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1. While importing the relational source definition from database, what are the metadata
of source you import? informatica powercenter
Source name
Database location
Column names
Data types
Key constraints
2. How many ways you can update a relational source definition and what are they?
informatica
Two ways
1. Edit the definition
2. Re import the definition

3. Where should U place the flat file to import the flat file definition to the designer?
informatica powercenter
Place it in local folder informatica powercenter

4. To provide support for Mainframes source data, which files r used as a source
definitions? informatica
COBOL files informatica powercenter

5. Which transformation should u need while using the COBOL sources as source
definitions? informatica
Normalizer transformation is used to normalize the data. Since COBOL sources r often consists of
Demoralized data.

6. How can U create or import flat file definition in to the warehouse designer? informatica
powercenter

In Infomatica U can not create or import flat file definition in to warehouse designer directly. Instead
U must analyze the file in source analyzer, and then drag it into the warehouse designer. When u
drags the flat file source definition into warehouse designer workspace, the warehouse designer
creates a relational target definition not a file definition. If u wants to load to a file, configure the
session to write to a flat file. When the informatica server runs the session, it creates and loads the
flat file.

7. What is the mapplet in informatica ?

In Informatica Mapplet is a set of transformations that you build in the mapplet designer and you can
use in multiple mappings.

8. What is a transformation in informatica ?

In Informatica It is a repository object that generates, modifies or passes data.

9. What are the designer tools for creating transformations? informatica powercenter
Mapping designer
Transformation developer
Mapplet designer

10. What r the active and passive transformations? informatica powercenter

An active transformation can change the number of rows that pass through it. A passive
transformation does not change the number of rows that pass through it In Informatica.

11. What r the connected or unconnected transformations? informatica powercenter

In Informatica An unconnected transformation is not connected to other transformations in the
mapping. Connected transformation is connected to other transformations in the mapping.

12. How many ways u create ports? informatica powercenter

In Informatica there are Two ways
I. Drag the port from another transformation
II. Click the add button on the ports tab.

14. What r the reusable transformations? informatica powercenter

In Informatica Reusable transformations can be used in multiple mappings. When u need to
incorporate this transformation into mapping, U add an instance of it to mapping. Later if we change
the definition of the transformation, all instances of it inherit the changes. Since the instance of
reusable transformation is a pointer to that transformation, U can change the transformation in the
transformation developer, its instances automatically reflect these changes. This feature can save U
great deal of work.

15. What r the methods for creating reusable transformations? informatica powercenter
In Informatica there are Two methods
I. Design it in the transformation developer.
II. Promote a standard transformation from the mapping designer. After U add a transformation to
the mapping, U can promote it to the status of reusable transformation. Once U promote a standard
transformation to reusable status can demote it to a standard transformation at any time. If u change
the properties of a reusable transformation in mapping, we can revert it to the original reusable
transformation properties by clicking the revert button.

16. What are the unsupported repository objects for a mapplet? informatica powercenter
COBOL source definition
Joiner transformations
Normalizer transformations
Non reusable sequence generator transformations.
Pre or post session stored procedures
Target definitions
Power mart 3.5 style Look Up functions
XML source definitions
IBM MQ source definitions

17. What are the mapping parameters and mapping variables? informatica powercenter
In Informatica Mapping parameter represents a constant value that you can define before running a
session. Infomatica mapping parameter retains the same value throughout the entire session.
When u use the mapping parameter, You declare and use the parameter in a mapping or mapplet.
Then define the value of parameter in a parameter file for the session. Unlike a mapping
parameter, Informatica mapping variable represents a value that can change throughout the
session. The informatica server saves the value of mapping variable to the repository at the end of
session run and uses that value next time you run the session.

18. In Infomatica Can you use the mapping parameters or variables created in one
mapping into another mapping?
NO. In Informatica We can use mapping parameters or variables in any transformation of the same
mapping or mapplet in which U have created mapping parameters or variables.

19. In Infomatica Can you use the mapping parameters or variables created in one
mapping into any other reusable transformation? informatica powercenter
Yes. Because In Informatica reusable transformation is not contained with any mapplet or mapping.

20. In Informatica How can you improve session performance in aggregator

transformation? informatica powercenter
Use sorted input

.21. What is aggregate cache in aggregator transformation? inormatica powercenter

The aggregator stores data in the aggregate cache until it completes aggregate calculations. When
we run a session that uses an aggregator transformation, the informatica server creates an index
and data caches in the memory to process the transformation. If the informatica server requires
more space, it stores overflow values in cache files.22. What are the difference between joiner
transformation and source qualifier transformation?
In Informatica you can join heterogeneous data sources in joiner transformation which we can not
achieve in source qualifier transformation.
you need matching keys to join two relational sources in source qualifier transformation. Where as u
doesn’t need matching keys to join two sources.
Two relational sources should come from same data source in sourcequalifier. you can join
relational sources which r coming from different sources also.

