually edit the attribute value in the parameter file after every session run. 58) How do you create single lookup transformation using multiple tables? Ans) Write a override sql query. Adjust the ports as per the sql query. 59) Why is meant by direct and indirect loading options in sessions? Ans) when we use multiple source files, we create a file containing the names and directories of each source file we want the PowerCenter Server to use. This file is referred to as a file list. when configuring the session properties,choose Indirect in the Source Filetype field,enter the file name of the file list in the Source Filename field and enter the location of the file list in the Source File Directory field. When the session starts, thePowerCenter Server reads the file list, then locates and reads the first file source in the list. After the PowerCenter Server reads the first file, it locates and reads the next file in the list. 60) What are Target Options on the Servers? Ans) Target Options for File Target type are FTP File, Loader and MQ. There are no target options for ERP target type. Target Options for Relational are Insert, Update (as Update), Update (as Insert), Update (else Insert), Delete, and Truncate Table.
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88) What is difference between stored procedure transformation and external procedure transformation? Ans) In case of storedprocedure transformation procedure will be compiled and executed in a relational data source.U need data base connection to import the stored procedure
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110) Can u explain one critical mapping? 2.performance issue which one is better? whether connected lookup tranformation or unconnected one? Ans) it depends on your data and the type of operation u r doing. If u need to calculate a value for all the rows or for the maximum rows coming out of the source then go for a connected lookup. Or,if it is not so then go for unconnectd lookup. Specially in conditional case like, we have to get value for a field 'customer' from order tabel or from customer_data table,on the basis of following rule: If customer_name is null then ,customer=customer_data.ustomer_Id otherwise customer=order.customer_name. so in this case we will go for unconnected lookup Dimesions are 1.SCD 2.Rapidly changing Dimensions 3.junk Dimensions 4.Large Dimensions 5.Degenerated Dimensions 6.Conformed Dimensions. 111) What is hash table informatica?
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131) What r the active and passive transforamtions? Ans) Transformations can be active or passive. An active transformation can change the number of rows that pass through it, such as a Filter transformation that removes rows that do not meet the filter condition. A passive transformation does not change the number of rows that pass through it, such as an Expression transformation that performs a calculation on data and passes all rows through the transformation. 132) What is the maplet? Ans) Maplet is a set of transformations that you build in the maplet designer and You can use in multiple mapings. A Mapplet is a reusable object defined with business logic using set of transformations. It is created using Mapplet designer tool. 133) What is surrogatekey ? In ur project in which situation u has used ? explain with example ?
A surrogate key is system genrated/artificial key /sequence number or A surrogate key is a substitution for the natural primary key.It is just a unique identifier or number for each row that can be used for the primary key to the table. The only requirement for a surrogate primary key is that it is unique for each row in the tableI it is useful because the natural primary key (i.e. Customer Number in Customer table) can change and this makes updates more difficult.but In
Ans)
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The default type is B-Tree indexers which is of high cardinality (normalized data). You can use bitmap indexers for de-normalized data or low cardinalities. The condition is the amount of DISTINCT rows should be less than 4% of the total rows. If it satisfies the given condition then bitmap indexers will optimize the performance for this kind of tables.
135) What is difference between dimention table and fact table and what are different dimention tables and fact tables Ans)
In the fact table contain measurable data and less columns and meny rows,
It's contain primarykey Diffrent types of fact tables: additive,non additive, semi additive In the dimensions table contain textual descrption of data and also contain meny columns,less rows Its contain primary key Both contains primary keys Fact tables are which are measurable and have less columns and more rows But in dimension which are not measurable
136) What are cost based and rule based approaches and the difference Ans) Cost based and rule based approaches are the optimization techniques which
are used in related to databases, where we need to optimize a sql query. Basically Oracle provides Two types of Optimizers (indeed 3 but we use only these two techniques., bcz the third has some disadvantages.) When ever you process any sql query in Oracle, what oracle engine internally does is, it reads the query and decides which will the best possible way for executing the query. So in this process, Oracle follows these optimization techniques. 1. cost based Optimizer(CBO): If a sql query can be executed in 2 different ways ( like may have path 1 and path2 for same query),then What CBO does is, it basically calculates the cost of each path and the analyses for which path the cost of execution is less and then executes that path so that it can optimize the quey execution.
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if u r using a update strategy in any of ur mapping, then in session properties u have to set treat source rows as Data Driven. if u select insert or udate or delete, then the info server will not consider UPD for performing any DB operations. ELSE u can use the UPD session level options. instead of using a UPD in mapping just select the update in treat source rows and update else insert option. this will do the same job as UPD. but be sure to have a PK in the target table. 2) for oracle : SQL loader for teradata:tpump,mload. 3) if u pass only 5 rows to rank, it will rank only the 5 records based on the rank port.
Ans) 138) What is aggregate cache in aggregator transforamtion? Ans) When you run a workflow that uses an Aggregator transformation, the
Informatica Server creates index and data caches in memory to process the transformation. If the Informatica Server requires more space, it stores overflow values in cache files.
