Obiee Interview Questions

5/26/2018 Obiee Interview Questions

1/18

OBIEE INTERVIEW QUESTIONSPhysical Layer

1. What is connection pool

1. Connection pool is a physical layer object ,is useful to store data base

credentials like database name, username, password..etc.

2. OBIEE oracle BI Server contacts data base using connection pool

2. How to import views/materialized views?
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mtwvE7vZXDw/UiyzIeAMcGI/AAAAAAAACq0/g9xmRp5u9Rg/s1600/1.png


2/18

1. While importing we need to enable views option
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sEH_fmJ_cgA/UiyzneX-XOI/AAAAAAAACq8/KoHoFkiWgYc/s1600/2.png


3/18

3. What is the isolation level in a connection pool

1. It applies only For ODBC and DB2 gateways only. The value sets thetransaction isolation level on each connection to the back-end database. Theisolation level setting controls the default transaction locking behavior for all

statements issued by a connection. Only one option can be set at a time. Itremains set for that connection until it is explicitly changed.

2. The following options are available:

1. Dirty read.Implements dirty read (isolation level 0 locking). Thisis the least restrictive isolation level. When this option is set, it is possibleto read uncommitted or dirty data, change values in the data, and haverows appear or disappear in the data set before the end of thetransaction. Dirty data is data that needs to be cleaned before being
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxfSq5dDgbA/Uiywy-6cOOI/AAAAAAAACqs/9kXXlb7T9Vw/s1600/3.png


4/18

queried to obtain correct results (for example, duplicate records, recordswith inconsistent naming conventions, or records with incompatible datatypes).

2. Committed read.Specifies that shared locks are held while thedata is read to avoid dirty reads. However, the data can be changedbefore the end of the transaction, resulting in non repeatable reads orphantom data.

3. Repeatable read.Places locks on all data that is used in a query,preventing other users from updating the data. However, new phantomrows can be inserted into the data set by another user and are included inlater reads in the current transaction.

4. Serializable.Places a range lock on the data set, preventingother users from updating or inserting rows into the data set until thetransaction is complete. This is the most restrictive of the four isolationlevels. Because concurrency is lower, use this option only if necessary.

4. How many connection Pools you used in your project

1. It is a general question ,there is no fixed answer, however in each project we will

have minimum three connection pools

1. One for importing tables and execute reports

2. One for execute session initialization block sql queries

3. One for usage tracking purpose

2. Recommended number is between 2 to 10.but justification is important.

5. To get data of another schema ,then what we need to enable in connection pool

1. Required fully qualified names

2. DB permissions
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccWx6nuMicQ/Ui0ntclIurI/AAAAAAAACrM/-yuC7d7W_gM/s1600/OBIEE+0002+.png


5/18

6. Can we create multiple connection pools under one database object

1. Yes, we can

7. What is the difference between Duplicate and Alias in physical layer

1. We will use Alias in physical layer to resolve below problems

1. Self Join

2. To maintain naming Standards in physical layer3. Resolve loops or closed paths

2. Duplicate normally used in Physical layer to create a duplicate copy of existingSelect table (Opaque View) /stored Procedure object

8. How many types of Joins are there in Physical layer?

1. Two types

1. Foreign Key join

1. Equivalent to Equi join

2. Accepts only = operator

3. Most used join in physical layer

2. Complex Join

1. Equivalent to Non Equi join2. Accepts all operators like (=,,=>,,=.etc)

3. Less used join in Physical layer

9. Can we create self join
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RxD_eK9rQgs/Ui0oFTfHFRI/AAAAAAAACrU/s_bJ-MxxTQI/s1600/OBIEE+0003+.png


