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Showing posts with label employer interview questions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label employer interview questions. Show all posts

Thursday, May 29, 2008

ABAP Interview Questions

  1. What is an ABAP data dictionary?- ABAP 4 data dictionary describes the logical structures of the objects used in application development and shows how they are mapped to the underlying relational database in tables/views.
  2. What are domains and data element?- Domains:Domain is the central object for describing the technical characteristics of an attribute of an business objects. It describes the value range of the field. Data Element: It is used to describe the semantic definition of the table fields like description the field. Data element describes how a field can be displayed to end-user.
  3. What is foreign key relationship?- A relationship which can be defined between tables and must be explicitly defined at field level. Foreign keys are used to ensure the consistency of data. Data entered should be checked against existing data to ensure that there are now contradiction. While defining foreign key relationship cardinality has to be specified. Cardinality mentions how many dependent records or how referenced records are possible.
  4. Describe data classes.- Master data: It is the data which is seldomly changed. Transaction data: It is the data which is often changed. Organization data: It is a customizing data which is entered in the system when the system is configured and is then rarely changed. System data:It is the data which R/3 system needs for itself.
  5. What are indexes?- Indexes are described as a copy of a database table reduced to specific fields. This data exists in sorted form. This sorting form ease fast access to the field of the tables. In order that other fields are also read, a pointer to the associated record of the actual table are included in the index. Yhe indexes are activated along with the table and are created automatically with it in the database.
  6. Difference between transparent tables and pooled tables.- Transparent tables: Transparent tables in the dictionary has a one-to-one relation with the table in database. Its structure corresponds to single database field. Table in the database has the same name as in the dictionary. Transparent table holds application data. Pooled tables. Pooled tables in the dictionary has a many-to-one relation with the table in database. Table in the database has the different name as in the dictionary. Pooled table are stored in table pool at the database level.
  7. What is an ABAP/4 Query?- ABAP/4 Query is a powerful tool to generate simple reports without any coding. ABAP/4 Query can generate the following 3 simple reports: Basic List: It is the simple reports. Statistics: Reports with statistical functions like Average, Percentages. Ranked Lists: For analytical reports. - For creating a ABAP/4 Query, programmer has to create user group and a functional group. Functional group can be created using with or without logical database table. Finally, assign user group to functional group. Finally, create a query on the functional group generated.
  8. What is BDC programming?- Transferring of large/external/legacy data into SAP system using Batch Input programming. Batch input is a automatic procedure referred to as BDC(Batch Data Communications).The central component of the transfer is a queue file which receives the data vie a batch input programs and groups associated data into “sessions”.
  9. What are the functional modules used in sequence in BDC?- These are the 3 functional modules which are used in a sequence to perform a data transfer successfully using BDC programming: BDC_OPEN_GROUP - Parameters like Name of the client, sessions and user name are specified in this functional modules. BDC_INSERT - It is used to insert the data for one transaction into a session. BDC_CLOSE_GROUP - This is used to close the batch input session.
  10. What are internal tables?- Internal tables are a standard data type object which exists only during the runtime of the program. They are used to perform table calculations on subsets of database tables and for re-organising the contents of database tables according to users need.
  11. What is ITS? What are the merits of ITS?- ITS is a Internet Transaction Server. ITS forms an interface between HTTP server and R/3 system, which converts screen provided data by the R/3 system into HTML documents and vice-versa. Merits of ITS: A complete web transaction can be developed and tested in R/3 system. All transaction components, including those used by the ITS outside the R/3 system at runtime, can be stored in the R/3 system. The advantage of automatic language processing in the R/3 system can be utilized to language-dependent HTML documents at runtime.
  12. What is DynPro?- DynPro is a Dynamic Programming which is a combination of screen and the associated flow logic Screen is also called as DynPro.
  13. What are screen painter and menu painter?- Screen painter: Screen painter is a tool to design and maintain screen and its elements. It allows user to create GUI screens for the transactions. Attributes, layout, filed attributes and flow logic are the elements of Screen painter. Menu painter: Menu painter is a tool to design the interface components. Status, menu bars, menu lists, F-key settings, functions and titles are the components of Menu painters. Screen painter and menu painter both are the graphical interface of an ABAP/4 applications.
  14. What are the components of SAP scripts?- SAP scripts is a word processing tool of SAP which has the following components: Standard text. It is like a standard normal documents. Layout sets. - Layout set consists of the following components: Windows and pages, Paragraph formats, Character formats. Creating forms in the R/3 system. Every layout set consists of Header, paragraph, and character string. ABAP/4 program.
  15. What is ALV programming in ABAP? When is this grid used in ABAP?- ALV is Application List viewer. Sap provides a set of ALV (ABAP LIST VIEWER) function modules which can be put into use to embellish the output of a report. This set of ALV functions is used to enhance the readability and functionality of any report output. Cases arise in sap when the output of a report contains columns extending more than 255 characters in length. In such cases, this set of ALV functions can help choose selected columns and arrange the different columns from a report output and also save different variants for report display. This is a very efficient tool for dynamically sorting and arranging the columns from a report output. The report output can contain up to 90 columns in the display with the wide array of display options.
  16. What are the events in ABAP/4 language?- Initialization, At selection-screen, Start-of-selection, end-of-selection, top-of-page, end-of-page, At line-selection, At user-command, At PF, Get, At New, At LAST, AT END, AT FIRST.
  17. What is CTS and what do you know about it?- The Change and Transport System (CTS) is a tool that helps you to organize development projects in the ABAP Workbench and in Customizing, and then transport the changes between the SAP Systems and clients in your system landscape. This documentation provides you with an overview of how to manage changes with the CTS and essential information on setting up your system and client landscape and deciding on a transport strategy. Read and follow this documentation when planning your development project.
  18. What are logical databases? What are the advantages/ dis-advantages of logical databases?- To read data from a database tables we use logical database. A logical database provides read-only access to a group of related tables to an ABAP/4 program. Advantages: i)check functions which check that user input is complete, correct,and plausible. ii)Meaningful data selection. iii)central authorization checks for database accesses. iv)good read access performance while retaining the hierarchical data view determined by the application logic. dis advantages: i)If you donot specify a logical database in the program attributes,the GET events never occur. ii)There is no ENDGET command,so the code block associated with an event ends with the next event statement (such as another GET or an END-OF-SELECTION).
  19. What is a batch input session?- BATCH INPUT SESSION is an intermediate step between internal table and database table. Data along with the action is stored in session ie data for screen fields, to which screen it is passed, program name behind it, and how next screen is processed.
  20. How to upload data using CATT ?- These are the steps to be followed to Upload data through CATT: Creation of the CATT test case & recording the sample data input. Download of the source file template. Modification of the source file. Upload of the data from the source file.
  21. What is Smart Forms?- Smart Forms allows you to create forms using a graphical design tool with robust functionality, color, and more. Additionally, all new forms developed at SAP will be created with the new Smart Form solution.
  22. How can I make a differentiation between dependent and independent data?- Client dependent or independent transfer requirements include client specific or cross client objects in the change requests. Workbench objects like SAPscripts are client specific, some entries in customizing are client independent. If you display the object list for one change request, and then for each object the object attributes, you will find the flag client specific. If one object in the task list has this flag on, then that transport will be client dependent.
  23. What is the difference between macro and subroutine?- Macros can only be used in the program the are defined in and only after the definition are expanded at compilation / generation. Subroutines (FORM) can be called from both the program the are defined in and other programs . A MACRO is more or less an abbreviation for some lines of code that are used more than once or twice. A FORM is a local subroutine (which can be called external). A FUNCTION is (more or less) a subroutine that is called external. Since debugging a MACRO is not really possible, prevent the use of them (I’ve never used them, but seen them in action). If the subroutine is used only local (called internal) use a FORM. If the subroutine is called external (used by more than one program) use a FUNCTION.
  1. What is a breakpoint ?
    Breakpoint is used to help the user scrutinize how the system behaves at a certain point in the ABAP code. At that point the system goes into debug mode. This breakpoint is useful in investigating how routines and requirements function. By accessing the routine source code and setting a breakpoint at its execution point, a user can follow the routine through each step.