139) Which transformation should we use to normalize the COBOL and relational sources? Ans) The Normalizer transformation normalizes records from COBOL and relational
sources, allowing you to organize the data according to your own needs. A Normalizer transformation can appear anywhere in a data flow when you normalize a relational source. Use a Normalizer transformation instead of the Source Qualifier transformation when you normalize a COBOL source. When you drag a COBOL source into the Mapping Designer workspace, the Normalizer transformation automatically appears, creating input and output ports for every column in the source
140) What are the measure objects Ans) Aggregate calculation like sum,avg,max,min these are the measure objetcs. 141) What is DTM process? Ans) After the loadmanger performs validations for session,it creates the DTM
process.DTM is to create and manage the threads that carry out the session tasks.I creates the
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Delete Update Update as update Update as insert Update esle insert Truncate table
143) What are the designer tools for creating tranformations? Ans) Mapping designer
144) What is Code Page used for? Ans) Code Page is used to identify characters that might be in different languages.
If you are importing Japanese data into mapping, you must select the Japanese code page of source data.
145) Can i start and stop single session in concurent bstch? Ans) Just right click on the particular session and going to recovery option or by
the datacache.If the input row out-ranks a stored row,the informatica server replaces the stored row with the input row.The informatica server stores group information in an index cache and row data in a data cache.
147) Why and where we are using factless fact table? Ans) Factless Fact Tables are the fact tables with no facts or measures(numerical
data). It contains only the foriegn keys of corresponding Dimensions. Factless fact is used to track the events by using the key values
148) How can you delete duplicate rows with out using Dynamic Lookup? Tell me any other ways using lookup delete the duplicate rows? Ans) For example u have a table Emp_Name and it has two columns Fname, Lname
in the source table which has douplicate rows. In the mapping Create Aggregator transformation. Edit the aggregator transformation select Ports tab select Fname then click the check box on GroupBy and uncheck the (O) out port. select Lname then uncheck the (O) out port and click the check box on GroupBy. Then create 2 new ports Uncheck the (I) import then click Expression on each port. In the first new
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Run the session only if previous session completes sucessfully. Always runs the session.
150) How to Generate the Metadata Reports in Informatica? Ans) You can generate PowerCenter Metadata Reporter from a browser on any
workstation, even a workstation that does not have PowerCenter tools installed.
151) How do we estimate the number of partitons that a mapping really requires? Is it dependent on the machine configuration? Ans) It depends upon the informatica version we r using. suppose if we r using
session data using Binary sortorder.If you configure the seeion to use a binary sort order,the informatica server caluculates the binary value of each string and returns the specified number of rows with the higest binary values for the string.
153) How can U create or import flat file definition in to the warehouse designer? Ans) U can create flat file definition in warehouse designer.in the warehouse
designer,u can create new target: select the type as flat file. save it and u can enter various columns for that created target by editing its properties.Once the target is created, save it. u can import it from the mapping designer.
154) To provide support for Mainframes source data,which files r used as a source definitions? Ans) COBOL Copy-book files 155) Can u copy the session to a different folder or repository? Ans) In addition, you can copy the workflow from the Repository manager. This will
automatically copy the mapping, associated source,targets and session to the target folder.Yes it is possible. For copying a session to a folder in the same repository or to another in a different repository, we can use the repository manager ( which is client sid etool).Simply by just dragging the session to the target destination, the session will be copied.
156) How to get two targets T1 containing distinct values and T2 containing duplicate values from one source S1. Ans) Use filter transformation for loading the target with no duplicates. and for the
other transformation load it directly from source.The above requirement can be achived
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to next transformation". If any rejected rows are there automatically it will be updated to the session log file. Update or insert files are known by checking the target file or table only.
159) What are the different types of Type2 dimension maping? Ans) Type2 Dimension/Version Data Maping: In this maping the updated dimension
in the source will gets inserted in target along with a new version number. Newly added dimension in source will inserted into target with a primary key. Type2 Dimension/Flag current Maping: This maping is also used for slowly changing dimensions.In addition it creates a flag value for changed or new dimension. Flag indiactes the dimension is new or newlyupdated.Recent dimensions will gets saved with cuurent flag value 1. And updated dimensions are saved with the value 0. Type2 Dimension/Effective Date Range Maping: This is also one flavour of Type2 maping used for slowly changing dimensions.This maping also inserts both new and changed dimensions in to the target. And changes are tracked by the effective date range for each version of each dimension.
160) Can you use the maping parameters or variables created in one maping into any other reusable transformation? Ans) Yes.Because reusable tranformation is not contained with any maplet or
maping.
161) What is tracing level? Ans) Ya its the level of information storage in session log.
The option comes in the properties tab of transformations. By default it remains "Normal". Can be Verbose Initialisation Verbose Data Normal or Terse.
162) What is meant by EDW? Ans) EDW is Enterprise Datawarehouse which means that its a centralised DW for
the whole organization. this apporach is the apporach on Imon which relies on the point of having a single warehouse/centralised where the kimball apporach says to have seperate data marts for each vertical/department.
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mapping,run it and see the o/p in unix whether file is posted or not.
164) Where is the cache stored in informatica? Ans) Cache is stored in the Informatica server memory and over flowed data is
stored on the disk in file format which will be automatically deleted after the successful completion of the session run. If you want to store that data you have to use a persistant cache.
165) Can you start a batches with in a batch? Ans) You can not. If you want to start batch that resides in a batch,create a new
independent batch and copy the necessary sessions into the new batch.
166) What is a command that used to run a batch? Ans) pmcmd is used to start a batch. 167) What are the unsupported repository objects for a mapplet? Ans) COBOL source definition
Joiner transformations Normalizer transformations Non reusable sequence generator transformations. Pre or post session stored procedures Target defintions Power mart 3.5 style Look Up functions XML source definitions IBM MQ source defintions.