23. In Informatica which conditions we can not use joiner transformation (Limitations of
joiner transformation)?
In Informatica Both pipelines begin with the same original data source.
In Informatica Both input pipelines originate from the same Source Qualifier transformation.
In Informatica Both input pipelines originate from the same Normalizer transformation.
In Informatica Both input pipelines originate from the same Joiner transformation.
In Informatica Either input pipelines contains an Update Strategy transformation.
In Informatica Either input pipelines contains a connected or unconnected Sequence Generator
transformation.

24. What are the settings that you use to configure the joiner transformation? informatica
powercenter
Master and detail source
Type of join
Condition of the join

25. What are the join types in joiner transformation? informatica powercenter
Normal (Default)
Master outer
Detail outer
Full outer

26. What are the joiner caches? informatica powercenter

In Informatica When a Joiner transformation occurs in a session, the Informatica Server reads all
the records from the master source and builds index and data caches based on the master rows.
After building the caches, the Joiner transformations reads records from the detail source and
perform joins.

27. What is the look up transformation? informatica powercenter

Use lookup transformation in your mapping to lookup data in a relational table, view, synonym.
Informatica server queries the look up table based on the lookup ports in the transformation. It
compares the lookup transformation port values to lookup table column values based on the look
up condition.

28. Why use the lookup transformation? informatica powercenter

In informatica lookup transformation uue to perform the following tasks:
Get a related value. For example, if your source table includes employee ID, but you want to
include the employee name in your target table, in these cases to make your summary data
easier to read it is used.
Perform a calculation. Many normalized tables include values used in a calculation, such as
gross sales per invoice or sales tax, but not the calculated value (such as net sales).
Update slowly changing dimension tables. You can use a Lookup transformation to determine
whether records already exist in the target.

29. What r the types of lookup? informatica powercenter

Connected and unconnected
30. Differences between connected and unconnected lookup?Connected
lookup In Informatica
Receives input values directly from the pipe line.
You can use a dynamic or static cache
Cache includes all lookup columns used in the mapping
Support user defined default values

Unconnected lookup In Informatica

Receives input values from the result of a Lookup expression in a another transformation.
You can use a dynamic or static cache
Cache includes all lookup out put ports in the lookup condition and the lookup/return port.
Does not support user defined default values

31. What is meant by lookup caches in informatica ?

The informatica server builds a cache in memory when it processes the first row af a data in a
cached look up transformation. It allocates memory for the cache based on the amount u
configure in the transformation or session properties. The informatica server stores condition
values in the index cache and output values in the data cache.

32. What are the types of lookup caches ? informatica powercenter

Persistent cache: You can save the lookup cache files and reuse them the next time the
informatica server processes a lookup transformation configured to use the cache.
Recache from database: If the persistent cache is not synchronized with he lookup table, You
can configure the lookup transformation to rebuild the lookup cache.
Static cache: You can configure a static or read-only cache for only lookup table. By default
informatica server creates a static cache. It caches the lookup table and lookup values in the
cache for each row that comes into the transformation. When the lookup condition is true, the
informatica server does not update the cache while it processes the lookup transformation.
Dynamic cache: If You want to cache the target table and insert new rows into cache and the
target, You can create a look up transformation to use dynamic cache. The informatica server
dynamically inserts data to the target table.
Shared cache: You can share the lookup cache between multiple transactions. You can share
unnamed cache between transformations in the same mapping.

33. Difference between static cache and dynamic cache informatica powercenter
Static cache In Informatica
You can not inert or update the cache.
The informatica server returns a value from the lookup table opr cache when the condition is true.
When the condition is not true, the
informatica server returns the default value for connected transformations and null for
unconnected transformations.
Dynamic cache In Informatica
You can insert rows into the cache as u pass To the target the informatica server inserts rows
into cache
when the condition is false. This indicates that the row is not in the cache or target table.
You can pass these rows to the target table.

34. Which transformation should we use to normalize the COBOL and relational sources?
Normalizer Transformation. When you drag the COBOL source in to the mapping Designer
workspace, the normalizer transformation automatically appears, creating input and output ports
for every column in the source.

35. How the informatica server sorts the string values in Rank transformation?
When the informatica server runs in the ASCII data movement mode it sorts session data using
Binary sort order. If U configure the session to use a binary sort order, the informatica server
calculates the binary value of each string and returns the specified number of rows with the
highest binary values for the string.

36. What r the rank caches? informatica powercenter

During the session, the informatica server compares an input row with rows in the data cache. If
the input row out-ranks a stored row, the informatica server replaces the stored row with the input
row. The informatica server stores group information in an index cache and row data in a data
cache.

