1. What is Cognos Report Studio ?

Cognos report Studio is a web-based application designed to allow users to easily create
complex reports utilizing many different sources of data.

2. Explain Cardinality ?
The term cardinality refers to the uniqueness of data values contained in a particular column
(attribute) of a database table. The lower the cardinality, the more duplicated elements in a column.

In Report Studio, Cardinality is a visual representation of the type of Join, either Inner, Outer, Left, or
Right.

Cardinality can be expressed as:

 One-to-one relationship (1:1)

 One-to-many relationship (1:N)
 Zero-to-one (0:1)
 Zero-to-many (0:N)
A one-to-one Cardinality would look like:

Each “ID” record in the Personal Table has one and only one matching “ID” record in the Citizen
Table.

Each “ID” record in the Citizen Table has one and only one matching “ID” records in the Personal
Table.

(This is an Inner Join)

In this join, the Cardinality is a one-to-many relationship, meaning that:

Each “ID” record in the Personal Table has one or more than one matching “ID” record, in the Citizen
Table.

Each “ID” record in the Citizen Table has one or more than one matching “ID” record in the Personal
Table.

(This is an Inner Join)

A zero-to-one Cardinality would look like:

 Each “ID” record in the Personal Table has zero or only one matching “ID” record, in the Citizen
Table.

Each “ID” record in the Citizen Table has zero or only one matching “ID” record in the Personal
Table.

(This is an Outer Join)

A zero-to-many Cardinality would look like:

 Each “ID” record in the Personal Table has zero or many matching “ID” record, in the Citizen Table.

Each “ID” record in the Citizen Table has zero or many matching “ID” record in the Personal Table.

(This is an Outer Join)

Referring to the definition of a LEFT JOIN:

 “A LEFT JOIN returns all the rows from the left table, or the first table, mentioned in the Query, even
if there are no matches in the right table (second table)”

A LEFT OUTER JOIN, using a zero-to-many relationship, would look like:

Each “ID” record in the Personal Table has zero or many matching “ID” record, in the Citizen Table.

Each “ID” record in the Citizen Table has one or many matching “ID” record in the Personal Table.

Referring to the definition of a RIGHTJOIN:

“A RIGHT JOIN returns all the rows from the right table, or the second table, mentioned in the
Query, even if there are no matches in the left table (first table).

A RIGHT OUTER JOIN, using a zero-to-many relationship, would look like:

Each “ID” record in the Personal Table has one or many matching “ID” record, in the Citizen Table.

Each “ID” record in the Citizen Table has none or many matching “ID” record in the Personal Table.
3. Name Different types of Prompts are available in Cognos Report Studio ?
VALUE PROMPT: Value Prompt Retrieves data based on values that you select from a list.

Use this control to show the list of possible values from which users can choose.  
Note: The maximum number of items that can appear in a list is 5000.
 
SELECT AND SEARCH PROMPT: Select & Search Prompt Retrieves values based on search 
criteria that users specify. Data is then retrieved based on values users select from
the search results. Use this control instead of a value prompt if the list of values 
is very long, which can slow down performance.
 
Tip: Users have the option of performing a case sensitive or case insensitive search.
A case sensitive search is faster, while a case insensitive search usually returns 
more values. You cannot use this control if you are working with SAP BW datasources.
 
DATE PROMPT: Date Prompt Retrieves data based on a date that you select. Use this 
control when you are filtering a date column. With this control, users can retrieve 
data for a specific day, a set of days, or a range of days.
 
TIME PROMPT: Time Prompt Retrieves data based on a time that you select. Use this 
control to restrict a report to a particular time or time range. For example, you can
use this control to see how many orders are received after business hours. You can 
then use this information to determine the number of staff needed to work after hours.
 
DATE AND TIME PROMPT: Date & Time Prompt Retrieves data based on a date and time that
you select. Use this control when you are filtering a datetime or timestamp column. 
This control is useful for specifying ranges. For example, you can retrieve all 
orders received from Monday at 12:00 a.m. to Friday at 5:00 p.m.
 
INTERVAL PROMPT: Interval Prompt Retrieves data based on a time interval that you 
specify. Use this control to retrieve data that is related to the passage of time. 
For example, you can use this control to retrieve a list of products that were 
returned 30 or more days after they were purchased.
 
TREE PROMPT: Tree Prompt Retrieves data based on values you select from a list. 
Values are organized hierarchically. This control is useful when you are working 
with dimensional data sources. Data is shown from the top of a dimension hierarchy to
the most detailed member, and users can choose the level of Detail they want to view 
in the report.

4. What is Report Net ? name components of Report net?

5. What is Drill through Report ?

A drill through allows you to connect two reports that share a common field. For example, you

might have a Departmental summary report and detail report. Because the two reports would share

department name, you can link from department in the summary report to department in the detail

report.

Some basic rules apply:

The two reports must share a common field.

The common field should be grouped on in each report.

A parameter for the common field must be established in Report A.

A filter for the common field must be defined to Report B.

6. How to create a drill through report ?

7. What is Prompt ?
All the filter are hardcoded. IF u run the report any number of times the same filter will be
applied and the same output we will get.
Suppose If you want to select filter values at run time, then we use prompts..

8. What is Macros ? 
The Cognos engine understands the presence of a macro as it is
written within a pair of hashes (#). It executes the macros first and
puts the result back into report specification like a literal string
replacement. We can use this to alter data items, filters at run time

9. What are the components of Report Studio ?

Componenets of Report Studio:
1. Insertable Objects pane.
2. Properties pane.
3. Explorer bar -, Page Explorer, Query Explorer, Conditional Explorer
4. Report Viewer - Workarea, Report Layout Objects.

10. What types of reports are available in Cognos Report Studio ?

Blank

This report type will allow you to start from scratch with a completely blank slate.

List
 This report type will provide a header and footer section plus a single List object in
your body.

Crosstab

This report type will provide a header and footer section plus a single Crosstab object
in your body.

Chart

This report type will provide a header and footer section plus a single Chart object in
your body.

11. Types of Gateway used for Report Studio?

IBM Cognos Business Intelligence uses following types of Gateway .
CGI – Applicable for all servers.
ISAPI – It is for IIS. If you are using IIS as server use ISAPI instead of CGI.
ISAPI is fast with IIS
Apache Mod – It is used with apache server.
Servlet – If your server support servlet then you can use servlet as a
Gateway.

12. What are the three types of folder present in Cognos?

Standard folder

Package folder

Metrics folder

13. What do you mean by Drill Down and Drill Up ?

14. What is Framework Manager ?
A Framework Manager is a window based metadata modeling tool from cognos.
Use FWM to model the meta data derived from one or more data sources.To use FWM
an architect should meet the following requirements:
 Should understand  the data sources (Tables, joins,data inside the table).
Should be capable of understating the report requirements.

15. Which Studio is used to create reports ? Ans Cognos or IBM Cognos Report Studio is used to
create reports. 
16. What is the difference between list and Cross tab ?
List report show the data in row and column(detail information of report).
crosstab report show the data in grids, dimensions in row and column and measures in
cells or in intersection point

List: It shows detailed Information, We can use any data item available.

CrossTab: It Shows summarized information, At least one measure must be included.

 List can be converted to Cross tab but Cross tab cant be converted to list.

17. What is Query Subject ?

A query subject is a set of query items that have an inherent relationship. By
using query subjects, you can create a more abstract, business-oriented view of
a data source for your report authors and consumers.

Data source query subjects

Query subjects that are based on relational metadata are defined by SQL
statements that describe how to retrieve data from the data source.

Model query subjects

based on query items or dimensions to present a business view after
creating relationships between data source query subjects.

Stored procedure query subjects

Stored procedure query subjects are generated when you import a
procedure from a relational data source. IBM Cognos Framework
Manager supports only user-defined stored procedures. System stored
procedures are not supported.

18. Different types of layers in Cognos Framework Manager?

The Framework Manager model consists of three layers:
1. Database layer / Physical Layer
2. Logical layer / Business Layer
3. Presentation layer / Reporting Layer
Each of these layers is in a separate namespace. The
Presentation layer is published to a package for use in reporting.
1. Database layer:

 Tables are imported in this layer

2. Logical layer:
All query subjects in the Logical layer should reference back to
the database layer.
Assign standardized and business-defined terms to the database
columns, giving them business context.
Add calculations, and filters including stand-alone filters,
embedded filters and security-based filters.
Arrange query subject items in a user-friendly manner. You can
create folfer and make use of folders to group similar items
 All the relationships, renaming of query subjects and query items, resolving loops etc are
done in this layer.
3. Presentation layer:
The presentation layer is used only as an organization structure
in order to make it easier for report writers to more easily find
their needed information. This layer includes only shortcuts to
existing items in the logical layer, plus organization items such as
folders and namespaces.

This is the view which will be visible to users. We create star schema grouping in Model
View and move it to the Business layer view. This layer only contains the shortcuts.

19. Loop in Cognos Report Studio ?

20. What is running total and how to use it in Cognos Report Studio ?
21. How to display Parameter Values ?
I have a list report with two columns and I want to create a report in such a way
that for a specific group only Column one is display and for other group all the
columns display ?
22. How to improve perfoemacne at database side ?
23. How to combine two crosstab report in to a single cross tab report ?
24. How to convert Cross tab into list ?
25. There is a prompt page having the options for ascending and descending, based on the prompt
value selected , the report page generates the list column value sorted in either ascending or descending
26. How Cognos Report Run ?
27. How to ensure the value of the value prompt contains only alphabets ?
28. You have a requirement in which you have to create a report containing list and Cross tab ? Who
List or Cross tab based on User input ?
29. What is Burst Report ?
30. What is dashboard ? How to create a Dashboard ?
31. How to add more than one measure in cross tab ?   Explain reason why it is not ?
32. What is aggregate function ? What is roll up aggregate function ?
33. What is IQD ? How to create it ?
34. How to restrict number of selection a list prompt ?
35. Difference Between Content Store and Content Manager ?
Content Store is the database where all cognos stuff is saved. i.e. reports packages etc.
It can be any DB.

While content manager is a service that coordinates with your content store.

Content store is a relational database and much of the information is stored as binary
large object (BLOB) fields. Content manager uses JDBC to access content store Content
Manager, stores information in the content store RDBMS. Content Manager writes to the
content store using proper relational transactions.

Content Store:It's a Database belong to Cognos, storage of all the reports, schedules,
published packages, everything you see in the Cognos connection portal. In short, a
 store house of web Cognos contents.

Content Manger:The Cognos 8 service that manages the storage of customer

applications, including application-specific security, configuration data, models, metrics,
reports, and report output. Content Manager is needed to publish models, retrieve or
store report specifications, manage scheduling information, and manage the Cognos
namespace.

36. Whats is Determinants ? Why to use it ?

37. How to create dynamic Columns in Report Studio ?
38. What is difference between burst and schedule ?
Bursting is taking a single report and generating multiple outputs from it, based
around defined burst grouping values. Scheduling is the automated execution of
reports at specific times.
Bursting report we do not need to specify the email address of the recipient while
scheduling the report while in case of bursting the email address in set in report

39. How to improve performance of Cognos Report ?

A - Server side Issues:

1 - Tuning
A default Cognos Analytics install is limited to running 2 BIBusTKMain.exe
processes. This is the maximum that a system with a single CPU core would be
able to run and it limits the number of reports that can be run simultaneously. If
the server has more than one CPU core it may be able to launch more BiBus
processes than that. The upper limit is 2 per CPU core, however there also has
to be sufficient RAM for each process. 

Each BIBus process should have 4G of physical RAM available to it that is over
and above the RAM required by the Query service, other Cognos processes, and
whatever else puts demands on the system. 

For most systems the default settings will not make effective use of the hardware
resources. This can create a performance bottleneck when the server is under
load. You also do not want to have so many BIBus process running that you
reach a point where they require more physical RAM than what the server can
provide.

The upper limit on the number of BIBus processes that Cognos will allow to run
at the same time is controlled by the Max Number of Processes tuning
parameter. This setting exists for both the Report Service and the Batch Report
Service, and is divided into settings for peak and non-peak hours. So you have in
fact 4 settings:

Maximum number of processes for the batch report service during non-peak
period
Maximum number of processes for the batch report service during peak period
Maximum number of processes for the report service during non-peak period
Maximum number of processes for the report service during peak period

Keep in mind that there are 2 settings for each period, so if the number of
processes for the batch report service during peak period is set to 2, and the
number of processes for the report service during peak period is set to 4, you
could have up to 6 BIBus processes running at the same time during the peak
period.

2 - Environment
Cognos cannot produce a report faster than the database server is able to supply
the data for the report over the network. The database server performance and
network performance then impact report performance. 

A way to test if this is an issue is to select a slow running report with a single
report query and get the SQL generated for the report. Then on the report
dispatcher open a standalone query tool (SQLPlus, Toad, SQuirreL SQL etc.)
and run the native SQL from there, Compare the time it takes to run the query
that way with the time it takes the report to run. A large difference may indicate
an issue like local processing (see below), but if the times are fairly close you
may want to look at ways to improve the database and network performance.

Another environment change that may help is to add more dispatchers on

different servers.

B - Report Design Issues

1 - Local processing
When a report is run, Cognos looks at the requirements of the data container in
the report, the query in the report that the data container uses and the metadata
in the report package. From that it generates a query in Cognos SQL. That query
is then converted to the native SQL of the data source and sent to the database.
Sometimes there are functions used in a report that cannot be converted to
native SQL and sent to the database. In that case the native SQL is formed
without those elements, and after Cognos receives the results it applies the
functions that could not be sent down.

This has the potential of creating large performance issues. Say for example the
function that can’t be sent to the database is inside a filter on a query. The native
SQL then will not have that filter. It could result in a much larger set of rows being
returned than needed, and Cognos will have to consume much time and system
resources to process this large result set down to what is actually needed for the
report.

An easy way to test if this is affecting a particular report is to set the Processing
property on every query in the report to Database Only, then run the report. If the
query requires local processing this change will result in the error:

UDA-SQL-0458 PREPARE failed because the query requires local processing of

the data

Along with that error will be additional messages that will detail what function in
the report requires local processing. Usually it is possible to change the report
expression in a way that will allow it to be sent to avoid local processing.

2 - Output format
The process Cognos follows in generating report output depends in part on the
output format being used. With an HTML report Cognos will fetch the data
required to display the first page of the report in the browser window. When the
user clicks on Page Down it will query more data and generate the next page.
With file based formats like PDF and Excel Cognos must fetch all the data and
build the entire output file before anything can be presented to the user. In some
case this creates the appearance that the report runs much faster when it is run
to HTML. 

To get a better idea of the time required for a report when run to HTML, run the
report to HTML in the background and save the output to the content store, then
check the run history to establish how long it takes. There will likely still be a
difference between running the same report to HTML and to other formats. If the
report is displaying a large result set the difference could be significant. This is
due in part to inherent differences between the different formats.

3 - Outer joins
Outer joins and cross products can arise either from the model or from the report
design. In either case then tend to cause poor performance and should be
avoided.

4 - Crosstabs with nested rows and charts

When report contains a crosstab or chart, Cognos will get the data from the
query then build a cube in memory to use for the data container. If the amount of
data being presented is large, or if there are many nested items in the data
container, the size and complexity of the cube increases and in some cases can
affect performance. It may work better to use drill up/down or drill through to
move from higher level data to more focused details on a smaller segment.

5 - Zero suppression
The default method of zero suppression filters out individual records that are
zero, but also filters out any detail records where aggregated values come to
zero as well. Suppressing the aggregated values can slow down performance
sometimes. A global change can be made so Cognos will only suppress
individual records that are zero.
To make this change, do the following:

- Stop the Cognos Service 

- Rename the file "ansproperties.xml.sample" under the configuration folder

directory to "ansproperties.xml" 

- Add the following entry to the end of the file, being careful that it is placed
before the </ans_property> tag at the end of the file: 
<structure> 
<property>Enable8Dot2Suppression</property> 
<value type="long">1</value> 
</structure> 

- Save the file and restart the Cognos service

6 - Concurrent Query Execution

Using concurrent query execution might speed up a report, but It is also possible
that it could slow it down. There is no way to tell in advance what the result of
using concurrent query will be in a specific case. You would have to test it both
ways to find out if it will be worth it or not.

One reason for this is that using Concurrent Query Execution places a higher
demand on the system resource both on the Cognos server and the database
server. If the demand it creates is greater than the capacity of either server, the
end result is likely to harm performance rather than help it.

Even when there are sufficient system resources, using concurrent query mode
does not mean every query will run in parallel. There are a number of situation
where queries must be run sequentially no matter what. For example when you
have a master-detail relationship, the master query must be run before the detail
query. It is not possible to run them in parallel because the results of the master
query are needed to form the SQL for the detail query. 

When using concurrent query mode, Cognos will parse through the report spec
at runtime to determine which (if any) of the queries flagged for concurrent query
can be run concurrently and this adds slightly to the run time of the report. If
enough queries can be run concurrently then that can offset the time taken by
this step.

7 - Master-Detail Optimization (DQM only)

In CQM, when there is a master-detail relationship, Cognos will run the detail
query for each row returned by the master query. This can result in the detail
 query being run a large number of time. 

In DQM there is a governor in FM named ‘(DQM) Master-Detail Optimization’.

When this governor is set to ‘Cache Relational Detail Query’ then the DQM
engine is able to process master-detail relationship more efficiently than they can
be in CQM.

8 - Parameter Info
When a report is run, Cognos will first parse the entire report spec to determine if
there are required parameters that do not have a prompt created for them on a
prompt page. If it finds any, Cognos will generate a prompt page for them and
present that to the user first. 

If the report spec is large and complex, it may take Cognos a few seconds to
parse through it, causing a delay before anything is displayed to the user. If you
set the ‘Use parameter info’ property on a report query to No, then that query will
not be parsed. If you set all queries like that, Cognos will not be delayed from
presenting the first prompt page in the report. The risk is that if there is a required
parameter not covered on the prompt pages it will cause the report to fail rather
than present a Cognos generated prompt page. 

40.  Create a report to retrieve last 7 day data ?

Between _add_days( current_date, -7 ) and current_date

41. How to create a new database for Content Store ?

42. Create a list report which shows number rows on first page is multiple of 5?
43. How to create join in Cognos Report Studio ?
44. How to use union in Cognos Report Studio ?

45. What is the use of metadata in Cognos Report Studio ?

Metadata: The model that you create is stored in db backend.
Report link, snapshot, schedule frequency, output format, User roles and security
Db connection etc all these are saved in backend db. That is metadata.
The audit report based on audit package is also metadata.

46. Different types of Dimension in Framework Manager ?

The types of dimensions that you can work with in IBM Cognos Framework Manager are
regular dimensions and measure dimensions. In SAP BW, measure dimensions are called
key figures. For example, in a project for sales analysis, you include these dimensions:
47. Standalone and Embedded filter in Cognos Framework Manager ?

Framework Manager supports stand-alone filters and embedded filters.

Stand-alone Filter:

 Use a stand-alone filter when you want to reuse the expression.

You can add a stand-alone filter to one or more dimensions or query subjects to limit the
data that the query retrieves when the filtered dimension or query subject is used in a
report, or you can include it in a package to make it available to your users. By moving a
stand-alone filter or a shortcut to it into a folder, you can better organize the model
objects.

Embedded Filter:

 Use an embedded filter when you want to use a filter with only one dimension or
query subject.

You can create an embedded filter when modifying a dimension, relational data source
query subject, or model query subject.
If you start with an embedded filter, you can later convert it into a stand-alone expression
that you can apply to other dimensions or query subjects. Tip: Right-click the filter
expression in the Filters tab and click Convert to Stand-alone Filter.

Steps to create stand-alone filters:

Step #1: Select require layer. (Generally we are creating stand-alone filter on business
layer)

Step #2: Right click and select create option then click on filter

Step #3: Drag the require filter query item inside the expression definition and write the
expression condition as per the business rule and give the name of the filter and finally
click on ‘ok’.
Step #4: Now stand-alone filter created in below business layer.

Steps to create embedded filters:

Step #1: Double click on required query subject.

Step #2: Click on ‘Filters’ tab and then click on below ‘Add’ tab.
Step #3: Drag the require filter query item into the expression definition and write the
expression condition as per the business rule and give the name of the filter and finally
click ‘ok’.

Step #4: Now embedded filter is created. Click on ‘Test’ tab then click on ‘Test Sample’
tab to see the data.
Step #5: Filter result.
  

48. What is Complex Report ?

49. Difference between Scope and Relation ship ?
Scope is used to join the regular dimensions and measure dimensions to perform multi
dimensional analysis such
as drill down and drill up.
It determines the level at which facts/measures are available for reporting.
We can view, edit, create scope relationships.

Relationship is join the two tables (specifies cardinality 1-1,1-n)

50. What is the difference between Parameter and Variable ?

Parameters are placeholders that require a value to determine what data to
report on, and prompts ask the user to provide a value or values for the
corresponding parameter. Prompts can also be used to control report displays or
to sort data.

Prompts help your users quickly find the information they need in a report.
Prompts are generally defined in reports.

Variable is used for rendering purpose

Type of Variable
Boolean
String
Language

Boolean variable – use this when there are only two possible outcomes, where
the values will be Yes or No.
 String variable – use this when there is more than one outcome, based on string
values we specify
Language Variable- use this when the values are different languages.

Parameters are used for filer

Value prompt
Text prompt
Data prompt

In Report Studio Variable are used to conditionally format, language or hide

or show the object in report. Types of variable:

 String
 Boolean
 Language

Style variable to specify a variable based on which object can be conditionally

styled .like a scenario where requirement is to display every alternate row
with particular colour.

Render variable specify a variable on which particular object can be

conditionally rendered like (Hide/Show).like a scenario when user want
to select report format like HTML,PDF, Excel, CSV as a run time choice
in prompt. In order to implement the same render variable is in use.

51. Handling Empty Reports ?

52. What is Timestamps ? Explain use of it ?
53. How to create school time table in Cognos Report Studio ?
54. Show user specific or Group Specific Data ?
55. Cognos Mashup Services ?
56. How to use stored procedure in Cognos ?
57. How to publish FM Package using Scripts ?

58. What is the difference between Page Break and Page Set ?

Page Break and Page Set in Cognos Report

Studio
Page Break or Page Set is used to break the report output into several pages based on the
unique column value. Page Break is simple which can be applied only on one column whereas,
Page Set is more advanced in which we can break the data based on multiple columns.