168) What r the types of metadata that stores in repository? Ans) Source definitions. Definitions of database objects (tables, views, synonyms) or
files that provide source data. Target definitions. Definitions of database objects or files that contain the target data. Multi-dimensional metadata. Target definitions that are configured as cubes and dimensions. Mappings. A set of source and target definitions along with transformations containing business logic that you build into the transformation. These are the instructions that the Informatica Server uses to transform and move data.
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If you want to view the data on source/target we can preview the data but with some limitations. We can use data profiling too.
170) In my source table 1000 rec's r there.I want to load 501 rec to 1000 rec into my Target table ? how can u do this ?
You can overide the sql Query in Wofkflow Manager. LIke select * from tab_name where rownum<=1000 minus
Ans)
select * from tab_name where rownum<=500; This will work fine. Try it and get back to me if u have any issues about the same.Use the below query: select * from (select rownum r, from test_table) where r between 3 and 6 will fetch rows between a range.
171) Can any one explain real time complain mappings or complex transformations in Informatica. Specially in Sales Domain. Ans) Most complex logic we use is denormalization. We dont have any Denormalizer
transformation in INformatica. So we will have to use an aggregator followed by an expression. Apart from this, we use most of the complexicity in expression transformation involving lot of nested IIF's and Decode statements...another one is the union tranformation and joiner.
172) Could anyone please tell me what are the steps required for type2 dimension/version data mapping. how can we implement it Ans) 1. Determine if the incoming row is 1) a new record 2) an updated record or 3)
a record that already exists in the table using two lookup transformations. Split the mapping into 3 seperate flows using a router transformation. 2. If 1) create a pipe that inserts all the rows into the table. 3. If 2) create two pipes from the same source, one updating the old record, one to insert the new.
173) If you are workflow is running slow in informatica. Where do you start trouble shooting and what are the steps you follow? Ans) When the work flow is running slowly u have to find out the bottlenecks
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bottle neck is .
175) Can we lookup a table from a source qualifer transformation-unconnected lookup Ans) No. we can't do.
I will explain you why. 1) Unless you assign the output of the source qualifier to another transformation or to target no way it will include the feild in the query. 2) source qualifier don't have any variables feilds to utalize as expression.
176) What r the tasks that Loadmanger process will do? Ans) Manages the session and batch scheduling: Whe u start the informatica server
the load maneger launches and queries the repository for a list of sessions configured to run on the informatica server.When u configure the session the loadmanager maintains list of list of sessions and session start times.When u sart a session loadmanger fetches the session information from the repository to perform the validations and verifications prior to starting DTM process. Locking and reading the session: When the informatica server starts a session lodamaager locks the session from the repository.Locking prevents U starting the session again and again. Reading the parameter file: If the session uses a parameter files,loadmanager reads the parameter file and verifies that the session level parematers are declared in the file Verifies permission and privelleges: When the sesson starts load manger checks whether or not the user have privelleges to run the session. Creating log files: Loadmanger creates logfile contains the status of session. The LM
also sends the 'failure mails' in case of failure in execution of the Subsequent DTM process.
177) How can you stop a batch? Ans) By using server manager or pmcmd. 178) What is metadata reporter? Ans) It is a web based application that enables you to run reports againist
repository metadata. With a meta data reporter,You can access information about U?r repository with out having knowledge of sql,transformation language or underlying tables in the repository.
179) Suppose session is configured with commit interval of 10,000 rows and source has 50,000 rows. Explain the commit points for Source based commit and Target based commit. Assume appropriate value wherever required.
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interval.so,for every 10,000 rows it will commit into target. Target based commit will commit the data into target based on buffer size of the target.i.e., it commits the data into target when ever the buffer fills.Let us assume that the buffer size is 6,000.So,for every 6,000 rows it commits the data.
180) What is the default source option for update stratgey transformation? Ans) Data driven. 181) Difference between summary filter and details filter? Ans) Summary Filter --- we can apply records group by that contain common
values. Detail Filter --- we can apply to each and every record in a database.
182) What are the reusable transforamtions? Ans) Reusable transformations can be used in multiple mappings.When you need to
incorporate this transformation into maping,U add an instance of it to maping.Later if you change the definition of the transformation ,all instances of it inherit the changes.Since the instance of reusable transforamation is a pointer to that transforamtion,You can change the transforamation in the transformation developer,its instances automatically reflect these changes.This feature can save you great deal of work.A reusable Transformation is a reusable metadata object , defined with
Slowly Growing Target Slowly Changing the Dimension Type1 Most recent values Type2 Full History Version Flag Date Type3 Current and one previous
184) After draging the ports of three sources(sql server,oracle,informix) to a single source qualifier, can u map these three ports directly to target? Ans) if u drag three hetrogenous sources and populated to target without any join
means you are entertaining Carteisn product. If you don't use join means not only diffrent sources but homegeous sources are show same error. If you are not interested to use joins at source qualifier level u can add some joins sepratly. In Source qualifier we can join the tables from same database only.
185) What is difference between partioning of relatonal target and partitioning of file targets?
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multiple connections to the target database to write target data concurently.If u partition a session with a file target the informatica server creates one target file for each partition.You can configure session properties to merge these target files.
186) What is aggregate cache in aggregator transforamtion? Ans) The aggregator stores data in the aggregate cache until it completes
aggregate calculations.When you run a session that uses an aggregator transformation,the informatica server creates index and data caches in memory to process the transformation.If the informatica server requires more space,it stores overflow values in cache files.
