OBIEE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Physical Layer
1. What is connection pool
1. Connection pool is a physical layer object ,is useful to store data base
credentials like database name, username, password..etc.
2. OBIEE oracle BI Server contacts data base using connection pool

2. How to import views/materialized views?
1. While importing we need to enable views option

3. What is the isolation level in a connection pool

1. It applies only For ODBC and DB2 gateways only. The value sets the
transaction isolation level on each connection to the back-end database. The
isolation level setting controls the default transaction locking behavior for all
statements issued by a connection. Only one option can be set at a time. It
remains set for that connection until it is explicitly changed.
2. The following options are available:
1. Dirty read. Implements dirty read (isolation level 0 locking). This
is the least restrictive isolation level. When this option is set, it is possible
to read uncommitted or dirty data, change values in the data, and have
rows appear or disappear in the data set before the end of the
transaction. Dirty data is data that needs to be cleaned before being
queried to obtain correct results (for example, duplicate records, records
with inconsistent naming conventions, or records with incompatible data
types).
2. Committed read. Specifies that shared locks are held while the
data is read to avoid dirty reads. However, the data can be changed
before the end of the transaction, resulting in non repeatable reads or
phantom data.
3. Repeatable read. Places locks on all data that is used in a query,
preventing other users from updating the data. However, new phantom
rows can be inserted into the data set by another user and are included in
later reads in the current transaction.
4. Serializable. Places a range lock on the data set, preventing
other users from updating or inserting rows into the data set until the
transaction is complete. This is the most restrictive of the four isolation
levels. Because concurrency is lower, use this option only if necessary.
4. How many connection Pools you used in your project
1. It is a general question ,there is no fixed answer, however in each project we will
have minimum three connection pools
1. One for importing tables and execute reports
2. One for execute session initialization block sql queries
3. One for usage tracking purpose
2. Recommended number is between 2 to 10.but justification is important.
5. To get data of another schema ,then what we need to enable in connection pool
1. Required fully qualified names
2. DB permissions

6. Can we create multiple connection pools under one database object
1. Yes, we can

7. What is the difference between Duplicate and Alias in physical layer
1. We will use Alias in physical layer to resolve below problems
1. Self Join
2. To maintain naming Standards in physical layer
3. Resolve loops or closed paths
2. Duplicate normally used in Physical layer to create a duplicate copy of existing
Select table (Opaque View) /stored Procedure object
8. How many types of Joins are there in Physical layer?
1. Two types
1. Foreign Key join
1. Equivalent to Equi join
2. Accepts only = operator
3. Most used join in physical layer
2. Complex Join
1. Equivalent to Non Equi join
2. Accepts all operators like (=,<>,=>,,=.etc)
3. Less used join in Physical layer
9. Can we create self join
1. By using Alias table , we can create self join.

10. Can we create outer join in physical layer.
1. In Physical Layer Outer join not possible ,however we can create outer join in
BMM layer .
11. How to remove unused objects from physical layer
1. It will remove objects, which we did not use in BMM layer
2. Tools menu | Utilities | Remove unused objects from physical layer

12. How to synchronize physical layer objects
1. It is useful to synchronize RPD metadata with DB metadata
2. Tools | Utilities | Update Physical Layer

13. What is complex join, in which scenario we use it.
1. If foreign key is not possible then we will go for complex join. For example
between emp and salgrade we will use complex join
2. In place of non equi join ,complex join is used