Steps to create Page Break

1. Create a simple list report with the following columns

  
2. Select Country column > select Structure menu and click on Page Break

 3. Run the report and you will see the data distributed across several pages for each Country.

     

Steps to create Page Set

1. Create a List report with the columns as shown below

 
2. Go to the Report pages --> drag and drop Page Set as shown below

3. Move Page 1 to the Detail Pages

4. Select Page Set1 and assign it to Query1

 5. Click on Grouping & Sorting --> drag and drop Current Year and Product Line columns as
shown below

6. Run the report and see the difference in the way the output gets generated per page.

59. Find Second Highest Salary from each company ?

60. Difference Between Box type and Visible ?
61. What is Clipboard ? How to import and Export Report Using Clip Board ?
Clipboard is a temrorary space provided by windows Os to store data temproary for
Cut, Copy and Paste Operation.

You can use Clipboard to perform quick export and import operation in Report Studio.

Follow below steps to export a report.

1. open Your Report
2. Go to tools -> Copy Report to Clipboard -> Ctrl+A to selct every thing and Ctrl_C to
copy every thing
3. open a text editor and save all the copied content here.
4. save the text file in any format (Normally XML is used with .xml extension) .

Follow below steps to import a report from a flat file or clipboard. 

1. open Your file where report contents are available.
2. Ctrl+A to select every thing, Ctrl_C to copy every thing.
3. open a blank report in report studio
4. Go to tools -> Open Report from Clipboard -> Ctrl+P to paste all the contents. Click
on Ok
4. Save Your Report

62. In Which report page break is applicable ?

63. Add empty space after each m th rows ?
64. What is Conditional Formatting How to use it ?
65. How to hide blank page in a multipage report ?
66. How to hide items without using render variable ?
67. Explain difference between Render Variable, Conditional Block, and Style Variable ?
68. Create a value promt required. When not provide data generate blank report ?
69. Difference between Database Only and Limited Local ?
70. Display Column Conditionally ?
71. Display Drill Through Conditionally ?
72. Display Date based on user Region ?
73. What is the difference between HTML and Java Script in Cognos ?
74. Can we provide Package level security to two different 
groups i.e for finance and HR dept should access only their 
data.
75. Which one is faster Value Prompt or Select and Search Prompt ?
76. Difference between Drill through and Drill Down ?
77. How to delete Temproray file in Cognos ?
78. What is the use of BIBusTKServerMain.exe ?
79. How to get user realted information in Reports ?
80. When we deploy the report to live the client get the data error how can we resolve that
81. How to create a Left Outer Join in FM? Please explain.
82. What Start Schema is denormalizid ?

83. Difference e between Star Schema and Snow flake schema ?

Star Schema:
Star schema is the type of multidimensional model which is used for data
warehouse. In star schema, The fact tables and the dimension tables are
contained. In this schema fewer foreign-key join is used. This schema forms a
star with fact table and dimension tables.

Snowflake Schema:
Snowflake Schema is also the type of multidimensional model which is used for
data warehouse. In snowflake schema, The fact tables, dimension tables as well
as sub dimension tables are contained. This schema forms a snowflake with fact
tables, dimension tables as well as sub-dimension tables.
 Let’s see the difference between Star and Snowflake Schema:

S.NO STAR SCHEMA SNOWFLAKE SCHEMA

In star schema, The fact tables While in snowflake schema, The fact tables,

and the dimension tables are dimension tables as well as sub dimension

1. contained. tables are contained.

Star schema is a top-down

2. model. While it is a bottom-up model.

3. Star schema uses more space. While it uses less space.

 It takes less time for the While it takes more time than star schema for

4. execution of queries. the execution of queries.

In star schema, Normalization is While in this, Both normalization and

5. not used. denormalization are used.

6. It’s design is very simple. While it’s design is complex.

The query complexity of star While the query complexity of snowflake

7. schema is low. schema is higher than star schema.

It’s understanding is very

8. simple. While it’s understanding is difficult.

84. What is the use of Max no of rows property ?

85. What is Segment in Framework Manager ? How to use it ?
86. What is the Use of Link in Framewwork Manager ?
87. How can you schedule a report based on different time zone ?
88. what happens when date function has taken as attribute
89. Highlight alternate rows in Cognos Report ?

90. What is model filter and Query Filter ?

Filters and its types in Cognos

 Filter:
It is nothing but a condition to restrict the data to be displayed on the report
There are two types of filters

1. Model filter
2. Report filter

Model filter:
If a filter is created at the time of designing model then it is called a model filter
Model filters are reusable
 Report filter:
A filter which is created at the time of generating the report is called a report filter
Report filter is specific to that particular report only

 Again model filters are two types

1. Stand alone filter

2. Embedded filter

Stand alone filter:

 It is created at name space level it is available as a separate object in the model

 It can be applied for any query subject in the model

 Stand alone filters are two types

 Static filter
 Dynamic filter (or) parameterized filter (or) prompt

 
Static filter:
If a filter condition is created with a static value that can’t be changed at run time than it is
called a static filter
 
Syntax to create static filter:
Query time (column) operator operand.
EX: year = 2010
EX: country in (‘India, ‘USA’)
EX: year is not in (2009, 2011)
EX: create a static filter for year 2008 at model filter
Procedure: open framework, manager with replanted project

 From project viewer pan, select the namespace (model) right click --> create-->  filter-->
create name year_2006--> expand product
Testing a filter:

 Select product_fore caste query subject, right click, select edit definition
 Select filter stop drag the filter year_2006, drop on filters window

 Select test tab click on test sample

Parameterized filter:
If a filter condition is created with a parameter then it is called a parameterized filter (or)
dynamic filter (or) prompts
It allows the user either select the value(s) (or) to enter the time of execution
Syntax to create parameterized filter:
Query item operator, Parameter?
EX: year =? param_year?
Country in? param_country?
Create a parameterize filter for country

 Right click on the name space  create  filter  name country (?) expand
country_multilingual   drag on the country on expression definition window  ok
 
Procedure  to create a folder under the namespace:

 Right click on the “namespace”   create folder

 Folder name  filter  next

 Select the required objects (filter) and click on finish

 

Embedded filter:
 If a filter is created at query subject level than it is called an embedded filter

 The scope of this filter is for the particular query subject

 
Procedure to create embedded filter:
Select the query subject country_mnultilingual --> rightclick  select edit definition  
select filter tab  click on add  filter  name  language_en expression definition =
’EN’ ok  select test tab  click test sample   ok
91. What is limited local how to use it ?
92. How schedule a report with prompt page ?

Setting Default Prompt Values

1. Open My Folders

2. After locating your report view, select the Schedule icon from the Actions section

3. Select the Override the default values checkbox in the Prompt values section
4. Select the Set... link
5. Enter your default values
6. Click Finish

93. What are the use of Dimension Table in Cognos ?

94. What is model versioning ?
95. how to get the all values from a prompt using 'ALL' ?
96. How to apply drill through for analysis report using report studio ?
97. How to generate report from Monday to Friday ?
98. How to break Customer Full Name into First Name and Last Name ?
99. Generate Report Between two date ?
100. What is hints in Report Studio? Where we use it ?
101. I have two date promts which optional. by defalt it will be checked.i want to unchek that date
prompts.How to uncheck the date prompts in Cognos.

102. what is group span in cognos report studio?

Group Span in Report Studio
Group Span property is used to control how the data should be displayed on a
grouped column based on its subsequent column values.  In the below report, each
Product Line contains multiple Product Types and when we apply grouping on
Product Line column, data will not be duplicated for the set of Product Types that
belongs to the same Product Line.
If you want to repeat the Product Line data for each unique Product types, set the
Group Span property of Product Line as Product Type.
103. If we need to send the report output to 1000 users. How we can achieve it ?
Scheduling this report to 1000 users by adding email id in recepent will be Feasible
solution. Right?

No, add a table with all the userID and email ID, then have a query prepared on that.
Confirgure a bursting with a burst key on user ID and then set master detail relationship with
the original table. So for each user ID only that information is displayed and emailed. In the
schedule you need to check the box[Burst this report]

All Interview Cognos Questions Part 1

POSTED BY UNKNOWN ON 8:55 PM NO COMMENTS

How you create security to cubes?

You can have user class views and dimension views. Dimension views help you to hide or
remove certain data from the cube depending on what view you are using. Then you can use
the user class views to the cubes for making that data available for a certain role or group. You
can also use both views in conjunction as a way to provide security.
Password protection is another way of providing security to the cubes.

What was the size of your cube?

It may have 300mb; 400mb depends on position,
Optimum size for cube is up to 2GB;

What are the enhancements in Cognos 10 than Cognos 8.4?

Cognos V10.01 New Features:
1) Active Report
2) Business insight
3) Business insight advanced
4) Business view point
5) Collaboration with Lotus Connections
6) Dynamic Query Analyzer
7) Individual user workspaces based on the Business Insight product
8) Lifecycle Manager
9) Statistics
10) Use Your Own External Data

What are user classes?

A user class is defined a group of users having same data
Access needs, restrictions and privileges

What is the difference b/w mdx and Sql?

MDX is a multidimensional expression, we can query directly to OLAP source by using MDX and
SQL is a structured query language, where as we can query to the RDBMS source. When we r
dragging the query items into the report area automatically MDX generated that query will
send to the OLAP source directly.
 
How do you use SUM function in Reportnet?
We have total() function in Expression Definition.
We can right click on the column and in functions block we have total() function

Why do we create shortcuts in framework manager

A shortcut is a pointer to an object, such as a relationship, a dimension, a query subject, or a folder. We
recommend that you use shortcuts in the business view when there is an overlap between user groups and you
want to include the metadata in more than one folder. With shortcuts, you can have multiple references to an
object.

For example, you create folders named Orders, Products, and Customers. If you want both Orders and Customers
to contain the same dimension, you must create a shortcut to the dimension and add it to both folders.

Note: Two shortcuts to namespaces or folders must not have the same name in a model. For other types of
shortcuts (e.g., a shortcut of a query subject), the name must be unique within the parent namespace.

When you create a shortcut, Framework Manager does not set the  Screen Tip and Description properties. Unless
you define these properties, the values shown in the IBM Cognos 8 studios are the same as those defined in the
object that the shortcut references.

For more info http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/c8bi/v8r4m0/index.jsp?

topic=/com.ibm.swg.im.cognos.ug_fm.8.4.0.doc/ug_fm_id10543using_shortcuts.html

What is Model Versioning or Versioning in Cognos Framework Manager?

The versioning allows you to publish a package without impacting the current reports in use.
You can then perform a staged testing approach to move the existing reports to the new
package.
It's a protection against changes. Existing reports will continue to use the previous version of
the model until they are opened and resaved or the old version is phased out by a subsequent
model Publish. However, if you have a proper dev/test/prod setup then the model versioning
may be less useful because you should be doing some quality control testing of your own
before the model reaches production.

What are links & Segments in Cognos Framework Manager?

Segment: A segment is a project within a main project. A segment is owned by its main project.
 
Link: A link is a shortcut to an existing project. The project that is linked can be shared by
multiple projects.

pls ans what are the filters we have in framework manager? filters in report studio?
In frameworm manager       :             1. Stand alone filter       2. Embeded filter.
In report studio                     :             1. Detailed filter             2. Summary filter.

how to get the all values from a prompt using 'ALL' use and display value in prompt
In your value prompt add the static chioce as 'All'
and in filter put the expression as....
(column in (?Parameter1?)) or (?Parameter1?='All')

How do you drill through report from Report Studio to Analysis studio?
we have option like Analysis studito to report studio.
In Analysis studio right  click goto Related link one new window will come .there u have to
select Reportstudio Report.
what is reprompt?
if u want to select multi items and we dont need finish button we use reprompt button.
In Cascading Prompt we have two things -:                
1.) Single Select Auto Submit.
2.) Multi Select and Reprompt Button.
 
What is Stich Query in Reportnet?
Framework Manager generates a separate query for each 'FACT'
table and joins the result set. This is called Stitched query.
 
Where do you edit cognos sql in report studio?
1. Pause the pointer over the query explorer button and click the query you want.
2. In the Properties pane, double-click the Generated SQL/MDX property.
3. Click Convert.
4. Make the changes you want.
If you are working with MDX, you must be aware of the MDX syntax that Report Studio
supports.
5. Click Validate to check for errors.
6. Click OK.
 
how can you set the image in the report?
cognos has its sample images at the location
c:\\cognos installed location\\c8\webcontent\samples\images
 
If u want the images aother than cognos sample images then copy paste ur images at the same
location .
To set Image in report drag an image object it ur report
and set its URL property as  cognos installed location\\c8
\webcontent\samples\images\ur image....
 
How can we create top 10 and bottom 10 records in the same list?
top 10 alway will be on some measure based on some dim not simply top 10 and bottom 10,
make q1>
get the rank of the measure rank(measure for dim )<=10
make q2
the rank in the desecending order of measure
rank(measure for dim desc )<=10
 
make q3=q1 union q2
 
how u publish the packages in framework manager
1)first v need to create new cognos connection
2)using connection v need to import tables from our database
3)after that v need to create packages
4)after creating package v need to select that package and
rightclick then click on publish..................
 
what is the difference between count and running-count functions?
count(C) - it counts the no of values of a given item.
running-count(RC) - it sequentially numbers the rows being
displayed.
C RC  Data Item
5 1   aaa
5 2   bbb
5 3   ccc
5 4   ddd
5   eee
hi, i am Having 2 Reports one list report,one crosstab report if i put 2 querys for 2 reports which
query will execute first?if i put same query for both 2 which report i will Get?pls pls pls Explain
me...
The list report will execute first
because list shows the detail data where as the cross tab shows summarized data. So to display
cross tab it took more time compared to list
hi How Can we create rank in our report?
If u find the top 5 sal :
Create  quires with Product type, Quantity, create Rank column with rank(quantity)
Query1 give filter Rank<=5
Change the filter Application property from Before Auto Aggregation to After Auto
Aggregation.
what is a join? what are the types of joins?
JOIN: A join is a query using which we can query data from more than one table
TYPES OF JOINS:
1.EQUI JOIN  ,2.SELF JOIN, 3.OUTER JOIN >  a.left outer join, b.right outer join, c.full outer join ,
4.cartesian join ,
 hi Cognos Experts Pls Expalin me what is the diffence between list report query and crosstab
report query?pls explain me.....
 
List Query is simple select Query
Where as Cross tab query will have group by function used.
List will show data in detail level.
Crosstab will show data in summarized level.
 
For ex:
List
Product  Price   Year
1A        12     2012
2B        10     2011
1A        23     2011
2C        45     2012
1A        50     2011
 
Crosstab
          Year
Product   2011  2012
1A        73    12
2B        10    0
2C        0     45
 
suppose a value prompt contains 100 values and i want to select all values in that prompt....i
want ALL option in the value prompt? how can u keep this option in value prompt?
In your value prompt add the static chioce as 'All'
and in filter put the expression as....
 
(column in (?Parameter1?)) or (?Parameter1?='All')
what is scope relationship?
Scop is a relation ship between regular dimension and measure dimension

what is the use of layout component reference ?

Layout component reference is used to reuse the report object.

What is difference between drill through and drill down?

drill through means navigating from one report to a different report in order to get detailed
data. while drill up/down is done within the same report.
drill through can be done in relational, DMR and OLAP data.
relational to relational
DMR to DMR or relational
OLAP to OLAP, DMR or relational
drill down/up can be done only on DMR and OLAP

Differences  between Cognos Sql & Native Sql? What are their Advantages and Disadvantages?
Cognos Sql: This Sql is genreated by cognos on the behaf of
your query. It is good for your own calculation and for the
performance tunning also.
Native Sql: This is Sql based query which has typical database format and funcatons.  All the caculation done at
database only.
what is the difference between a data item and a query item?
Query item is nothing but the coulmn of table or Query subject.Where data item is report column which we use to
design report and retrive the data of user eqirement.

how the values be passed to prompts in report studio? when a data item is dragged n dropped in to report, after
the default query generated first which sql will the query query hit for processing means (native or cognos)?
1. Before executing the query. 2. first Cognos Sql generate

What is an open session command in cognos connection? what is it meant for?

open session command is used to connect to the database to the language defined.

What is loop in framework manager ?

Loop is an very dangerous exception in framework manager we can resolve the loop create
alias table. loop Dispaly wrong results in the reportnet.
A Loop is a Closed Path Circuit....

How u provide security to reports in report studio or in cognos connection?

You dont provide security in Report Studio. You will provide security in cognos connection, you
need to select the report, goto properties, permissions and here you need to add a user or a
group that will access this report. You can also define the kind of access they will have on this
report (ex: read or write). If you provide write access, the other user will be able to modify the
report in report studio.
Also, when a report is saved in a package or a folder by default it will inherit the security of the parent
folder/package.

What is slicer & dicer ? what is sub session parameter ?

slicer is a filter that is applied to the cells but not the rows or columns in a crosstab

HOW MANY LEVELS CAN BE USED IN DRILL THROUGH REPORTS ?

the question here is regarding drill thorugh reports. and there are no levels in drill throughs.
they are completely different reports. we can have as many drill throughs as possible if it makes
sense to create that many drill throughs.
ex: if we have a report on the year level then we can drill through on the year and then go to a
different report at the monthe level same way we can add drill through in the second report
which is at month level to drill through to a different report that is at the day level and so on. so
we
can have as many drill through reports as possible as far as it makes sense. 

Can you use calculations in report headers and footers? How?

Insert a table as u need wid columns and from Insertable objects drag a layout caluculation and from the
functionsdouble click the function u need
ex:As of date(),as of time()

How will u execute a stored procedute from a reportstudio ?

When ever we run the report, SP will automatically run, if u use the SP columns in the report 
How to Create users in cognos Access Manager from 1) front end 2) back end
User will be created always in back-end. Thru CAM u can give define role.
Purpose of Factless Facttable?
A factless fact is a fact table in which only primary keys of the dimension tables present as
foreign keys but no individual fact clomuns. According to Kimball
"Factless fact table are the preferred method of recording the events in the DW where there is no natural numeric
measurement associated with the event. Factless fact tables also are used to gurantee coverage"

How to create measures and Dimensions ?

By using the Framework Manager we can create measures and dimensions according to our business needs.

How to create Events?

this is very simple we can do this on the event studio. create a new job with the report to be
executed/ bursted set the priority time and day of frequency on the settings and save it. Now
the job will be triggered and the result
can be saved to a folder/ emailed etc. 

Can u please describe the different types of traps with eg. Thanks
There are two main types of connection traps:
   1. fan traps
   2. chasm traps
Fan traps
A fan trap occurs when a model represents a relationship between entity types, but the
pathway between certain entity occurrences is ambiguous. It occurs when 1:m relationships fan
out from a single entity.
Missing ALT text
    Figure : Fan Trap
A single site contains many departments and employs many staff. However, which staff work in
a particular department?
The fan trap is resolved by restructuring the original ER model to represent the correct
association.
Missing ALT text
    Figure : Resolved Fan Trap
Chasm traps
A chasm trap occurs when a model suggests the existence of a relationship between entity
types, but the pathway does not exist between certain entity occurrences.
It occurs where there is a relationship with partial participation, which forms part of the
pathway between entities that are related.
Missing ALT text
    Figure : Chasm Trap
    * A single branch is allocated many staff who oversee the management of properties for rent.
Not all staff oversee property and not all property is managed by a member of staff.
    * What properties are available at a branch?
    * The partial participation of Staff and Property in the oversees relation means that some
properties cannot be associated with a branch office through a member of staff.
    * We need to add the missing relationship which is called `has' between the Branch and the
Property entities.
    * You need to therefore be careful when you remove relationships which you consider to be redundant.

What is the difference between macros and prompt?

A MACRO IS RUN TIME PARAMETER WHICH CAN BEPLACED IN ANY PART OF SQL SELECT STATEMENT,WHERE AS
PROMPT IS USED TO GIVE CONDITIONS
Macro is set of instructions to run report.
Prompt is just like a dialog box which will ask user to select/enter the information what he needs.

How to hide value prompt box and list when run report?
Hi, First u select the value prompt then in the property pane select box type is none then if u run the report, value
prompt box will be hidden.

if u having 2 pakages i want a report with report items in 2 pakages how to use the 2 pakages in single report
please ans me............
    We can't use 2 packages in a single report instead we can add query subject from another
package to the current package. we can do this in framework manager.
    Go framework manager then right click the namespace then select new query subject then
meta data wizard will display in that u select data source name and then select database object
in that select query subject related to the another package. then finish the metadata wizard.
finally again publish the package. 
 
What is Render Variable?
when u want to hide the column based on some condition then we will go to the render
variable option.
 
what is the automation tool used for data warehouse testing???
We have few tools available in market for data warehouse automation. Like –Query Surge 
WWW.Querysurge.com
 
How to test reports in cognos ?
We can test the report in 3 ways
1. By using 'validating the report oprion'
2. Run Report Option.
3. By im pliment an SQL query parallel to the requirement and finally check the result with the
report reslt. ie.  the result return by the sql statemnt is coinside with the result of the report.
 in the report contained data is correct or not.format is correct or not ,applyed filters are
running correctly or not. all this things are done in unit testing.and By using the sql query
analyser we doing the data valydating testing.
we can test the reports in 3 ways.
identify the static errors -> click validate buttonin the rs            
identify the runtime errors->by executing the report validate the data by writing own sql
statements in the backend.
 
how to convert crosstab into list?
We can't convert cross tab to list, we can convert only list to cross tab
 
Re: In Report page i have three types like (List,Cross tab,Chart), using Conditional Block i need
only type of Report (Chart)at run time.How to do this I need The Complete Steps to do this?
1) Create a prompt page 2) Drag Value Prompt 3) Create 3 static values List/Chart/Crosstab
4) set default value to chart
4) create string variable and drag that value prompt parameter in that
5) create three string variables for List/Chart/CrossTab
6) In the report page select conditional block properties and point to that variable to Block
variable
7) current variable point to>Chart then drag the chart into the conditional block
8) and do for remaining strings run the report
 
what is difference btw summary filter and detail filter, plz explain with example ?
Detail fiter is applied to whole body of the report.
Summary filter is applied to only at footer level.
For Example if we take Product Line, Product Type and Price and then take total on Price and
apply the filter saying Price > 20000 (detail Filter) then its going to display those values which
are greater than 20000 in body.
It will be oppsite in Summary Filter i.e for summary footer
its going to check the value which is greater than 20000 at footer level.
Basic difference between Detail and Summary filter in terms of SQL formation is:- Detail filter
comes under Where Clause
And  Summary Filter comes under Having Clause after Group By
 
How can we publish package to QA environment not cognos connection?(if we have two URL
one cognos connection and qa environment how can we publish package to qa?)Please
anybody give me the answer.
You have to use Deployment tools provided by Cognos 8.
1) Select your package under cognos connection, tools-> Content administration->Export.
2) Go to the Deployment folder i.e., C8/Deployment in your source environment, copy the
package in a flash drive and place in C8/Deployment in your target(QA) environment.
3) Now go to Cognos Connection in QA, Tools->Content Adminstration->Import the package.
 
what is the use of layout calculation?
Layout Cal is mainly used for creating customized reports and runtime
information,pageno,report execution time,dynamic headers creating  etc...
 