37. What is the Rank index in Rank transformation? informatica powercenter

In Informatica The Designer automatically creates a RANKINDEX port for each Rank
transformation. The Informatica Server uses the Rank Index port to store the ranking position for
each record in a group. For example, if you create a Rank transformation that ranks the top 5
salespersons for each quarter, the rank index numbers the salespeople from 1 to 5:

38. What is the Router transformation? informatica powercenter

A Router transformation is similar to a Filter transformation because both transformations allow
you to use a condition to test data. However, a Filter transformation tests data for one condition
and drops the rows of data that do not meet the condition. A Router transformation tests data for
one or more conditions and gives you the option to route rows of data that do not meet any of the
conditions to a default output group.
If you need to test the same input data based on multiple conditions, use a Router Transformation
in a mapping instead of creating multiple Filter transformations to perform the same task.

39. What are the types of groups in Router transformation? informatica powercenter
Input group Output group
The designer copies property information from the input ports of the input group to create a set of
output ports for each output group.
Two types of output groups
User defined groups
Default group
U can not modify or delete default groups.

40. Why we use stored procedure transformation? informatica powercenter

For populating and maintaining data bases.

42. What are the types of data that passes between informatica server and stored
procedure?
In Informatica there are 3 types of data
Input/Out put parameters
Return Values
Status code

43. What is the status code? informatica powercenter

In Informatica Status code provides error handling for the informatica server during the session.
The stored procedure issues a status code that notifies whether or not stored procedure
completed successfully. This value can not seen by the user. It only used by the informatica
server to determine whether to continue running the session or stop.

44. What is source qualifier transformation? informatica powercenter

In Informatica When we add a relational or a flat file source definition to a mapping, we need to
connect it to a source qualifier transformation. The source qualifier transformation represents the
records that the informatica server reads when it runs a session.

45. What are the tasks that Informatica source qualifier perform? informatica powercenter
Join data originating from same source data base.
Filter records when the informatica server reads source data.
Specify an outer join rather than the default inner join
Specify sorted records.
Select only distinct values from the source.
Creating a custom query to issue a special SELECT statement for the informatica server to read
source data

46. What is the target load order?

You specify the target load order based on source qualifiers in a mapping. If u have the multiple
source qualifiers connected to the multiple targets, U can designate the order in which informatica
server loads data into the targets.

47. What is the default join that source qualifier provides? informatica powercenter
Inner equi join.

48. What r the basic needs to join two sources in a source qualifier?
Two sources should have primary and foreign key relation ships.
Two sources should have matching data types.
49. What is update strategy transformation? informatica powercenter
In Informatica This transformation is used to maintain the history data or just most recent
changes in to target table.

50. Describe two levels in which update strategy transformation sets?

Within a session. When you configure a session, you can instruct the Informatica Server to either
treat all records in the same way (for example, treat all records as inserts), or use instructions
coded into the session mapping to flag records for different database operations.
Within a mapping. Within a mapping, you use the Update Strategy transformation to flag records
for insert, delete, update, or reject.

51. What is the default source option for update strategy transformation?
Informatica Data driven

52. What is Data driven? informatica powercenter

The informatica server follows instructions coded into update strategy transformations within the
session mapping determine how to flag records for insert, update, delete or reject. If u do not
choose data driven option setting, the informatica server ignores all update strategy
transformations in the mapping.

53. What are the options in the target session of update strategy transformation?
Insert
Delete
Update
Update as update
Update as insert
Update else insert
Truncate table

54. What r the types of mapping wizards that r to be provided in Informatica?

The Designer provides two mapping wizards to help you create mappings quickly and easily. Both
wizards are designed to create mappings for loading and maintaining star schemas, a series of
dimensions related to a central fact table.
Getting Started Wizard. Creates mappings to load static fact and dimension tables, as well as
slowly growing dimension tables. Slowly Changing Dimensions Wizard. Creates mappings to
load slowly changing dimension tables based on the amount of historical dimension data you
want to keep and the method you choose to handle historical dimension data.

55. What r the types of mapping in Getting Started Wizard?

SimplePass through mapping :
Loads a static fact or dimension table by inserting all rows. Use this mapping when you want to
drop all existing data from your table before loading new data.
Slowly Growing target :
Loads a slowly growing fact or dimension table by inserting new rows. Use this mapping to load
new data when existing data does not require updates.