14. In foreign key join can we use other than equal to operator
1. No
15. What is Opaque view
1. A SQL query or select statement is called as opaque view.
2. If we need a new table then go for physical table (or) materialized view. In worst
situation go for opaque view.
3. Opaque views are not supported by non relational db.(example MS Excel ,XML
,ESSBASE etc)
4. If we need to call data base function then we have to go for Opaque View .
16. Is deploying opaque is mandatory?
1. No. but it is recommended due to below reason
2. Without deploying view into database, if we use opaque view in reports then
oracle BI server needs to create complex queries. To avoid complex queries oracle
recommended to deploy each and every opaque view into database.
17. When automatic joins will be created in physical layer.
1. If we have primary key and foreign Key relation ship in database level and while
importing if we enable foreign key options then automatic joins will be created .
18. What is Alias
1. A virtual physical table (or) reference of physical table is called as alias.
2. On one physical table we can create n no. of aliases.
3. Whatever changes occurred in physical table that will immediately reflect in alias
(except Key definitions)
4. It is mainly useful to resolve loops
19. Can we create or delete a column from Alias.
1. No
20. How to eliminate Circular Join or loop or closed path.
1. By Using Alias


Business Model and Mapping Layer
1. What is the business model
1. Is the highest-level object in the BMM layer
2. Contains the business model definitions and the mappings from logical to
physical tables
3. Simplifies the physical schema
4. Captures how users think about their businesses using their own vocabulary
2. Can we create business model with single logical table, if no please let me know work
around.
1. Approach 1: Creating duplicate table in BMM layer
2. Approach 1: Creating alias and creating join between original table and alias
3. Can we create business model from multiple databases, did you created then tell me one
scenario
1. Yes
2. Scenario: when we want to compare the Actual data with target data and these
data coming from sources like oracle database and MS-Excel respectively
4. What is the Logical Table Source and when we will go for multiple logical tables
1. Logical table sources define the mappings from single logical table to one or
more physical tables.
2. A logical table contains one or more logical table source.
3. The mapping between physical columns and logical columns can manage using
LTS
4. By integrating multiple physical tables to LTS or By integrating multiple LTS to
LT we can convert snow flake schema into star schema
5. When we need to integrate multiple physical tables in LTS.
1. If we have snowflake schema then want to convert that into star schema then we
will go for multiple logical tables.
6. Did you get chance to map a logical column with multiple physical columns
1. Yes, If we want to configure aggregate tables then we need to do it .
7. What is logical join and why it is useful?
1. A: The join defined in the BMM Layer is called logical join
1. Logical join is used to defined driving table
2. Logical Join is used to define Inner, Right, Left and Full outer joins
3. Used to defined the cardinality
4. Logical join is useful to identify dimension and fact table
5. Logical join allows Oracle BI Server to make the best decision about the
exact physical SQL to generate based on the logical query path.
8. 7.Can we have a table without logical join?
1. No
9. Can we have a dimension table without primary key?
1. No
10. Can we copy RPD objects within the RPD and from one RPD to another RPD?
1. Yes, we can copy RPD objects with in the RPD.
2. We can copy one RPD to another RPD but we need to
copy corresponding layers only i.e. (physical to physical, BMM to BMM and
presentation to presentation)
11. What is Renaming wizard and which layers can be modified.
1. Renaming wizard is used to rename all objects ( example : tables and columns)
of BMM and Presentation layer
2.
3.
Presentation Layer
1. Can we create a subject area from multiple business models
1. No
2. In which version of OBIEE , presentation layer supporting hierarchy object
1. OBIEE 11G
3. What is Aliases

1. Keep track of any changes to Presentation layer objects
2.
4. What are nested tables
1. Prefix the name of the presentation folder to be nested with a hyphen and a
space. or type " - > "in description of the column
2. Place it after the folder in which it nests
5. Can we map a presentation column with multiple logical columns
1. we can not