 
What is minimum version of internet explorer to run the Cognos report.
According to cognos 8.3 version minimum 6 version of internet explorer to run the cognos its
mandatory...
 
Where u can save the Report net documentation in our local system?
When ever we Install Cognos Server we get Get its Doccumenttaion Alon other wise we can
store it in Deplaoyment Folder of Cognos 
 
Hi, How the relations will be exists in DMR models if u have any idea please explain me ?
Scope relation ship, between regular dimension and measure dimension.
 
what are the joins present in reportnet?which is most widely used?
default join in F.M is inner join while creating the relation ship between tables . u can change
that by editing the join.   Inner join is most widely used
 
What is snapshot ?
A SnapShot is a Permenant Local Copy Of The Report Data a
Sanpshot is Static DataSource it is saved with .imr File it
is suitable for Disconnected Network.... 
 
explain project, package ,model , modelers.........and differences b/w them?
Project: a set of model
 
Model: a set of query subjects, data sources, filters, calculation and so on....
 
Package: a subset of the model, that's created to be published to the content store, so that we
can use this package to create various kinds of reports.
Modeller: The person, who's creating Framework Models
 
suppose if u r report having 1000 tables i want to dispaly alternate rows means 1,3,... how we
specify that pleaes ans me
mod(rownum(),2)=0 with that expression use conditional style.
 
can we join 2 different queries? One has 10 columns and other has 5+ columns?
yes you can join two diff queries based on common key data item, you cannot union them ( for
union both queries must have similar data items and order of the items
 
What is the difference between filter & Condition?
Filter gets the necessary records and it is reusable
Condition retrieve the output based on the selection criteria 
 
How to create users and permissions in cognos?
in content manager--we have one component called cognos process manager.
using process manager we can integrate with third party tools like LDAP or NTLM. we can not
create users in report net directly. in real time we can use LDAP.
A list box contains 1000 records, while running the list, inside the header the content has to
scroll down. Note the header should not go up?
go to stucture menu then click headers & footers
and click perminent header check box.
 
How do we implement Check Box Prompt in COgnos Report Studio?
In Value prompt apart from setting the Multiselect property to 'Yes' we need to set select UI
property to 'Check box group'
 
How to select multiple values from Type-in prompt? Example - I want to enter into type-in
prompt in 'Product name--- Liza' display report data in 'product name is Leza' only OR I want
to enter into type-in prompt in 'All', that time display report data in all are report data. How
is possible this Scenario using in type-in prompt.
By using the following condition as the filter for the textbox prompt we can get the data for the
specified product as well as All products when we type ALL in textbox prompt
Product name = ?P_ProductName? or 'ALL' in (?P_ProductName?)
 
what is crosstab space?
To add space to the crosstab to add description inside a crosstab, we use crosstab space.
 
what is Associated grouping? and how it works in cognos impromptu?
You can associate one or more data items with a grouped data item. An associated data item
should have a one-to-one relationship with the grouped data item. For example, Order No. is a
grouped data item. For each order number, there is
an Order Date. Order No. and Order Date have a one-to-one relationship.
 
what are typees of dimensions?
Conformed Dimension,Degenarated Dim,Junk dim those all are concepts in DWH. But in Cognos
we have some more dim like Regular dims,Measure dim
 Regular Dim Mainly it is used for drill up and drill down purpose. It contains Hierarchial
structure. It have three propertise having Business key,member Caption,member description.
 
What is Index?
Index is one of the databse object.it is used to quickly locate the particular record.
i.e.if a table contains thousand's of record, in which retrieving the particular record is
difficult.so if we create index in primary key column, we can retrieve particular record very
soon. so we can save the time.
ex.create index indexname for tablename of columnname
 
can anybody tell me when do use 'running total'...give an example for the usage of running
total
If you want see the day wise total that situation use running total function.
 
what is the difference between cascading prompt and drill-thru ?
1.cascading prompt means which takes values from another prompt.
2.cascading report work based on condition.

1.Drill through is to navigate summary information to detailed information.

2.Drill through report works based on the data item what we select as a drill through options.
 
Wht is difference between content store and content manager?
A content store is a data base which stores the meta data of the reports.when we publish the
project from framework manager it will save in the content store. But where as a content
manager is a service which is available in dispatcher. which it manages the security. It contains
the access manager.
 
what is the security module used in cognos?
the security module used in cognos is cognos access manager.
 
fiscal year means what???
Fiscal year means financial year.
fiscal year means calculating year from April to march.
 
What are the differences between Cognos 8 and Cognos 7.x version?
1.Additional add-ons like Event studio, Analysis studio, Metrics Studio.
2.In Cognos 8 framework manager we can create dimension map i.e.(levels for hierarchies)
3.In Cognos 8 Report studio data items are created directly in Query explorer, but in c7 we
create data items in tabular model. In c8 tabular model is excluded
4.In Query studio: conditional formatting, drill down and drill up is extra features of c8 when
compared to c7
 
Hi, I got a requirement wehre in in a drill through report , in parent report i have a column of
numbers on which i have to apply drill through to child report.The condition is in that column
if the number ia not zero the drill through link should appear (i.e., 1 to 9) if its 0 or negative
number link should not appear. How ? Help would be appreciated
Hi
Lets say I have a report  and columns like
  Class    Student
  1st Std    10
   UKG        6
   Pre KG     0
 
Steps:
1) create a Boolean varible like student>0
2) go to report and select Student cell not the column
3) unlock the object
4) delete the student from the cell
5) drag the conditional block into the cell
6) go to contional block properties and block variable
point to already created boolean variable
7) then current block set to yes
8) drag the student again to this conditional block
9) create the drill throuh  for this yes block
10) now change the current block to No
11) then drag the student again into the cell
12) run the report.
 
What is a dashboard in Cognos Report Studio and how do we creae it ?
Dashboards communicate complex information quickly. We can see list reports, cross tab
reports, charts and multilingual Reports in a single page.
 
what is mean by cognos powerhouse?
PowerHouse 4GL is an application development environment that allows you to create business
applications quickly and easily.
 
what is the meaning of aggregation and rollup aggregation? Difference between layout
calculation and query calculation? How do you hide the rows that have null values? why we
use query studio? what is the use of query studio compared to report studio?
aggregation is the grouping of data roll-up is the extension of aggregate caluse.
Query calculation is used for calculated data items and layout calculation is used for run-time
information.we can supress null values by dataformat Querystudio is used for simple,ad-hoc
reports
 
what is report burn and where it occurs
file menu->burst options,a separate window opens here  to check ,
to make a report for bursting,and to specify burst reciepient and burst key dependinding upon
those the report is ready for bursting after that  click on ok.
 
How to cretae a Template?
just take a blank report and put what ever attribute you need like page headers,page footers,
date,time,url's,photo etc.. , and then go to file menu and click CONVERT INTO TEMPLATE.
 
Can we import the cube into FWM? If yes how & what is the necessity to import it? 2. What is
the use of TABULAR OBJECTS? Repeated Question
We can import the cube as a data source into the Framework Manager.We can publish the
cube without going to PPES and developers can create analysis reports in the report and
analysis studios.
 
What are the differences between Cognos 8 and Cognos 7.x version?
1.Additional add-ons like Event studio, Analysis studio, Metrics Studio.
 
2.In Cognos 8 framework manager we can create dimension map i.e.(levels for hierarchies)
 
3.In Cognos 8 Report studio data items are created directly in Query explorer, but in c7 we
create data items in tabular model. In c8 tabular model is excluded
 
4.In Query studio: conditional formatting, drill down and drill up is extra features of c8 when
compared to c7
 
what is an associated query?
The data item linked to the group data item. the associated data item suppress the duplicate
values but do not generate A control break. it display the only one value of associated Column.
 
What are the uses of query explorer? Give example for each use in detail. It is not given
clearly in user guide so explain in detail.
ACTUALLY THERE ARE 3 EXPLORERS
1)PAGE EXPLORER
2)QUERY EXPLORER
3)CONDITIONAL EXPLORER
IN QUERY EXPLORER WE CAN  PERFORM UNION,INTERSECTION,MINUS
(EXCEPT) ETC OPERATIONS ON QUERIES AND REPORTS.
 
I have four region(Us, Uk, Canada, Europe) in my value prompt. Along with this I want new
prompt called All. Once I click on All it should display all regions data. How can I achieve this ?
In your value prompt add the static chioce as 'All'
and in filter put the expression as....
(region column in (?Parameter1?)) or (?Parameter1?='All')
 
can reportnet supports cubes???
No there is no option for calling the cube in the Roportnet
Environment . These option is available in Cognos 8
 
I want to display popup menu or alter message in my report? How to you solve this problem?
Give me the answer with example?
using JavaScript in html item
 
What is Busschema?
Busschema is the way to identify the conformed dimentions across the business processies
known as datamarts
 
How can we improve performance in framework manager level?
Make sure that Data is imported from only 1 data source with out any duplicate data sources
created .Duplicate DS will get created when you import New query subject from the Database
or Refresh the existing Query subject with the
name as 1 appended to the existing DS.
Make sure there are only few CASE statements,DECODE statements where ever required.These
hampers performance.
 
Make sure there are no loops between query subjects.
BY Checking the Governor Settings we can improve the Performance.
We have many Governor Options. Based on Situation we will use.
 
How to select all in value prompt instead of cascade prompt?
writing the filter condition
first select value prompt in properties pane add all to the static choice
in filter condition add extra condition using and operator
---------and ?parameter1?='all'
 
how u burst the reports? if u r bursted reports is not reached to destination how u identify???
single report is sent to different users this is known as bursting . for bursting mailing server
should be configure with cognos server.If this is connected bursting is
possible.If it reaches the destination then it comes to sent mail or you will get a bounce mail to
your inbox.
 
does query is created for date prompt?
no, date prompt ,generated prompt ,text box prompts are not created queries
 
How to apply sorting to Crosstab report? If so please give me example? 2.How to create
Report level Joins?explain with example?
Suppose take a product table containing product name and product no.product number to
column and product name to row.
select the column name product and sort it using the sorter given in the tool bar either in
Ascending or in Descending.
 
Can i apply drill through on master detail relationship report?
Yes... you can....
 
How can I change reports to another package???
Go to Public Folder in Cognos connection
Go to the current package that report is using In front of the report click on the set properties
icon.
In set properties page the last pane is package at the bottom.
there click on link to a package. then select the new package and ok.
Or
goto file menu select reportpackages
 
How to improve report performance except limited local processing?
To improve performance of a report we can approach these method
In database level:
1)In this level to improve performance create indexes to improve the performance.
In model level :
1)you can remove loop's at that time you can improve performance at model level
2)use indexes you can improve performance
3)Change the property of query processing to Limited local or database only.
In report level:
1)you can reduce the calculation and conditions in the report
2) you can limit the cut copy paste operations for user's
3) you can limit access no of report's at peek time you can improve performance at report level
4)in the report studio query properties we can set query exccution method to concurrent.
 
In Drill through, Reports are executing successfully when rename & run the created reports?
Pls tel me the reason?
Go to Drill through report (Edit existing ) and browse give
the report( What you have modified )
 
what is differences between the group span and levelspan
Both r having same functionalities in cognos 7 version we have to use level span and in cognos 8
version we have to use group span
 
Can we create a cube in a Transformer from multiple IQD's ?if so, how? 2.Also , explain some
of the best practises used ,while creating a cube in powerplay transformer.
yes we can create cube from multiple iqd's , we have to first import the primary datasource
which contains most of the structural data item required for the cube creation, and then other
sources,by inserting the data source
separately.
Good practises:
1. we can incrementally update the cube.
2.check the cube status periodically
3.run the test cube with a small amount of data.eg., if you
have 1000 records , we can assign 300 records from each
data source and perform a sample test cube.
4.we can do partition, to improve the runtime performance.
 
 Column level security in report
a column is nothing but a data item that comes from the framework side. so the solution lies in
your own question. you have to do an object level security at the framework side to hide the
particular data item or the query item
 
What is the Main Difference between Conditional Block and Render Variable in Cognos. Both
are used for Condtional rendering.But what is the Main Diff?
In conditional block the object you put in the block(list, crosstab etc) can be made invisible or
not depending on the variable. While in case of render variable only the column that you want
to cut off from ur report will be rendered by the variable condition.
 
Can we use 2 packages in report studio at a time is there any alternative for this
In cognos at a time we can use only single package to create any specific report....
 
what is prompt types of prompt example briefly each types of product (eg:values,
date,search,prompt etc.)
VALUE PROMPT: Value Prompt Retrieves data based on values that you select from a list.Use
this control to show the list of possible values from which users can choose.
Note: The maximum number of items that can appear in a list is 5000.
 
SELECT AND SEARCH PROMPT:Select & Search Prompt Retrieves values based on search criteria
that users specify. Data is then retrieved based on values users select from the search results.
Use this control instead of a value prompt if the list of
values is very long, which can slow down performance. Tip: Users have the option of
performing a case sensitive or case insensitive search. A case sensitive search is faster, while a
case insensitive search usually returns more values. You cannot use this control if you are
working with SAP BW data sources.
 
DATE PROMPT:Date Prompt Retrieves data based on a date that you select. Use this control
when you are filtering a date column. With this control, users can retrieve data for a specific
day, a set of days, or a range of days.
 
TIME PROMPT:Time Prompt Retrieves data based on a time that you select. Use this control to
restrict a report to a particular time or time range. For example, you can use this control to see
how many orders are received after business hours. You can then use this information to
determine the number of staff needed to work
After hours.
 
DATE AND TIME PROMPT:Date & Time Prompt Retrieves data based on a date and time that
you select. Use this control when you are filtering a datetime or
Timestamp column. This control is useful for specifying ranges. For example,
you can retrieve all orders received from Monday at 12:00 a.m. to Friday at 5:00 p.m.
 
INTERVAL PROMPT: Interval Prompt Retrieves data based on a time interval that you specify.
Use this control to retrieve data that is related to the passage of time. For example, you can use
this control to retrieve a list of products that were returned 30 or more days after they were
purchased.
 
TREE PROMPT: Tree Prompt Retrieves data based on values you select from a list. Values are
organized hierarchically. This control is useful when you are working with
dimensional data sources. Data is shown from the top of a dimension hierarchy to
the most detailed member, and users can choose the level of detail they want to view in the
report.
 
GENERATED PROMPT: Generated Prompt Selects a prompt control based on the data type of
the data item. This control acts like a placeholder. When you run the
report, the control is replaced by the appropriate prompt control. For example, if you are
prompting date values, the control is replaced by a date & time prompt.
 
Which service handles requests for cognos connection,query studio and event studio.
it's web service
 
If we run a report, that has 2 pages, i want to display one page in HTML format and another
page wil display in pdf format. What is the procedure?
use report function
 
case
when report output()='PDF' then 'PDF'
when report output()='HTML' then 'HTML'
end

use this condition in rendor variable then u ll get

 
What do you do to make a report result in showing 4 different regions in an xl sheet in
individual sheets(like Region1-sheet1,Region2-Sheet2 soon)?
Select the regions data item and click on "Set Page Break" from structure menu.
Run report in Excel you will have different sheets for each region.
 
What is render variable?Where do you exactly use in developing a report?
Render Variable: - Specify a variable based on which object can be conditionally rendered.
 
Style Variable: - Specify a variable based on which object can be conditionally styled.
 
Example for Style Variable
In a report in a list if u want to display every alternate row with particular color in this case
1) create a data item with name running-count with function "running-count" on particular
unique column
2) now create one more data item as mod with functon "mod" on that running-count data item
3)create a boolean varibale with expression mod 1
4)go to the page select List column Body style
5)In properties pane select Style Variable as boolean variable
6)click on YES variable and set its Foreground color as RED
7)click on No variable and set its Foreground color as Yellow
now run the report
 
Example for Render Variable
 
if the case is like you want to see the particular page in HTML or PDF or CSV format then
1)Create 3 pages in your report
2)every page conatins some specific data
3)name these pages as HTML PDF CSV
4)create a String vaiable with 3 values as HTML PDF and CSV
5)now in string variable put expression as .....
case
when ReportOutput() 'HTML' then 'HTML'
when ReportOutput() 'PDF' then 'PDF'
when ReportOutput() 'CSV' then 'CSV'
end
6)now go the page named HTML and select page object
7)in properties pane click on Render Variable select that string variable
8)check only HTML check box value for HTML page
9)repeat step No. 6 to step No.8 for remaining 2 pages.
 
what are the applications of the tabular model ????
we use view tabular data option to view the data in the object before running the report?
tabular model is used to select the query item's in report net 1.1.it refers simple list query.
 
What are differences between Reporter report and Explorer report?
Many differences are there..
ER is default report type. which creates the report by taking first two dimension row and cols?
RR gives blank report ,where u can add u r dimension of u r interest.
Use ER to  replace existing categories in an Explorer report,
 
what are the tabs in cognos ?
By default in cognos connection potal there are two tabs.
1)Public Folders
2)My Folders
 
Hi everyone, In my report i have ten pages like page1,page2, upto page10, i have textbox
prompt when i enter 1 page1 should display,when i enter 2 page2 should display,can anyone
suggest the answer.
crate a string variable like
if(paramdisplayvalue(parameter)=1 then page1 else
if(paramdisplayvalue(parameter)=2 then page2
------
---
-
and then add values like 1,2 upto 10
use conditonal styles
 
how to create calculate column in report studio
Using query calculation we can create a new calculated column.
 
how to access the database directly from cognos reportnet
Through Pass Through SQL available in cognos...
 
What is stitched Query?
stiched query sends two seperate queries to  data siurces and merge them internally.
 
can any body clesrly explain about types of query subjects.that is data source query
subject,model query subject,stored procedure query subjects?
Three types of query subjects are there:
1.default  datasource querysubject
2.model querysubjects
3.stored procedure querysubjects.
 
1.Datasource querysubject:-Datasoure query subjects contain sql statements that directly
reference data in a single datasource.Framework manager automatically creates a datasource
querysubject for each table and view that you import into model.
 
2.Model querysubjects:-Querysubjects which created from model (querysubjects &
queryitems)sources are called model querysubjects.
 
3.Stored procedures:-Querysubjects which created from Stored procedures are called Stored
procedure querysubjects.
 
what is the difference between rollup aggregation and aggregation ?
aggregation : it will sum up all group column data.
Roll up aggregation : it will sum up group wise data.
 
How can we change any header or footer for a group of reports
By using layout component reference
 
what is physical layer and presentation layer?
Physical layer-The physical layer provides the physical query layer and is made up primarily of
data source and stored procedure query subjects .It acts as a foundation for presentation layer.
 
Presentation layer-The presentation layer makes it easier for report authors  to find and
understand their data .The presentation layer is made up primarily of model query subjects that
you create
 
 
How we check the errors before running the report,plz let me know the answer
before u run a report ..u have an option called 'valididate report' in run menu..
then u can find the errors what u made
 
im having null data in one of the cell in my report i have to display as "no data" when u run the
report how can i achive this problem?
1.select the query item in the list which contains null value.
2.if it is char data type then click the data format in
properties.
3.select the format type text,
4.In the missing value enter the text as "no data".
5.so that you will get the output when it contain null values.
 
1) click on query item that you have draged from the layer.
2) click on LIST it was in the properties
3) then in the properties you  will find NO DATA CONTENTS  make it as YES
4) drag TEXT ITEM from tool box properties and type your MESSAGE
5) Run the report
 
What is the use of Excel files in Cognos8?
The use of excel in cognos is we can modify it and we can view it in different pages as per our
requirments and we can publish different sheets to the different users.
 
what is model and how to create model and how to test model?
Model is--------Nothing but designing the database. According to user requirement.
Model---------- It contains meta data which is related to bussiness reporting Information.We
import this data from the database.
Why we need to create Views.
For better organizing the metadata we need to create views.
-----------Databaseview(Physicallayer),
-----------Businessview(presentationlayer).
 
what is tabular set? how can you break the report?
1. Tabular Set: Tabular set object returns a single result set using UNION, INTERSECT or MINUS
operators.
2. Breaking the report: Question is not clear.. because, using tabular set, we combined two
model or query using UNION, INTERSECT or MINUS operators.
 
what does my folder and public folder contains? difference between the my folder and public
folder?
Public Folder is nothing but shared folder. My folder is nothing but personal folder. Any body
can share the folder and show the reports(PUBLIC FOLDER) but it is not possible in my folder.
 
hi Here ive question on Reportnet when we save a report in reportstudio with what ext it save
Hi all when v save one report in reportstudio,it does not have any extension.just v can see the
result in diff formats(xml,pdf,html,csv...).so there is no extension  4 a report in reportstudio.
 
what is the difference between group and association?
In cognos 'group' is used to suppess the duplicate values..and 'associate' is used to suppress the
values if it is one-one relationship.
 
 
what r the names of the reports that u prepared???
i developed below reports
 
Daily Client Order Summary.imr
Daily Junior Loan Policy.imr
Daily Vendor Completed.imr
Flood Turn Time Report.imr
Sales Report Property.imr
Sales Report TitleIns.imr
TITLE ORDERS OPENED NON INSURANCE.imr
 
1.how do nyou configure link between fwm and database (source).if you created fwm where it
will be? and if you create reports where it is stored? 2.what is spic shot in fwm?
1. To create link between FWM and DB(Source)
   Open FM-->File-->New Project-->it will ask you to select DATA Sources..we can select new DS
to create or existing to connect.If you select 'new' it will ask for type of ds (Oracle,sybase) and
click next then give Connection string and userid/pw .then test for connection.if the connection
is succeeded.connection is established between model and DS.
 
2. Once model is created..it will be stored under projects in location where C8 is installed. (eg) if
your modelname is 'sample' then it will be stored as 'sample.cpf'..C:\Program files\C8\samples..
 
3. I you create reports..it will be stored as specification in .xml file.
 
When we use consume in cognos?
It is a type of role that as read, execute and traverse capabilities.
 
what are the joins present in reportnet?which is most widely used?
inner join, outer join,cross join mostly inner join is used in reportnet.
 
can you apply grouping on crosstab?
No, we can't apply grouping to crosstab, because the crosstab is already grouped. The data
displayed in crosstab is grouped data,
 
So, If you try to apply grouping it will not take.
 
What is meant by DSS?
Decision support system is to analyze the data to decision making
 
Difference between impromptu and reportnwt1.1
Imprompt :
- Imprompt is one of the component of Cognos-7.
- Windows based,
- Its 2-tier archetecture.
- Its used to create Catelog & Report.
ReportNet1.1 :
- Its next version of Cog-7.
- Its 3-tier archetecture.
- It's got following component..
  1. Framework Manager - Windows based-used to develope model / poackages.
  2. Cognos Conection - Web Based
  3. Query Studio - Web Based-Used to create simple report.
  4. Report Studeo - Web Based-Used to Create complex report.
What is parameter maps & Session parameter?
parametermaps are nothing but key value phases which are used to work with local
languages.the defalut language is en. it has two values 1)key (must be
unique)2)values(subtuite).
session parameters are variables such as user and run local.
 