25. What is a CATT ?
CATT means Computer Aided Test Tool. It is SAP's tool for processing transactions automatically. CATT is used in bringing in data, such as a mass maintenance of the material master in EXCEL, from an application to modify master data.

26. What is a user exit ?
User exit is a point in an SAP program at which a customer's own program can be called. User exits allow developers to access program components and data objects in the standard system. There are two types of user exits -
user exits that use includes (customer enhancements that are called from the program)
and user exits that use tables, which are used and managed directly via customizing.

27. What is a client ?
Client in a SAP work environment is the highest organizational structure. Many clients can be found in each system. QA (quality analysis) and Development are clients in Training and Production system.

28. What is an authorization ?
Authorization gives an SAP user permission to perform a given set of transactions.

29. Who is a user ?
Anyone who is given access to the SAP system by the system (basis) administrator is known as a user.

30. What is a variant ?
When executing a program, different selection parameters may be used. These selection parameters are stored in the SAP system as variants.

31. What is a SQL trace ?
SQL trace records all open, prepare, fetch, execute and actual SQL statements and the duration time for each step in a procedure.

32. What is master data ?
Master data is used in an SAP system to represent the basic components of a procedure and to ensure data integrity throughout the SAP business process. This gaurantees that one common record is accessed for different procedures. Example - a customer master record may be referenced by more than one functional module : FI (financial) and SD (sales and distribution).

  1. What is the IMG ?
    IMG is Implementation Guide that SAP system developers use to customize the client they are working in.
  2. What is ASAP ?
    ASAP is Accelerated SAP, a project management software tool that is used on SAP implementations to guide the project through different phases. ASAP can take a project from the designing of the "blueprint" through to "going live". Accelerated SAP is SAP’s total process-oriented solution for accelerated implementation and continuous optimization of R/3.
  3. What are the core modules of SAP ?
    The core functional modules in SAP R/3 are Financial Accounting (FI) usually in combination with Controlling (CO) or Treasury (TR) - Human Resources (HR), and logistic modules : Sales and Distribution (SD), Materials Management (MM), Quality Management (QM), Plant Maintenance (PM), and Production Planning (PP).
  4. What is the ABAP Workbench?
    ABAP Workbench is SAP's graphical programming environment. It is used to write ABAP code, design screens, create user interfaces, obtain database information, debug and test applications for effeciency.
  5. In the SD document, what are the three levels of a sales document?
    Each sales document comprises of three main levels and each level is represented by a table that holds the data for that level. Data for the header level is stored in table VBAK, data for the item levels is stored in table VBAP, and data for the schedule line level is stored in table VBEP.
  6. What is a user profile?
    User profile is a set of authorizations that enable user access to certain parts of the SAP system.
  7. What is a sales area ?
    Sales area is a segment that combines the sales organization, the distribution channel, and the sales division.
  8. What is a logical database ?
    Logical database is an ABAP program that combines the contents of database tables. It is linked to an ABAP report program as one of the program attributes. It supplies the report program with a set of hierarchically structured table entires derived from different database tables. This saves the developer from having to program the data retrieval.
  9. What is a requirement ?
    Requirement is a portion of code that is used to determine if a function or formula should be executed.
  10. What is an ABAP Query ?
    ABAP Query is a reporting tool that uses a logical database (LDB), individual table, or combined tables to form a report.
  11. What is a functional area ?
    Functional area is assigned to the query. It is the representation of a logical database or tables with their respective table joins. This defines which tables and fields the query can reference.
  12. What is a batch input ?
    Batch input facility in SAP is a convenient tool for capturing data into SAP or updating large amounts of information in SAP transactions. The simplest way to utilize batch input is by : 1) Record the batch input for the transaction used to enter the data in SAP; 2) Then export the batch input recording to a text file. From the recording, you know what data is required. Create a spreadsheet or word processor document containing all the data to be captured or changed. Then mail merge the exported text file with the data in a word processing program. Finally, import the merged file, upload the file into SAP, and execute the batch input in SAP.
  13. What is LIS ?
    LIS is Logistics Information System. LIS consists of following information systems -
    Sales Information System
    Purchasing Information System
    Inventory Controlling
    Shop Floor Information System
    Plant Maintenance Information System
    Quality Management Information System
    These information systems can be used to plan, control, and monitor business events at different stages in the decision-making process. They are flexible tools for collecting, aggregating, and analyzing data from the operative applications.
  14. What is OSS ?
    OSS is an Online Service System which can be used to access information about a module in a given release. OSS is a database of notes on known issues and their remedies. Any user with a logon name and password can access this information. OSS can be used to obtain quick responses from the SAP help desk representatives, administration and registration of new users.
  15. What is an SAP GUI ?
    GUI means Graphical User Interface. It is responsible for the graphical layout of the SAP software. GUIs in SAP R/3 differ from version to version of SAP.
  16. What is the typical structure of an ABAP/4 program?
    ANS:-
    HEADER ,BODY,FOOTER.
  17. What are field symbols and field groups.?
    Have you used "component idx of structure" clause with field groups?
    ANS:-
    Field symbols:- Field groups :-
  18. What should be the approach for writing a BDC program?
    ANS:-
    STEP 1: CONVERTING THE LEGACY SYSTEM DATA TO A FLAT FILE to internal table CALLED "CONVERSION".
    STEP 2: TRANSFERING THE FLAT FILE INTO SAP SYSTEM CALLED "SAP DATA TRANSFER".
    STEP 3: DEPENDING UPON THE BDC TYPE i)call transaction(Write the program explicity)
    ii) create sessions (sessions are created and processed.if success data will transfer).
  19. What is a batch input session?
    ANS:-
    BATCH INPUT SESSION is an intermediate step between internal table and database table.
    Data along with the action is stored in session ie data for screen fields, to which screen it is passed,program name behind it, and how next screen is processed.
  20. What is the alternative to batch input session?
    ANS:-
    Call transaction.
  21. A situation: An ABAP program creates a batch input session.
    We need to submit the program and the batch session in back ground. How to do it?
    ANS:-
    go to SM36 and create background job by giving
    job name,job class and job steps (JOB SCHEDULING)
  22. What are the problems in processing batch input sessions?
    How is batch input process different from processing online?
    ANS:-
    PROBLEMS:-
    i) If the user forgets to opt for keep session then the session will be automatically removed from the session queue(log remains). However if session is processed we may delete it manually.
    ii)if session processing fails data will not be transferred to SAP database table.
  23. What are the different types of data dictionary objects?
    ans:-
    tables, structures, views, domains, data elements, lock objects, Matchcode objects.
  24. How many types of tables exists and what are they in data dictionary?
    ans :-
    4 types of tables
    i)Transparent tables - Exists with the same structure both in dictionary as well as in database exactly with the same data and fields. Both Opensql and Nativesql can be used. ii)Pool tables & iii)Cluster tables -
    These are logical tables that are arranged as records of transparent tables.one cannot use native sql on these tables
    (only opensql).They are not managable directly using database system tools.
  25. iv)Internal tables - .
  26. What is the step by step process to create a table in data dictionary?
    ans:-
    step 1: creating domains(data type,field length,range).
    step 2: creating data elements(properties and type for a table
    field).
    step 3: creating tables(SE11).
  27. Can a transparent table exist in data dictionary but not in the data base physically?
    ANS:- NO.
    TRANSPARENT TABLE DO EXIST WITH THE SAME STRUCTURE BOTH IN THE DICTIONARY AS WELL AS IN THE DATABASE,EXACTLY WITH THE SAME DATA AND FIELDS.
  28. What are the domains and data elements?
    ANS:-
    DOMAINS : FORMAL DEFINITION OF THE DATA TYPES.THEY SET ATTRIBUTES SUCH AS DATA TYPE,LENGTH,RANGE.
    DATA ELEMENT : A FIELD IN R/3 SYSTEM IS A DATA ELEMENT.
  29. Can you create a table with fields not referring to data elements?
    ANS:-
    YES. eg:- ITAB LIKE SPFLI.here we are referening to a data object(SPFLI) not data element.
  30. What is the advantage of structures? How do you use them in the ABAP programs?
    ANS:-
    Adv:- GLOBAL EXISTANCE(these could be used by any other program without creating it again).
  31. What does an extract statement do in the ABAP program?
    ANS:-
    Once you have declared the possible record types as field groups and defined their structure, you can fill the extract dataset using the following statements:
    EXTRACT .
When the first EXTRACT statement occurs in a program, the system creates the extract dataset and adds the first extract record to it. In each subsequent EXTRACT statement, the new extract record is added to the dataset
EXTRACT HEADER.
When you extract the data, the record is filled with the current values of the corresponding fields.
As soon as the system has processed the first EXTRACT statement for a field group , the structure of the corresponding extract record in the extract dataset is fixed. You can no longer insert new fields into the field groups and HEADER. If you try to modify one of the field groups afterwards and use it in another EXTRACT statement, a runtime error occurs.
By processing EXTRACT statements several times using different field groups, you fill the extract dataset with records of different length and structure. Since you can modify field groups dynamically up to their first usage in an EXTRACT statement, extract datasets provide the advantage that you need not determine the structure at the beginning of the program.
  1. What is a collect statement? How is it different from append?
    ANS:-
    If an entry with the same key already exists, the COLLECT statement does not append a new line, but adds the contents of the numeric fields in the work area to the contents of the numeric fields in the existing entry.
  2. What is open sql vs native sql?
    ANS:-
    Open SQL , native SQL are the interfaces to create the database applicatons.
    Open SQL is consistant across different types of existing Databases.
    Native SQL is the database language specific to database.Its API is specific to the databse.
    Open SQL API is consistent across all vendors
  3. What does an EXEC SQL stmt do in ABAP? What is the disadvantage of using it?
    ANS:-
  4. What is the meaning of ABAP/4 editor integrated with ABAP/4 data dictionary?
    ANS:-
  5. What are the events in ABAP/4 language?
    ANS:-
    Initialization, At selection-screen,Start-of-selection,end-of-selection,top-of-page,end-of-page, At line-selection,At user-command,At PF,Get,At New,At LAST,AT END, AT FIRST.
  6. What is an interactive report?
    What is the obvious diff of such report compared with classical type reports?
    ANS:-
    An Interactive report is a dynamic drill down report that produces the list on users choice.
    diff:-
    a) THE LIST PRODUCED BY CLASSICAL REPORT DOESN'T allow user to interact with the system
    the list produced by interactive report allows the user to interact with the system.
    b) ONCE A CLASSICAL REPORT EXECUTED USER LOOSES CONTROL.IR USER HAS CONTROL.
    c) IN CLASSICAL REPORT DRILLING IS NOT POSSIBLE.IN INTERACTIVE DRILLING IS POSSIBLE.
  7. What is a drill down report?
    ANS:-
    Its an Interactive report where in the user can get more relavent data by selecting explicitly.
  8. How do you write a function module in SAP? describe.
    ANS:-
    creating function module:-
    called program - se37-creating funcgrp,funcmodule by assigning attributes,importing,exporting,tables,exceptions.
    calling program - SE38-in pgm click pattern and write function name- provide export,import,tables,exception values.
  9. What are the exceptions in function module?
    ANS:-
    COMMUNICATION_FAILURE
    SYSTEM_FAILURE
  10. What is a function group?
    ANS:-
    GROUP OF ALL RELATED FUNCTIONS.
  11. How are the date and time field values stored in SAP?
    ANS:-
    DD.MM.YYYY. HH:MM:SS
  12. Name a few data dictionary objects? //rep//
    ANS:-
    TABLES,VIEWS,STRUCTURES,LOCK OBJECTS,MATCHCODE OBJECTS.
  13. What happens when a table is activated in DD?
    ANS:-
    It is available for any insertion,modification and updation of records by any user.
  14. What is a check table and what is a value table?
    Check table will be at field level checking.
    Value table will be at domain level checking ex: scarr table is check table for carrid.
  15. What are match codes? describe?
    ans:-
    It is a similar to table index that gives list of possible values for either primary keys or non-primary keys.
  16. What transactions do you use for data analysis?
    ANS:-
  17. What is table maintenance generator?
    ANS:-
  18. What are ranges? What are number ranges?
    ANS:-
    max,min values provided in selection screens.
  19. What are select options and what is the diff from parameters?