187) What are the properties should be notified when we connect the flat file source definition to relational database target definition? Ans) 1.File is fixed width or delimited
2.Size of the file. If its can be executed without performance issues then normal load will work If its huge in GB they NWAY partitions can be specified at the source side and the target side. 3.File reader,source file name etc .....
187) Why we use stored procedure transformation? Ans) A Stored Procedure transformation is an important tool for populating and
maintaining databases. Database administrators create stored procedures to automate time-consuming tasks that are too complicated for standard SQL statements.
188) Which objects are required by the debugger to create a valid debug session? Ans) Intially the session should be valid session.
source, target, lookups, expressions should be availble, min 1 break point should be available for debugger to debug your session.
189) How do you decide whether you need ti do aggregations at database level or at Informatica level? Ans) It depends upon our requirment only.If you have good processing database
you can create aggregation table or view at database level else its better to use informatica. Here i'm explaing why we need to use informatica. what ever it may be informatica is a thrid party tool, so it will take more time to process aggregation compared to the database, but in Informatica an option we called "Incremental aggregation" which will help you to update the current values with current values +new values. No necessary to process entire values again and again. Unless this can be done if nobody deleted that cache files. If that happend total aggregation we need to execute on informatica also. In database we don't have Incremental aggregation facility.
190) How is the union transformation active transformation? Ans) Active Transformation: the transformation that change the no. of rows in the
Target. Source (100 rows) ---> Active Transformation ---> Target (< or > 100 rows) Passive Transformation: the transformation that does not change the no. of rows in
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2. Put counter/sequence generator in mapping and perform it. Its simple.take a filter
drag all ports from source qualifier to filter. in filter write the condition columname<101 and drag ports to the target
192) What is meant by complex mapping Ans) Complex maping means involved in more logic and more business rules.
Actually in my project complex mapping is In my bank project, I involved in construct a 1 dataware house Meny customer is there in my bank project, They r after taking loans relocated in to another place that time i feel to diffcult maintain both prvious and current adresses in the sense i am using scd2 This is an simple example of complex mapping
193) Can you start a session inside a batch idividually? Ans) We can start our required session only in case of sequential batch.in case of
perform the update strategy, say you had flagged some rows to be deleted and you had performed aggregator transformation for all rows, say you are using SUM function, then the deleted rows will be subtracted from this aggregator transformation.
195) Can you copy the batches? Ans) NO. 196) Explain the informatica Architecture in detail Ans) informatica server connects source data and target data using native
odbc drivers again it connect to the repository for running sessions and retriveing metadata information source------>informatica server--------->target REPOSITORY The PowerCenter Server is a repository client application. It connects to the Repository Server and Repository Agent to retrieve workflow and mapping metadata from the repository database. When the PowerCenter Server requests a repository connection from the Repository Server, the Repository Server starts and
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following tasks:Manages session and batch scheduling. Locks the session and read session properties. Reads the parameter file. Expand the server and session variables and parameters. Verify permissions and privileges. Validate source and target code pages. Create the session log file. Create the Data Transformation Manager which execute the session.
198) In which circumstances that informatica server creates Reject files? Ans) When it encounters the DD_Reject in update strategy transformation.
Informatica Server to either treat all records in the same way (for example, treat all records as inserts), or use instructions coded into the session mapping to flag records for different database operations. Within a mapping: Within a mapping, you use the Update Strategy transformation to flag records for insert, delete, update, or reject.
200) Can U use the maping parameters or variables created in one maping into another maping? Ans) NO. You might want to use a workflow parameter/variable if you want it to be
we can select in sesstion propetys for partiotions types default----passthrough partition key range partion round robin partion hash partiotion
202) In realtime which one is better star schema or snowflake star schema the surrogate will be linked to which columns in the dimension table. Ans) In real time only star schema will implement because it will take less time and
surrogate key will there in each and every dimension table in star schema and this surrogate key will assign as foreign key in fact table.
203) What is the exact meaning of domain?
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administrative unit in PowerCenter. The domain supports the administration of the distributed services. A domain is a collection of nodes and services that you can group in folders based on administration ownership.
204) How can u work with remote database in informatica?did u work directly by using remote connections? Ans) You can work with remote,
But you have to Configure FTP Connection details IP address User authentication
205) What is lookup transformation and update strategy transformation and explain with an example. Ans) Look up transformation is used to lookup the data in a relationa
table,view,Synonym and Flat file. The informatica server queries the lookup table based on the lookup ports used in the transformation. It compares the lookup transformation port values to lookup table column values based on the lookup condition By using lookup we can get the realated value,Perform a caluclation and Update SCD. Two types of lookups Connected Unconnected Update strategy transformation This is used to control how the rows are flagged for insert,update ,delete or reject. To define a flagging of rows in a session it can be insert,Delete,Update or Data driven. In Update we have three options Update as Update Update as insert Update else insert
206) What is batch and describe about types of batches? Ans) Grouping of session is known as batch. Batches are two types:-
Sequential: Runs sessions one after the other Concurrent: Runs session at same time. If you have sessions with source-target dependencies you have to go for sequential batch to start the sessions one after another.If you have several independent sessions You can use concurrent batches which runs all the sessions at the same time.