Testing / Validating Repository
1. What is global consistency check
1. Consistency check is one of the processes to check whether a repository is
yielding proper results in Answer reports. It checks whether;
1. All logical columns are mapped correctly to physical columns.
2. All logical dimension tables have a logical key.
3. Are there at least two logical tables in the business model (one is a
logical fact table and the other is logical dimension table with join condition).
4. There are no circular logical join relationships.
5. A presentation catalog exists for the business model.
2. How many messages are there in consistency check manager?
1. Upto OBIEE 11.1.1.5 version There are 3 messages in consistency check
manager such as
1. Errors
2. Warnings
3. Best Practices
2. In OBIEE 11.1.1.6 version onwards There are 3 messages in consistency check
manager such as
1. Errors
2. Warnings
3. In OBIEE how many servers are there
1. In OBIEE 11G we have 6 servers
1. Oracle BI Server
2. Oracle BI Presentation server
3. Oracle BI Java host server
4. Oracle Oracle BI Scheduler server
5. Oracle BI Cluster controller server
6. Web logic Server (newly added in OBIEE11G)
4. What is OPMNCTL and how many servers are integrated in it.
1. The Oracle Process Manager and Notification Server Control
1. Oracle BI Server
2. Oracle BI Presentation server
3. Oracle BI Java host server
4. Oracle Oracle BI Scheduler server
5. Oracle BI Cluster controller server
5. NQSCONFIG.INI and NQSERVER.log files are corresponding to which server.
1. OBI server
6. Can we load multiple RPDs in Oracle BI server
1. No, we cant
7. Can we upload RPD without using EM?
1. We cant
8. How many log levels are available
1. Totally 8 levels (0 to 7)
9. What are the log levels in development , test and production, you used in your project.
1. In Development and Test we will use log level as 2
2. In production we will use log level 0
10. All query logs will be stored in which file and what is that file physical path

1. NQQUERY.log file
2. C:\OBIEE_OBIEE\instances\instance1\diagnostics\logs\OracleBIServerCompone
nt\coreapplication_obis1
11. In log level 1 can we see physical SQL query.
1. No, we can not see the physical SQL query it shows logical SQL query.
2. If you set logging level as 2 then it gives all log information of level 1 along with
physical SQL query
12. Global consistency check is not throwing any errors, then can we assume RPD is correct
1. Syntax wise it is correct .Business rules wise we may have some mistake 1.
05 .Adding Multiple Physical Table Sources

1. Table 1 and Table 2 have no direct join in physical layer. Can we map both in single LTS

No .
2. Detail table and aggregate tables will be added as two LTS to LT. Is it right?
Yes, It is right .
3. Using this concept we can convert Normalized/snow flake schema into denormalized /
Star schema, is it right ?
Yes we can do using below methods
1. By integrating multiple physical tables into LTS
2. By integrating Multiple physical tables as multiple LTS to LT .

06 Calculations

1. How many types of calculations available in BMM layer.

We can create three types of calculations1. Creating calculation based on logical
columns2. Creating calculation based on physical columns3. Creating calculation using
Calculation Wizard
2. What scenarios automatically handled using calculation wizard.Below two
scenarios handled by using calculation wizard
1. To handle NULL values2. To handle Divide by Zero values
3. A calculation which is taking longer time then ,where we need to calculate

Request ETL team to calculate .
4. A calculation which is taking lesser time and reusable then ,where we need to calculate If
a calculation is reusable , simple and takes less time in running report
then calculate in RPD .
5. A calculation which is taking lesser time and not reusable then ,where we need to
calculate
If a calculation is taking less time and not reusable then do the calculations in the report
only.
6. What is CAST() function?
CAST() is a function which is used to change the one kind of data type in to another type.
7. I have two columns in two tables, one column data type is varchar and another one is
number. Then can we create foreign key join in physical layer.

Yes By using CAST() function ,we can achieve it
8. What is evaluate function

To force calculations to database it is useful .
9. Please explain how to add or subtract date columns.

We cannot perform an arithmetic operation(plus ,minus ....etc) on a DATE or
TIMESTAMP. These are considered Non-numeric types. To calculate difference between
two dates, OBIEE provides a TIMESTAMPDIFF function. The syntax for using the function
is:
TIMESTAMPDIFF(interval, first_date, second_date)

First_date and second_date have to be valid values in the TIMESTAMP type.