ANS:-
select options provide ranges where as parameters do not.

SELECT-OPTIONS declares an internal table which is automatically filled with values or ranges
of values entered by the end user. For each SELECT-OPTIONS , the system creates a selection table.

SELECT-OPTIONS FOR .

A selection table is an internal table with fields SIGN, OPTION, LOW and HIGH.
The type of LOW and HIGH is the same as that of .
The SIGN field can take the following values: I Inclusive (should apply) E Exclusive (should not apply)
The OPTION field can take the following values: EQ Equal GT Greater than NE Not equal BT Between LE Less
than or equal NB Not between LT Less than CP Contains pattern GE Greater than or equal NP No pattern.
diff:-
PARAMETERS allow users to enter a single value into an internal field within a report.
SELECT-OPTIONS allow users to fill an internal table with a range of values.

For each PARAMETERS or SELECT-OPTIONS statement you should define text elements by choosing
Goto - Text elements - Selection texts - Change.

Eg:- Parameters name(30).
when the user executes the ABAP/4 program,an input field for 'name' will appear on the selection screen.You can change the comments on the left side of the input fields by using text elements as described in Selection Texts.

  1. How do you validate the selection criteria of a report?
    And how do you display initial values in a selection screen?
    ANS:-
    validate :- by using match code objects.
    display :- Parameters default 'xxx'.
    select-options for spfli-carrid.
  2. What are selection texts?

  3. What is CTS and what do you know about it?

  4. The Change and Transport System (CTS) is a tool that helps you to organize development projects in the ABAP Workbench and in Customizing, and then transport the changes between the SAP Systems and clients in your system landscape.
    This documentation provides you with an overview of how to manage changes with the CTS and essential information on setting up your system and client landscape and deciding on a transport strategy. Read and follow this documentation when planning your development project.
    For practical information on working with the Change and Transport System, see Change and Transport Organizer and Transport Management System.
  5. When a program is created and need to be transported to prodn does selection texts always go with it? if not how do you make sure? Can you change the CTS entries? How do you do it?
    ANS:-
  6. What is the client concept in SAP? What is the meaning of client independent?
    ANS:-
  7. Are programs client dependent?
    ANS:-
    Yes.Group of users can access these programs with a client no.
  8. Name a few system global variables you can use in ABAP programs?
    ANS:-
    SY-SUBRC,SY-DBCNT,SY-LILLI,SY-DATUM,SY-UZEIT,SY-UCOMM,SY-TABIX.....
    SY-LILLI IS ABSOLUTE NO OF LINES FROM WHICH THE EVENT WAS TRIGGERED.
  9. What are internal tables? How do you get the number of lines in an internal table?
    How to use a specific number occurs statement?
    ANS:-
    i)It is a standard data type object which exists only during the runtime of the program.
    They are used to perform table calculations on subsets of database tables and for re-organising the contents of database tables according to users need.
    ii)using SY-DBCNT.
    iii)The number of memory allocations the system need to allocate for the next record population.
  10. How do you take care of performance issues in your ABAP programs?

Performance of ABAPs can be improved by minimizing the amount of data to be transferred.
The data set must be transferred through the network to the applications, so reducing the amount OF time and also reduces the network traffic.

Some measures that can be taken are:

Use views defined in the ABAP/4 DDIC (also has the advantage of better reusability).
- Use field list (SELECT clause) rather than SELECT *.
- Range tables should be avoided (IN operator)
- Avoid nested SELECTS.

i)system tools

ii)field symbols and field groups.
ans:-
Field Symbols : Field symbols are placeholders for existing fields. A Field Symbol does not physically reserve space for a field,but points to a field which is not known until runtime of the program.
eg:- FIELD-SYMBOL [].