Diff b/w MOLAP and ROLAP?
MOLAP: OLAP which comminicates with the Multi Dimensional Analysis.
ROLAP is Relational OLAP.
 
what is dimention?explain dimentable with example?
 
Dimensions are categories by which summarized data can be viewed.
    A dimension table is a table that contain summarized data and historical data. The dimension
table has foreign key - primary key relation with fact table.
 
how to create relationship between emp and salgrade tables in frameworkmanager?
 
create one datasource query subject in FM. and write a sql
like
   select emp.name,emp.salary from emp,salary_grade
where emp.salary between salary_grade.low_salary and
salary_grade.high_salary.
 
this is called non equal joins. like this you can create
relationship between this two table.
 
 
What is Dynamic Grouping? what is diff between grouping n levelspan?
1. Group : It's used to suppress the duplicate values.
2. Levelspan: It's used to suppress the duplicate values associte with group function. Its having
one-one relationship.
tyes of security in cognos?.how to use rank function? 2.what is content store? 3.what is content
manager? 4.how 2 use rank function?
*Your security strategy concentrates on three main areas:
• Authentication – who are your users? Your information should be readily accessible but only
to the right people.
• Authorization – once they are authenticated, what do your users have permission to access?
Each person or group of people may need to know different things, even as detailed as the
column or row of data.
• Encryption – how do you protect both data transmissions and storage?
 
*You can use the Rank function when you want to sort out the data.....for example: when you
want to display the nth  highest employee....then you can use Rank function also find out...
 
* Content Manager
provides a simple solution for managing access to corporate content in a web environment via
the upfront component. Upfront was not really designed as a complete web site / portal
content management solution (a point I find myself making again and again to clients for whom
I implement the (Cognos BI Suite). Although it serves quite ably to allow you to flexibly
customize, personalize, publish and manage content (whether BI-related or not), within the
realm of the corporate intranet and elsewhere, it is limited with regard to sophisticated site
component management (HTML and other markup languages, text, hyperlinks, graphics,
images and so forth). The provision in its design to allow for the publication of, or linking to /
from, non-Cognos documents allows for versatility that can be highly useful, and Upfront often
meets the business requirements of many organizations right out of the box.
 
* Cognos content store
It stores the package information  ....through Cognos connection, report authors connect to
content store and
generate the reports...
 
Any Questions on cognos or Sql please my friends mail me to
[email protected]
 
how can we improve performance of the reports?
TO improve the performence of the report move all the calculations and filters from report
level to the frame work manager.
1. Check the Governor Settings.
2. Dont use the Not in function in the query.
3. Check the client/server balancing.
4. Avoid using complex calculations
5. Check the table qualifying and weighting.
 
In an existiing Framework model, how will you add a new column to the existing table?
 
First the new column shud reflect at the database
side.after that if we just say Update query subject then the new column is automatically
reflected in the physical layer.
 
What is Deployment?
Deployment is moving the cognos environment from the Development server to the Test server
for the testing purpose & subsequently to the Production server after reports, cubes &
packages are tested with zero defects (ideally)
 
why u need to publish the package?
 
Package manily contains of Metadate.With that data we develop the Reports according to
Client Requirement..
package is basic source for the Reportstudio Authors, query studio. however package is used as
a one of the input source for the transformer.
 
what is an sid (surrogate key)?
surrogate key: It has system generated artificial key values, which allows to maintain historical
records in the data warehouse more effectively.
 
what is the difference between enterprise data warehouse and data warehouse
Enterprise Data ware house is built for Entire Organization and mostly has Departments as Data
marts. Ex: Sales, Fin, Operations, Logistics, HR, CRM....
A Normal data warehouse is built for specific problems to give proper data (Cleaned and
Historical) for reporting tools. Ex Sales DWH (For In death Sales Analysis)
 
What is Conditional block? How do you use in a report?
Conditional block: Specify a variable based on which objects inserted into a block can be
conditionally rendered.
for example user can have option for List report or chart report when he runs the report.
Try this out........CONDITIONAL BLOCKS
The goal of this report is to prompt users on which display they would prefer, a list or a chart.
To start, create a simple list report in Report Studio. Using the Cognos sample data, product
line, order method and revenue are added to the list. From the toolbox, drag and place a pie
chart below the list. Select the chart and in the properties pane, attach this chart to query 1:
Now the chart can be populated from the data items tab.The consumers of this report need the
ability to choose between the displays they want to see. To accomplish this, build a blank
prompt page allowing them to select from a drop down list either list or chart. Drag a value
prompt to the prompt page with the following settings:
 
At this point hit ‘Finish”. The dropdown list has to be populated manually though the static
choices property of the value prompt. The two choices added are list and chart.
  
*You can leave the display value blank. If you do so, Report Studio is smart enough that it will
take the use value for the display value.Now that my prompt page is set, return to the Report
Page.
In order to conditionally display an object, use the conditional blocks object in the toolbox. Drag
this to the bottom of the report.
 
The next step is to attach the variable to the conditional blocks block variable property. This
variable is a Boolean variable that either equals a list or doesn’t.
 
We need to test if our parameter is equal to the value ‘List’. If the user selected List this
expression will evaluate to true, if the user selected ‘Chart’ from the prompt, then this will
evaluate to false.
After this step is completed there is a new property on the conditional blocks object that tells
us which block we are currently looking at. First, drag the chart into the ‘No’ block.
Now, select the conditional block again, and switch the current block property to ‘Yes’. The
conditional blocks object appears empty because there is currently nothing in the ‘Yes’ block.
  The final step is to drag the entire list inside the ‘Yes’ block.
Now when the report is run, the user will be prompted for their display of choice.
 
Diff b/w Dimensional modelling and Relational modelling?
Relational modelling:
Data modelling of transactional systems
 
Dimensional modelling:
Data modelling of decision support systems
 
What is IQD?What is contained in IQD?
IQD MEANS IMPROMPTU QUERY DEFFINITION,IT CONTAINS
MULTIDIMENTIONAL DATA STRUCTURE WITH ARRAY FORMAT FOR CREATING CUBES.THIS
REPORTS CAN BE SAVED WITH .IQD FILES
 
What is StarShema?
StarSchema: It is a logical database implement physically in the datawarehouse with centralized
fact table normalized, depends on the denormalized dimension table.Advantages of starschema
is slicing down, performance increase and easy to understand the data.
 
It is possible with out same Queries (both Reports) we can build the drill trough between them?
And how?
Two Queries in two different reports can be different, but there needs to be a common link b/w
two queries based on which we can create a drill through (by passing Data Item, Parameter)
 
1)what is the use of Deployement and Scheduling? 2)If you have a prompt in your report , after
scheduling the report will it run? 3)How can we move our reports from one Environment to
Another Environment? 4)What is the complex report in your project and whar are the critical
issues have u faced in u r reports and tell me name of some recent reports have u created?
5)What are the limitations of value prompts?
deployment:moving an application from 1environment to another(ex:dev to testing envi)
scheduling :we can run a report at later time at non peak hrs.while scheduling we 'll select
prompt values in scheduling tab so that data displayed acc to prompt.
complexity of reports in developing cdnl blocks &morecals.
limitations of value prompt is we cant diplay morethan 5000values at a time
 
What is the importance of Dimension in the cognos.
with out Dimension and Fact cannot make a relations between tables it could not be use for
joins and retrive the data as a form of reports in cognos
Dimension is a major subject area through which we can analysis our business.
 
Where in report Studio's property pane can I find NoDataHandler?
Select you List or crosstab or chart, go to properties pane, you can find the No Data Handler,
where you can give some message so that it displays that message(No data found for this
selection) when data is not there  for passed parameters.
 
How to move reports one server to another server?
Server 1: In Cognos connection, under content
configuration(I guess thats the correct name) select new export. This brings up a new window
asking you to select the stuff u want to export. Select the packages/reports or the whole
content store and click finish. This will create a zip file in the servers Deployment folder.
 
Server 2: Cut/Copy this zip file to Server 2's deployment folder. Then in Cognos connection,
select new import and select the file that you have just copied and follow the steps. You are
done.
 
I have 3 objects (list,cross tab and chart)in one page, when u run report display each object in
each page. how can i do?
you mean you want to display each report in separate page then you go for page wise report
drag the page from page explorer in page1 develop list report then again drag the page from
page explorer in page2 develop crosstab report again drag the page from page explorer in
page3 develop chart report like that if you have n reports you have to
Maintain n pages for that. If you want to run particular page right click that page u see one
option run this page like that we run any page according to our requirement
 
One more thing is Page Break option is not visible Here. Which is only for query items not for
objects I think this is helpful for u
 
How will optimize the performance of sql in FM ?
Using the governor setting, enabling the allow usage of local cache we can increase the
performance.
 
cognos is holap or molap or rolap
ROLAP---It is related to Cognos Reportnet.
MOLAP------------ It is related to Cognos8.
HOLAP--------- It is A combination of MOALP+ROLAP.
So that we will use in HOLAP in Cognos 8 BI Suite.
Note:
In Reportnet---doesn't have Drillup and Drill Down.
In Cognos 8 BI Suite can do Drillup and Drill down.
 
How do you test the performance of a report?
in cognos report studio we get the cognos generated Query copy that query and run it in your
Database
and run the same in report studio and compare the time ....
 
What is the use of lock and unlock
Unlock: merging the data cells
Loc: we can't merge the data cells
 
Is it possible to apply access manager user rights in impromptu?
Y we can do in Governor Tab...
 
How will you migrate your reports to QA environment?
1. Go to Conos connection
2. Then click on Tools. Select Content administration from the drop down menu.
3. Click on 'new export' icon in content administration page.
4. Specify a name and follow the steps.
 
difference between drill through and master detail report?
Master detail report: This relationship allows to merge a master query and detailed query
 
A master detail relationship provides navigation from summary to detail with in a report we
cannot navigate to another report.
 
Drill throug report: A drill through allows you to navigate the information from summary to
detail from one report to another
 
A drill through is developed with two reports
 
1.parent report which contains summary data
2.child report which contains detailed data.
 
what is MemberCaption?
this comes under DMR ( Dimensional modeled relational ).
suppose we have REGION_ID and REGION_NAME.
While creating regular dimension level...
REGION_ID  will treated as BUSINESS_KEY
AND
REGION_NAME will treated as MEMBER_CAPTION.
In the above regular dimension,
Using business_key ( REGION_ID ) we will display
member_caption ( REGION_NAME ).
 
What is PerformanceTunning Test?
1. Use local cache property set to NO.
2. Validate expression properly.
3. Use detail filters after auto aggregation instead of summarized filters.
4. Test with limited number of data.
5. minimize sql hard code.
6. Avoid Java script usage maximum.
7. Use sql having clause expressions.
8. Avoid usage of cognos functions Maximum.
 
How to schedule the report in Cognos? And i have 2 users u1,u2. how to schedule the report for
these 2 users(the 2 users will get result once for a week) but u1 get the result on every monday
to his inbox,and u2 get the result on every wednesday to his inbox.
Create two different Jobs, with two different sets of parameters and delivery schedules,
options. U can use the same report if you wish to send the report output as email attachment.
Or create a Report view if you wish to secure the Report outputs by user. Hope that helps
 
How to add 2 different colors for alternative rows? i.e in a report all rows colors in alternative
colors(2 colors)
 
Suppose you are creating a report with two data items
Customer_Name and Total-sales respectively.
 
Create two new data items.
1.Dataitem1: Running-count([CUSTOMER_NAME])
2.Dataitem2: Mod([Data Item1],2)
 
Create a variable :
Boolean [Query1].[Data Item2]=1 or 0
 
Come to conditional explorer bar, select YES, under
properties select the background color.
 
Come to conditional explorer bar, select NO, under
properties select the background color.
 
Save report and run.
 
difference between stored procedure and function?
 
A Procedure is a sub-program that performs a specific action.
 
A Procedure can be called from PL/SQL Block or from another Procedure also.
 
A function is very similar to a Procedure. Both take arguments, which can be of different
modes. Both are different forms of PL/SQL blocks. Both can be stored in the database.
A procedure call is a PL/SQL statement by itself, while a Function call is called as part of an
expression. And a Function must return
 
what is alias what is shortcut what ia alias shortcut and diff among them if u know explain
clearly
If u perform any operations in alias it will not affect on the orginal data.
 
If u perform any operations in shortcut it will affect on the original data.
the above Ans is correct, alias is also a shortcut, but with different name, uses to avoid loops
shortcut is pointer to original data
 
what are determinants?
To prevent double counting on multi fact/multi grain queries we need determinants on query
subjects that have multiple level of granularity used to aggregate facts.
 
What are variables in report studio?
 1. String Variable 2.Boolean Variable 3.Language Variable
 
What is meant by Scheduling?
SCHEDULING MEANS EXECUTING THE REPORT WHEN EVER DESIRED AUTOMATICALLY WITH
OUT ANY MANUAL INTERACTION.
SCHEDULING IS DONE AT COGNOS CONNECTION.
SCHEDULING CAN BE DONE BY HOUR
    BY DAY, BY WEEK, BY MONTH, BY QUARTER, BY YEAR, BY TRIGGER.

What type of security present in Cognos Framework Manager

There are different types of security in Framework Manager:

 data security 
You create a security filter and apply it to a specific query subject. The filter controls the
data that is shown to your users when they set up their reports.
 object security 
You secure an object directly by allowing users access to the object, denying users
access to the object, or keeping it hidden from all users.
 package security 
You apply security to a package and identify who has access to that package.
Each type of security uses users, groups, and roles to define access.
There are business reasons for restricting access to data. For example, you may have
confidential data that only specific users are allowed to see. You may have a variety of
data, and your users only need to retrieve data from specific tables or columns. Or, you
may have a table that contains many records, and your users only need to retrieve a
subset of records from that table.

Is a star schema a denormalized schema?

The denormalization is in the dimension tables in a star schema: E. g. in a product table,

you explicitly have many columns like several levels of product category in this one table,
instead of having one table for each level, and using foreign keys referencing those values.

This means you have normalization with regard to facts, but stop normalizing on the
dimension tables.
 difference between drill through and master detail report?..

Master detail report: This relationship allows to merge a

master query and detailed query

A master detail relationship provides navigation from

summary to detail with in a report we cannot navigate to
another report.

Drill throug report: A drill through allows you to navigate

the information from summary to detail from one report to
another.

All Interview Cognos Questions Part 2

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http://www.allinterview.com/showanswers/147175.html
 

1. What is Data warehouse?   {treenox questions}

In 1980, Bill Inmon known as father of data warehousing. "A Data warehouse is a subject
oriented, integrated ,time variant, non volatile collection of data in support of management's
decision making process".
Subject oriented : means that the data addresses a specific subject such as sales, inventory etc.
Integrated : means that the data is obtained from a variety of sources.
Time variant : implies that the data is stored in such a way that when some data is changed.
Non volatile : implies that data is never removed. i.e., historical data is also kept.
 2. What is the difference between database and data warehouse?
A database is a collection of related data. 
A data warehouse is also a collection of information as well as a supporting system.
 3. What are the benefits of data warehousing?
Historical information for comparative and competitive analysis.
Enhanced data quality and completeness.Supplementing disaster      recovery plans with
another data back up source.
 4. What are the types of data warehouse?
There are mainly three type of Data Warehouse are :
1) Enterprise Data Warehouse 2) Operational data store 3) Data Mart
 5. What is the difference between data mining and data warehousing?
Data mining, the operational data is analyzed using statistical techniques and clustering
techniques to find the hidden patterns and trends. So, the data mines do some kind of
summarization of the data and can be used by data warehouses for faster analytical processing
for business intelligence.
 Data warehouse may make use of a data mine for analytical processing of the data in a faster
way.
6. What are the applications of data warehouse?
Data warehouse are used extensively in banking and financial services, consumer goods. > Data
warehouse is mainly used for generating reports and answering predefined queries. > Data
warehouse is used for strategic purposes, performing multidimensional analysis. > Data
warehouse is used for knowledge discovery and strategic decision making using data mining
tools.
7. What are the types of data warehouse applications?
Info processing, Analytical processing and Data mining
8. What is metadata?
Metadata is defined as the data about data. Metadata describes the entity and attributes
description.
9. What are the benefits of Datawarehousing?
The implementation of a data warehouse can provide many benefits to an organization. A data
warehouse can :
Facilitate integration in an environment characterized by un–integrated applications.
Integrate enterprise data across a variety of functions.
Integrate external as well as internal data.
Support strategic and long–term business planning.
Support day–to–day tactical decisions.
Enable insight into business trends and business opportunities.
Organize and store historical data needed for analysis.
Make available historical data, extending over many years, which enables trend analysis.
Provide more accurate and complete information.
Improve knowledge about the business.
Enable cost–effective decision making.
Enable organizations to understand their customers, and their needs, as well competitors.
Enhance customer servicc and satisfaction.
Provide competitive advantage.
Provide easy access for end–users.
Provide timely access to corporate information.
10. What is the difference between dimensional table and fact table?
A dimension table consists of tuples of attributes of the dimension. A fact table can be thought
of as having tuples, one per a recorded fact. This fact contains some measured or observed
variables and identifies them with pointers to dimension tables.
11. What is data mart?
A data mart can contain one fact table to address one subject. In such a case,when a number of
data marts are integrated to create a DWH, it is important that the facts in each table mean the
same thing. Such facts (i.e., measures or metrics) that have the same meaning in different data
marts are called conformed facts.
12. What are the different types of datasmarts?
Stand–alone Data Marts : Data marts that do not interact with other data marts are called
stand–alone data marts. On the other hand, data marts can be integrated to create a data
 warehouse.
Multi–source Data Mart : A data mart for which the input data is obtained from multiple
sources is called a multi–source data mart.
Personal Data Mart : A data mart for use by individuals such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO),
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is called Personal Data Mart.
Operational Data Store : ODS is a database system that obtains data from different sources,
consolidates it and keeps it at a single location. However, it does not have the sophistication of
a data mart or a data warehouse for analytical processing. ODS is generally developed as a pre-
cursor for ERP systems.
13. What is fact table?
A fact table is the central table that contains the measures or facts of a business process.
14. What is the mapplet?
Mapplet is a set of transformations that you build in the mapplet designer and you can use in
multiple mappings.
15. What is meant by grain?
Granularity of data is a very important factor in the design of fact table. In fact table, we can
represent data at different atomic levels, called grains.
1. What is Cognos Impromptu?
Cognos Impromptu is a tool for generation of business intelligence reports.
2. What is Cubes?
A cube consists of a set of ordered dimensions and measures. A cube may have one or several
dimensions.
3. What is query subject?
A query subject is the basic building block in framework manager. A query subject is a set of
query items that have an inherent relationship.
4. What is Report item?
Report item is a query item when it is drag and drop into the work area.
5. What is a query item?
Query items are mainly used in Reporting and for BI Authors it is the most essential object from
the framework manager. These have lot of properties associated with them and are present in
query subjects. Query items are similar to subsets of query subjects.
6. What are the advantages of Cognos?
Planning, Analysis, Forecasting and Score carding
7. What are packages?
Packages are used for reporting.
8. What is materialized view?
A view which is physically stored in a database. Materialized views allow query performance to
be enhanced by pre calculating costly operations.
9. What is schema?
A schema is composed of a set of dimensions and a set of fact relationships.
10. What is folder?
Folder contains repository objects such as sources, targets, mappings, transformation which
are helps logically organize our data warehouse.
11. What are the types of report?
Blank report, List report, Cross report, Chart report, Repeater report
12. What are Slice and Dice?
An operation that allows one to select a portion of the data of a fact on the basis of specified
values in one or several dimensions.
13. What is pivot?
The pivot (or rotate) operation rotates the axes of a cube to provide an alternative
presentation of the data.
14. What are the types of gateway?
Common Gateway Interface(CGI),
Internet Service Application Interface(ISAPI) and Tomcat
15. What is Cognos Reporting tool?
Cognos is a reporting tool from IBM which helps in reporting and analysis of various data from
a data warehouse.
16. What are the types of framework manager?
There are two types of framework manager are :
Presentation layer and Physical layer
17. What are dimensions?
Dimensions define the structure of a cube. A dimension must have at least one key attribute
and other attributes that may define hierarchies.
18. What are the components of Report Net?
Report Net components are :
Framework manager, Cognos connection, Query Studio, Report Studio
19. What are the types of hierarchies?
In Analysis Services, there are two types of hierarchies are :
Attribute hierarchies and User defined hierarchies.
20. What is slice?
The slice operation performs a selection on one dimension of a cube, resulting in a sub cube.
21. What are the types of prompt?
Value Prompt, Textbox, Select and search, Date, Time, Date and time, Interval, Generated
Prompt.
22. What is Cognos Connection?
It is a Web portal for Cognos 8 and a component which interacts with the Content Store. It is a
frontend to publish, find, manage, organize, and view organization's business intelligence
data.
23. What is framework manager?
Frame manager is a development tool to create the end-user layer used by authors to build
their BI objects.
24. What is OLAP designer?
OLAP Designer is a development tool used to model and create multidimensional databases. A
multidimensional database, often referred to as a cube, is a highly compressed database and
contains summarized information that is optimized for analysis.
25. What is metrics designer?
 Metrics Designer is a development tool used to model and deploy scorecards and related data
loading procedures.
26. What is meant by drill across?
The drill–across operation executes queries involving more than one cube.
27. What is meant by drill through?
The drill–through operation allows one to move from data at the bottom level in a cube to
data in the operational systems from which the cube was derived.
28. What is meant by drill down?
The drill-down operation performs the operation opposite to the roll-up operation, i.e., it
moves from a more general level to a detailed level in a hierarchy, thus presenting more
detailed measures.
29. Define data mining?
A data mining dimension provides support for dimensions that result from data mining
models.
30. What is Metrics Designer?
Metrics Designer is a development tool used to model and deploy scorecards and related data
loading procedures.
31. What is cognos powerplay?
Cognos powerplay is for multidimensional on–line analysis of data.
32. What is the use of cognos decision stream?
Cognos decision stream is a tool for extraction, transformation of loading of data from the
source databases to the target database.
33. What is the use of cognos scenario?
Cognos scenario is used to find the hidden trends and patterns in data.
34. What is meant by drilling Up?
Drilling down is adding grouping columns from the dimension tables, then drilling up is
subtracting grouping columns.
35. What are the three important fundamental themes in a data warehouse?
The three most important fundamental themes are :
Drilling Down, Drilling Across and Handling Time
36. How to create reports?
Use Report Studio to create more advanced business reports.
37. What is the security module used in Cognos?
The security module used in Cognos is Cognos access manager.
38. What is catalog ?
A catalog is a file containing the information (Database tables) that Impromptu users need to
create reports.
39. What are the types of catalogs in Cognos?
There are four types of catalogs in Cognos. They are :
Personal, Distributed, Shared and Secured
40. What are the differences between Reporter report and Explorer report?
In a Cube, you can either modify or explore. Reporter is used to modify where as explorer is
used to explore the cube.
41. What is cognos connection?
Cognos Connection is used to monitor, configure and optimize a Cognos 8 BI installation
through a web interface. It is the same tool used by Consumers, but contains other advanced
options for administration.
42. What is cognos configuration?
Cognos Configuration is the Cognos 8 BI administrative tool that is used to define the behavior
of a Cognos 8 BI installation. It is used to manage configuration parameters.
43. What are the types of folder?
There are three main types of folders are :
Standard folder, Package folder and Metrics folder
44. What is the difference between standard and metrics folder?
Standard Folder : This is a container for other folders and/or BI objects, and is used for
organizational purposes. It will behave just like a folder on your local computer, but will
operate like a web page with active links. A bright yellow icon specifics Standard folders.
Metrics Folder : Metrics folders arc used by the Metrics Studio to store metrics-related
information. While the standard behavior upon selecting the other two folder types is to show
their contents, a Metrics Folder will open up directly into Metrics Studio. A dark blue icon
with colored dots specifies Metrics folders.
45. What is query studio?
Query studio are used to perform ad hoc queries.
46. What is difference between drill through and drill down?
The drill through operation allows one to move from data at the bottom level in a cube to
data in the operational systems from which the cube was derived. 
The drill down operation performs the operation opposite to the roll-up operation, i.e., it
moves from a more general level to a detailed level in a hierarchy, thus presenting more
detailed measures.
47. What is the difference between a cascading report and drill through report?
Cascading prompt means to extract the data from one prompt to using values from another
prompt.
Drill through report means to extract the data by selecting a column in a report, means to get
the detailed information by clicking that column data.
48. What are the types of studio?
There are five types of studio are :
Query Studio, Metrics Studio, Analysis Studio, Report Studio and Event Studio
49. What are Cognos connection initial page components?
The page can be broken down into three major sections :
1) The Studio Toolbar 2) The Utilities Toolbar 3) The Tab Navigator
50. What is the difference between macros and prompt?
Macro is set of instructions to run report.
Prompt provide a way to dynamically change the reports.
51. What is Cognos scenario?
Cognos scenario is a tool that is used to find the hidden trends and patterns in data.
52. How to create cubes in transformer?
Cube can be created by using different data sources.
53. What are the components of Report Net?
There are four components of report net are :
Framework manager, Cognos connection, Query Studio and Report Studio
54. What is transformer?
Transformer is used for building the Cubes (Multidimensional Structure used for OLAP
processing).
55. What is model?
A model is a complete set of query objects and query subjects that are used for reporting.
56. What is IQD?
IQD stands for Impromptu Query Definition. It is report save extension with .iqd it is use for
creating a cube in power play transformer.
57. What is cascading prompts?
Cascading Prompts allows a user to use values selected from one prompt to filter values in
another prompt.
58. What is the use of charts?
Charts are a graphical way of presenting information. Use charts to reveal trends and
relationships that are not evident in tabular reports.
59. What are the filters in Framework Manager and Report Studio?
Filters in framework manager are :
Standalone filters and Embedded filters
Report studio Filters are :
Detail filters and Summary filters
60. What is difference between content store and content manager?
A content store is a data base which stores the meta data of the reports.
Content manager is a service which is available in dispatcher. which it manages the security.
61. What is Cognos 8 BI?
Cognos 8BI is a powerful suite of products that focuses on transforming raw data into
powerful information for business decisions. Cognos 8 BI can be used across all levels in an
organization, from users looking for pre-defined reports to analysts with complex data
requirements.
62. What are package folders?
This folder is similar to a Standard Folder, but internally it contains pre-defined business rules
and metadata related to sources of information. It is used by the Studios to create new
queries, reports, analyses, etc. A dark blue icon specifics Package folders.
63. What are components of report studio?
There are four components of report studio are :
Insertable Objects pane ,Properties pane ,Explorer bar and Report Viewer
64. What are the types of security?
There are three different types of Security are :
Data security: Create a security filter and apply it to a specific query subject.
Object security: Secure an object directly by allowing users access to the object, denying
users access to the object, or keeping it hidden for all users.
Package security: Apply security to a package and identify who has access to that package.
65. What is metrics designer?
Metrics Designer is a development tool used to model and deploy scorecards and related data
loading procedures.
66. What is query studio?
Query Studio is a very user friendly ad hoc query tool that allows users to easily access
information. With Query Studio, the user drags and drops fields to execute queries, and with
multiple available options at a touch of the mouse, it can group data, create summaries,
display charts, filter information and export data.
67. What is metrics studio?
Metrics Studio is a powerful scorecard tool that allows for the creation and monitoring of
goals through an organization.
68. What is analysis studio?
Analysis Studio is the user friendly tool used to quickly analyze summarized information with
powerful dimension and variable crossing for complex analysis, discovery of trends and
forecasting.
69. What is report studio?
Report Studio is the professional report authoring tool. The tool allows for the development
of pixel perfect reports, such as invoices and statements, as well as very complex layouts, such
as those required for enterprise dashboards.
70. What is event studio?
Event Studio is a monitoring tool that allows for the definition of agents that will monitor
certain user-defined events and will execute tasks accordingly. They can be saved to Cognos
as ″agents″.
71. What are the types of user roles?
The users of Cognos 8 BI can be grouped into four major roles based upon their respective
business and technical requirements.Consumers, Authors, Developers, Administrators
72. What are repeaters?
Repeaters are tables in which you can insert items that are repeated when you run the report.
73. What are cross tab reports?
Crosstab reports are reports that show data in rows and columns. However, the values at the
intersection points of rows and columns show summarized information rather than detailed
information.
74. What is list report?
A list report is a report that shows data in rows and columns. Each column shows all the
values for a query item in the database or a calculation based on query items in the database.
 