6/18

1. By using Alias table , we can create self join.

10. Can we create outer join in physical layer.

1. In Physical Layer Outer join not possible ,however we can create outer join inBMM layer .

11. How to remove unused objects from physical layer

1. It will remove objects, which we did not use in BMM layer

2. Tools menu | Utilities|Remove unused objects from physical layer

12. How to synchronize physical layer objects

1. It is useful to synchronize RPD metadata with DB metadata
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rhdKC5pY10/Ui0rVWgQoHI/AAAAAAAACro/npyPUozJisg/s1600/OBIEE+0005+.pnghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SO0LEDzriTY/Ui0qV1vqFjI/AAAAAAAACrg/lwayp1dEEfo/s1600/OBIEE+0004+.pnghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rhdKC5pY10/Ui0rVWgQoHI/AAAAAAAACro/npyPUozJisg/s1600/OBIEE+0005+.pnghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SO0LEDzriTY/Ui0qV1vqFjI/AAAAAAAACrg/lwayp1dEEfo/s1600/OBIEE+0004+.png


7/18

2. Tools | Utilities | Update Physical Layer

13. What is complex join, in which scenario we use it.

1. If foreign key is not possible then we will go for complex join. For examplebetween emp and salgrade we will use complex join

2. In place of non equi join ,complex join is used

14. In foreign key join can we use other than equal to operator

1. No15. What is Opaque view

1. A SQL query or select statement is called as opaque view.

2. If we need a new table then go for physical table (or) materialized view. In worstsituation go for opaque view.

3. Opaque views are not supported by non relational db.(example MS Excel ,XML,ESSBASE etc)

4. If we need to call data base function then we have to go for Opaque View .

16. Is deploying opaque is mandatory?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBsdNOfa6Pc/Ui0t8x8H2uI/AAAAAAAACr8/kYOrF2xzUEA/s1600/OBIEE+0007+.pnghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FxTRRYwAOiw/Ui0r9Iy2FpI/AAAAAAAACrw/kQVgtNu8Fko/s1600/OBIEE+0006+.pnghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LBsdNOfa6Pc/Ui0t8x8H2uI/AAAAAAAACr8/kYOrF2xzUEA/s1600/OBIEE+0007+.pnghttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FxTRRYwAOiw/Ui0r9Iy2FpI/AAAAAAAACrw/kQVgtNu8Fko/s1600/OBIEE+0006+.png


8/18

1. No. but it is recommended due to below reason

2. Without deploying view into database, if we use opaque view in reports thenoracle BI server needs to create complex queries. To avoid complex queries oraclerecommended to deploy each and every opaque view into database.

17. When automatic joins will be created in physical layer.

1. If we have primary key and foreign Key relation ship in database level and whileimporting if we enable foreign keyoptions then automatic joins will be created .

18. What is Alias

1. A virtual physical table (or) reference of physical table is called as alias.

2. On one physical table we can create n no. of aliases.

3. Whatever changes occurred in physical table that will immediately reflect in alias(except Key definitions)

4. It is mainly useful to resolve loops

19. Can we create or delete a column from Alias.

1. No

20. How to eliminate Circular Join or loop or closed path.

1. By Using Alias

Business Model and Mapping Layer

1. What is the business model

1. Is the highest-level object in the BMM layer

2. Contains the business model definitions and the mappings from logical tophysical tables

3. Simplifies the physical schema

4. Captures how users think about their businesses using their own vocabulary

2. Can we create business model with single logical table, if no please let me know work

around.1. Approach 1:Creating duplicate table in BMM layer

2. Approach 1:Creating alias and creating join between original table and alias

3. Can we create business model from multiple databases, did you created then tell me onescenario

1. Yes

2. Scenario: when we want to compare the Actual data with target data and thesedata coming from sources like oracle database and MS-Excel respectively

4. What is the Logical Table Source and when we will go for multiple logical tables

1. Logical table sources define the mappingsfrom single logical table to one ormore physical tables.

2. A logical table contains one or more logical table source.


9/18

3. The mapping between physical columns and logical columns can manage using

LTS4. By integrating multiple physical tables to LTS or By integrating multiple LTS toLT we can convert snow flake schema into star schema

5. When we need to integrate multiple physical tables in LTS.

1. If we have snowflake schema then want to convert that into star schema then wewill go for multiple logical tables.

6. Did you get chance to map a logical column with multiple physical columns 1. Yes, If we want to configure aggregate tables then we need to do it .