Field groups : A field group combines several fields under one name.At runtime,the INSERT command is used to define which data fields are assigned to which field group.
There should always be a HEADER field group that defines how the extracted data will be sorted,the data is sorted by the fields grouped under the HEADER field group.

  1. What are datasets?
    ANS:-
    The sequential files(ON APPLICATION SERVER) are called datasets. They are used for file handling in SAP.
  2. How to find the return code of a statement in ABAP programs?
    ANS:-
    Using function modules.
  3. What are interface/conversion programs in SAP?
    ANS :
    CONVERSION : LEGACY SYSTEM TO FLAT FILE.
    INTERFACE : FLAT FILE TO SAP SYSTEM.
  4. Have you used SAP supplied programs to load master data?
  5. What are the techniques involved in using SAP supplied programs?
    Do you prefer to write your own programs to load master data? Why?
  6. What are logical databases? What are the advantages/disadvantages of logical databases?
    ANS:-
    To read data from a database tables we use logical database.
    A logical database provides read-only access to a group of related tables to an ABAP/4 program.
    advantages:-
    The programmer need not worry about the primary key for each table.Because Logical database knows how the different tables relate to each other,and can issue the SELECT command with proper where clause to retrieve the data.
    i)An easy-to-use standard user interface.
    ii)check functions which check that user input is complete,correct,and plausible.
    iii)meaningful data selection.
    iv)central authorization checks for database accesses.
    v)good read access performance while retaining the hierarchical data view determined by the application logic.
    disadvantages:-
    i)If you donot specify a logical database in the program attributes,the GET events never occur.
    ii)There is no ENDGET command,so the code block associated with an event ends with the next event statement (such as another GET or an END-OF-SELECTION).
  7. What specific statements do you using when writing a drill down report?
    ans:-
    AT LINE-SELECTION,AT USER-COMMAND,AT PF.
  8. What are different tools to report data in SAP? What all have you used?
    ans:-
  9. What are the advantages and disadvantages of ABAP/4 query tool?
  10. What are the functional areas? User groups? and how does ABAP/4 query work in relation to these?
  11. Is a logical database a requirement/must to write an ABAP/4 query?
  12. What are Change header/detail tables? Have you used them?
  13. What do you do when the system crashes in the middle of a BDC batch session?
    ans:-
    we will look into the error log file (SM35).
  14. What do you do with errors in BDC batch sessions?
    ANS:-
    We look into the list of incorrect session and process it again. To correct incorrect session we analyize the session to determine which screen and value produced the error.For small errors in data we correct them interactively otherwise
    modify batch input program that has generated the session or many times even the datafile.
  15. How do you set up background jobs in SAP? What are the steps? What are the event driven batch jobs?
    ans:-
    go to SM36 and create background job by giving job name,job class and job steps(JOB SCHEDULING)
  16. Is it possible to run host command from SAP environment? How do you run?
  17. What kind of financial periods exist in SAP? What is the relavent table for that?
  18. Does SAP handle multiple currencies? Multiple languages?
    ans:-Yes.
  19. What is a currency factoring technique?
  20. How do you document ABAP/4 programs? Do you use program documentation menu option?
  21. What is SAPscript and layout set?
    ans:-
    The tool which is used to create layout set is called SAPscript. Layout set is a design document.
  22. What are the ABAP/4 commands that link to a layout set?
    ans:-
    control commands,system commands,
  23. What is output determination?
  24. What are IDOCs?
    ans:-
    IDOCs are intermediate documents to hold the messages as a container.
  25. What are screen painter? menu painter? Gui status? ..etc.
ans:-
dynpro - flow logic + screens.
menu painter -
GUI Status - It is subset of the interface elements(title bar,menu bar,standard tool bar,push buttons) used for a certain screen.
The status comprises those elements that are currently needed by the transaction.
118.What are screen painter? menu painter? Gui status?
ans:-
dynpro - flow logic + screens.
menu painter -
GUI Status - It is subset of the interface elements(title bar,menu bar,standard tool bar,push buttons) used for a certain screen.
The status comprises those elements that are currently needed by the transaction.
119. What is screen flow logic? What are the sections in it? Explain PAI and PBO.
ans:-
The control statements that control the screen flow.
PBO - This event is triggered before the screen is displayed.
PAI - This event is responsible for processing of screen after the user enters the data and clicks the pushbutton.
120. Overall how do you write transaction programs in SAP?
ans:-
Create program-SE93-create transcode-Run it from command field.
121. Does SAP has a GUI screen painter or not? If yes what operating systems is it available on? What is the other type of screen painter called?
122. What are step loops? How do you program pagedown pageup in step loops?
ans:-
step loops are repeated blocks of field in a screen.
123. Is ABAP a GUI language?
ANS:-
Yes.
ABAP IS AN EVENT DRIVEN LANGUAGE.
124. Normally how many and what files get created when a transaction program is written?
What is the XXXXXTOP program?
ans:-
ABAP/4 program.
DYNPRO
125. What are the include programs?
ANS:-
When the same sequence of statements in several programs are to be written repeadly they are coded in include programs (External programs) and are included in ABAP/4 programs.
126. Can you call a subroutine of one program from another program?
ans:- Yes- only external subroutines Using 'SUBMIT' statement.
127. . What are user exits? What is involved in writing them? What precations are needed?
128. What are RFCs? How do you write RFCs on SAP side?
129. What are the general naming conventions of ABAP programs?
ANS:-
Should start with Y or Z.
130. How do you find if a logical database exists for your program requrements?
ans:-
SLDB-F4.
131. How do you find the tables to report from when the user just tell you the transaction he uses? And all the underlying data is from SAP structures?
ans:-
Transcode is entered in command field to open the table.Utilities-Table contents-display.
132. How do you find the menu path for a given transaction in SAP?
ans:-
133. What are the different modules of SAP?
ans:-
FI,CO,SD,MM,PP,HR.
134. How do you get help in ABAP?
ans:-
HELP-SAP LIBRARY,by pressing F1 on a keyword.
135. What are different ABAP/4 editors? What are the differences?
ans:-
136. What are the different elements in layout sets?
ans:-
PAGES,Page windows,Header,Paragraph,Character String,Windows.
137. Can you use if then else, perform ..etc statements in sap script?
ans:-
yes.
138. What type of variables normally used in sap script to output data?
139. How do you number pages in sapscript layout outputs?
140. What takes most time in SAP script programming?
ANS:-
LAYOUT DESIGN AND LOGO INSERTION.
141. How do you use tab sets in layout sets?
142. How do you backup sapscript layout sets? Can you download and upload? How?
  1. What are presentation and application servers in SAP?
    ANS:-
    The application layer of an R/3 System is made up of the application servers and the message server. Application programs in an R/3 System are run on application servers. The application servers communicate with the presentation components, the database, and also with each other, using the message server.
  2. In an ABAP/4 program how do you access data that exists on a presentation server vs on an application server?
    ans:-
    i)using loop statements.
    ii)flat
  3. What are different data types in ABAP/4?
    ans:-
    Elementary -
    predefined C,D,F,I,N,P,T,X.
    userdefined TYPES.
    ex: see in intel book page no 35/65
  4. Structured -
    predefined TABLES.
    userdefined Field Strings and internal tables.
  5. What is difference between session method and Call Transaction?

  6. Setting up a BDC program where you find information from?

  7. What has to be done to the packed fields before submitting to a BDC session.
    ans:-
    fields converted into character type.
  8. What is the structure of a BDC sessions.
    ans:-
    BDCDATA (standard structure).
  9. What are the fields in a BDC_Tab Table.
    ans:-
    program,dynpro,dynbegin,fnam,fval.
  10. What do you define in the domain and data element.
    Technical details like
  11. What is the difference between a pool table and a transparent table and how they are stored at the database level.
    ans:-
    ii)Pool tables is a logical representation of transparent tables .Hence no existence at database level. Where as transparent tables are physical tables and exist at database level.
  12. What is cardinality?
For cardinality one out of two (domain or data element) should be the same for Ztest1 and Ztest2 tables. M:N
Cardinality specifies the number of dependent(Target) and independent (source) entities which can be in a relationship

Monday, May 26, 2008

ASP Interview Questions

What is ASP?
ASP stands for Active Server Pages. It is a server side technology which is used to display dynamic content on web pages. For example you could write code that would give your visitors different information, different images or even a totally different page depending on what browser version they are using.