56. What r the mappings that we use for slowly changing dimension table?
Type1:
Rows containing changes to existing dimensions are updated in the target by overwriting the
existing dimension. In the Type 1 Dimension mapping, all rows contain current dimension data.
Use the Type 1 Dimension mapping to update a slowly changing dimension table when you do not
need to keep any previous versions of dimensions in the table.
Type 2:
The Type 2 Dimension Data mapping inserts both new and changed dimensions into the target.
Changes are tracked in the target table by versioning the primary key and creating a version
number for each dimension in the table.
Use the Type 2 Dimension/Version Data mapping to update a slowly changing dimension table
when you want to keep a full history of dimension data in the table. Version numbers and
versioned primary keys track the order of changes to each dimension.
Type 3:
The Type 3 Dimension mapping filters source rows based on user-defined comparisons and
inserts only those found to be new dimensions to the target. Rows containing changes to existing
dimensions are updated in the target. When updating an existing dimension, the Informatica
Server saves existing data in different columns of the same row and replaces the existing data
with the updates

57. What r the different types of Type2 dimension mapping? informatica powercenter
Type2 Dimension/Version Data Mapping: In this mapping the updated dimension in the
source will gets inserted in target along with a new version number. And newly added dimension
in source will inserted into target with a primary key.

Type2 Dimension/Flag current Mapping: This mapping is also used for slowly changing
dimensions. In addition it creates a flag value for changed or new dimension.
Flag indicates the dimension is new or newly updated. Recent dimensions will gets saved with
current flag value 1. And updated dimensions r saved with the value 0.

Type2 Dimension/Effective Date Range Mapping: This is also one flavor of Type2 mapping used
for slowly changing dimensions. This mapping also inserts both new and changed dimensions in
to the target. And changes r tracked by the effective date range for each version of each
dimension.

58. How can u recognize whether or not the newly added rows in the source r gets insert
in the target?
In the Type2 mapping we have three options to recognize the newly added rows
Version number
Flag value
Effective date Range

59. What r two types of processes that informatica runs the session?
Load manager Process: Starts the session, creates the DTM process, and sends post-session
email when the session completes.
The DTM process. Creates threads to initialize the session, read, write, and transform data, and
handle pre- and post-session operations.

60. What r the new features of the server manager in the informatica 5.0?
U can use command line arguments for a session or batch. This allows U to change the values of
session parameters, and mapping parameters and mapping variables.
Parallel data processing: This feature is available for power center only. If we use the informatica
server on a SMP system, U can use multiple CPU’s to process a session concurrently.
Process session data using threads: Informatica server runs the session in two processes.
Explained in previous question.

61. Can u generate reports in Informatica?

Yes. By using Metadata reporter we can generate reports in informatica.

62. What is metadata reporter? informatica powercenter

It is a web based application that enables you to run reports against repository metadata. With a
meta data reporter, u can access information about Ur repository with out having knowledge of
sql, transformation language or underlying tables in the repository.

63. Define mapping and sessions? informatica powercenter

Mapping: It is a set of source and target definitions linked by transformation objects that define the
rules for transformation.
Session: It is a set of instructions that describe how and when to move data from source to
targets.

64. Which tool U use to create and manage sessions and batches and to monitor and stop
the informatica server?
Informatica server manager.

65. Why we use partitioning the session in informatica? informatica powercenter

Partitioning achieves the session performance by reducing the time period of reading the source
and loading the data into target.

66. To achieve the session, partition what r the necessary tasks u have to do?
Configure the session to partition source data.
Install the informatica server on a machine with multiple CPU’s.
67. How the informatica server increases the session performance through partitioning
the source?
For relational sources informatica server creates multiple connections for each partition of a
single source and extracts separate range of data for each connection. Informatica server reads
multiple partitions of a single source concurrently. Similarly for loading also informatica server
creates multiple connections to the target and loads partitions of data concurrently.
For XML and file sources, informatica server reads multiple files concurrently. For loading the data
informatica server creates a separate file for each partition (of a source file).U can choose to
merge the targets.

68. Why u use repository connectivity? informatica powercenter

When u edit, schedule the session each time, informatica server directly communicates the
repository to check whether or not the session and users are valid. All the metadata of sessions
and mappings will be stored in repository.

69. What r the tasks that Load manger process will do informatica powercenter?
Manages the session and batch scheduling: When u start the informatica server the load
manager launches and queries the repository for a list of sessions configured to run on the
informatica server. When u configure the session the load manager maintains list of list of
sessions and session start times. When u start a session load manger fetches the session
information from the repository to perform the validations and verifications prior to starting DTM
process.
Locking and reading the session: When the informatica server starts a session load manager
locks the session from the repository. Locking prevents U starting the session again and again.
Reading the parameter file: If the session uses a parameter files, load manager reads the
parameter file and verifies that the session level parameters are declared in the file Verifies
permission and privileges: When the session starts load manger checks whether or not the user
have privileges to run the session
Creating log files: Load manger creates log file contains the status of session.