7. What is logical join and why it is useful?

1. A: The join defined in the BMM Layer is called logical join

1. Logical join is used to defined driving table

2. Logical Join is used to define Inner, Right, Left and Full outer joins

3. Used to defined the cardinality

4. Logical join is useful to identify dimension and fact table

5. Logical join allows Oracle BI Server to make the best decision about theexact physical SQL to generate based on the logical query path.

8. 7.Can we have a table without logical join?

1. No

9. Can we have a dimension table without primary key?

1. No

10.Can we copy RPD objects within the RPD and from one RPD to another RPD?

1. Yes, we can copy RPD objects with in the RPD.

2. We can copy one RPD to another RPD but we need tocopy corresponding layers only i.e. (physical to physical, BMM to BMM andpresentation to presentation)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i92vOhwhOfw/Ui1FfNSBh1I/AAAAAAAACsM/TyjFE9hpDO4/s1600/OBIEE+0010+.png


10/18

11.What is Renaming wizard and which layers can be modified.

1. Renaming wizard is used to rename all objects ( example : tables and columns)of BMM and Presentation layer

2.3.

Presentation Layer

1. Can we create a subject area from multiple business models

1. No

2. In which version of OBIEE , presentation layer supporting hierarchy object

1. OBIEE 11G

3. What is Aliases

1. Keep track of any changes to Presentation layer objects
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zIZpXpMZTy0/Ui1JZKiSvqI/AAAAAAAACsY/eK4_2XZtIAg/s1600/OBIEE+0011+.png


11/18

2.4. What are nested tables

1. Prefix the name of the presentation folder to be nested with a hyphen and aspace. ortype " - > "in description of the column

2. Place it after the folder in which it nests

5. Can we map a presentation column with multiple logical columns

1. we can not

Testing / Validating Repository

1. What is global consistency check

1. Consistency check is one of the processes to check whether a repository isyielding proper results in Answer reports. It checks whether;

1. All logical columns are mapped correctly to physical columns.

2. All logical dimension tables have a logical key.

3. Are there at least two logical tables in the business model (one is alogical fact table and the other is logical dimension table with join condition).

4. There are no circular logical join relationships.

5. A presentation catalog exists for the business model.2. How many messages are there in consistency check manager?

1. Upto OBIEE 11.1.1.5 version There are 3 messages in consistency checkmanager such as

1. Errors

2. Warnings

3. Best Practices
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLbJizix2gU/Ui1xSzNXjfI/AAAAAAAACso/xkpw55xt_wQ/s1600/OBIEE+0012+.png


12/18

2. In OBIEE 11.1.1.6 version onwards There are 3 messages in consistency checkmanager such as

1. Errors

2. Warnings

3. In OBIEE how many servers are there

1. In OBIEE 11G we have 6 servers1. Oracle BI Server

2. Oracle BI Presentation server

3. Oracle BI Java host server

4. Oracle Oracle BI Scheduler server

5. Oracle BI Cluster controller server

6. Web logic Server (newly added in OBIEE11G)

4. What is OPMNCTL and how many servers are integrated in it.

1. The Oracle Process Manager and Notification Server Control

1. Oracle BI Server

2. Oracle BI Presentation server

3. Oracle BI Java host server

4. Oracle Oracle BI Scheduler server

5. Oracle BI Cluster controller server

5. NQSCONFIG.INI and NQSERVER.log files are corresponding to which server.

1. OBI server

6. Can we load multiple RPDs in Oracle BI server

1. No, we cant

7. Can we upload RPD without using EM?

1. We cant

8. How many log levels are available

1. Totally 8 levels (0 to 7)9. What are the log levels in development , test and production, you used in your project.

1. In Development and Test we will use log level as 2

2. In production we will use log level 0

10.All query logs will be stored in which file and what is that file physical path

1. NQQUERY.log file

2. C:\OBIEE_OBIEE\instances\instance1\diagnostics\logs\OracleBIServerCompone

nt\coreapplication_obis111.In log level 1 can we see physical SQL query.