How can you disable the browser to view the code?

Writing codes within the Tag

Question What is a "Virtual Directory"?

Virtual directories are aliases for directory paths on the server. It allows moving files on the disk between different folders, drives or even servers without changing the structure of web pages. It avoids typing an extremely long URL each time to access an ASP page.

Give the comment Tags for the following?

VBScript : REM & ‘(apostrophe)
JavaScript : // (single line comment)
/* */ (Multi-line comments)

Which is the default Scripting Language of ASP (server-side)?

VBScript

Which is the default Data types in VBScript?

Variant is the default data type in VBScript, which can store a value of any type.

What is a variable?

Variable is a memory location through which the actual values are stored/retrieved. Its value can be changed.

What is the maximum size of an array?

Up to 60 dimensions.

What is Querystring collection?

This collection stores any values that are provided in the URL. This can be generated by three methods:
By clicking on an anchor tag
By sending a form to the server by the GET method
Through user-typed HTTP address
It allows you to extract data sent to the server using a GET request.

What are the attributes of the tags? What are their functions?

The two attributes are ACTION and METHOD
The ACTION gives the name of the ASP file that should be opened next by which this file can access the information given in the form The METHOD determines which of the two ways (POST or GET) the browser can send the information to the server

What are the methods in Session Object?

The Session Object has only one method, which is Abandon. It destroys all the objects stored in a Session Object and releases the server resources they occupied.

What is ServerVariables collection?

The ServerVariables collection holds the entire HTTP headers and also additional items of information about the server.

What is the difference between Querystring collection and Form collection?

The main difference is that the Querystring collection gets appended to a URL.

What is a Form collection?
The Form collection holds the values of the form elements submitted with the POST method. This is the only way to generate a Form collection.

What are the ASP Scripting Objects?

The Dictionary object, the FileSystemObject object, TextStream object.

What happens to a HTML page?

The browser makes a HTTP request; the server gives a HTTP response to the browser and the browser converts into a HTML page.

What happens to ASP pages?

The browser makes a HTTP request; the server does the processing and gives a HTML response to the browser.

How can you change the primary scripting language for a page?

Specify

What is application Object?

Shares information among users of an application. Gives a notification when an application starts or ends.

What is the difference between client-side script and server-side script?

Scripts executed only by the browser without contacting the server is called client-side script. It is browser dependent. The scripting code is visible to the user and hence not secure. Scripts executed by the web server and processed by the server is called server-side script.

What is the command to display characters to the HTML page?

Response.Write

Explain the POST & GET Method or Explain the difference between them?

POST METHOD:
The POST method generates a FORM collection, which is sent as a HTTP request body. All the values typed in the form will be stored in the FORM collection.
GET METHOD:
The GET method sends information by appending it to the URL (with a question mark) and stored as A Querystring collection. The Querystring collection is passed to the server as name/value pair.
The length of the URL should be less than 255 characters.

How many global.asa files can an Application have?

Only one global.asa file and it’s placed in the virtual directory’s root.

How many global.asa files can an Application have?

Only one global.asa file and it’s placed in the virtual directory’s root.

What are Scripting Objects?

Objects that can enhance the application are known as the Scripting Objects.

What is the Order of precedence for LOGICAL Operators.
NOT, AND, OR, XOR, EQV, IMP

What is an Err Object?

Name it’s properties and methods.

What are LOCAL and GLOBAL variables?

Local variables lifetime ends when the Procedure ends. Global variables lifetime begins at the start of the script and ends at the end of the script and it can be used by any procedure within the script. Declaring a variable by using the keyword PRIVATE makes the variable global within the script, but if declared using PUBLIC, then all scripts can refer the variable.

Which is the default Scripting Language on the client side?

JavaScript

What is HTML(Hypertext Markup Language)?

It’s a method by which web pages can be built and generally used for formatting and linking text.

What is a Web Server?

It’s a Computer that provides Web services on the Internet or on a local Intranet. It is designed to locate, address and send out simple HTML pages to all other users who access these pages.

What is Session Object?

It stores information about a User’s session. Gives a notification when a user session begins or ends.

What is Server-Side includes?

It provides extra information by which it makes the site easier to manage. It can include text files using the #include statement, retrieve the size and last modification date of a file, defines how variables and error messages are displayed and inserts the values of HTTP variables in the page sent back to the browser.

What is a FileSystemObject object?

It provides access to the physical file system of the web server. It gets and manipulates information about all drives in a server, folders and sub-folders on a drive and files inside a folder.

What is a Scripting Language?

It permits to create more interactive Web Pages. Validation, formatting of web pages can be done. VBScript, JavaScript are some examples.

What is a Dictionary object?

It lets you store and retrieve information in a flexible data structure. Each value or information stored in a Dictionary is associated with a key through which the information can be retrieved.

What is Global.asa file?

It is text file that contains details about an ASP application, such as when it should begin and end.

What is an .ASP file?

It is a Text File that contains the combination of the following:
Text
HTML tags
Script Commands

What is Response Object?

It controls the information sent to the user. The various methods are:
Response.Write - Sends information directly to a browser
Response.Redirect - Directs a user to a URL other than the requested URL
Response.ContentType - Controls the type of content sent
Response.Cookies - Sets cookie values
Response.Buffer - To Buffer information

Naming constraints for a variable ?

It can be up to 255 characters Must start with an alphabet Must not contain an embedded period or full-stop

What is a TextStream object?

It allows you to access(read/write) the contents of text files stored on the web server.

What is IIS?

IIS is a Web Server that provides Web services, not only for web pages but also for ftp sites and video and audio services. It integrates with the database facilities of SQL Server.

What is Request Object?

Gets information from the user. It has five collections by which values can be accessed. They are: Querystring, Form, Cookies, Server Variables & ClientCertificate

What are the special sub-types in VBScript?

EMPTY: has no value
NULL: Value does not exist (conjunction with database)
OBJECT:

What is Cookies collection?

Cookies are text files that store information about the user by which the web server identifies and marks each different visitor to a web site and determines where a user has been before. A cookie can store information only when the user sends it. Individual cookies are limited to 4KB of data. The maximum number of cookies allowed is 300.
Cookies are stored on client’s machine.

What is the difference between Cookies collection and Form/Querystring collection?

Cookie collection does not have the Count property. Cookies can have multiple values for the same cookie name but each value can be referred using a key whereas in a Form/Querystring cookie each value has to be referred using an index value.

What is Server Object?

Controls the ASP execution environment. It can set the amount of time script can run before an error occurs. Converts a virtual path to a physical path on the server. Takes a user supplied string and encode it into proper format for a URL string.

What is Collection?

Collection is a set of name/value pairs where the information supplied by the client is stored.

How will you delete a Cookie?

By setting its Expires property to any date prior to today Response.Cookies("cookie name"). Expires = Date 1.

What is the function of Buffer in Response Object?
Buffer controls the HTML output stream manually.

How are scripts executed?

ASP provides scripting engines that execute the corresponding scripting languages on the server side. Scripts should be encoded within the Delimiters.

What is ASP (Active Server Pages)?

ASP is a server side-scripting environment for building dynamic and interactive web pages. Since the scripts run on the server side, the web server does all the processing.

What are ARRAYS?

Arrays are variables that store items of similar information.DIM ARRAY1(4) (declares an array with the name array1 with 5 elements)

What is Application-scope?

Application-scope means that variables (and objects) can be accessed from any ASP pages that is part of the application.

What is Extranet?

An area of a web site available only to a set of registered visitors.

What is a session?

A user accessing an application is known as a session.

What is ClientCertificate collection?

A ClientCertificate is an encrypted number that is stored in a file on the user’s computer. This stores details of any security certificates included with the request.

What do you need to run ASP?

A browser and a Web server

What is the order of execution for an ASP application?

1) Global.asa
2) Server-side Includes
3) Jscript scripts tagged within

What are the types of HTML?