70. What is DTM process? informatica powercenter

After the load manger performs validations for session, it creates the DTM process. DTM is to
create and manage the threads that carry out the session tasks. I creates the master thread.
Master thread creates and manages all the other threads.

71. What r the different threads in DTM process? informatica powercenter

Master thread: Creates and manages all other threads
Mapping thread: One mapping thread will be creates for each session. Fetches session and
mapping information
Pre and post session threads: This will be created to perform pre and post session operations.
Reader thread: One thread will be created for each partition of a source.It reads data from
source.
Writer thread: It will be created to load data to the target.
Transformation thread: It will be created to transform data.

72. What r the data movement modes in informatica? informatica powercenter

Data movement modes determines how informatica server handles the charector data. U choose
the datamovement in the informatica server configuration settings.
Two types of data movement modes available in informatica.
I. ASCII mode II. Uni code mode.

73. What r the out put files that the informatica server creates during the session
running?
Informatica server log: Informatica server(on unix) creates a log for all status and error
messages(default name: pm.server.log).It also creates an error log for error messages. These
files will be created in informatica home directory.
Session log file: Informatica server creates session log file for each session. It writes information
about session into log files such as initialization process, creation of sql commands for reader
and writer threads, errors encountered and load summary. The amount of detail in session log file
depends on the tracing level that u set.
Session detail file: This file contains load statistics for each target in mapping. Session detail
includes information such as table name, number of rows written or rejected. U can view this file
by double clicking on the session in monitor window
Performance detail file: This file contains information known as session performance details
which helps U where performance can be improved. To generate this file select the performance
detail option in the session property sheet.
Reject file: This file contains the rows of data that the writer does not write to targets.
Control file: Informatica server creates control file and a target file when U run a session that uses
the external loader. The control file contains the information about the target flat file such as data
format and loading instructions for the external loader.
Post session email: Post session email allows U to automatically communicate information about
a session run to designated recipents. U can create two different messages. One if the session
completed successfully the other if the session fails.
Indicator file: If u use the flat file as a target, U can configure the informatica server to create
indicator file. For each target row, the indicator file contains a number to indicate whether the row
was marked for insert, update, delete or reject.
Output file: If session writes to a target file, the informatica server creates the target file based on
file properties entered in the session property sheet.
Cache files: When the informatica server creates memory cache it also creates cache files. For
the following circumstances informatica server creates index and data cache files.
Aggregator transformation
Joiner transformation
Rank transformation
Lookup transformation

74. In which circumstances that informatica server creates Reject files?

When it encounters the DD_Reject in update strategy transformation
Violates database constraint
Filed in the rows was truncated or overflowed.

75. What is polling? informatica powercenter

It displays the updated information about the session in the monitor window. The monitor window
displays the status of each session when U poll the informatica server

76. Can u copy the session to a different folder or repository?

Yes. By using copy session wizard u can copy a session in a different folder or repository. But
that target folder or repository should consists of mapping of that session.
If target folder or repository is not having the mapping of copying session,
U should have to copy that mapping first before u copy the session

77. What is batch and describe about types of batches? informatica powercenter
Grouping of session is known as batch. Batches r two types
Sequential: Runs sessions one after the other
Concurrent: Runs session at same time.
If u have sessions with source-target dependencies u have to go for sequential batch to start the
sessions one after another. If u have several independent sessions u can use concurrent batches
which runs all the sessions at the same time.

78. Can u copy the batches? NO

79. How many number of sessions that u can create in a batch?

Any number of sessions

80. When the informatica server marks that a batch is failed?

If one of session is configured to “run if previous completes” and that previous session fails.

81. What is a command that used to run a batch? informatica powercenter

pmcmd is used to start a batch.

82. What r the different options used to configure the sequential batches?
Two options. Run the session only if previous session completes successfully. Always runs the
session.

83. In a sequential batch can u run the session if previous session fails?
Yes. By setting the option always runs the session.
84. Can u start a batches with in a batch? informatica powercenter
U can not. If u want to start batch that resides in a batch, create a new independent batch and
copy the necessary sessions into the new batch.

85. Can u start a session inside a batch individually? informatica powercenter

We can start our required session only in case of sequential batch. in case of concurrent batch
we cant do like this.

86. How can u stop a batch? informatica powercenter

By using server manager or pmcmd.

87. What r the session parameters? informatica powercenter

Session parameters r like mapping parameters, represent values U might want to change
between sessions such as database connections or source files.
Server manager also allows U to create user defined session parameters. Following r user
defined session parameters.
Database connections
Source file names: Use this parameter when u want to change the name or location of Session
source file between session runs
Target file name: Use this parameter when u want to change the name or location of session
target file between session runs.
Reject file name: Use this parameter when u want to change the name or location of session
reject files between session runs.