1. No, we can not see the physical SQL query it shows logical SQL query.

2. If you set logging level as 2 then it gives all log information of level 1 along withphysical SQL query

12.Global consistency check is not throwing any errors, then can we assume RPD is correct

1. Syntax wise it is correct .Business rules wise we may have some mistake 1.

05 .Adding Multiple Physical Table Sources
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cy0geOFIGPY/Ui16KA8eLCI/AAAAAAAACs4/u9szEz1iwh8/s1600/OBIEE+0013+.png


13/18

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

No .

2. Detail table and aggregate tables will be added as two LTS to LT. Is it right?Yes, It is right .

3. Using this concept we can convert Normalized/snow flake schema into denormalized /Star schema, is it right ?Yes we can do using below methods

1. By integrating multiple physical tables into LTS

2. By integrating Multiple physical tables as multiple LTS to LT .

06 Calculations

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

We can create three types of calculations1. Creating calculation based on logicalcolumns2. Creating calculation based on physical columns3. Creating calculation using

Calculation Wizard2. What scenarios automatically handled using calculation wizard.Below twoscenarios handled by using calculation wizard1. To handle NULL values2. To handle Divide by Zero values

3. A calculation which is taking longer time then ,where we need to calculate

Request ETL team to calculate .

4. A calculation which is taking lesser time and reusable then ,where we need to calculate Ifa calculation is reusable , simple and takes less time in running reportthen calculate in RPD .

5. A calculation which is taking lesser time and not reusable then ,where we need tocalculate

If a calculation is taking less time and not reusable then do the calculations in the reportonly.

6. What is CAST() function?CAST() is a function which is used to change the one kind of data type in to another type.

7. I have two columns in two tables, one column data type is varchar and another one isnumber. Then can we create foreign key join in physical layer.

Yes By using CAST() function ,we can achieve it

8. What is evaluate function

To force calculations to database it is useful .

9. Please explain how to add or subtract date columns.

We cannot perform an arithmetic operation(plus ,minus ....etc) on a DATE orTIMESTAMP. These are considered Non-numeric types. To calculate difference betweentwo dates, OBIEE provides a TIMESTAMPDIFF function. The syntax for using the functionis:

TIMESTAMPDIFF(interval, first_date, second_date)

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

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


14/18

SQL_TSI_SECOND

SQL_TSI_MINUTE

SQL_TSI_HOUR

SQL_TSI_DAY

SQL_TSI_WEEK SQL_TSI_MONTH

SQL_TSI_QUARTER

SQL_TSI_YEARIf the dates are not in a valid TIMESTAMP format, use CAST function to convert values into TIMESTAMPtype. See example below:

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

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

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

Real Time Queries :

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

Posted byRam Reddy ITEC at04:25

Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

4 comments:

1.

Vikas Chaudhary3 December 2013 04:59

Sir, i have few queries:

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

start.
https://plus.google.com/101246696797044695932https://plus.google.com/101246696797044695932https://plus.google.com/101246696797044695932http://rritec.blogspot.com/2013/11/obiee-interview-questions.htmlhttp://rritec.blogspot.com/2013/11/obiee-interview-questions.htmlhttp://rritec.blogspot.com/2013/11/obiee-interview-questions.htmlhttp://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=4076820703687773564&postID=4658017500869154729&target=emailhttp://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=4076820703687773564&postID=4658017500869154729&target=twitterhttp://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=4076820703687773564&postID=4658017500869154729&target=pinteresthttp://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=4076820703687773564&postID=4658017500869154729&target=pinteresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16065653292066821414http://www.blogger.com/profile/16065653292066821414http://www.blogger.com/profile/16065653292066821414http://www.blogger.com/profile/16065653292066821414http://www.blogger.com/profile/16065653292066821414http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=4076820703687773564&postID=4658017500869154729&target=pinteresthttp://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=4076820703687773564&postID=4658017500869154729&target=twitterhttp://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=4076820703687773564&postID=4658017500869154729&target=twitterhttp://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=4076820703687773564&postID=4658017500869154729&target=emailhttp://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=4076820703687773564&postID=4658017500869154729&target=emailhttp://rritec.blogspot.com/2013/11/obiee-interview-questions.htmlhttps://plus.google.com/101246696797044695932