Static HTML Browser uses HTTP to request HTML file from the Web Server
Dynamic HTML Browser uses HTTP to request an executable application rather than a Static HTML file

What are the properties of Session Object?

SessionID returns the session identification number for each user.
Timeout sets the timeout period assigned to the Session object for any application, in minutes.
CodePage determines the code page that will be used to display content.
LCID a locale identifier, which determines time zone and language, rules for the system

What are the event handlers of Session Object?

Session _OnStart This event will be fired when a new user begins a session with the web site.
Session_OnEnd This event is called whenever a session terminates.

Name the ASP Objects?

Request Object
Response Object
Server Object
Session Object
Application Object

What are the advantages of using ASP?

Minimizes network traffic by limiting the need for the browser and server to talk to each other
Makes for quicker loading time since HTML pages are only downloaded
Allows to run programs in languages that are not supported by the browser
Can provide the client with data that does not reside on the client’s machine
Provides improved security measures since the script cannot be viewed by the browser

What are the methods in Application Object?

Lock prevents clients from modifying the variables stored in the Application object.
Unlock removes the lock from variables stored in the Application object.

What are the methods in Application Object?

Internet Information Server (IIS) on Windows NT
Personal Web Server (PWS) on Windows 95
Peer Web Services on Windows NT

What are the browsers that can access ASP pages?

Internet Explorer (supports VBScript, JavaScript)
Netscape Communicator/ Navigator (supports only JavaScript, VBScript can be also added too)

What are the methods by which output stream is controlled?

Flush sends previous buffered output to the client immediately, but continues processing the script.
Clear erases any already-buffered HTML.
End causes the server to stop processing the script.

What are the methods by which output stream is controlled?

What are the properties used to control the expiration of the page?
Expires specifies the number of minutes before a page cached on a browser expires.
ExpiresAbsolute sets the date and time at which a page cached on a browser expires.

What are the collections of Session Object?
Contents collection contains all the variables established for a session without using the tag.
Static collection contains all the objects created

What is the difference between ASP and HTML? Or Why ASP is better than HTML?

- ASP executes code on the server side whereas the browser interprets HTML.
- ASP can use any scripting languages
- Gets feedback from the user and return information to the user
- Create pages that will be customized to display only things that will be of interest to a particular user
- Can edit contents of a web page by updating a text file or a database rather than the HTML code itself

What are the event handlers of Application Object?

Application_OnStart- This event will be fired when the first visitor hits the page.
Application_OnEnd- This event runs when the server is stopped.

Name some of the ASP components?

Ad Rotator component- a way to manage advertisements on the web site.
Content Linker component - a technique to direct users through a set of pages on a web site by creating a list of URLs and description of the next and previous pages.
Browser Capabilities component - allows to customize the page to the ability of the browser viewing it.
Database Access component - allows to access data from the database

What are the tasks performed by <> tags?

tags provides space for the user to input values
the form has a button to submit information back to the server
It transfers control to another ASP page
It carries the information in the fields to another ASP page

What are the tags necessary to be present within the tag ?

-----tag: Provides input spaces (text boxes, combo boxes, radio button, etc.) on a form called fields. It has three attributes TYPE, NAME and VALUE. TYPE provides the characteristics of the field and the NAME specifies a name to the field by which it can be referred.

What are the collections of Application Object?

* Contents collection - contains all variables added via scripts in global.asa.
* Static collection - contains the names of all objects

How do you create a recordset object in VBScript?

Answer1
//First of all declare a variable to hold the Recordset object, ex-
Dim objRs
//Now, Create this varible as a Recordset object, ex-
Set objRs=Server.CreateObject(ADODB.RECORDSET)
Answer2
” rs.MoveNext
wend
end if
%’>
*. Create Recordset object
*. Place form field value in a variable named “param”
*. Define query by concatenating strings and variable value
*. Open RecordSet Object. Note that the first parameter is the Command Text. The second parameter is the Connection String. The Command Object and Connection Object are created implicitly.
*. Make sure the RecordSet isn’t empty
*. Begin executing a loop which goes through all records in the RecordSet.
*. Write each record’s “firstname” and “lastname” fields to the page on a separate line.
*. Move to Next Record.

Explain the difference between POST and GET Method.

GET requests are string data that is visible to the end user via the URL and a limit of 2kb, POST requests have no limit on total data and the user can’t see the data in a query string.

Why do we use Option Explicit?

Answer1
To avoid multiple variables of the same name.
Answer2:
Correct answer is - This statement force the declaration of variables in VB before using them.

How do you write an SQL insert statement?

insert into tablename (fieldA, fieldB, fieldC)Values(’dataA’, ‘dataB’, ‘dataC’);

How can you have different number of cells for each row of a table in HTML?

using colspan and rowspan

What variable can you use to share info across the whole application for one user?

Use the sessions object

What is string concatenation function in VBScript?

the ampersand symbol and ampersand space underscore across multiple lines

How do you get the value of a combo box in Javascript?

Answer1.
document.forms[’formName’].elements[’comboName’].options[i].value
Answer2.
document.form_name.element_name.value

What is a class in CSS?

Answer1
A class allows you to define different style characteristics to the same HTML element.
Answer2
class is a child to the id, id should be used only once, a css class can be used multiple times:
div id=”banner”
p class=”alert”

When inserting strings into a SQL table in ASP what is the risk and how can you prevent it?

SQL Injection, to prevent you probably need to use Stored Procedures instead of inline/incode SQL

Which is the default Data types in VBScript?

Variant.

Oracle Interview Questions - Part 2 Interview question

How does one see the uptime for a database? (for DBA )
Look at the following SQL query:
SELECT to_char (startup_time,'DD-MON-YYYY HH24: MI: SS') "DB Startup Time"
FROM sys.v_$instance;
Marco Bergman provided the following alternative solution:
SELECT to_char (logon_time,'Dy dd Mon HH24: MI: SS') "DB Startup Time"
FROM sys.v_$session
WHERE Sid=1 /* this is pmon */
/
Users still running on Oracle 7 can try one of the following queries:
Column STARTED format a18 head 'STARTUP TIME'
Select C.INSTANCE,
to_date (JUL.VALUE, 'J')
|| to_char (floor (SEC.VALUE/3600), '09')
|| ':'
-- || Substr (to_char (mod (SEC.VALUE/60, 60), '09'), 2, 2)
|| Substr (to_char (floor (mod (SEC.VALUE/60, 60)), '09'), 2, 2)
|| '.'
|| Substr (to_char (mod (SEC.VALUE, 60), '09'), 2, 2) STARTED
from SYS.V_$INSTANCE JUL,
SYS.V_$INSTANCE SEC,
SYS.V_$THREAD C
Where JUL.KEY like '%JULIAN%'
and SEC.KEY like '%SECOND%';
Select to_date (JUL.VALUE, 'J')
|| to_char (to_date (SEC.VALUE, 'SSSSS'), ' HH24:MI:SS') STARTED
from SYS.V_$INSTANCE JUL,
SYS.V_$INSTANCE SEC
where JUL.KEY like '%JULIAN%'
and SEC.KEY like '%SECOND%';
select to_char (to_date (JUL.VALUE, 'J') + (SEC.VALUE/86400), -Return a DATE
'DD-MON-YY HH24:MI:SS') STARTED
from V$INSTANCE JUL,
V$INSTANCE SEC
where JUL.KEY like '%JULIAN%'
and SEC.KEY like '%SECOND%';

Where are my TEMPFILES, I don't see them in V$DATAFILE or DBA_DATA_FILE? (for DBA)
Tempfiles, unlike normal datafiles, are not listed in v$datafile or dba_data_files. Instead query v$tempfile or dba_temp_files:
SELECT * FROM v$tempfile;
SELECT * FROM dba_temp_files;

How do I find used/free space in a TEMPORARY tablespace? (for DBA )

Unlike normal tablespaces, true temporary tablespace information is not listed in DBA_FREE_SPACE. Instead use the V$TEMP_SPACE_HEADER view:
SELECT tablespace_name, SUM (bytes used), SUM (bytes free)
FROM V$temp_space_header
GROUP BY tablespace_name;

What is a profile ?
Each database user is assigned a Profile that specifies limitations on various system resources available to the user.