88. What is parameter file? informatica powercenter

Parameter file is to define the values for parameters and variables used in a session.A parameter
file is a file created by text editor such as word pad or notepad.
U can define the following values in parameter file
Mapping parameters
Mapping variables
Session parameters

89. How can u access the remote source into U’r session?
Relational source: To access relational source which is situated in a remote place ,u need to
configure database connection to the data source.
File Source: To access the remote source file U must configure the FTP connection to the host
machine before u create the session.
Heterogeneous: When U’r mapping contains more than one source type,the server manager
creates a heterogeneous session that displays source options for all types.

90. What is difference between portioning of relational target and partitioning of file
targets?
If u partition a session with a relational target informatica server creates multiple connections to
the target database to write target data concurrently. If u partition a session with a file target the
informatica server creates one target file for each partition. U can configure session properties to
merge these target files.

91. What r the transformations that restricts the partitioning of sessions?

Advanced External procedure transformation and External procedure transformation: This
transformation contains a check box on the properties tab to allow partitioning.
Aggregator Transformation: If u use sorted ports u can not partition the associated source
Joiner Transformation: U can not partition the master source for a joiner transformation
Normalizer Transformation
XML targets.

92. Performance tuning in Informatica?

The goal of performance tuning is optimize session performance so sessions run during the
available load window for the Informatica Server. Increase the session performance by following.
The performance of the Informatica Server is related to network connections. Data generally
moves across a network at less than 1 MB per second, whereas a local disk moves data five to
twenty times faster. Thus network connections often affect on session performance. So avoid
network connections.
Flat files: If u’r flat files stored on a machine other than the informatica server, move those files to
the machine that consists of informatica server.
Relational data sources: Minimize the connections to sources, targets and informatica server to
improve session performance. Moving target database into server system may improve session
performance.
Staging areas: If u use staging areas u force informatica server to perform multiple data passes.
Removing of staging areas may improve session performance.
U can run the multiple informatica servers against the same repository. Distributing the session
load to multiple informatica servers may improve session performance.
Run the informatica server in ASCII data movement mode improves the session performance.
Because ASCII data movement mode stores a character value in one byte. Unicode mode takes
2 bytes to store a character.
If a session joins multiple source tables in one Source Qualifier, optimizing the query may
improve performance. Also, single table select statements with an ORDER BY or GROUP BY
clause may benefit from optimization such as adding indexes.
We can improve the session performance by configuring the network packet size, which allows
data to cross the network at one time. To do this go to server manger, choose server configure
database connections.
If u r target consists key constraints and indexes u slow the loading of data. To improve the
session performance in this case drop constraints and indexes before u run the session and
rebuild them after completion of session.
Running parallel sessions by using concurrent batches will also reduce the time of loading the
data. So concurrent batches may also increase the session performance.
Partitioning the session improves the session performance by creating multiple connections to
sources and targets and loads data in parallel pipe lines.
In some cases if a session contains a aggregator transformation, u can use incremental
aggregation to improve session performance.
Avoid transformation errors to improve the session performance.
If the session contained lookup transformation u can improve the session performance by
enabling the look up cache.
If U’r session contains filter transformation, create that filter transformation nearer to the sources
or u can use filter condition in source qualifier.
Aggregator, Rank and joiner transformation may often decrease the session performance
.Because they must group data before processing it. To improve session performance in this
case, use sorted ports option.

92. What is difference between mapplet and reusable transformation?

Mapplet consists of set of transformations that is reusable. A reusable transformation is a single
transformation that can be reusable.
If u create a variables or parameters in mapplet that can not be used in another mapping or
mapplet. Unlike the variables that r created in a reusable transformation can be useful in any other
mapping or mapplet.
We can not include source definitions in reusable transformations. But we can add sources to a
mapplet.
Whole transformation logic will be hided in case of mapplet. But it is transparent in case of
reusable transformation.
We cant use COBOL source qualifier, joiner, normalizer transformations in mapplet. Where as
we can make them as a reusable transformations.

93. Define informatica repository?

The Informatica repository is a relational database that stores information, or metadata, used by
the Informatica Server and Client tools. Metadata can include information such as mappings
describing how to transform source data, sessions indicating when you want the Informatica
Server to perform the transformations, and connect strings for sources and targets.
The repository also stores administrative information such as usernames and passwords,
permissions and privileges, and product version.
Use repository manager to create the repository. The Repository Manager connects to the
repository database and runs the code needed to create the repository tables. These tables
stores metadata in specific format the informatica server, client tools use.