207) What is meant by lookup caches? Ans) The informatica server builds a cache in memory when it processes the first
row af a data in a cached look up transformation.It allocates memory for the cache based on the
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will be connected on-line. When PMserver is down and the repo is still up we will be prompted for an off-line connection with which we can just monitor the workflows
210) Which is better among connected lookup and unconnected lookup transformations in informatica or any other ETL tool? Ans) If you are having defined source you can use connected, source is not well
communicates the repository to check whether or not the session and users are valid.All the metadata of sessions and mappings will be stored in repository.
212) What is Session and Batches? Ans) Session - A Session Is A set of instructions that tells the Informatica Server
How And When To Move Data From Sources To Targets. After creating the session, we can use either the server manager or the command line program pmcmd to start or stop the session. Batches - It Provides A Way to Group Sessions For Either Serial Or Parallel Execution By The Informatica Server. There Are Two Types Of Batches : Sequential - Run Session One after the Other. Concurrent - Run Session At The Same Time.
213) Can u generate reports in Informatcia? Ans) It is a ETL tool, you could not make reports from here, but you can generate
session fails, you can run recovery using a menu command or pmcmd. These options are not available for batched sessions. To recover sessions using the menu: 1. In the Server Manager, highlight the session you want to recover.
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in ORACLE:--(take emp table) select * from emp e where 3>(select count (*) from emp where e.sal>emp.sal) order by sal desc. in SQL Server:-(take emp table) select top 10 sal from emp
[ORACLE] - select * from (SELECT emp_name,salary from bbc order by area salary desc) where rownum<=3
217) Is a fact table normalized or de-normalized? Ans) A fact table is always DENORMALISED table. It consists of data from dimension
table (Primary Key's) and Fact table has Foreign keys and measures.
218) What is the mapping for unit testing in Informatica, are there any other testings in Informatica, and how we will do them as a etl developer. how do the testing people will do testing are there any specific tools for testing Ans) In informatica there is no method for unit testing. There are two methods to
test the mapping. 1. But we have data sampling. set the ata sampling properties for session in workflow manager for specified number of rows and test the mapping. 2. Use the debugger and test the mapping for sample records.
219) Can batches be copied/stopped from server manager? Ans) Yes, we can stop the batches using server manager or pmcmd commnad 220) Can i use a session Bulk loading option that time can i make a recovery to the session? Ans) If the session is configured to use in bulk mode it will not write recovery
information to recovery tables. So Bulk loading will not perform the recovery as required.
221) Can we add different work flows in to one batch and run sequentially? If pos how do we do that? Ans) For simulating a batch we can create a unix script and write pmcmd
commands for running different workflows one after other into that unix script . like workflowrun.sh(Giving example for informatica 8 ) pmcmd startworkflow -sv IS_INTEGRATION_SERVICE -d DOMAIN1 -u myuser -p mypass -f folder1 workflow1 pmcmd startworkflow -sv IS_INTEGRATION_SERVICE -d DOMAIN1 -u myuser -p
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files(where your informatica server get installed;C:Program FilesInformatica PowerCenter 7.1Server) These bad files can be imported as flat a file in source then thro' direct maping we can load these files in desired format.
223) If the workflow has 5 session and running sequentially and 3rd session hasbeen failed how can we run again from only 3rd to 5th session? Ans) If multiple sessions in a concurrent batch fail, you might want to truncate all
targets and run the batch again. However, if a session in a concurrent batch fails and the rest of the sessions complete successfully, you can recover the session as a standalone session.To recover a session in a concurrent batch:1.Copy the failed session using Operations-Copy Session.2.Drag the copied session outside the batch to be a standalone session.3.Follow the steps to recover a standalone session.4.Delete the standalone copy.Hi, as per the questions all the sessions are serial. So
you can start the session as "start workflow from task" from there it wil continue to run the rest of the tasks.
224) How i can do incremental aggregation in real time? Ans) For incremental Aggregation.. We need to use Aggregations + Look up on
Target + Expression to SUM up Count obtained from New Aggregations and Lookup on target. For one record already present in Aggregations table.. count is also there.. It will be available in lookup.. new count will be available through AGG.. Sum then up and update that record in target..
225) If i done any modifications for my table in back end does it reflect in informatca warehouse or maping desginer or source analyzer? Ans) NO. Informatica is not at all concern with back end data base.It displays u all
the information that is to be stored in repository.If want to reflect back end changes to informatica screens, again u have to import from back end to informatica by valid connection.And u have to replace the existing files with imported files.
226) How the informatica server increases the session performance through partitioning the source? Ans) For a relational sources informatica server creates multiple connections for
each parttion of a single source and extracts seperate range of data for each connection.Informatica server reads multiple partitions of a single source concurently.Similarly for loading also informatica server creates multiple connections to the target and loads partitions of data concurently. For XML and file sources,informatica server reads multiple files concurently.For loading the data informatica server creates a seperate file for each partition(of a source file).U can choose to merge the targets.
227) How to join two tables without using the Joiner Transformation.
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provided the tables should have relationship. When u drag n drop the tables u will getting the source qualifier for each table.Delete all the source qualifiers.Add a common source qualifier for all.Right click on the source qualifier u will find EDIT click on it.Click on the properties tab,u will find sql query in that u can write ur sqls. You can also do it using
Session --- mapping---source--- there you have an option called User Defined Join there you can write your SQL
228) When we create a target as flat file and source as oracle.. how can i specify first rows as column names in flat files... Ans) Use a pre sql statement....but this is a hardcoding method...if you change the
column names or put in extra columns in the flat file, you will have to change the insert statement
229) What happens if you try to create a shortcut to a non-shared folder? Ans) It only creates a copy of it.. 230) Explain about Recovering sessions? Ans) If you stop a session or if an error causes a session to stop, refer to the session
and error logs to determine the cause of failure. Correct the errors, and then complete the session. The method you use to complete the session depends on the properties of the mapping, session, and Informatica Server configuration. Use one of the following methods to complete the session: ? Run the session again if the Informatica Server has not issued a commit. ? Truncate the target tables and run the session again if the session is not recoverable. ? Consider performing recovery if the Informatica Server has issued at least one commit.