How will you enforce security using stored procedures?
Don't grant user access directly to tables within the application. Instead grant the ability to access the procedures that access the tables. When procedure executed it will execute the privilege of procedures owner. Users cannot access tables except via the procedure.

How can one see who is using a temporary segment? (for DBA )
For every user using temporary space, there is an entry in SYS.V$_LOCK with type 'TS'.
All temporary segments are named 'ffff.bbbb' where 'ffff' is the file it is in and 'bbbb' is first block of the segment. If your temporary tablespace is set to TEMPORARY, all sorts are done in one large temporary segment. For usage stats, see SYS.V_$SORT_SEGMENT
From Oracle 8.0, one can just query SYS.v$sort_usage. Look at these examples:
select s.username, u."USER", u.tablespace, u.contents, u.extents, u.blocks
from sys.v_$session s, sys.v_$sort_usage u
where s.addr = u.session_addr
/
select s.osuser, s.process, s.username, s.serial#,
Sum (u.blocks)*vp.value/1024 sort_size
from sys.v_$session s, sys.v_$sort_usage u, sys.v_$parameter VP
where s.saddr = u.session_addr
and vp.name = 'db_block_size'
and s.osuser like '&1'
group by s.osuser, s.process, s.username, s.serial#, vp.value
/

How does one get the view definition of fixed views/tables?
Query v$fixed_view_definition. Example: SELECT * FROM v$fixed_view_definition WHERE view_name='V$SESSION';

What are the dictionary tables used to monitor a database spaces ?
DBA_FREE_SPACE
DBA_SEGMENTS
DBA_DATA_FILES.

How can we specify the Archived log file name format and destination?
By setting the following values in init.ora file. LOG_ARCHIVE_FORMAT = arch %S/s/T/tarc (%S - Log sequence number and is zero left paded, %s - Log sequence number not padded. %T - Thread number lef-zero-paded and %t - Thread number not padded). The file name created is arch 0001 are if %S is used. LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST = path.

What is user Account in Oracle database?
An user account is not a physical structure in Database but it is having important relationship to the objects in the database and will be having certain privileges.

When will the data in the snapshot log be used?
We must be able to create a after row trigger on table (i.e., it should be not be already available) After giving table privileges. We cannot specify snapshot log name because oracle uses the name of the master table in the name of the database objects that support its snapshot log. The master table name should be less than or equal to 23 characters. (The table name created will be MLOGS_tablename, and trigger name will be TLOGS name).

What dynamic data replication?
Updating or Inserting records in remote database through database triggers. It may fail if remote database is having any problem.

What is Two-Phase Commit ?
Two-phase commit is mechanism that guarantees a distributed transaction either commits on all involved nodes or rolls back on all involved nodes to maintain data consistency across the global distributed database. It has two phase, a Prepare Phase and a Commit Phase.

How can you Enforce Referential Integrity in snapshots ?

Time the references to occur when master tables are not in use. Peform the reference the manually immdiately locking the master tables. We can join tables in snopshots by creating a complex snapshots that will based on the master tables.

What is a SQL * NET?
SQL *NET is ORACLE's mechanism for interfacing with the communication protocols used by the networks that facilitate distributed processing and distributed databases. It is used in Clint-Server and Server-Server communications.

What is a SNAPSHOT ?
Snapshots are read-only copies of a master table located on a remote node which is periodically refreshed to reflect changes made to the master table.

What is the mechanism provided by ORACLE for table replication ?
Snapshots and SNAPSHOT LOGs

What is snapshots?
Snapshot is an object used to dynamically replicate data between distribute database at specified time intervals. In ver 7.0 they are read only.

What are the various type of snapshots?
Simple and Complex.

Describe two phases of Two-phase commit ?
Prepare phase - The global coordinator (initiating node) ask a participants to prepare (to promise to commit or rollback the transaction, even if there is a failure) Commit - Phase - If all participants respond to the coordinator that they are prepared, the coordinator asks all nodes to commit the transaction, if all participants cannot prepare, the coordinator asks all nodes to roll back the transaction.

What is snapshot log ?
It is a table that maintains a record of modifications to the master table in a snapshot. It is stored in the same database as master table and is only available for simple snapshots. It should be created before creating snapshots.

What are the benefits of distributed options in databases?
Database on other servers can be updated and those transactions can be grouped together with others in a logical unit.
Database uses a two phase commit.

What are the options available to refresh snapshots ?
COMPLETE - Tables are completely regenerated using the snapshots query and the master tables every time the snapshot referenced.
FAST - If simple snapshot used then a snapshot log can be used to send the changes to the snapshot tables.
FORCE - Default value. If possible it performs a FAST refresh; Otherwise it will perform a complete refresh.

What is a SNAPSHOT LOG ?
A snapshot log is a table in the master database that is associated with the master table. ORACLE uses a snapshot log to track the rows that have been updated in the master table. Snapshot logs are used in updating the snapshots based on the master table.

What is Distributed database ?
A distributed database is a network of databases managed by multiple database servers that appears to a user as single logical database. The data of all databases in the distributed database can be simultaneously accessed and modified.

How can we reduce the network traffic?
- Replication of data in distributed environment.
- Using snapshots to replicate data.
- Using remote procedure calls.

Differentiate simple and complex, snapshots ?
- A simple snapshot is based on a query that does not contains GROUP BY clauses, CONNECT BY clauses, JOINs, sub-query or snashot of operations.
- A complex snapshots contain atleast any one of the above.

What are the Built-ins used for sending Parameters to forms?
You can pass parameter values to a form when an application executes the call_form, New_form, Open_form or Run_product.

Can you have more than one content canvas view attached with a window?
Yes. Each window you create must have atleast one content canvas view assigned to it. You can also create a window that has manipulated content canvas view. At run time only one of the content canvas views assign to a window is displayed at a time.

Is the After report trigger fired if the report execution fails?
Yes.

Does a Before form trigger fire when the parameter form is suppressed?
Yes.

What is SGA?

The System Global Area in an Oracle database is the area in memory to facilitate the transfer of information between users. It holds the most recently requested structural information between users. It holds the most recently requested structural information about the database. The structure is database buffers, dictionary cache, redo log buffer and shared pool area.

What is a shared pool?
The data dictionary cache is stored in an area in SGA called the shared pool. This will allow sharing of parsed SQL statements among concurrent users.

What is mean by Program Global Area (PGA)?
It is area in memory that is used by a single Oracle user process.

What is a data segment?
Data segment are the physical areas within a database block in which the data associated with tables and clusters are stored.

What are the factors causing the reparsing of SQL statements in SGA?
Due to insufficient shared pool size.
Monitor the ratio of the reloads takes place while executing SQL statements. If the ratio is greater than 1 then increase the SHARED_POOL_SIZE.

What are clusters?
Clusters are groups of one or more tables physically stores together to share common columns and are often used together.

What is cluster key?
The related columns of the tables in a cluster are called the cluster key.

Do a view contain data?
Views do not contain or store data.

What is user Account in Oracle database?
A user account is not a physical structure in database but it is having important relationship to the objects in the database and will be having certain privileges.

How will you enforce security using stored procedures?
Don't grant user access directly to tables within the application. Instead grant the ability to access the procedures that access the tables. When procedure executed it will execute the privilege of procedures owner. Users cannot access tables except via the procedure.

What are the dictionary tables used to monitor a database space?
DBA_FREE_SPACE
DBA_SEGMENTS
DBA_DATA_FILES.

Can a property clause itself be based on a property clause?
Yes

If a parameter is used in a query without being previously defined, what diff. exist between. report 2.0 and 2.5 when the query is applied?
While both reports 2.0 and 2.5 create the parameter, report 2.5 gives a message that a bind parameter has been created.

What are the sql clauses supported in the link property sheet?
Where start with having.

What is trigger associated with the timer?
When-timer-expired.