94. What r the types of metadata that stores in repository? informatica powercenter
Following r the types of metadata that stores in the repository
Database connections
Global objects
Mappings
Mapplet
Multidimensional metadata
Reusable transformations
Sessions and batches
Short cuts
Source definitions
Target definitions
Transformations

95. What is power center repository in informatica ?

The PowerCenter repository allows you to share metadata across repositories to create a data
mart domain. In a data mart domain, you can create a single global repository to store metadata
used across an enterprise, and a number of local repositories to share the global metadata as
needed.

96. How can u work with remote database in informatica? did u work directly by using
remote connections?
To work with remote data source u need to connect it with remote connections. But it is not
preferable to work with that remote source directly by using remote connections. Instead u bring
that source into U r local machine where informatica server resides. If u work directly with remote
source the session performance will decreases by passing less amount of data across the
network in a particular time.

97. What r the new features in Informatica 5.0?

U can debug U’r mapping in mapping designer
U can view the work space over the entire screen
The designer displays a new icon for a invalid mappings in the navigator window
U can use a dynamic lookup cache in a lookup transformation
Create mapping parameters or mapping variables in a mapping or mapplet to make mappings
more flexible
U can export objects into repository and import objects from repository. when u export a
repository object, the designer or server manager creates an XML file to describe the repository
metadata.
The designer allows u to use Router transformation to test data for multiple conditions. Router
transformation allows u route groups of data to transformation or target.
U can use XML data as a source or target.

Server Enhancements:
U can use the command line program pmcmd to specify a parameter file to run sessions or
batches. This allows you to change the values of session parameters, and mapping parameters
and variables at runtime.
If you run the Informatica Server on a symmetric multi-processing system, you can use multiple
CPUs to process a session concurrently. You configure partitions in the session properties based
on source qualifiers. The Informatica Server reads, transforms, and writes partitions of data in
parallel for a single session. This is available for Power center only.
Informatica server creates two processes like load manager process, DTM process to run the
sessions.

Metadata Reporter: It is a web based application which is used to run reports against repository
metadata.
U can copy the session across the folders and repositories using the copy session wizard in the
informatica server manager
With new email variables, you can configure post-session email to include information, such as
the mapping used during the session

98. What is incremental aggregation in informatica ?

When using incremental aggregation, you apply captured changes in the source to aggregate
calculations in a session. If the source changes only incrementally and you can capture changes,
you can configure the session to process only those changes. This allows the Informatica Server
to update your target incrementally, rather than forcing it to process the entire source and
recalculate the same calculations each time you run the session.

99. What r the scheduling options to run a session? informatica powercenter

U can schedule a session to run at a given time or interval, or u can manually run the session.
Different options of scheduling
Run only on demand: server runs the session only when user starts session explicitly
Run once: Informatica server runs the session only once at a specified date and time.
Run every: Informatica server runs the session at regular intervals as configured.
Customized repeat: Informatica server runs the session at the dates and times specified in the
repeat dialog box.

100 .What is tracing level and what r the types of tracing level?
Tracing level represents the amount of information that informatcia server writes in a log file.
Types of tracing level
Normal
Verbose
Verbose init
Verbose data

101. What is difference between stored procedure transformation and external procedure
transformation?
In case of stored procedure transformation procedure will be compiled and executed in a
relational data source. U need data base connection to import the stored procedure in to u’r
mapping. Where as in external procedure transformation procedure or function will be executed
out side of data source. Ie u need to make it as a DLL to access in u r mapping. No need to have
data base connection in case of external procedure transformation.
102. Explain about Recovering sessions? informatica powercenter
If you stop a session or if an error causes a session to stop, refer to the session and error logs to
determine the cause of failure. Correct the errors, and then complete the session. The method
you use to complete the session depends on the properties of the mapping, session, and
Informatica Server configuration.
Use one of the following methods to complete the session:
Run the session again if the Informatica Server has not issued a commit.
Truncate the target tables and run the session again if the session is not recoverable.
Consider performing recovery if the Informatica Server has issued at least one commit.

103. If a session fails after loading of 10,000 records in to the target. How can u load the
records from 10001st record when u run the session next time?
As explained above informatcia server has 3 methods to recovering the sessions. Use performing
recovery to load the records from where the session fails.

104. Explain about perform recovery? informatica powercenter

When the Informatica Server starts a recovery session, it reads the OPB_SRVR_RECOVERY
table and notes the row ID of the last row committed to the target database. The Informatica
Server then reads all sources again and starts processing from the next row ID. For example, if
the Informatica Server commits 10,000 rows before the session fails, when you run recovery, the
Informatica Server bypasses the rows up to 10,000 and starts loading with row 10,001.
By default, Perform Recovery is disabled in the Informatica Server setup. You must enable
Recovery in the Informatica Server setup before you run a session so the Informatica Server can
create and/or write entries in the OPB_SRVR_RECOVERY table.