What is
use of Field Set present in toolbox?

Field Set is nothing but a container. like a block. The difference between a block and field set is "header". The block
doesn't contain a header but the field set contain the header. in that header we can enter the text item whatever
we want to show in the report.

diff b/w
dimension and regular dimension

dimension are descriptive information. for example customer name,address.  where as regular dimensions are
used to create the hierarchies in dimensions. for example let us take product dimension.

u can create hierarchies in product dimension using regular dimension. u can create hierarchies as product
number,product name, product line code,product description.

the regular dimensions are used in analysis studio for drill down and drill up methods

What is
the use of 'individual data source' option while using filter in query studio?

When we use individual data source, it means we are applying filters over the values in the DWH directly before
they are brought to cache. In the cache the values are summed up. So it will apply the filter before summing up the
value.

Eg.
Suppose we are creating a report

Product     Quantity

Lux          50

Pantene      60

In the main data base these values are

Lux     10

lux     15

lux     15

lux     10

so wen we are using individual data source the filter will work on the main data base value and not the summed
value that we bring to the report from cache.

What is
member Description?

this is comes under DMR models.

Its description about Business Key.

what is
meant by roll up and roll back in dataware housing?

roll up means going from lowlevel concepts to high level concepts and drill down(roll back) means going top to
bottom in concept hierarchies

Diff b/w
surrogate Key and Primary Key?

Primary keys are used in OLTP whereas surrogate keys are used in OLAP schemas.PKs hold some business meaning
whereas SKs does not hold.PKs contain both numeric as wellas non numeric values whereas SKs contain only
simple numeric values.

drillthrough
vs master detaild report,which one is the best by performance?

i Said Maseter Detaild is faster than Drill through Bcz it is not navigate to another repot but Drill through it is
navigate from one repot to another repot i.e parent to chaild report.
What are
the Adv of Star Schema and Snow Flake Schema?

Star Schema:

Definition: The star schema is the simplest data warehouse

schema. It is called a star schema because the diagram

resembles a star with points radiating from a center.

A single Fact table (center of the star) surrounded by

multiple dimensional tables(the points of the star).

Advantages:

Simplest DW schema

Easy to understand

Easy to Navigate between the tables due to less number of joins.

Most suitable for Query processing

Disadvantages:

Occupies more space

Highly Denormalized

 
Snowflake schema:

Definition: A Snowflake schema is a Data warehouse Schema

which consists of a single Fact table and multiple

dimensional tables. These Dimensional tables are

normalized.A variant of the star schema where each

dimension can have its own dimensions.

Advantages:

These tables are easier to maintain

Saves the storage space.

Disadvantages:

Due to large number of joins it is complex to navigate

Starflake schema - Hybrid structure that contains a mixture

of (denormalized) STAR and (normalized) SNOWFLAKE schemas

how to
change the colour of the bar in charts...?

Go to Pallete, then select the color, gradient and pattern depending on the style you want.

wt is
the differnce between Block & conditional block ?

Block:-- is the object in which u can place the other

cognos abject as list crosstab ,graph etc..

A container into which you can insert other objects

and conditional Block:--

Specify a variable based on which objects inserted into a

block can be conditionally rendered. Applies only to

conditional block objects that you insert in a report .

Can we
create a web page where the report directory and the output can be viewed
directly across cognos connection?

Yes. You can create a web page, where report directory and output can be viewed.

You need to goto-> IBM Cognos Administer or MyHome and select the new page button and edit the properties of
the selected button as per the requirement. Here you need to select the link of the report which you want to be
added to this page and as a report directory and view the result of

the report with in the portal page which you created. You can give the name tot he created pade as you desired.

Difference
betwween cognos report net architecture and cognos8 architecture

cognos report net and cognos8 both architecture are same.But in cognos 8 architecture (application tier) contains
Metric Studio and Analysis studio, also in data tire it contains one more store metric store.

Can any
body suggest me that Drill through of packages is possible? If yes, how it can
be done?

yes it is posible you can drill through one package to  another package even u can drill through one package in
report studio to another package in query studio i mean drill through is posible one studio to other studio i mean
report studio to query studio but when u apply the drill throuth for one package to another package u have to give
traverse permission without giving this permission it is not posible if u apply drill through for same package
traverse permission is not required but for one package to another package or else one studio to another studio it
is mandatory

what is
Cognos Visualizer?

Cognos visualizer  is a tool for creating charts(bar,pie,histogram....)& maps using datasources(datafiles like
mdc,iqd,csv,excel etc).

How to
use Cascade Macro in Report studio? Anybody know about Cascade Macro & and
the procedure to use?

Using Cascade Macro, we can create more than one condition (ie. Sales<500 or Sales >2000 or
2000>sales>500).End user may choose the condition and based on that he can get the Report.

can any
body explain clearly how to explain any (sales) project in interview.actually
feom where report developer work starts?pls reply as soon as possible.

IF I were u wll expalin my proj like this

I working for ....(name of the proj) proj,client is ....(name of the client), which is saless and distribution domain,
technology in my proj is .......(like Informatica

as ETL TOOL, BI TOOL AS COGNOS, Backend database is ORacle)

describe a bit about ur client business a bit.

( suppose for a mall inventory level, itemsold per week and pregressive businessd timings like festivals)

as a report author i developed ..... these kind of reports , which are very useful for enduser to take business
decisions.

Generally DWH group contains

1.database team( like oracle)

2.ETL team

3.BI team

4Testing Team

5.Support Team
 

team 1: perople generally load the data into database and architect will prepare ER model for that and constraints
ofthe table.

Team2: once data entered into the dbase, Etl architect prepares star schema for Dwh and Etl developers extract
data from dbase and made some transformations (depend on business requirements like scrubbing) and load that
data

into Datawarehouse in the form of datamarts.

Team3. Bi architect extract the data from Dwh and prepares a model (universe)and work wll be assigned to Report
author to populate the data in the form of the reports asd per end user requirement.

Team 4: testing team generally test the report and if any bugs found dt will be forwarded to support team.

Team 5. this team people try to resolve those issues if it is not possible for them again it wll transformed to Etl
team.

completely this is a cyclic process.

 is it possible to display the column names in

first page but not in remaining pages i.e if a report contains 10 pages column
names should be displayed in 1st page but not remaining pages ( 2 to 10)

First hide the header of the list and now create a repeater table with the list header names and uncheck the
pagination of the reapter table and format the repeater table and list.

write a
query to display to 10 max record from the employee table?

select * from (select * from employee order by salary desc)where rownum<11;

what are
typees of dimensions

there r 10 types of dimension

1.primary dimension

2.secondry dimension

3.degenerated dimension

4.conform dimension

5.slowly changing dimension

6.fast changing dimension

7.monster dimension

8.junk dimension
9.role playing dimension

10.large dimension

Can you
please tell me the limitation of Excel file when exporting from report to
Excel? I can export to HTML and PDF but I can't export to Excel. The report is
more than 13000 rows. When exporting to Excel, system can view it. After that,
I save the report to an Excel file. The size of Excel file is more than 11 MB.
But I can't view this file by Excel.

The limitaion for Excel is 65000 rows if U are using any version Prior to Cognos 8.3.If its C8.3,then in Excel 2007
format alll these estrictions are overcome.Please check ur IE settings too....

What is
the difference between macro & Parameter

Parameter: Specifies the parameter that is satisfied by values chosen in the prompt control.

Applies to Date & Time Prompt, Date Prompt, Generated Prompt, Interval Prompt, Select & Search Prompt,Text
Box Prompt, Time Prompt, Tree Prompt, Value Prompt

Macro:A macro is a runtime object, which uses the parameter maps and sesssion parameters in developing the
conditional query subjects.
in
reportnet how u burst the reports for every 5th day, 10 th day, 15 th day, 20
th day

set burst options in report studio,

enable the report for bursting in Cognos connection,

create 4 report views for that report,create a shcedule for each report view - the 1st for every

5th day, the 2nd for every 10th day, the 3rd for every 15th day, & the 4th for every 20th day.

what r
the filters in fwm and report studio

filters in framework manager are

1.standalone filters

2.embeded filters

in report studio are

1.detail filters
2.summary filters

What is
a Conformed Dimension?

Conformed Dimension :- A dimension is reused by more than one fact table is called conformed dimension.

Difference
between Express authoring mode and Professional authoring mode?

The Professional authoring mode gives users access to the full range of Report Studio functionality. In this mode,
you can create any report type, including charts, maps, lists, and repeaters, using any data source (relational or
multidimensional). This mode contains a superset of the features available in the Express authoring mode.
However,

you cannot view live data.

The Express authoring mode provides a simplified and focused Report Studio interface. It is designed for non-
technical users to create traditional financial and management statement reports. This mode allows access to
dimensionally-modeled data and uses a member-oriented data tree, by default.

This authoring mode allows you to see live data and

supports crosstab reports. It contains a subset of the features available in the Professional authoring mode.
When you are in the Express authoring mode, if you open a report that was authored in the Professional authoring
mode, you can see the objects that can be inserted only in the Professional authoring mode, such as charts, maps,
and lists. However, you cannot modify these objects.

what was
the actual purpose of portfolio in cognos ?

Portfolio is a component comes with the cognos EP 7

series.The main objective is to enable the companies to quickly organize and deploy the cubes,reports and queries
etc.

In
framework Manager, what is a stitch query and is it good or bad?

in frame work manager, stitch query is nothing but it will stitch the two querys.

for example i have 2 querys like Q1 and Q2 and i stitch these 2 querys and found Q3 with the full outer join

whis
meant by Thumbnails on cagnos?
Thumbnails which will limit the data extracted from the data source.

Thumbnails are used to test the data retreval for the report. Insted of reading entire data base we use Thumbnails
to limit the data

Mostly Thumbnails are used for testing the report.

diff b/w
layout calculation and query calculation

Query calculation:by using query calculation we can add new data items in report with the help of exesting query
items or data items

Layout calculation:it's a run time calcolation like adding page number, time, dynamic heading to the reportex:if u
add date2string(Today()) function in report we will get 2010-09-26 date in output

what is
logs in cognos

while creating reports or creating models  logs have all information till session closed

what is fact less fact give me proper example?

A fact-less fact is a fact table in which only primary keys of the dimension
tables are present as foreign keys but no measure/fact columns.
There are 2 types of factless fact table:

a) Event Tracking Tables: A table that records an event.

Example: A table that records student attendance. It contains date_key,

student_key, teacher_key, course_key,without any measure section.

b) Coverage Tables: A table to answer questions about things that didn't

happen.

Example: An ordinary fact table cannot answer questions like "Which products
were on promotion that did not sell?", because it contains only the records of
products that did sell. A table contains date_key, product_key, store_key,
promo_key and without measure section is used to answer such questions.

Cognos Interview Questions from Geek

POSTED BY UNKNOWN ON 9:07 PM NO COMMENTS

Change of database name in cognos10 content store

How to change database option in cognos10 content store as it has already fixed by db2.I need to
change to msSQL server.
1. Open the IBM Cognos Configuration > 2. Go to Database Access, Select ContentStore then right click
on it then Delete > after that  > Select ContentManaget then right click on it then Select New Source-
>Database->Name:xxxxx -> Type MSSQL Server-> Click OK and give the User Name and Password.

How to improve performance from database side..

There are many ways to improve database performance. One of them being creating indexes on table
columns that are queried the most. Another is create table partitioning. A whole lot else can be
accomplished at the report level by fine tuning the query or the filters created automatically by  Cognos
Report Studio.

Restricted rows display to the report page which should divisible by 5

Asked By: shah_nawazzz | Asked On: Apr 12th, 2012
2 answers
Hi Techies, Need your help for achieving this requirement. We have got a requirement to display a
report in a page which should display max 20 rows but if a report is having totally 17 rows then in the 1st
page it has to display 15 rows(divisible by 5) and the other two rows should appear in the next page.
Similarly, If a report is having 23 records then in the first page it should display 20 (divisible by 5) and on
other page it should display 3 rows. Please advice!

Ans) Instead of doing this at cognos  level, try to do it at SQL level using rownum function. Take the
max of mod(rownum,5). then save the rownum value in a ?variable? and then take all the records where
rownum>? Variable?

Ans) 1.Drag a list report 2.Add the query items you need for the list report 3.Add a Query Calculation to
the list report and name it as Running total,In the Expression Definition Type in running-count([Query
Item]) 4. Add a Query Calculation to the list report and name it as Rows Display,In the Expression
definition type in floor([Running total]/17)
5. Go to the page Explorer and drag the page set to the page are 6. Change the Query of the page set to
your list query 7. In the properties of the page set,click on the ellipses of sort and grouping 8.Drag the
Row Display data item under grouping 9.Save and run the report.

How to convert crosstab into list?

Hi , can any one tell how to convert crosstab into list?What is the main use of unlocking the report?
What is the meaning of repeater & repeater table and when r they useful?Plz answer these if any one
knows?
Answered by: mani on: Apr 18th, 2012
there is no option for converting a crosstab to list but we can do this by using cross tab space..at the
designing page it should look like a cross tab only but when u run the report the report will shown to u
in list format..u can do this by unlocking and insert a cross tab space at the intersection point and in that
add a text item with the desired query item name....

Difference between scope and relationship?

Scope is used to join the regular dimensions and measure dimensions to perform multi dimensional
analysis such
as drill down and drill up.relationship is join the two tables (specifies cardinality 1-1,1-n

What is a query subject?

Query subject simply means a table...a table contain columns...columns called as query items

What is the difference between parameter and variable in report studio

Parameters generally act as a filter to a report. Depending on the user selection the report is been
filtered and is provided to the user. They can be used to display what value user has selected or what
data the user wants to see.
Whereas Variables are used to conditionally format or conditionally hide/show the object in the report.
They cant be used to filter the data in the report.

How to show the data reported horizonTALLY:(for example:)employee skill1 a1 b1 c2 d2 e2 freport

result:1 abc2 def
Asked By: Jagan | Asked On: Oct 9th, 2005
5 answers
Assuming 3 records per grouped item:1. Group on employee2. 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 nullif (count = 2) then (skill) else nullif (count = 3) then (skill) else...
I feel we can use the tool functionality to achieve this as follows.

1. Create a list report having employee column

2. Create a cross tab - contains emp in row and skill in column
3. Provide Master Detail relationship between 'emp' of list & CT
4. Hide emp of CT and format appropriately

You can see the result as 

1 abc and 2 def

Handling Empty Reports

Specify Not to Render a Page If It Does not Contain Data

You can specify not to render a report page if the page does not contain any data when the report is
run.
Steps
1. In the report page, click a data container. > 2. In the Properties  pane, click the select ancestor
button and click the data container type. > For example, if the data container is a list, click List. > 3. Set
the Render Page when Empty property to No.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 for all other data containers in the page as well as any table of contents > objects
(p. 143). > When you run the report, if no data is produced in all data containers and table of contents
objects > in a page, the page is not rendered. The page is not rendered even if the page contains other
objects, >such as text items or images.

What is timestamp, when and where do you use this?

a few of the date fields have a time stamp attached to them... time stamp is nothing but the time in the
format of HH:MM:SS:NN.... for example.. i have an update today at 9:30pm then time stamp would be
26 January 2012 21:30:15:11

What is the size of the cube in ur project?What is the complex report u created in ur project and
explain?How dimensions u have in ur project and how many facts?I am new to this dwh. So can
anybody give...
Qube size is 2GB but in Cognos 10 qube size may be increased to 2.5 GB or 3 GB
In Cognos 7 powerplay Cube support less than 1 GB.
What is the use of prompts in framework manager?
Use of Prompt in Framework Manager :
Filter on query subject - to restrict the rows that are returned by filtering out the unwanted data by
creating one or more embedded filters for query subject.
prompt in filter with usage set to always - user need to supply a value to filter.  
propmt in filter with usage set to optional - user need to supply a value for the filter / if user dont supply
a value, filter will not be applied.

What is cardinality and what are the security types?

Cardinality, a component of relationship. defines how query subjects are related.

1..1 one and only one record from this side of the relationship
1..n one or more records from one side of the relationship 
0..1 zero or at most one record from one side of the relationship
o..n zero or more records from one side of the relationship
Security  types
package security - which defines access permissions to the package to author and run reports > object
security- which allows to apply security to individual elements in the model. >  data security- in which
you apply security filters to restrict rows.

What is cast function, when and where do you use this?

CAST is a complex function that transforms one or more values from one data type  into another.
.-<< , <<-----------. V | >>-CAST--(----source_expression +-- AS--DataType---------------->

>--+-------------------+--+----------------------+-------------->
'-CCSID--expression-' '-ENCODING--expression-' 

>--+--------------------+--+---------------------+--)----------><
'-FORMAT--expression-' '-DEFAULT--expression-' 

In practice, you cannot specify all of the above parameters at the same time. For example, CCSID and
ENCODING parameters take effect only on string-to-string conversions, while FORMAT applies only to
string-numeric and string-datetime conversions (in either direction).