231) Can Informatica load heterogeneous targets from heterogeneous sources? Ans) Yes it can. For example...Flat File and Relations sources are joined in the
mapping, and later, Flat File and relational targets are loaded.
232) While running multiple session in parallel which loads data in the same table, throughput of each session becomes very less and almost same for each session. How can we improve the performance (throughput) in such cases? Ans) I think this will be handled by the database we use.
When the operations/loading on the table is in progress the table will be locked. If we are trying to load the same table with different partitions then we run into rowID erros if the database is 9i and we can apply a patch to reslove this issue
233) What is data merging, data cleansing, sampling? Ans) Cleansing:---TO identify and remove the retundacy and inconsistency
sampling: just smaple the data throug send the data from source to target
Data merging: It is a process of combining the data with similar structures in to a single output. Data Cleansing: It is a process of identifying and rectifying the inconsistent and inaccurate data
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the Informatica Sever runs in the Unicode data movement mode. If the code pages are identical, then there will not be any data loss. One code page can be a subset or superset of another. For accurate data movement, the target code page must be a superset of the source code page. Superset - A code page is a superset of another code page when it contains the character encoded in the other code page, it also contains additional characters not contained in the other code page. Subset - A code page is a subset of another code page when all characters in the code page are encoded in the other code page.
235) There are 3 depts in dept table and one with 100 people and 2nd with 5 and 3rd with some 30 and so. i want to diplay those deptno where more than 10 people exists Ans) If you want to perform it thru informatica, the Fire the same query in the SQL
Override of Source qualifier transformation and make a simple pass thru mapping. Other wise, you can also do it by using a Filter.Router transformation by giving the condition there deptno>=10.
236) How to load the data from people soft hrm to people soft erm using informatica? Ans) Following are necessary
1.Power Connect license 2.Import the source and target from people soft using ODBC connections 3.Define connection under "Application Connection Browser" for the people soft source/target in workflow manager . select the proper connection (people soft with oracle,sybase,db2 and informix) and execute like a normal session.
237) Somebody ca explain me the 3 points:I want to Know : 1) the differences between using native and ODBC server-side databaseConnections 2)Know the reason why to register a server to the repository is necessary 3)Know the rules associated with transferring and sharing objects between folders. 4) Know the rules associated with transferring and sharing objects between repositories Ans) 1> Native connection is something which is provided by the same vendor for
that tool. eg: oracle warehouse builder has its own driver to connect to oracle DB which does not use a ODBC driver. here connection will be fast and hence performance. ODBC is basically a third party driver like Microsoft driver for Oracle, which can be used by any tool to connect to oracle. 2> Registering a server to a repository is necessary because the sessions will be using this server to run. If we have multiple servers, then we can use diff server to diff sessions to run.
238) I have an requirement where in the columns names in a table (Table A) should appear in rows of target table (Table B) i.e. converting columns to rows. Is it possible through Informatica? If so, how?
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Table A Key-1 char(3); table A values _______ 1 2 3 Table B bkey-a char(3); bcode char(1); table b values 1T 1A 1G 2A 2T 2L 3A and output required is as 1, T, A 2, A, T, L 3, A the SQL query in source qualifier should be select key_1, max(decode( bcode, 'T', bcode, null )) t_code, max(decode( bcode, 'A', bcode, null )) a_code, max(decode( bcode, 'L', bcode, null )) l_code from a, b where a.key_1 = b.bkey_a group by key_1 /
239) Explain about perform recovery? Ans) When the Informatica Server starts a recovery session, it reads the
OPB_SRVR_RECOVERY table and notes the row ID of the last row committed to the target database. The Informatica Server then reads all sources again and starts processing from the next row ID. For example, if the Informatica Server commits 10,000 rows before the session fails, when you run recovery, the Informatica Server bypasses the rows up to 10,000 and starts loading with row 10,001.By default, Perform Recovery is disabled in the Informatica Server setup. You must enable Recovery in the Informatica Server setup before you run a session so the Informatica Server can create and/or write entries in the OPB_SRVR_RECOVERY table.
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No't create the target again for the second instance. It is just the virtual copy of the same target. i.e in warehouse designer create and execute the target definitions and run the session containing the mapping again.define the source& target locations in general properties of sessiontreat rows as: Data DrivenCheck this once and let me know
241) i have source like 1;2:3.4 its flatfile. now i want in my target table as 1 2 3 4 plz can any one explain me the procedure how to get output like dat Ans) No answer available currently. Be the first one to reply to this question by
mm-yy" so conversion of db2 date formate to local database date formate is compulsary. other wise u will get that type of error
244) How do you transfert the data from data warehouse to flatfile? Ans) You can write a mapping with the flat file as a target using a
DUMMY_CONNECTION. A flat file target is built by pulling a source into target space using Warehouse Designer tool.