105. How to recover the standalone session? informatica powercenter

A standalone session is a session that is not nested in a batch. If a standalone session fails, you
can run recovery using a menu command or pmcmd. These options are not available for batched
sessions.

To recover sessions using the menu:

1. In the Server Manager, highlight the session you want to recover.
2. Select Server Requests-Stop from the menu.
3. With the failed session highlighted, select Server Requests-Start Session in Recovery Mode
from the menu.

To recover sessions using pmcmd:

1. From the command line, stop the session.
2. From the command line, start recovery.

106. How can u recover the session in sequential batches? informatica powercenter
If you configure a session in a sequential batch to stop on failure, you can run recovery starting
with the failed session. The Informatica Server completes the session and then runs the rest of
the batch. Use the Perform Recovery session property
To recover sessions in sequential batches configured to stop on failure:
1. In the Server Manager, open the session property sheet.
2. On the Log Files tab, select Perform Recovery, and click OK.
3. Run the session.
4. After the batch completes, open the session property sheet.
5. Clear Perform Recovery, and click OK.
If you do not clear Perform Recovery, the next time you run the session, the Informatica Server
attempts to recover the previous session.
If you do not configure a session in a sequential batch to stop on failure, and the remaining
sessions in the batch complete, recover the failed session as a standalone session.

107. How to recover sessions in concurrent batches? informatica powercenter

If multiple sessions in a concurrent batch fail, you might want to truncate all targets and run the
batch again. However, if a session in a concurrent batch fails and the rest of the sessions
complete successfully, you can recover the session as a standalone session.
To recover a session in a concurrent batch:
1. Copy the failed session using Operations-Copy Session.
2. Drag the copied session outside the batch to be a standalone session.
3. Follow the steps to recover a standalone session.
4. Delete the standalone copy.

108. How can u complete unrecoverable sessions? informatica powercenter

Under certain circumstances, when a session does not complete, you need to truncate the target
tables and run the session from the beginning. Run the session from the beginning when the
Informatica Server cannot run recovery or when running recovery might result in inconsistent
data.

109. What r the circumstances that infromatica server results an unrecoverable session?
The source qualifier transformation does not use sorted ports.
If u change the partition information after the initial session fails.
Perform recovery is disabled in the informatica server configuration.
If the sources or targets changes after initial session fails.
If the mapping consists of sequence generator or normalizer transformation.
If a concurrent batch contains multiple failed sessions.

110. If i done any modifications for my table in back end does it reflect in informatca
warehouse or mapping designer or source analyzer?
NO. Informatica is not at all concern with back end data base. It displays u all the information that
is to be stored in repository. If want to reflect back end changes to informatica screens, again u
have to import from back end to informatica by valid connection. And u have to replace the
existing files with imported files.
111. After dragging the ports of three sources (sql server, oracle, informix) to a single
source qualifier, can u map these three ports directly to target?
NO. Unless and until u join those three ports in source qualifier u cannot map them directly.

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7 thoughts on “Informatica”

Chinna says:
October 6, 2013 at 2:33 pm (http://tipstointerview .com/informatica/#comment-2)

Hi ,

This post is very good one for searching people.can you please give the site or
provide some docs to related stuff in “Health care domain”.I hope you response
shortly.

Regards,
CHINNA

Reply (/inform atica/?replytocom =2#respond)

ishanchauhan says:
December 11, 2013 at 10:05 am (http://tipstointerview .com/informatica/#comment-28)

will u please send related documents to my mail id [email protected]

(mailto:[email protected])

Thanks in Advance
Ishan

Reply (/inform atica/?replytocom =28#respond)

prasad says:
December 27, 2013 at 5:46 am (http://tipstointerview .com/informatica/#comment-37)

This is awesome ,its really helpful .Please forward the docs.

Reply (/inform atica/?replytocom =37#respond)

 fallon hartmann says:
January 30, 2014 at 8:07 am (http://tipstointerview .com/informatica/#comment-63)

What’s up to all, for the reason that I am in fact keen of reading this blog’s
post to be updated regularly. It carries fastidious data.

Reply (/inform atica/?replytocom =63#respond)

venkat says:
February 2, 2014 at 11:59 am (http://tipstointerview .com/informatica/#comment-68)

thank u , really useful to me…

Reply (/inform atica/?replytocom =68#respond)

Rahaman says:
February 8, 2014 at 1:38 pm (http://tipstointerview .com/informatica/#comment-75)

Brother truly this is very helpful for me thanks a lot

Reply (/inform atica/?replytocom =75#respond)

ahmed says:
February 9, 2014 at 7:46 am (http://tipstointerview .com/informatica/#comment-76)

Thank you

Reply (/inform atica/?replytocom =76#respond)

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