What is the best way to convert Crystal Reports to Cognos ?

Crystal Reports and Cognos  are fundamentally two different technologies with very different
solutions. As per my knowledge, there are'nt any such ready tool to do the conversion. Though Cognos
offers a migration path and supports importing a BO universe through a metadata-bridge and rebuild
using a migrated metadata layer, You will also need to have BO designer installed.

Can we apply a filter on list of values in the Value Prompt

yes,Its very simple to achieve.When we create a prompt it will create a query for it separately(Prompt
query) other than the report main query.In that prompt query you can drag and drop a filter and
develop the filter expression like " country in ('India','Australia','South Africa') " (what ever countries you
want to see you can mention in the list).

What are versions of cognos from starting release to latest in the market
Cognos Impromptu 6.0, Cognos Impromptu 7, Report net 1.1,Cognos 8.0, Cognos 8.1, Cognos 8.2,
Cognos 8.3, 8.4 and latest is cognos 10
Poor Performance of Cognos Reports
Data not in correct NF > Loops in retriving data > Too many parameters
Pulling data from muliple sources
There can be many reasons otherwise the question needs to be more specific.
Solution:
1) Use the native SQL from the Cognos report to do an explain plan
2) Check the sqlof the prompt page queries and use static values for prompts whenever possible. > 3)
Validate the joins in Framework manager. > 4) Limit the number of rows displayed in an HTML report. >
5) Add filters to limit the amount of data returned.

Can we use more than one measure in crosstab ?

Yes. It is possible > Yes, We can insert more than one measure in crosstab. Just drag and drop all the
data items like columns one after the other in the fact/measure area in crosstab.

What is the difference between burst and schedule options ?

Burst is; Sending information to people when the information meets the criteria. i.e Balance to the the
financial controller.
Schedule; Time the production of reports.

Cognos text box prompt issue

Hi ,suppose if a report contains n pages like page1,page2, upto pagen, in a textbox prompt when we
enter 1 page1 should display,when I enter 2 page2 should display,can anyone suggest the answer?
well, two things to do.> 1- Use Static Choice for Prompt > 2- Apply render variable to render the pages
Ans) You can use the Render Variable method. Make a String Variable and place the CASE WHEN
Statement with the Parameter values. In the Page Explorer , go to Page Properties, Set the Render
Variable and select the respective choice for the Page. I believe, that can solve your problem.
Code

CASE WHEN
?Par_Text_Prompt? = 'Page 1' then 'P1'
?Par_Text_prompt? = 'Page 2' then 'P2'
.....
.....
END
Content store and content manager.
Hi friends what is main difference between content store and content manager?Give me one example
for these related ?
Answered by: krishnachaitanyaa on: Aug 1st, 2011
Content Store: It is Cognos Database.
Content Manager: It is the application which controls the Content Store .
What is the difference between list and crosstab?
List: It shows detailed Information, We can use any data item available.
CrossTab: It Shows summarized information, At least one measure must be included.

Framework manager relationship cordinality

cardinality tells the relationship how many rows from one of the query subjects defined in the
relationship are expected to match a row in the query subject on the other side of the relationship.

The cardinality tells Cognos  8 if one of the tables is expected to have more than one matching
record in the other (many-to-one relationships), or if a matching record is not required at all (outer
joins).

Complicated schedule for cognos report

Asked By: GIBoris | Asked On: May 18th, 2011
1 answer
I need to create schedule , based on day of week and time.
Here is requirement for schedule:
Report should run each business day at 08:00 A.M and return data for:

ProcessStartTime (some data item) BETWEEN

MON run - data from prior FRI 04:00 P.M. and today MON, 08:00 A.M.
TUE run - data from prior MON 04:00 P.M. and today TUE, 08:00 A.M.
WED run - data from prior TUE 04:00 P.M. and today WED 08:00 A.M.
THU run - data from prior WED 04:00 P.M. and today THU 08:00 A.M.
FRI run - data from prior THU 04:00 P.M. and today FRI 08:00 A.M.Answered by: shailendra32 on: Jul
23rd, 2011
Since you want data for last one week so put condition on the report to fetch data only for last week.

While creating schedule you can click check boxes for the required days. 

Aggregation and roll-up aggregation

Aggregate Function: This function specifies what type of Aggregation to be applied on a data item. The
Aggregation can be of the types "Total", "Average", "Minimum", "Maximum" etc.

Roll Up Aggregation: One above you have determined what type of aggregation you are applying on a
data item e.g. Unit cost then here you can decide about the type of aggregation on the summarized
values. In case of our Unit cost, if you have applied "Aggregate" choose here as "Maximum". Remember
"The roll-up aggregation of any item is important only when you create the aggregation of 'Aggregate'
type. Otherwise leave it as automatic.

What is the use of generated prompt?

What is the use of generated prompt? Can u give complete information with scenario
Answered by: Cognos on: Jul 17th, 2011
The prompt should be used when you are not sure of which type of prompt best suits for requirement.

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?
Junk dimension: All the attributes which are not related to any other 
dimension are put together to form a Junk dimension.
Types of Prompts: date prompt, time prompt, datetime prompt, interval prompt, 
select and search prompt, tree prompt, generated prompt. 
Macro: Marco is nothing but symbolic representation like #, (, en i.e is nothing
but shortly used things which will be done in framework manager to improve the
performance of the reports.
Cube can be created either by generating IQDS which will be source with in the 
Transformer.

Different data sources available with in the transformer are

1) Cognos Report  2) Cognos Package 3) IQD 4) Delimited fixed text with column titles
5) Delimited fixed text 6) Access table 7) Access query 8) Excel crosstab 9) Excel database
10) Powerhouse portable subfile 11) Fixed field text 12) Fixed field text with out crlf

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 
1) Report performance - Prompt page takes a long time to load or the report takes a long time to
generate.
2) Data is not accurate in the report.3) Ambiguous columns 4) Time/date filters do not match the format
of the time/date data 5) Incorrect joins 6) Union queries do not have the same columns names

What are the components of Cognos connection?

Cognos connection is the single point of entry to all of the report writing 
tools. You can customize your pages and tabs. It contains cognos administration 
allowing you to setup security, performance tuning, data sources and 
import/export packages.

What are the components of query studio? 

Query Studio is the ad-hoc reporting tool that allows you to create filters, 
conditional formatting, custom groups, charts and summaries.

What are the components of report studio? 

Report Studio allows you to create complex reports with custom prompt pages, 
drill thru pages, master-detail joins, unions and also allows you to imbed java 
script into the report.

What are difference between master detailed relationship and drill through 
report? 
A master-detail relationship allows you to create joins within the report. A 
drill through report allows you to create a join to a separate report object.

Performance in executing reports.

What are the steps to be taken care to increase the executing of reports?
Answered by: bonniewade1 on: Jan 14th, 2011
1)Use static values or list of values in prompts when possible.
2) Perform calculations on the database side.
3) Limit the number of rows to be displayed at one time when possible.
4) Take off theauto summarization of the query when you're only displaying attributes.
5) Use the sql to do an explain plan on the query and tune the query.
Answered by: Lakshmi on: Jul 16th, 2008
By applying the filtres, to eliminate the un wanted data,by using local limited local processing,by using
agregations for facts(numerics).
To improve the performence of the report move all the calculations and filters from report level to
frame work manager.

What is the difference between calculated measure and measure folder?

A calculated measure is data item values that have been transformed into one value.
A Measure folder is a folder used to stored calculated measures.

Does cognos 8.2 have the capability to mouse over a data field to allow a field definition to appear?
Yes, Cognos 8.2 have the capability of mouse over a data field like tooltip, changing colors when ever
mouse move to the dataitem.
I am going to describe the tooltip. For example:
Suppose we can take the list report with single item and take html item to the both sides of the item and
put the below one and after that run it you can found in Cognos viewer the mouse over option.
<a title="Order number">Orderitem

Cognos report studio data containers

2 answers
What are the types of data containers in cognos report studio?

List > Crosstab > Charts > Repeater >

and also Nested Objects like
Block > Table > Conditional Blocks

Tree prompt advantages

What are the advantages of tree prompt? Why tree prompt was included in cognos 8?
Answered by: lalithagaru on: Nov 23rd, 2010
A data driven prompt control that shows hierarchical information and allows you to select one or more
members. If you take Order number, Product name, Return quantity the list will show products that
were returned more than 30 days after the order date.
Answered by: cgns.cgns on: Mar 23rd, 2008
We use a Tree Prompt when working with dimensional data to prompt for hierarchial values.
A Tree prompt returns a set of members from with in a hierarchy.Add a tree prompt to let users filter
the level of detail they want to report on in a single hierarchy.
What is the difference between group and associate?
GROUP is used to suppress the duplicate values having one to many relations.
Associate is used to suppress the values having one to one relations.

Row level security

How will you provide security?How will you provide row level security?
Answered by: liladd on: Oct 5th, 2009
You can use session parameters to map a data item to one of the ldap user values.depending on what
you authentication source is and if the necessary values are there. EX: Your ldap has employee
#,Answered by: reply_me_web on: Sep 5th, 2008
Row Level Secuirty can be given in Framework Manager using Parameter Map

How can create users and permissions in cognos

In cognos  we can create users,groups,roles by using third party authentication likeCOGNOS
ACCESS MANAGER, LDAP.After creating the users we can provide the permission (like read,write,set
policy,travers,execute)to users.

What is the difference between model and a package in framework manager?

A model is an set of metadata objects organized for report authors according to the business models
and rules. It is an business presentation of the structure of data from one or more data sources.
A package is an subset of query subjects and other metadata objects defined in the project.

What is drill down and slicing and dicing whats the difference between them.
Slicing is a process in which you do an equality selection of data from one or more
dimension(perspective of facts how it can be interpreted).
In dicing, you obtain a dataset in a range of selection.
Cognos 8 report studio bookmarks Procedure
Create a report with two lists. > Insert a single Data Item (Product Name) in list one.
Right click the Data Item (Product Name) in the list and go to Drill Through.
Add a new Drill Through, and choose the Bookmark tab. Set Source Type to Data Item Value.
Now insert some data items along with product line (Product Name, Quantity, Unit price e.t.c.) > Click on
product name and create section. > Insert book mark by unlocking the report into the Product Name
section. > Set the Bookmark property for Source Type to Data Item Value. > Set the Bookmark property
for Data Item Value to Product Name. Note: These book marks will not work in HTML format as the page
gets changed. Test it in PDF.
What is the usage of HTML object in tools box?
By using HTML objects we can fulfill some requirement which is not possible directly by Cognos in built
components. 
By using HTML object, We can insert multimedia file into report. At the run time we can see the file.
What is the usage and procedure to create a repeater object?

Repeater Object is used to repeat data in a particular order. Its mainly used for mailing lists. for example,
say you want the Name, Address and telephone , one below the other in a 3X3 table. You can drag
in the repeater table, set 3X1 table for Name address and phone, and this information would get
repeated in the 3X3 table. Your output would have three names in the first table row followed by the
information.

Conditional formatting
Enhance a report by adding conditional formatting. For example, use conditional formatting to identify
exceptional data in a report.
With conditional formatting, you can hide and show objects, highlight data, add multiple layouts, create
a multilingual report

By using date prompt . Can we schedule the report ?

Yes we can schedule a report to run on specified date and time. We can even get the output as in email.

What is refreshing of a cube and how can we do it

Refreshing the cube fetches the latest data to the cube. Which can be used to extract the latest reports
out of it. Inorder to refresh the cube right click on the cube in powerplay transformer you will get an
option refresh cube click on it and its done.
Answered by: chinnuchaitu on: Feb 13th, 2007
Refreshing the cube means it just gets the latest data and there is a option Refresh to do so.

What is meant by junk dimension?

A "junk" dimension is a collection of random transactional codes, flags and/or text attributes that are
unrelated to any particular dimension
A junk dimension is a convenient grouping of flags and indicators.

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...
Using Current_Date function, you will get the current date. Then use the extract function to extract day,
month and year. Then hardcode the filter in the query for day and year.

How to perform single signon in reportnet by using url?

In Cognos configuration cognos under authentication the > Allow anonymous access should be false. > In
cgi-bin properties (under IIS) the enable anonymous  > access should be false.

What is purpose of using hierarchy in framework manager?

Hierarchy defines the order of query items for report to report interactions [RRI]. Hierarchies are
defined in query subject to support drill-down and drill-up functionalities.

How can we create reports in query studio?

We can access "Query Studio" to create and view simple reports via cognos connection after
selecting the package that got imported from cognos content store. We can now select Required Query
Items from different Query Subjects to generate ad-hoc reports. 

What is loop in frameworkmanager ?

Loop: Loop is a closed path (relation) that exists among 3 (or) more tables. Loop gets created when "N"
tables have "N" joins.For example if we have '3' tables T1 T2 T3 the...
Answered by: rkiranbedi on: Mar 2nd, 2007
 Loop is a closed Path. it can be exist b/w fact &dimensions, to resolve these we have to use shortcuts

Can you apply the master detailed relationship between query studio report and report studio report?
How?
Answered by: vishal_9009 on: Mar 17th, 2009
Master detailed relationship from query / Analysis studio report and Report Studio report can be
created only with the use of Package level drill through.

What is the difference between the render variable and the style variable?
Render Variable: - Specify a variable based on which object can be conditionally rendered.Style Variable:
- Specify a variable based on which object can be conditionally styled.
What is object security in framework manager?
These management or all permissions granted users are known as power users and without restricting
or creating any security for this level you need to grant all permission.
How can we use nvl function/dataformat to resolve the blank spaces in our report. Explain with
navigation
Yes this was the aproch in previous version but from Cognos 8 specifically from 8.3 you have no data
option provided to handle missing values.
How to improve report performance in reportnet.
By Enabling the GOverner Settings we can improve the performance.
What is meant by mime type in frame work manager?
The format that the column value uses.
For example, if Display Type is set to picture, MIME Type could be jpeg.
This property is for query items only.
Note: The MIME Type property is not used by SAP BW.

Report security ? > How to apply security on report?

Answered by: sivabisani on: Nov 13th, 2008
For reports we apply the security in Cognos connection.
Go to cc from the actions->setpropertiesicon->permissions->click the check box overide the permission
and then set required properties to protect to your reports.
Let me know if you have any another solution.

What is catalog and types of catalogs in cognos and which is better

Catalog contains metadata which is used retrieved by warehouse database is called catalog.
Actually 4 types catalogs. They are Personal catalog Shared catalog Secured catalog Master Distributed
catalog. > MDC is better one
Just an addition to the above description's, Catalog also hold the relationships between the
tables selected from the database.

Difference between filter & condition ?

The major difference between query conditions and document filters is that a condition is applied to the
query and limits the data retrieved from the database, whereas the filter is applied to the data in the
document to hide information and display only the information that you want to appear
Cognos explorers ?
What are the unique advantage of having 3 explorer in cognos i.E 1) page explorer 2) query explorer
3)variable explorer
Materialized view ?
If there is no calculations and the data is summerized, will you use materialized view? Give reason > they
can be used to summarize, precompute, replicate, and distribute data.> but if there are no calculations
needed and the summarization is already been done then not sure if we need to use them

What is the cognos report development life cycle?What are the phases involved in the report
development?

1. Getting the requirements for report creation. (could be any functional document)2. Tables creation.3.
Working on the framework manager for data modelling 4. Starting report development  according
to the specifications. (can refer to any technical document) 5. Testing of report (Writing test cases etc) 6.
Delivering the report 7. Working on change requests (if any) for the same.

Factless fact table Explain with an example for factless fact table in real time project ?
Factless Fact Table: A fact table with a key section but without a measure section.  There are 2 types of
factless fact table: 1. Event Tracking Tables: A table that records an event.
A Fact table, without any measures is called Factless Fact Table.For Ex.Survive Fact Table

What is iqd?What is contained in iqd? How you create iqd in reportnet framework?

Impromptu Query Definition - Database metadata - Select the query subject items in FM that we want to
export in the form of an IQD and select the right option from the contextual menu
How to limit the output in a report for testing?
Let us assume that I have to create a report whose output has 1 million rows. When I create the report
and run it may take several hours to show me the complete report. So can I limit the output to just 100
rows to save time while testing the report? Thanks in advance.
Answered by: arunkiranrega on: Aug 11th, 2008
You can limit data by applying filter  on some query item - for example if you have somany contract ids -
you can apply filter contract id -1234
Answered by: angel987 on: Jun 26th, 2008
In the run options set the data mode to limited data.

What is the process of cognos testing Can u give me small example of cognos testing?
Answered by: arunkiranrega on: Aug 11th, 2008
Cognos unit testing includes1) Data checking - you need to match against data exactly what you
desired2) You need to check the data format - eg check number of decimal places,date format,time
format 3...
How to rename a file in cognos 8 ?
Click on the Set Properties button of the particular report. You get a lot of details of that report like
report name and description. 
You can change the name of the report.
How do you partition time dimension in cognos.
i guess by partitioning it in date, month, year, hours, minute, second.

How do you test reports in reportnet

What do you record in unit test documents?
Answered by: Pavithracts on: Jun 29th, 2008
in Unit testing we will check the fontsize,Filters etc as per in the requirement document all these things
are recorded in the document.
Only in system testing using toad software will match the toad records with report output in cognos. >
generally we are using toad software.it is a predefined tesing software

What is the use of event studio, analysis studio and metric studio
Analysis Studio - an application to analyze cubes and explore business data in a multidimensional
manner. Mainly used by business analysts. 

• Metrics Studio - used for the scorecarding. The idea behind it is to put performance indicators next to
the organization's key performance measures (red, orange, green status notation). 

• Event Studio - a process (an agent) which runs in the background and monitors the data and reacts
when ocurrs something which may be cause a problem in the future in the business. For instance, if
quantity of product X on stock is less than a given value, event manager can send an email to the
responsible person which will contain a warning with problem description and a cognos  report
attached.

Prompts in framework manager How can you create prompts in framework manager?

We dont actually create prompts in FM.There is a property known as Prompt for each Query Item
(field/column name). You just set this property to the required prompt type.After the properties are
set, ... you publish the package.
In Report Studio, you just drag and drop this Query Item and define a filter with ?Query_Item?. You can
set the Data Format for the Query Item here.
Repeater table What is the repeater tablethanks,
Answered by: srilug on: Apr 25th, 2008
Repeaters are tables in which you can insert items that are repeated when you run the report. For
example, use repeaters to create mailing labels. To build a repeater, drop the items you want in the
repeater object. Then modify the properties of 
the repeater to obtain the results you want. For example, you can specify how many repeater frames
appear per page by typing values in the Across and Down properties.

Fact less fact table What is the fact less fact table? Why we use this table?
Answered by: chandrarekha on: Feb 13th, 2008
A fact table without measure is called a fact less fact table 
for negative analysis report we use this fact less fact table

What are the different performance tuning techniques of a cognos cube?

we can use 1.incremental updates,2.use multiple data sources or 3.partition your cube using auto-
patition, the size of the cube but runtime performance will increase drastically.
4.check power cube status and 5.perform test cube .Refer step by step transformer guide for more
details.

Import two data sources to framework manager in cognos

Please explain me how to import two data sources into framework manager?Can anyone tell me what is
role of reporter writer in cognos?
Answered by: binay.bk on: Jan 23rd, 2008
We can import two data sources to Framework Manager  in the Run Metadata  Wizard.
Go to Run Metadata  Wizard-->Select another database ( e.g. suppose SQL Server is choosed in prior
attempt, then u can choose Oracle as new datasource).Then import it.

Static choice Could u explain briefly what is static choice?

Answered by: ittoolboxcognos on: Jan 5th, 2008
Static Choice is set of choice you provide to user for selection. These choices are manually entered in the
field. E.g for value prompt when you select Radio GUI then you give choices to your users by manually
entering the choices by selecting Static Choice property and clicking add new.
Performance tuning in model and report level
In report level:
1)you can reduce the calculation and condetions in the report > 2) you can limit the cut copy phaste
operations for user's > 3) you can limit access no of report's at peek time you can improve performence
at report level
in model:
1)you can remove loop's at that time you can improve performence at model level
2)use indexces you can improve performance

What is level span? How it is used in cognos? What is the main advantage of level span.
Level span is used to eliminate duplictes in data, in cognos it is used repeat grouped item.using levelspan
we can see the grouped data group by group.For example, when country and city are both group...
Answered by: venu on: Sep 16th, 2007
Level Span is used to eliminate duplicates in a report which contains columns with one-one
relationships. Usually we use grouping to eliminate duplicates when there is one to many relation. But if
there is one-one relationship and still there are duplicates, then we have to level span.
How to build a cube in cognos 8 using framework manger?
By using Framework Manager we can create IQD files ,By using IQD files we can creat cubes in
powerplay
What is usage property?
Usage property identifies the intended use for the data represented by each query item and it
determines the aggregation rules of query items and calculations.
The different usage property settings are Identifier,Fact,Attribute, and Unknown.

How do you speed up the report execution even though it has lot of charts.
One possibility would be to review the data available and use prompts if possible.  This way, you could
limit the amount of data being retrieved and thus allow for a faster response time.

How to use lookup command?

The syntax is as follows: LOOKUP (name) in (value1 --> value2) default (name)Name: the name of your
columnvalue1: value you would like to be replacedvalue2: value you would like to replace it withd...
Answered by: narender on: Jul 23rd, 2007
By using parameter map
How can I schedule reports in cognos
Asked By: chim | Asked On: Mar 15th, 2006
1. In Cognos  Connection, Go to Public Folders or My Folders, click the schedule button for the
report you want to schedule.
2. Under frequency, select how often you want the schedule to run.
3. Under Start, select the date and time you want the schedule to start.
4. Under End, select the date and time you want to end the schedule.
5. Under Formats, click the format you want to run the output.
6. Under Languages, select the languages to select different languages.
7. Under Delivery, choose any one delivery method.
8. If you want to be prompted, under Prompt values,select the Prompt for Values checkbox.
9. Click Ok.

What is snapshot
Snapshot is the permanent local copy of the data in your report.

What is incremental refreshing of a cube and how can we do it

You have missed one more important point. > For incrimental update cube additionally we need to
create hot files and frequently update the cube and over write the old hot files with latest hotfiles and
then update the cube.

When you import data into catalog you have complex columns names. How do you change the name
of those columns?
      --->  Select Impromptu Admin.      --->  Catalog     ---->  Folders     ---...
Answered by: rkiranbedi on: Apr 13th, 2007
Open Impromptu Administrator -> Catalog -> Folders option Select the 
column you want to > Click the Edit button, From Left Pane Select Particular Column which you wants
to Rename Drag that into Right Pane then >Select that Column and Click on Rename Button then
Change the name.