245) What is the Rank index in Rank transformation? Ans) Based on which port you want generate Rank is known as rank port, the
metadata, used by the Informatica Server and Client tools. Metadata can include information such as mappings describing how to transform source data, sessions indicating when you want the Informatica Server to perform the transformations, and connect strings for sources and targets. The repository also stores administrative information such as usernames and passwords, permissions and privileges, and product version. Use repository manager to create the repository.The Repository Manager connects to the repository database and runs the code needed to create the repository tables.Thsea tables stores metadata in specific format the informatica server,client tools use.
247) What is change data capture?
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determine the data that has changed in a database so that action can be taken using the changed data.
248) Can any body write a session parameter file which will change the source and targets for every session. i.e different source and targets for each session run. Ans) You are supposed to define a parameter file. And then in the Parameter file,
you can define two parameters, one for source and one for target. Give like this for example: $Src_file = c:program filesinformaticaserverinabc_source.txt $tgt_file = c: argetsabc_targets.txt Then go and define the parameter file: [folder_name.WF:workflow_name.ST:s_session_name] $Src_file =c:program filesinformaticaserverinabc_source.txt $tgt_file = c: argetsabc_targets.txt If its a relational db, you can even give an overridden sql at the session level...as a parameter. Make sure the sql is in a single line.
249) What is meant by Junk Attribute in Informatica? Ans) Junk Dimension A Dimension is called junk dimension if it contains attribute
which are rarely changed ormodified. example In Banking Domain , we can fetch four attributes accounting to a junk dimensions like from the Overall_Transaction_master table tput flag tcmp flag del flag advance flag all these attributes can be a part of a junk dimensions.Grouping of random flags and text attributes
the pipeline into stages.Partition points mark the thread boundaries in a pipeline and divide the pipeline into stages. The Informatica Server sets partition points at several transformations in a pipeline by default. If you use PowerCenter, you can define other partition points. When you add partition points, you increase the number of transformation threads, which can improve session performance. The Informatica Server can redistribute rows of data at partition points, which can also improve session performance.
251) Where should U place the flat file to import the flat file defintion to the designer? Ans) There is no such restrication to place the source file. In performance point of
view its better to place the file in server local src folder. if you need path please check the server properties availble at workflow manager. It doesn't mean we should not place in any other folder, if we place in server src folder by default src will be selected at time session creation.
252) I have flatfile it contains 'n' number of records. i need to load half of the records to one target table another half to another target table. plz any one can explain me the procedure.
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In first pipeline , read from source file , put an expression,in expression take a variable and increment it by 1 ( v=v+1),then put a target T0,generates sequence in T0 column. Now after first pipeline gets executed we have a) count of all the rows from the file b) rank of all the records in T0 table and c1 column. In second pipeline,take T0 as source and T1,T2 as target and router R1 as transformation in between. In R1 , put 2 groups -> 1st group c1<=v/2 - direct to T1 2nd group c2>v/2 - direct to T2
253) How can u recover the session in sequential batches? Ans) If you configure a session in a sequential batch to stop on failure, you can run
recovery starting with the failed session. The Informatica Server completes the session and then runs the rest of the batch. Use the Perform Recovery session property To recover sessions in sequential batches configured to stop on failure: 1.In the Server Manager, open the session property sheet. 2.On the Log Files tab, select Perform Recovery, and click OK. 3.Run the session. 4.After the batch completes, open the session property sheet. 5.Clear Perform Recovery, and click OK. If you do not clear Perform Recovery, the next time you run the session, the Informatica Server attempts to recover the previous session. If you do not configure a session in a sequential batch to stop on failure, and the remaining sessions in the batch complete, recover the failed session as a standalone session.
254) How to use mapping parameters and what is their use Ans) In designer u will find the mapping parameters and variables options.u can
assign a value to them in designer. comming to there uses suppose u r doing incremental extractions daily. suppose ur source system contains the day column. so every day u have to go to that mapping and change the day so that the particular data will be extracted . if we do that it will be like a layman's work. there comes the concept of mapping parameters and variables. once if u assign a value to a mapping variable then it will change between sessions.
255) Diff between informatica repositry server & informatica server Ans) Informatica Repository Server:It's manages connections to the repository from
client application. Informatica Server:It's extracts the source data,performs the data transformation,and loads the transformed data into the target
256) What r the mapping paramaters and maping variables? Ans) Please refer to the documentation for more understanding.
Mapping variables have two identities: Start value and Current value
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Use incremental aggregation Sort the ports before you perform aggregation Avoid using aggregator transformation after update strategy, since it might be confusing.
Answer for the second query: To get performance details for any aggregator transformation, we have to check some parameters in the .perf file named as Transformationname_writetodisk and Transformationname_readfromdisk. If these two counters provide values which are not zero then we have to tune the aggregator transformation. The ways in which the aggregator transformation can be tuned: 1. Using incremental aggregation 2. By increasing the DATA cache and index cache sizes 3. Using a sorter transformation before the aggregator transformation
258) How many number of sessions that You can create in a batch? Ans) Any number of sessions.It depends on the config settings of informatica
server. The parameters for the maximum connections cant be exceeded. It depends on the overall sessions running per the server at a time. For eg, if the number of connxns rt now is 300 and if u have batches running with 290+ sessions at a time, adding 15 more sessions to the time frame will cause the loads to fail
259) Compare Data Warehousing Top-Down approach with Bottom-up approach Ans) Top down
options. Import the exported mapping in to the production repository with replace
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production environment.