15/18

2. Opaque View: Why we do not use opaque view. what kind performance bottleneck it creates if

used? An example would be helpful like creating a join with other dimension and creating a report.

3. if we have 10 prompts on a Dashboard, is it good practive to use cache.

4. Use Hierarchical Columns in Dashboard Prompt.

5. Dashboard Prompt: Period Prompt -- Jan, Feb, Mar....Dec

Want the values like -- Jan, Feb, Mar.... Dec, HY1, HY2, HY1+HY2

HY= Half Year

6. Make the default dashboard for a group of users.

7. Use of non confirmed dimension in Report along with confirmed dimension. Filter on Non

confirmed dim.

8. if i have a Dashboard Prompt on country:

In report -- First i select country --India --> Shows the result for country India

Second time when i select the value as USA -- Will it use the cache or go to the database and fetch

the new resultset.

9. Request Variable

10. Which options is good: Materlized view or Aggregate Table

11. first approach when you see that the report is running slow.

what can be done at OBIEE level

12. Fact less Fact example

13.how to set Dedicated Coonections for Previledged users - connection pool --> Permissions.

14. Currency conversion

15. how to manage Multiple calendars

16. user A belongs to Group A & Group B

OBI PS has one folder F1

Group A has Access to F1 but not Group B so will User a be able to access the folder.

Reply

Replies


16/18

1.

suneetha vemulapati21 January 2014 21:40

What is a Factless Fact table?

A Fact table is a table which consists of measurements, metrics or facts of a

business process. A factless fact table is a fact table that doesn't contain any facts.

They contain information to capture information but not for calculation

Example:Tracking a student or employee attendance.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15501620415313206539http://www.blogger.com/profile/15501620415313206539http://www.blogger.com/profile/15501620415313206539http://www.blogger.com/profile/15501620415313206539http://www.blogger.com/profile/15501620415313206539


17/18

2.

suneetha vemulapati21 January 2014 21:45

A request variable is used to override a session variable

Reply

2.

Nazia Kouser9 January 2014 04:24

Hello Sir,

Can you please post the answers to my below Queries:

These are the interview questions I faced:

1) Have you worked on single server or cluster server? Also,what is standalone/Integrated

environment?

2) How many records were there in your fact table? Give me a number.

3) What software did you use to raise tickets and contact oracle support? Please give me a

scenario to contact oracle support?

4) Have you ever worked on UNIX environment to use OBIEE? If yes,what type of commands I

should be familiar with?
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15501620415313206539http://www.blogger.com/profile/15501620415313206539http://www.blogger.com/profile/15501620415313206539http://www.blogger.com/profile/10173473009154170106http://www.blogger.com/profile/10173473009154170106http://www.blogger.com/profile/10173473009154170106http://www.blogger.com/profile/10173473009154170106http://www.blogger.com/profile/10173473009154170106http://www.blogger.com/profile/15501620415313206539http://www.blogger.com/profile/15501620415313206539


18/18

5) What was the most challenging/complex report you worked on? I had given this example:

http://oracle.ittoolbox.com/groups/technical-functional/oracle-bi-l/passing-parameters-in-drill-

through-reports-in-obiee-11g-4578588

Should I mention even more complicated report requirement?

6) Can you please provide few lines on business requirement gathering?

7) What will you do if the report result shows wrong data? How would you resolve?

Reply

Obiee Interview Questions

Documents

Transcript of Obiee Interview Questions