What are the ways to import data into catalong?(2 ways)

We've 2 ways to import data into a catalog.
They are 1. Database which contains all the data
               2. Hot file which is meant as local database. this also contains Meta data.

1.In middle level project aprox how many number of dimension and facts are exists?2.In a complex
report how much maxm. No. Of dimension are exist in a cube?
Actually there is no limitations for fact and dimensions tables. That depends upon the data and the
project. Normally we have 60 dimensions and 17 fact tables.

Is it possible to apply access manager user rights in impromptu

Yes. You can do this by following the steps below:1. Configure Access Manager runtime on your desktop
using "Access Manager - Configuration Wizard"
2. Update Catalog properties in Impromptu to use Access Manager by specifying the namespace.
3. Finally, use Access Manager memberships to control the Table/Folder access in Catalog using the
menu option "User Profiles" or use the Access Manager variables that are available in the Expression
Editor of Impromptu.

What is the difference between today and now function in impromptu?What is the function of
dispatcher in reportnet
to day function is used for represent the to day date(sys date) while now function is sys time

What is camid in cognos?

CAMID stands for Cognos Access Manager ID, and it represents an internal search path to the recipients.
Specify search paths when you want to save burst reports in a directory.

What is the security module used in cognos

Cognos uses KERBORES security model. It was the model which was found in 1980.
by using third party authentication.

How can change database connection to users

Hi,You can change database connections in Catalog level.Catalog-->Tables-->retrieve table.You will see
radio button for Atached dB. 
use the list box and select a desirable DB if it is attached to Cognos . or else create DB connecting by
selecting the following option
Catalog-->databases-->ODBC-->New database-->Create a new connection.

What is cube group and when will you create cube group?
Answered by: Mohan Potla on: Jun 14th, 2007
Set of similar cubes built by Transformer. Each cube group relates to a single level in one dimension of
the model. Each member of the group is targeted at one of the categories in the level. 
How many number of cubes can we create on a single model?How can we navigate between those
cubes?
We can create as many as it support.
We can navigate between them using CubeGroup
Which consist all together.

Can we provide a border for a legend in any of the charts (line chart) in report studio ?
We can provide border for that chats you select chat and select properties you will set there box type
there.
What is associated grouping? And how it works in cognos impromptu?
An associate is used to make one to one relationship. but before associate u must have to apply group.
Ex: ordeno,orderDate,Productname is there apply group on orderno and apply associate on order date
then it will give one to one relationship between orderno,order Date.
What is the architecture of datawarehousing?
A datawarehouse is collection of "data marts". A data mart satisfies one aspect of  your business . 
Data mart consist of "Dimensions" and "Facts"
Dimension are things like Location , Time etc.
Facts are numeric values (KPI) > Dimension "describe" a fact value.

How to evaluate the cube?

Cube data could be quickly evaluated using powerplay for windows

How can we share the time dimension in cognos

Use transformer to build Time dimension in a model and create multiple cubes using the same model.
What are different datasources to develop models
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 is exact catalog size??
A:  3MB
What is refreshing of cube and how can we do it
refreshing a cube means getting the latest records fron content store.we have one option refresh to do
that.
How can we use conditional blocks
Conditional Blocks adds an empty block that you can use for conditional formatting.You can hide and
show objects in a report based on a condition you define.

State the differences between type-in, picklist properties? Which are to used at the apt suitation?
Advantanges and disadvantages of both prompts?
Type In prompt is User entered Values, but Pick List Prompt is User selected Values

What are the limitations of generating reports in csv format in cognos reportnet/cognos 8?
Yes, there is some limitation of generating the report in CSV.The maximum no. of rows is 65000 and
columns is 256. if the data exist more then 5MB. then the report would take long time to excute and
some time it wont.

How can we provide security to reports as well as packages?

at package level we can provide security, by selecting and unselecting  the query subjects(tables).we can
also hide the tables.
at report level save ur report in personal folder.
By using ACESS MANAGER we can set security to users.

What is the difference b/w macros and prompt?

macro is a dynamic object which is used to substiute the values at query run time.prompt is dynamic
conditon which select the value or enter the value at query run time

How can I test reports in cagonos

in power play transformer   on toolbar select RUN menu .in RUN menu there is one option that isTEST
BUILD

How can we import stored procedures into framework manager in cognos8

In FM right click on the Namesapace in which you want the stored procedure to be imported...Select
Create->QuerySubject....
New Query subject window appears... Select the third option "Stored Procedure" -->Click Ok...New
Querysubject Wizard appears in that...Select the Datasource...-->Next
In the select stored procedure window select the appropriate stored procedure and click
"Finish"...Define the properties for the Procedure.....That's it and you can view the procedure as a query
subject inside your namespace.
How can you restrict access onto different parts of report given a report?
In Cognos  8, you can do it in three stages 1) Package Leveln2) Object level 3) Data level

Package level Object level Data level

Expan the Expan the namespace,  Right click on a table
namespace,  R click on a table > Click on "Specify Object
Security" Select query subject, 
R click on package > On "specify Object Security" window, 
Click on Edit Package click on ADD  select "specify security
On "select users and group" dialog box,  filter"
Package Access select Cognos
window appears,  Select Report Administrator & Consumers "specify data security"
Click Add dialog box appear
Remove "All users" In new window, under allow Report
from it Administrator, deny consumer click on ADD
Now R click on namespaces, 
Click Adds,  select cognos
click on " Specift Object Security
select Cognos  select consumers, 
"Here allow both consumers & Report
Select "Report Admni Ok it
Administrator", 
Right click on packages,  click the first row, 
OK it, 
"Explore package "  click on insert
save the package in
Framework window opens In Filters folder, 
Manager (FM)
Select "Object security tab" appears select the appropriate
Publish the package filter
You will be allowed see who is allowed and
who is not save the package and
publish it

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 is cognos visualizer and cognos scripting?
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 data sources to develop catalog
 Data source for defining a catalog may be any database.Whether it may be a relational database(like
Oracle,sql server, DB2,Tera data etc)

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)

How do add dynamic titles in pp?

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

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.

treeknox Cognos Interview Question and Answers.doc

POSTED BY UNKNOWN ON 9:26 PM NO COMMENTS
1. What is Data warehouse?
In 1980, Bill Inmon known as father of data warehousing. "A Data warehouse is a
subject oriented, integrated ,time variant, non volatile collection of data in support
of management's decision making process".
Subject oriented : means that the data addresses a specific subject such as sales,
inventory etc.
Integrated : means that the data is obtained from a variety of sources.
Time variant : implies that the data is stored in such a way that when some data is
changed.
Non volatile : implies that data is never removed. i.e., historical data is also kept.
 2. What is the difference between database and data warehouse?
A database is a collection of related data. 
A data warehouse is also a collection of information as well as a supporting system.
 3. What are the benefits of data warehousing?
Historical information for comparative and competitive analysis.
Enhanced data quality and completeness.Supplementing disaster      recovery plans
with another data back up source.
 4. What are the types of data warehouse?
There are mainly three type of Data Warehouse are :
1) Enterprise Data Warehouse 2) Operational data store 3) Data Mart
 5. What is the difference between data mining and data warehousing?
Data mining, the operational data is analyzed using statistical techniques and
clustering techniques to find the hidden patterns and trends. So, the data mines do
some kind of summarization of the data and can be used by data warehouses for
faster analytical processing for business intelligence.
Data warehouse may make use of a data mine for analytical processing of the data
in a faster way.
6. What are the applications of data warehouse?
Data warehouse are used extensively in banking and financial services, consumer
goods. > Data warehouse is mainly used for generating reports and answering
predefined queries. > Data warehouse is used for strategic purposes, performing
multidimensional analysis. > Data warehouse is used for knowledge discovery and
strategic decision making using data mining tools.
7. What are the types of data warehouse applications?
Info processing, Analytical processing and Data mining
8. What is metadata?
Metadata is defined as the data about data. Metadata describes the entity and
attributes description.
9. What are the benefits of Datawarehousing?
The implementation of a data warehouse can provide many benefits to an
organization. A data warehouse can :
 Facilitate integration in an environment characterized by un–integrated applications.
Integrate enterprise data across a variety of functions.
Integrate external as well as internal data.
Support strategic and long–term business planning.
Support day–to–day tactical decisions.
Enable insight into business trends and business opportunities.
Organize and store historical data needed for analysis.
Make available historical data, extending over many years, which enables trend
analysis.
Provide more accurate and complete information.
Improve knowledge about the business.
Enable cost–effective decision making.
Enable organizations to understand their customers, and their needs, as well
competitors.
Enhance customer servicc and satisfaction.
Provide competitive advantage.
Provide easy access for end–users.
Provide timely access to corporate information.
10. What is the difference between dimensional table and fact table?
A dimension table consists of tuples of attributes of the dimension. A fact table can be
thought of as having tuples, one per a recorded fact. This fact contains some measured
or observed variables and identifies them with pointers to dimension tables.
11. What is data mart?
A data mart can contain one fact table to address one subject. In such a case,when a
number of data marts are integrated to create a DWH, it is important that the facts in
each table mean the same thing. Such facts (i.e., measures or metrics) that have the
same meaning in different data marts are called conformed facts.
12. What are the different types of datasmarts?
Stand–alone Data Marts : Data marts that do not interact with other data marts are
called stand–alone data marts. On the other hand, data marts can be integrated to
create a data warehouse.
Multi–source Data Mart : A data mart for which the input data is obtained from
multiple sources is called a multi–source data mart.
Personal Data Mart : A data mart for use by individuals such as Chief Executive
Officer (CEO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is
called Personal Data Mart.
Operational Data Store : ODS is a database system that obtains data from different
sources, consolidates it and keeps it at a single location. However, it does not have the
sophistication of a data mart or a data warehouse for analytical processing. ODS is
generally developed as a pre-cursor for ERP systems.
13. What is fact table?
A fact table is the central table that contains the measures or facts of a business
process.
14. What is the mapplet?
Mapplet is a set of transformations that you build in the mapplet designer and you can
use in multiple mappings.
15. What is meant by grain?
Granularity of data is a very important factor in the design of fact table. In fact table,
we can represent data at different atomic levels, called grains.
1. What is Cognos Impromptu?
Cognos Impromptu is a tool for generation of business intelligence reports.
2. What is Cubes?
A cube consists of a set of ordered dimensions and measures. A cube may have one or
several dimensions.
3. What is query subject?
A query subject is the basic building block in framework manager. A query subject is
a set of query items that have an inherent relationship.
4. What is Report item?
Report item is a query item when it is drag and drop into the work area.
5. What is a query item?
Query items are mainly used in Reporting and for BI Authors it is the most essential
object from the framework manager. These have lot of properties associated with
them and are present in query subjects. Query items are similar to subsets of query
subjects.
6. What are the advantages of Cognos?
Planning, Analysis, Forecasting and Score carding
7. What are packages?
Packages are used for reporting.
8. What is materialized view?
A view which is physically stored in a database. Materialized views allow query
performance to be enhanced by pre calculating costly operations.
9. What is schema?
A schema is composed of a set of dimensions and a set of fact relationships.
10. What is folder?
Folder contains repository objects such as sources, targets, mappings,transformation
which are helps logically organize our data warehouse.
11. What are the types of report?
Blank report, List report, Cross report, Chart report, Repeater report
12. What are Slice and Dice?
An operation that allows one to select a portion of the data of a fact on the basis of
specified values in one or several dimensions.
13. What is pivot?
The pivot (or rotate) operation rotates the axes of a cube to provide an alternative
presentation of the data.
14. What are the types of gateway?
Common Gateway Interface(CGI),
Internet Service Application Interface(ISAPI) and Tomcat
15. What is Cognos Reporting tool?
Cognos is a reporting tool from IBM which helps in reporting and analysis of various
data from a data warehouse.
16. What are the types of framework manager?
There are two types of framework manager are :
 Presentation layer and Physical layer
17. What are dimensions?
Dimensions define the structure of a cube. A dimension must have at least one key
attribute and other attributes that may define hierarchies.
18. What are the components of Report Net?
Report Net components are :
Framework manager, Cognos connection, Query Studio, Report Studio
19. What are the types of hierarchies?
In Analysis Services, there are two types of hierarchies are :
Attribute hierarchies and User defined hierarchies.
20. What is slice?
The slice operation performs a selection on one dimension of a cube, resulting in a
sub cube.
21. What are the types of prompt?
Value Prompt, Textbox, Select and search, Date, Time, Date and time, Interval,
Generated Prompt.
22. What is Cognos Connection?
It is a Web portal for Cognos 8 and a component which interacts with the Content
Store. It is a frontend to publish, find, manage, organize, and view organization's
business intelligence data.
23. What is framework manager?
Frame manager is a development tool to create the end-user layer used by authors to
build their BI objects.
24. What is OLAP designer?
OLAP Designer is a development tool used to model and create multidimensional
databases. A multidimensional database, often referred to as a cube, is a highly
compressed database and contains summarized information that is optimized for
analysis.
25. What is metrics designer?
Metrics Designer is a development tool used to model and deploy scorecards and
related data loading procedures.
26. What is meant by drill across?
The drill–across operation executes queries involving more than one cube.
27. What is meant by drill through?
The drill–through operation allows one to move from data at the bottom level in a
cube to data in the operational systems from which the cube was derived.
28. What is meant by drill down?
The drill-down operation performs the operation opposite to the roll-up operation, i.e.,
it moves from a more general level to a detailed level in a hierarchy, thus presenting
more detailed measures.
29. Define data mining?
A data mining dimension provides support for dimensions that result from data
mining models.
30. What is Metrics Designer?
Metrics Designer is a development tool used to model and deploy scorecards and
 related data loading procedures.
31. What is cognos powerplay?
Cognos powerplay is for multidimensional on–line analysis of data.
32. What is the use of cognos decision stream?
Cognos decision stream is a tool for extraction, transformation of loading of data from
the source databases to the target database.
33. What is the use of cognos scenario?
Cognos scenario is used to find the hidden trends and patterns in data.
34. What is meant by drilling Up?
Drilling down is adding grouping columns from the dimension tables, then drilling
up is subtracting grouping columns.
35. What are the three important fundamental themes in a data warehouse?
The three most important fundamental themes are :
Drilling Down, Drilling Across and Handling Time
36. How to create reports?
Use Report Studio to create more advanced business reports.
37. What is the security module used in Cognos?
The security module used in Cognos is Cognos access manager.
38. What is catalog ?
A catalog is a file containing the information (Database tables) that Impromptu users
need to create reports.
39. What are the types of catalogs in Cognos?
There are four types of catalogs in Cognos. They are :
Personal, Distributed, Shared and Secured
40. What are the differences between Reporter report and Explorer report?
In a Cube, you can either modify or explore. Reporter is used to modify where as
explorer is used to explore the cube.
41. What is cognos connection?
Cognos Connection is used to monitor, configure and optimize a Cognos 8 BI
installation through a web interface. It is the same tool used by Consumers, but
contains other advanced options for administration.
42. What is cognos configuration?
Cognos Configuration is the Cognos 8 BI administrative tool that is used to define the
behavior of a Cognos 8 BI installation. It is used to manage configuration parameters.
43. What are the types of folder?
There are three main types of folders are :
Standard folder, Package folder and Metrics folder
44. What is the difference between standard and metrics folder?
Standard Folder : This is a container for other folders and/or BI objects, and is used
for organizational purposes. It will behave just like a folder on your local computer,
but will operate like a web page with active links. A bright yellow icon specifics
Standard folders.
Metrics Folder : Metrics folders arc used by the Metrics Studio to store metrics-
related information. While the standard behavior upon selecting the other two folder
types is to show their contents, a Metrics Folder will open up directly into Metrics
Studio. A dark blue icon with colored dots specifies Metrics folders.
45. What is query studio?
Query studio are used to perform ad hoc queries.
46. What is difference between drill through and drill down?
The drill through operation allows one to move from data at the bottom level in a
cube to data in the operational systems from which the cube was derived. 
The drill down operation performs the operation opposite to the roll-up operation,
i.e., it moves from a more general level to a detailed level in a hierarchy, thus
presenting more detailed measures.
47. What is the difference between a cascading report and drill through report?
Cascading prompt means to extract the data from one prompt to using values from
another prompt.
Drill through report means to extract the data by selecting a column in a report,
means to get the detailed information by clicking that column data.
48. What are the types of studio?
There are five types of studio are :
Query Studio, Metrics Studio, Analysis Studio, Report Studio and Event Studio
49. What are Cognos connection initial page components?
The page can be broken down into three major sections :
1) The Studio Toolbar 2) The Utilities Toolbar 3) The Tab Navigator
50. What is the difference between macros and prompt?
Macro is set of instructions to run report.
Prompt provide a way to dynamically change the reports.
51. What is Cognos scenario?
Cognos scenario is a tool that is used to find the hidden trends and patterns in data.
52. How to create cubes in transformer?
Cube can be created by using different data sources.
53. What are the components of Report Net?
There are four components of report net are :
Framework manager, Cognos connection, Query Studio and Report Studio
54. What is transformer?
Transformer is used for building the Cubes (Multidimensional Structure used for
OLAP processing).
55. What is model?
A model is a complete set of query objects and query subjects that are used for
reporting.
56. What is IQD?
IQD stands for Impromptu Query Definition. It is report save extension with .iqd
it is use for creating a cube in power play transformer.
57. What is cascading prompts?
Cascading Prompts allows a user to use values selected from one prompt to filter
values in another prompt.
58. What is the use of charts?
Charts are a graphical way of presenting information. Use charts to reveal trends and
relationships that are not evident in tabular reports.
59. What are the filters in Framework Manager and Report Studio?
Filters in framework manager are :
 Standalone filters and Embedded filters
Report studio Filters are :
Detail filters and Summary filters
60. What is difference between content store and content manager?
A content store is a data base which stores the meta data of the reports.
Content manager is a service which is available in dispatcher. which it manages the
security.
61. What is Cognos 8 BI?
Cognos 8BI is a powerful suite of products that focuses on transforming raw data
into powerful information for business decisions. Cognos 8 BI can be used across all
levels in an organization, from users looking for pre-defined reports to analysts with
complex data requirements.
62. What are package folders?
This folder is similar to a Standard Folder, but internally it contains pre-defined
business rules and metadata related to sources of information. It is used by the Studios
to create new queries, reports, analyses, etc. A dark blue icon specifics Package
folders.
63. What are components of report studio?
There are four components of report studio are :
Insertable Objects pane ,Properties pane ,Explorer bar and Report Viewer
64. What are the types of security?
There are three different types of Security are :
Data security: Create a security filter and apply it to a specific query subject.
Object security: Secure an object directly by allowing users access to the object,
denying users access to the object, or keeping it hidden for all users.
Package security: Apply security to a package and identify who has access to that
package.
65. What is metrics designer?
Metrics Designer is a development tool used to model and deploy scorecards and
related data loading procedures.
66. What is query studio?
Query Studio is a very user friendly ad hoc query tool that allows users to easily
access information. With Query Studio, the user drags and drops fields to execute
queries, and with multiple available options at a touch of the mouse, it can group
data, create summaries, display charts, filter information and export data.
67. What is metrics studio?
Metrics Studio is a powerful scorecard tool that allows for the creation and
monitoring of goals through an organization.
68. What is analysis studio?
Analysis Studio is the user friendly tool used to quickly analyze summarized
information with powerful dimension and variable crossing for complex analysis,
discovery of trends and forecasting.
69. What is report studio?
Report Studio is the professional report authoring tool. The tool allows for the
development of pixel perfect reports, such as invoices and statements, as well as very
complex layouts, such as those required for enterprise dashboards.
 70. What is event studio?
Event Studio is a monitoring tool that allows for the definition of agents that will
monitor certain user-defined events and will execute tasks accordingly. They can be
saved to Cognos as ″agents″.
71. What are the types of user roles?
The users of Cognos 8 BI can be grouped into four major roles based upon their
respective business and technical requirements.
Consumers, Authors, Developers, Administrators
72. What are repeaters?
Repeaters are tables in which you can insert items that are repeated when you run the
report.
73. What are cross tab reports?
Crosstab reports are reports that show data in rows and columns. However, the values
at the intersection points of rows and columns show summarized information rather
than detailed information.
74. What is list report?
A list report is a report that shows data in rows and columns. Each column shows all
the values for a query item in the database or a calculation based on query items in the
database.