262) where do we use MQ series source qualifier, application multi group source qualifier. just give an example for a better understanding Ans) We can use a MQSeries SQ when we have a MQ messaging system as
source(queue). When there is need to extract data from a Queue, which will basically have messages in XML format, we will use a JMS or a MQ SQ depending on the messaging system. If you have a TIBCO EMS Queue, use a JMS source and JMS SQ and an XML Parser, or if you have a MQ series queue, then use a MQ SQ which will be associated with a Flat file or a Cobal file.
263) How do we estimate the depth of the session scheduling queue? Where do we set the number of maximum concurrent sessions that Informatica can run at a given time? Ans) u set the max no of concurrent sessions in the info server.by default its 10. u
better as it takes onle that data which is not available previously on the target.
According to performence bulk is better than normal. But bolh having some conditions in source data Conditions are like 1)does not containn any constraint in data. 2)dont use the double datatype if neccesory to use then use it as last row of the table. 3)it does not support the CHECK CONSTRAINT.
265) what is the best way to show metadata(number of rows at source, target and each transformation level, error related data) in a report format Ans) You can select these details from the repository table. you can use the view
session fails.
267) Which tool you use to create and manage sessions and batches and to monitor and stop the informatica server? Ans) Informatica Server Manager.Its the Integration Service in 8.x 268) What is the hierarchies in DWH Ans) Data sources ---> Data acquisition ---> Warehouse ---> Front end tools --->
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ie by chaging the RESET option in the properties tab of your SequenceGeneratorTransformation. then it will workwe can also use recover task so that ,when data is extracting because of any problem while loading data if it's stop's loading at middle using recover task we can get the records from where it's stoped previously.....
271) What is Dimension table Exactly? Ans) Dimension tables gives description about something.
for eg. If we take Student as a dimention table, we have various attributes like college name, age, gender,etc which gives some description about a student.
272) What are the different threads in DTM process? Ans) Master thread: Creates and manages all other threads
Maping thread: One maping thread will be creates for each session.Fectchs session and maping information. Pre and post session threads: This will be created to perform pre and post session operations. Reader thread: One thread will be created for each partition of a source.It reads data from source. Writer thread: It will be created to load data to the target. Transformation thread: It will be created to tranform data. 273) What is a junk dimension Ans) 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. A good example would be a trade fact in a company that brokers equity trades.
274) What r the circumstances that infromatica server results an unreciverable session? Ans) The source qualifier transformation does not use sorted ports.
If u change the partition information after the initial session fails. Perform recovery is disabled in the informatica server configuration. If the sources or targets changes after initial session fails. If the maping consists of sequence generator or normalizer transformation. If a concuurent batche contains multiple failed sessions.
275) How does the server recognise the source and target databases? Ans) By using ODBC connection.if it is relational.if is flat file FTP connection..see we
can make sure with connection in the properties of session both sources && targets.
276) Whats the diff between Informatica powercenter server, repositoryserver and repository? Ans) By using ODBC connection.if it is relational.if is flat file FTP connection..see we
can make sure with connection in the properties of session both sources && targets.
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Make sure the source and targets exists in ur db if it is a relational db. If it is a flat file, you can override its properties. You can override sql if its a relational db, session log, DTM buffer size, cache sizes etc. 2.(Ans) You need execute permissions on the folder to run/schedule a workflow. You may have read and write. But u need execute permissions as well.
278) Two relational tables are connected to SQ Trans,what are the possible errors it will be thrown? Ans) The only two possibilities as of I know is
Both the table should have primary key/foreign key relation ship Both the table should be available in the same schema or same database
279) What r the options in the target session of update strategy transsformatioin? Ans) Update as Insert:
This option specified all the update records from source to be flagged as inserts in the target. In other words, instead of updating the records in the target they are inserted as new records. Update else Insert: This option enables informatica to flag the records either for update if they are old or insert, if they are new records from source.
by creating multiple partitions of the pipeline. Informatica server can achieve high performance by partitioning the pipleline and performing the extract , transformation, and load for each partition in parallel.
281) I have a source column data with names like ravi kumar.i want to insert the ravi in one column and kumar in another coliumn of target table.how do u implement in informatica? Ans) i can able to give solution for this Question , in Exp Transformation using
syntax of "substr" and "instr". use the syntax of this to identity the string when source is having multiple string. i have given that Syntax below: SUBSTR(char as char, m as numeric, [n as numeric]) //Returns n characters of char, beginning at character m. INSTR(char1 as char, char2 as char, [n as integer, [m as integer, [comparisonType as integer]]]) //Searches char1 beginning with its nth character for the mth occurance of char2 and returns the position of the character in char1 that is the first character of this occurrence. Linguistic comparison is done when comparisonType is 0 and binary comparison is done when comparisonType is any non-zero value. By default comparisonType is 0 i.e.linguistic comparison and use the link to get how achieved that Q in the below Link which contain Source,Target code,mapping.
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can designate only one Rank port in a Rank transformation. The Rank port is an input/output port. You must link the Rank port to another transformation. So you can not use two ports for ranking in the rank transformation. Note:you can achieve this question using Aggregate and Expression transformation.
283) what is the diff b/w rowid and row? 2.diff b/w rowid and row number? Ans) Every row is identified by a rowid. ROWID is pseudo column in every table. The
physical address of the rows is use to for the ROWID.IN HEXADECIMAL representation, ROWID is shown as 18 character string of the following format BBBBBBBBB.RRRR.FFFF (block,row,file) And row is a piece of record or simple a record.
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