Interval is a specified value. Valid values for INTERVAL are:

SQL_TSI_SECOND
SQL_TSI_MINUTE
SQL_TSI_HOUR
SQL_TSI_DAY
SQL_TSI_WEEK
SQL_TSI_MONTH
SQL_TSI_QUARTER
SQL_TSI_YEAR
If the dates are not in a valid TIMESTAMP format, use CAST function to convert values into TIMESTAMP
type. See example below:

TIMESTAMPDIFF(SQL_TSI_DAY,CAST(VALUEOF("MY_DATE_COLUMN")as TIMESTAMP),
CURRENT_DATE)

We can also use TIMESTAMPADD function to add an interval to a date.

Example: TIMESTAMPADD(SQL_TSI_DAY, 7, TIMESTAMP '2011-11-01 12:00:00')

Real Time Queries :

1. If i develop a report using year, quarter, dollars & year wise dollars . Here year wise
dollars column is level based measure . Created filter on year column to get only 2008
data . Then give me output of report .













Posted by Ram Reddy ITEC at 04:25
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4 comments:
1.
Vikas Chaudhary3 December 2013 04:59
Sir, i have few queries:

1. On one day you find that report is running slow so what steps you will take , from where u will
start.

2. Opaque View: Why we do not use opaque view. what kind performance bottleneck it creates if
used? An example would be helpful like creating a join with other dimension and creating a report.

3. if we have 10 prompts on a Dashboard, is it good practive to use cache.
4. Use Hierarchical Columns in Dashboard Prompt.
5. Dashboard Prompt: Period Prompt -- Jan, Feb, Mar....Dec
Want the values like -- Jan, Feb, Mar.... Dec, HY1, HY2, HY1+HY2
HY= Half Year
6. Make the default dashboard for a group of users.
7. Use of non confirmed dimension in Report along with confirmed dimension. Filter on Non
confirmed dim.
8. if i have a Dashboard Prompt on country:
In report -- First i select country --India --> Shows the result for country India
Second time when i select the value as USA -- Will it use the cache or go to the database and fetch
the new resultset.

9. Request Variable
10. Which options is good: Materlized view or Aggregate Table
11. first approach when you see that the report is running slow.
what can be done at OBIEE level
12. Fact less Fact example
13.how to set Dedicated Coonections for Previledged users - connection pool --> Permissions.
14. Currency conversion
15. how to manage Multiple calendars
16. user A belongs to Group A & Group B
OBI PS has one folder F1
Group A has Access to F1 but not Group B so will User a be able to access the folder.
Reply
Replies
1.
suneetha vemulapati21 January 2014 21:40
What is a Factless Fact table?
A Fact table is a table which consists of measurements, metrics or facts of a
business process. A factless fact table is a fact table that doesn't contain any facts.
They contain information to capture information but not for calculation
Example:Tracking a student or employee attendance.
2.
suneetha vemulapati21 January 2014 21:45
A request variable is used to override a session variable
Reply
2.
Nazia Kouser9 January 2014 04:24
Hello Sir,
Can you please post the answers to my below Queries:
These are the interview questions I faced:
1) Have you worked on single server or cluster server? Also,what is standalone/Integrated
environment?
2) How many records were there in your fact table? Give me a number.
3) What software did you use to raise tickets and contact oracle support? Please give me a
scenario to contact oracle support?
4) Have you ever worked on UNIX environment to use OBIEE? If yes,what type of commands I
should be familiar with?
5) What was the most challenging/complex report you worked on? I had given this example:
http://oracle.ittoolbox.com/groups/technical-functional/oracle-bi-l/passing-parameters-in-drill-
through-reports-in-obiee-11g-4578588
Should I mention even more complicated report requirement?
6) Can you please provide few lines on business requirement gathering?
7) What will you do if the report result shows wrong data? How would you resolve?
Reply