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A2Z Cognos Interview Question and Answers

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A2Z Cognos Interview Question and Answers

1. What is Cognos Reporting tool?
Cognos is a Reporting tool from IBM which helps in reporting and analysis of various
data from a data warehouse.
2. What is Cognos Connection?
It is a Web portal for Cognos 8 and a component which interracts with the Content
Store. It is a frontend to publish, find, manage, organize, and view organization’s
business intelligence data.
3. What is Report item?
Report item is nothing but a query item when it is drag and drop into the work area.
4. What is Cardinality?
Cardinality is nothing but relation between tables.
One to One > One to Many > Many to Many > Many to One
5. What is data mining?
Data mining is a process of extracting hidden trends within a data warehouse.
6. What are the types of prompt in Cognos?
Value prompt ,Text Prompt, Date prompt, Time prompt, Date and time prompt
7. What is Drill Through?
Drill-through reporting allows you to link from one report to another. You can drill
through in a number of ways. > A Drill Through id developed with two reports. 
 1. Parent Report  > 2. Child Report.
8. What are the components of Report Net?
Framework manager ,Cognos connection, Query Studio, Report Studio
9. What is difference between content store and content manager?
A content store is a data base which stores the meta data of the reports.
But where as a content manager is a service which is available in dispatcher. which it
manages the security.
10. What is OLAP?
OLAP stands for On Line Analytical Processing, a series of protocols used mainly for
business reporting.
11. What are components of report studio?
Insertable Objects pane > Properties pane > Explorer bar >Report Viewer
12. What is Snap Shot?
snapshot is a static datasource it is a picture of of report once u created a snapshot
report u can't add a data item.
13. How do you define a cube?
Its a multidimensional view of dimension and measures. It is used to analyze the data in
various aspects, which is called slicing and dicing.
14. What is the Difference between PowerPlay transformer and power play reports?
Powerplay transformer' is an ‘MOLAP’ tool using which one can create multi
dimensional structure called “CUBE”.
Powerplay for reports is used to generate report from the cube.Only one report can be
generated from one cube.If u want ‘n’ reports u must create ‘n’ cubes.
15. What is cube size?
2.0 GBIt depends on ur project requirements.
16. What is meant by Junk Dimension?
The Junk Dimension also called as garbage dimension. 
A junk dimension is a convenient grouping of typically low-cardinality flags and
indicators.
17. What is transformer?
Transformer is used for building the Cubes (Multidimensional Structure used for OLAP
18. What is catalog and types of catalogs in cagonos?
A catalog is a file containing the information (Database tables) that Impromptu users
need to create reports. > personal > distributed > hared > secured
19. What is Cardinality?
Relationships exist between two query subjects. The cardinality of a relationship is the
number of related rows for each of the two query subjects. The rows are related by the
expression of the relationship; this expression usually refers to the primary and foreign
keys of the underlying tables.
20. How to join multiple db in catalog?
Mutiple database could not be connected in a single catalog. So that we use hotfile for
thispurpose.
21. How to generate cubes in cognos?
Power Play Transformer contain dimension,measure,model and cube. we can generate
cube different way. > Just right click on cube name and build.
we can write script in unix. using that we can generate cube.
22. What is snapshot?
A Snapshot is the copy of data, when we create a snapshot it copies the exact data
 that'srelated to the at perticular report, we use snapshot when ever we want to
compare reports.(Example :we want to compare this months report with previous
months).
23. Define datastores in Cognos?
Data sources, also known as query databases, are relational databases,
dimensionalcubes, files, or other physical data stores that can be accessed through IBM
Cognos8. Application Tier Components use data source connections to access data
sources.
24. What is metric store database?
A metric store database is a special case of a query database. A metric storedatabase is
used to store the information associated with metrics that appear inscorecards,
including targets performance metrics , thresholds  , embership in sorecards 
links to related reports.
25. What is difference between view and materialized view?
Views contains query whenever execute views it has read from base table Where as M
views loading or replicated takes place only once which gives you better query
performance.
26. What is difference between data mart and data warehouse?
A data mart designed for a particular line of business, such as sales, marketing, or
finance.
Where as data warehouse is enterprise-wide/organizational
The data flow of data warehouse depending on the approach.
27. What is DTM?
DTM transform data received from reader buffer and its moves transformation to
transformation on row by row basis and it uses transformation caches when necessary.
28. What are the different uses of a repository manager?
Repository manager used to create repository which contains metadata the informatica
uses to transform data from source to target. And also it use to create informatica
user’s and folders and copy, backup and restore the repository.
29. What is a folder?
Folder contains repository objects such as sources, targets, mappings, transformation
which are helps logically organize our data warehouse.
30. Explain Informatica Architecture?
Informatica consist of client and server. Client tools such as Repository manager,
Designer, Server manager. Repository data base contains metadata it read by
informatica server used read data from source, transforming and loading into target.
31. How do you call a store procedure within a transformation?
In the expression transformation create new out port in the expression write :sp.stored
procedure name(arguments).
32. What is difference between Informatica power mart and power center?
Using power center we can create global repository
Power mart used to create local repository
Global repository configure multiple server to balance session load
Local repository configure only single server
33. What are the batches and it’s details?
Sequential(Run the sessions one by one
Concurrent (Run the sessions simultaneously)
34. What is main difference mapplets and mapping?
 Reuse the transformation in several mappings, where as mapping not like that.
If any changes made in mapplets it automatically inherited in all other instance
mapplets.
35. Source table has 5 rows. Rank in rank transformation is set to 10. How many rows the
rank transformation will output? Ans ) 5 Rank.
36. What is bitmap index?
A bitmap for each key value replaces a list of rowids. Bitmap index more efficient for
data warehousing because low cardinality, low updates, very efficient for where class.
37. Why need staging area database for DWH?
Staging area needs to clean operational data before loading into data warehouse.
Cleaning in the sense your merging data which comes from different source
38. What is slowly changing dimension?
Dimension attribute values may change constantly over the time. (Say for example
customer dimension has customer_id,name, and address) customer address may
change over time.
39. What is difference between primary key and unique key constraints?
Primary key maintains uniqueness and not null values Where as unique constrains
maintain unique values and null values.
40. What are the types of index?
Bitmap index ,B-tree index, Function based index ,reverse key and composite index. We
used Bitmap index in our project for better performance.
41. What are the different uses of a repository manager?
Repository manager used to create repository which contains metadata the informatica
uses to transform data from source to target. And also it use to create informatica
user’s and folders and copy, backup and restore the repository.
42. What are shortcuts? Where it can be used? What are the advantages?
There are 2 shortcuts(Local and global) Local used in local repository and global used in
global repository. The advantage is reuse an object without creating multiple objects.
Say for example a source definition want to use in 10 mappings in 10 different folder
without creating 10 multiple source you create 10 shotcuts.

Cognos 8 and 10 Interview Question

1) What is a Data Warehouse?
A Data Warehouse is a collection of data marts representing historical data from different
operation data sources (OLTP). The data from these OLTP are structured and optimized for
querying and analysis in a Data Warehouse.

2) Define Cognos Report Net?

Cognos Report Net is the web-based, dynamic, business intelligence reporting solution from
Cognos.
3) What are the tiers of the ReportNet Architecture?
The ReportNet architecture can be separated into three tiers:
* Web server
* Applications
* Data 

4) Define Business Intelligence

 Business Intelligence is a broad category of application programs and technology used for
query, Reporting and analyzing the business multi dimensionally.

5) What is a Data Mart?

 A Data Mart is a subset of a data warehouse that can provide data for reporting and
analysis.

6) What is HPQS ?
 Data Marts are sometimes also called as HPQS (Higher Performance Query Structure).

7) What is multi dimension analysis?

It is a technique to modify the data so that the data can be view at the different levels of
details.
 8) What are the responsibilities of Cognos Administrator?
A Cognos Administrator is assigned with following responsibilities.
1. Installations and configurations in distributed network environment.
2. Creating the Repository (Content Store). 3. Perform back up and recovery of Meta
Data.4. Developing the user Administration.5. Tuning the servers.6. Deployment.

9) Responsibility of Cognos Architect?

An Architect is responsible for designing the interface by fulfilling the user
requirements.Once the interface has been designed it should be rigorously tested before
distributing to the end user population.

10) Roles of the Application Developer?

 Design the Reports according to the Report requirement templates.
 Testing the each report with the following types of tests.
a. Unit Testing b. System Testing c. Performance Testing

11) What is OLAP?

 OLAP stands for Online Analytical Processing. It uses database tables (Fact and Dimension
tables) to enable multidimensional viewing, analysis and querying of large amount of data.

12) What are the types of OLAPs?

1. DOLAP:-The OLAP tool which works with desktop databases are called as DOLAP
Ex:- FoxPro, Clipper, Dbase, Paradox.
2. ROLAP:-The OLAP tool, which works with Relational databases, are called as ROLAP.
Ex:-Oracle, SQL Server, Tera Data, DB2.
3. MOLAP: - The OLAP  tool, which works with Multidimensional databases, are called as
MOLAP.
Ex:- ESSBASE, Power Cube
4. HOLAP:- The OLAP tool which works with Relational databases and Multidimensional
database, are called as MOLAP.
Ex:- Cognos, Business Objects.

13) What is OLTP?

OLTP stands for Online Transaction Processing. Except data warehouse databases the other
databases are OLTPs. These OLTP databases are designed for recording the daily operations
and transactions of a business.
14) What is an Interface?
An Interface is a gateway between the user and database.
An Interface contains a logical pointers which pointes to data in the Data Warehouse.
An Interface is isolates the complexity and diversity if data bases.
A good OLAP Interface writes an efficient SQL read on accurate data from database.
An Interface needs to be designed by fulfilling the report requirement.

15) What is the role of a Data Warehouse in creating the Interface?

Data Warehouse acts as Source to the Interface.

16) What are the types of components installed while loading the Cognos Report Net
Software?
When we install  the Cognos Report Net Software there are two types of components get
installed :-
1. Windows based components. 2. Web based components.

17) Define Windows based components?

 A Framework manager is windows based modeling tool used for creating a project
(interface).

18) Define Web based Components?

 The following are the web based components.
 A. Cognos connection  B. Query Studio C. Report Studio D. Analysis Studio

19) Components of Report Net:

1. Framework  manager.2. Cognos connection 3. Query Studio 4. Report Studio
5.Transformer 6. Analysis Studio

20) What are the phases of the Cognos ReportNet Workflow?

Plan, Manage, Model, Author, Consume.

21) What are the advanced features of Report Net?

The Cognos Report Net has multilingual database accessibility.
The parameter maps are key value phase, which are used for working with local Language
that the default value is ‘EN’.
Framework Manager
22) What is Framework manager?
 Frame Work Manager is windows based metadata development or metadata modeling tool
for Cognos Report Net.

23) Why we need Framework manager?

 To create the interface known as Project.
 To create model the metadata derived from one or more data sources

24) How a project appears in a FrameWork manager?

A frame work manager project appears as a folder that contains a project file (.cpf) and the
specific XML files that define the project.

25) What are the Building Blocks in Frame Work Manager?

The Query subjects are called Building Blocks in Framework Manager.

26) What are phases the workflow process consists in Framework Manager?
The workflow process consists of the following phases:
* Design and create project > * Prepare Metadata >* Prepare the Business View
* Create and Manger Packages >* Set Security > * Publish >* Manage the Project

27) How you set the security Framework manager?

 To set the security you have to set as:* Define access to packages. >* Create security
filters > * Define access to objects >* Define package administration access
28) Define Name Space?
In security, a collection of user accounts and user groups from an authentication provider.A
Name Space is a container, which holds the Query Subjects.A Name Space uniquely
represents the Query Subjects.
 29) Can you delete Cognos namespace?
No, we cannot delete Cognos namespace

30) What is the Cognos Namespace? And what it contains?

The Cognos namespace is the ReportNet built-in namespace
It contains Cognos objects:
Groups , Roles, Sources, Distribution lists, Contacts
31) What are the Groups and Roles?
 Groups and roles represent collections of users that perform similar tasks.

32) What is Folder?

A Folder is used to organize the Query Subjects.

33) Define Relationship?

 A Relationship is a connection that explains how the data in one Query Subject relates to
data in other Query Subjects.

34) What is a Package?

A container for models, reports, and so on. Modelers create packages in Framework
Manager to publish models to the ReportNet server.

35) What is Physical layer?

The Physical layer provides the physical query layer and is made up primarily of data source
and stored procedure query subjects. It acts as the foundation for the presentation layer.

36) What is Presentation layer?

 The Presentation layer makes it easier for report authors to find and understand their data.
The Presentation layer is made up primarily of model query subjects that you create.

37) Define function set:

 A function set is a collection of vendor specific database.
 The Expression editor lists the function sets for all available vendors. However, you can
restrict the function sets, so that it lists only the vendors that you want to use in your
project.

38) What is a Metadata?

 Data about data is called as Metadata. The Metadata contains the definition of a data.

39) What is a Project?

 When we work with a framework manager you work in a project.
 Project is a set of metadata organized for Report Authors according to the Business rules
and Model.
 A Project created appears as folder, which contains following files.
a. Project Name .CPF (Cognos Project File) > b. Model .XML > c. Preferences .XML
d. Custom data .XML >The files in the folder are unique to that Project.

40) Define Publish?

To transfer all or part of a Framework Manager model to the ReportNet server, so that
report authors can use it.

41) What a Project contains?

A. A Model > B. Namespaces > C. Data sources > D. Parameter maps > E. Packages
F. Folders > G. Query Subject > H. Query Item >I. Relation ship

42) What is a Model?

 A model in Frame work manager is a business presentation of the structure of the data
from one or more databases. Or A model is a set of related query subjects and other
objects.

43) What are Dimensions?

Dimensions are categories by which summarized data can be viewed.

44) What are Confirmed Dimensions?

The Dimensions which are reusable and fixed in nature.

45) What are Fact Tables?

A Fact Table is a table that contains summarized numerical (facts)  and historical data. This
Fact Table has a foreign key – primary key relation with a dimension table.

46) What are the types of Facts?

 The types of Facts are:
1. Additive Facts:- A Fact which can be summed up for any of the dimension available in the
Fact Table.
2. Semi-Additive Facts:- A Fact which can be summed up to a few dimensions and not for all
dimensions and not for all dimensions available in the Fact Table.
3.   Non-Additive Fact:- a fact which cannot be summed up for any of the dimensions
available in the Fact Table.
47) Define Query?
 A description of the data to be retrieved from a database.

48) Explain about Data Source Query Subject?

Data Source query subjects contain SQL statements the directly reference data in a single
data source. Frame work manager automatically creates a data source query subject for
each table and view that you import into model.

49) When the default data source query subject is created?

 During the initial metadata import operation, a default data source query subject is created
for each object you select (for example table) and creates the default relationships between
query subjects for you automatically.

50) How can you edit the data source query subject?
i. Apply or embed a filter > ii. Apply or embed a calculation > iii. Insert a Macro
iv. Insert a data source reference. > v. Change the SQL type. > vi. Change how SQL is
generated. >These all are we can find it in “Edit definition window”.

51) What are the types of SQL?

 SQL is the industry language for creating, updating and querying relational data base
management system. Types of SQL.
1. Cognos SQL 2. Native SQL 3. Pass-through SQL.

52) Define Cognos SQL?

 By default Cognos FM uses Cognos SQL to create and edit Query subjects.
 Advantages:
1. Can contain metadata from multiple data sources. 2. Have fewer database restrictions 3.
Interact more effectively with Cognos applications.
Disadvantages:
 You can not enter nonstandard SQL.

53) Define Native SQL?

 Native SQL is the SQL, the data source uses, such as Oracle SQL, but you cannot uses
Native SQL in a query subject that references more than one data source in the project.
 Advantages:
1. Performance is optimized across all related query subjects.
2. You can use SQL that is specific to your database.
Disadvantages:
1. You cannot use SQL that the data source does not support for sub queries.
2. The query subject may not work on different database type.

54) Define Pass-Through SQL?

 Pass-Through SQL lets you use native SQL without any of the restrictions the data source
imposes on sub queries.
 Advantages:
1. You can enter any SQL supported by the database.
Disadvantages:
1. There is no opportunity for Frame work manager to automatically optimize performance.
The SQL may not work on a different data source.

55) What are Query Processing Types?

There are two types of query processing.
1. Limited Local: The database server does as much of the SQL processing and Execution as
possible. However, some reports or report sections use local SQL processing.
2. Database only: The database server does all the SQL processing and execution with the
exception of tasks not supported by the database. An error appears if any reports of report
sections require local SQL processing.

56) What is Query Subject?

 A Query Subject maps to the table in the database.
 A Query Subject uses an SQL to retrieve the data from the data source.

 A Query Subject is also known as Business View.

57) What are the types of Query subjects?
1. Default data source query subjects 2. Model Query Subjects
3. Stored Query subjects

58) What is a Query Item?

 A query Item maps to columns to the database table. A Query Subject contains Query
Items.

59) How can you restrict the tables retrieved by a query?

 By setting governors we can restrict the tables.

60) What is meant by Governors?

To apply privileges and restrictions for a user class. Governor settings are used to set
restrictions on queries by user class, such as
1. Sorting on non-indexed columns 2. Outer joins 3. Suppress duplicates 4. Cross-product
queries 5. Retrieval of large text items 6. Number of records 7. Number of tables 8. Query
execution time

61) What is a User Class?

A defined group of users with the same data access needs, privileges and restrictions.

62) What is Scrubbing at Project level?

According to the report requirements derive the new Items with the help of existing Query
Items. This process is known as Scrubbing at Project level.

63) How can you add the calculated data to a report?

a. Summarize existing detail values predefined summary functions (such as sum, avg)
b. Create new report items using data from existing report items.
c. Use model calculations provided in the package.

64) What are the sources to create new Query subjects?

 A new Query Subject can be created from the following sources.
1. Model (Query subjects & Query Items) 2. Data Sources (Tables and Columns)
3. Stored Procedure.

65) What is Multi Database Access in Cognos Report Net?

 In Cognos Report Net a Project can be created from multiple databases. The databases can
be either homogenous or hydrogenous.

66) What are Parameter Maps?

 A Parameter Map is a key value pair used in creation of conditional Query Subjects.
 A Parameter map sub situates the values at the query at runtime.

67) What is the default formats of reports?

HTML, PDF, CSV, and XML.
68) What are the different ways to modify multi lingual metadata?
1. Macro :- To modify dynamically
2. Directly

69) What is a Macro?

A Macro is a runtime object, which uses the parameter maps and session parameters in
developing the conditional query subjects.

70) What is usage property? And what are different setting to set usage property?
It identifies the intended use for the data represented by each query item.
It determines the aggregation rules of query items and calculations.
The different usage property settings are:
* Identifies * Fact * Attribute * Unknown

71) What are the types of filters in Framework manager?

In framework manager we can create two types of filters.
1. Model filters 2. Query filters.

72) Define Model Filter?

 A filter is a condition used to restrict the data displayed in the Report.
 Model filter are reusable.

73) Define Data restriction:

A filter is a condition, which restricts the amount of data displayed in the report.

74) What is condition?

An expression that yields a Boolean value. Conditions are used in query expressions, query
filters, and Boolean report variables that can be used for conditional formatting, styles, data
sources, layouts and blocks.

75) Types of Conditions:

Conditions are of 2 types:
1. Static Condition: - Condition doesn’t change whenever you run the report.
2. Dynamic Condition: -A condition can be kept on change whenever you run the report.
76) What are the types of filters in Report Studio?
 In the report studio we can find two types of filters.
1. Tabular Filters:- These filters are two types
a. Summary Filters b. Detailed Filters
2. Grouped Filter

77) What is a Loop?

A Loop is a closed path which is resulted due to joints.
A Loop causes performance degradation of query execution and wrong data will be
displayed in the report.
A Loop can be resolved by creating the short cuts (Alias).

78) What is Alias Table?

An alternative name for a table generally used in self joins.

79) What are the uses of Alias Table?

The uses of Alias Table are :1. To resolve the Loops. 2. To create self-joins with in a table.
3. To Provide alternate join structure.
80) What is Associated Data Item?
A Data Item linked to the group data item. Associated data item suppress duplicate data
values but do not generate a control break. The associated column displays only one data
values for the group with which it is associated.

81) What is Automatic Association?

The group association of a newly created summary. The location of the group where you
create the summary determines its automatic association.

82) What is an Ambiguous Relationship?

An ambiguous relationship is where there are multiple relationship paths between one or
more query subjects leaving multiple options for how to write a query.

83) What is a Join and types of Joins?

 A Join identifies the columns from one table that are used to link to another table.
 A Join is commonly formed by a foreign key definition within the database.
Types of Joins :- 1. Equi-joins 2. Non equi-joins 3. Outer joins
84) What is a dimension?
A broad grouping of descriptive data about a major aspect of a business, such as products,
dates, or markets. Each dimension includes different levels of members in one or more
hierarchies, and an optional set of calculated members.

85) What is a Confirmed Dimension?

If a Dimension is connected to multiple fact tables then it is called as Confirmed Dimension.

86) What is a Junk Dimension?

A randomly used dimension is Junk Dimension.

87) Define Surrogate Key?

It has system-generated artificial primary key values, which allows to maintain historical
records in the Data Warehouse more effectively.

88) What are the User Interface Components?

* Cognos Connection * Report Studio * Query Studio * Frame work manager
* Cognos configuration
1. What is significance of Framework Manager in Cognos Reporting?
ANS: Framework Manager is a metadata modeling tool. A model is a business presentation
of the information in one or more data sources. When you add security and multilingual
capabilities to this business presentation, one model can serve the reporting, ad hoc
querying, and analysis needs of many groups of users
2. What is loop in framework manager?
ANS: Loop is closed path in IN FRAME WORK MANAGER DUE TO JOINS report net it called as
ambiguous relationship. That means a query subject contains multiple paths to retrieve the
data. It is an exception to resolve to create a shortcut on that query subject otherwise it
displays wrong results in reports and performance is degrades.An undefined join between
two tables is known as loop. To resolve loop delete the joins, if these joins are necessary
then we have to create shortcuts nothing but alias tables. Place the joins in alias tables.
3. What are the filters in Framework Manager and Report Studio?
ANS: Filters in framework manager are
1. Standalone filters 2. Embedded filters
Report studio Filters are
1. Detail filters 2. Summary filters
4. How to import two data sources into Framework Manager?
We can import two data sources to FM  in the Run Metadata  Wizard.
Go to Run Metadata Wizard–>Select another database ( e.g. suppose SQL Server is choosed
in prior attempt, then u can choose Oracle as new datasource).Then import it
5. How to perform single sign on in Cognos by using URL?
In Cognos configuration under authentication allow anonymous access should be false. In
cgi-bin properties (under iis) the enable anonymous access should be false.
6. What is usage property? Where do we set usage property?
1.The Usage Property identifies the use for the data represented by query item.
It determines the aggregation rules of query items and calculations.
The different usage property settings are Identifier, Fact, Attribute, Unknown
2. To set the usage property: Click the query item u want to set the usage property for
Then click the properties icon on the tool bar or you can see the properties pane on the
right side of the browser. Go to “USAGE” tab and click “CLICK TO EDIT” option. And select
the appropriate.
7. What is the use of prompts in Framework Manager?
ANS: Use of Prompt in Framework Manager:
Filter on query subject – to restrict the rows that are returned by filtering out the unwanted
data by creating one or more embedded filters for query subject.
Prompt in filter with usage set to always – user need to supply a value to filter.
8. Where exactly determinants are used in cognos framework manager?
ANS: A query subject that behaves as a dimension has multiple levels of granularity and will
be joined on different sets of keys to fact data.
9. How would you structure your Framework Manager Model?
ANS: A model is normally structured into two layers/views. Database/ Physical view and
Business/ Presentation view. These can be implemented using Namespaces.
You import the metadata into Physical layer from DB using data source connection. You will
use Import Metadata Wizard. You will change the Query Subjects & Query Items, create
relationships (joins) and other activities here.
In the Presentation layer, you create Query Subjects taking input from the existing Physical
layer. You change the names of the Query Items and other cosmetic modifications.You can
choose only the Presentation layer while creating the Packages and apply appropriate
security settings.
10. How to provide security in frame work manager for a query subject?
ANS: Procedure for providing security for query subject in frame work manager is:
Select querysubject -> in properties pane select ->security filters (click on edit)a specify
data security wizard appears->click on add groups -> cognosnamesspace(select users and
groups wizard opens)
11. How can we generate the cubes in framework manager?
ANS: You can create the IQD file from framework manager.
This IQD file will be used by Transformer to create the cube.
12. How to generate IQD file from framework manager?
Create a Query Subject, from the properties pane select externalise, there we have 4
options in that select IQD.

 
How to crate cubes in transformer ?
1.Analyze user reruirements
2.Determine the source data
3.Build the model and define source data
4.Organise the dimensions,levels,categories,measurses
5.Refine the model
6.create the required cube and consider cube
groups;location where to sstore cube
7.give access privileges for each user
8.Deliver the cube based on user located
9.Distributed the cubes via vss or any other resources
10.give the production support