What are the trigger associated with image items?
When-image-activated fires when the operators double clicks on an image itemwhen-image-pressed fires when an operator clicks or double clicks on an image item

What are the different windows events activated at runtimes?
When_window_activated
When_window_closed
When_window_deactivated
When_window_resized
Within this triggers, you can examine the built in system variable system. event_window to determine the name of the window for which the trigger fired.

When do you use data parameter type?
When the value of a data parameter being passed to a called product is always the name of the record group defined in the current form. Data parameters are used to pass data to products invoked with the run_product built-in subprogram.

What is difference between open_form and call_form?
when one form invokes another form by executing open_form the first form remains displayed, and operators can navigate between the forms as desired. when one form invokes another form by executing call_form, the called form is modal with respect to the calling form. That is, any windows that belong to the calling form are disabled, and operators cannot navigate to them until they first exit the called form.

What is new_form built-in?
When one form invokes another form by executing new_form oracle form exits the first form and releases its memory before loading the new form calling new form completely replace the first with the second. If there are changes pending in the first form, the operator will be prompted to save them before the new form is loaded.

What is the "LOV of Validation" Property of an item? What is the use of it?
When LOV for Validation is set to True, Oracle Forms compares the current value of the text item to the values in the first column displayed in the LOV. Whenever the validation event occurs. If the value in the text item matches one of the values in the first column of the LOV, validation succeeds, the LOV is not displayed, and processing continues normally. If the value in the text item does not match one of the values in the first column of the LOV, Oracle Forms displays the LOV and uses the text item value as the search criteria to automatically reduce the list.

What is the diff. when Flex mode is mode on and when it is off?
When flex mode is on, reports automatically resizes the parent when the child is resized.

What is the diff. when confine mode is on and when it is off?
When confine mode is on, an object cannot be moved outside its parent in the layout.

What are visual attributes?
Visual attributes are the font, color, pattern proprieties that you set for form and menu objects that appear in your application interface.

Which of the two views should objects according to possession?
view by structure.

What are the two types of views available in the object navigator(specific to report 2.5)?
View by structure and view by type .

What are the vbx controls?
Vbx control provide a simple method of building and enhancing user interfaces. The controls can use to obtain user inputs and display program outputs.vbx control where originally develop as extensions for the ms visual basic environments and include such items as sliders, rides and knobs.

What is the use of transactional triggers?
Using transactional triggers we can control or modify the default functionality of the oracle forms.

How do you create a new session while open a new form?
Using open_form built-in setting the session option Ex. Open_form('Stocks ',active, session). when invoke the multiple forms with open form and call_form in the same application, state whether the following are true/False

What are the ways to monitor the performance of the report?

Use reports profile executable statement. Use SQL trace facility.

If two groups are not linked in the data model editor, What is the hierarchy between them?
Two group that is above are the left most rank higher than the group that is to right or below it.

An open form can not be execute the call_form procedure if you chain of called forms has been initiated by another open form?

True

Explain about horizontal, Vertical tool bar canvas views?
Tool bar canvas views are used to create tool bars for individual windows. Horizontal tool bars are display at the top of a window, just under its menu bar. Vertical Tool bars are displayed along the left side of a window

What is the purpose of the product order option in the column property sheet?
To specify the order of individual group evaluation in a cross products.

What is the use of image_zoom built-in?
To manipulate images in image items.

How do you reference a parameter indirectly?
To indirectly reference a parameter use the NAME IN, COPY 'built-ins to indirectly set and reference the parameters value' Example name_in ('capital parameter my param'), Copy ('SURESH','Parameter my_param')

What is a timer?
Timer is an "internal time clock" that you can programmatically create to perform an action each time the times.

What are the two phases of block coordination?
There are two phases of block coordination: the clear phase and the population phase. During, the clear phase, Oracle Forms navigates internally to the detail block and flushes the obsolete detail records. During the population phase, Oracle Forms issues a SELECT statement to repopulate the detail block with detail records associated with the new master record. These operations are accomplished through the execution of triggers.

What are Most Common types of Complex master-detail relationships?
There are three most common types of complex master-detail relationships:
master with dependent details
master with independent details
detail with two masters

What is a text list?
The text list style list item appears as a rectangular box which displays the fixed number of values. When the text list contains values that can not be displayed, a vertical scroll bar appears, allowing the operator to view and select undisplayed values.

What is term?
The term is terminal definition file that describes the terminal form which you are using r20run.

What is use of term?
The term file which key is correspond to which oracle report functions.

What is pop list?
The pop list style list item appears initially as a single field (similar to a text item field). When the operator selects the list icon, a list of available choices appears.

What is the maximum no of chars the parameter can store?
The maximum no of chars the parameter can store is only valid for char parameters, which can be upto 64K. No parameters default to 23Bytes and Date parameter default to 7Bytes.

What are the default extensions of the files created by library module?
The default file extensions indicate the library module type and storage format .pll - pl/sql library module binary

What are the Coordination Properties in a Master-Detail relationship?
The coordination properties are
Deferred
Auto-Query
These Properties determine when the population phase of block
coordination should occur.

How do you display console on a window ?
The console includes the status line and message line, and is displayed at the bottom of the window to which it is assigned.To specify that the console should be displayed, set the console window form property to the name of any window in the form. To include the console, set console window to Null.

What are the different Parameter types?
Text ParametersData Parameters

State any three mouse events system variables?
System.mouse_button_pressedSystem.mouse_button_shift

What are the types of calculated columns available?
Summary, Formula, Placeholder column.

Explain about stacked canvas views?
Stacked canvas view is displayed in a window on top of, or "stacked" on the content canvas view assigned to that same window. Stacked canvas views obscure some part of the underlying content canvas view, and or often shown and hidden programmatically.

How does one do off-line database backups? (for DBA )
Shut down the database from sqlplus or server manager. Backup all files to secondary storage (eg. tapes). Ensure that you backup all data files, all control files and all log files. When completed, restart your database.
Do the following queries to get a list of all files that needs to be backed up:
select name from sys.v_$datafile;
select member from sys.v_$logfile;
select name from sys.v_$controlfile;
Sometimes Oracle takes forever to shutdown with the "immediate" option. As workaround to this problem, shutdown using these commands:
alter system checkpoint;
shutdown abort
startup restrict
shutdown immediate
Note that if you database is in ARCHIVELOG mode, one can still use archived log files to roll forward from an off-line backup. If you cannot take your database down for a cold (off-line) backup at a convenient time, switch your database into ARCHIVELOG mode and perform hot (on-line) backups.

What is the difference between SHOW_EDITOR and EDIT_TEXTITEM?
Show editor is the generic built-in which accepts any editor name and takes some input string and returns modified output string. Whereas the edit_textitem built-in needs the input focus to be in the text item before the built-in is executed.

What are the built-ins that are used to Attach an LOV programmatically to an item?
set_item_property
get_item_property
(by setting the LOV_NAME property)

How does one do on-line database backups? (for DBA )
Each tablespace that needs to be backed-up must be switched into backup mode before copying the files out to secondary storage (tapes). Look at this simple example.
ALTER TABLESPACE xyz BEGIN BACKUP;
! cp xyfFile1 /backupDir/
ALTER TABLESPACE xyz END BACKUP;
It is better to backup tablespace for tablespace than to put all tablespaces in backup mode. Backing them up separately incurs less overhead. When done, remember to backup your control files. Look at this example:
ALTER SYSTEM SWITCH LOGFILE; -- Force log switch to update control file headers
ALTER DATABASE BACKUP CONTROLFILE TO '/backupDir/control.dbf';
NOTE: Do not run on-line backups during peak processing periods. Oracle will write complete database blocks instead of the normal deltas to redo log files while in backup mode. This will lead to excessive database archiving and even database freezes.

How does one backup a database using RMAN? (for DBA )
The biggest advantage of RMAN is that it only backup used space in the database. Rman doesn't put tablespaces in backup mode, saving on redo generation overhead. RMAN will re-read database blocks until it gets a consistent image of it. Look at this simple backup example.
rman target sys/*** nocatalog
run {
allocate channel t1 type disk;
backup
format '/app/oracle/db_backup/%d_t%t_s%s_p%p'
( database );
release channel t1;
}
Example RMAN restore:
rman target sys/*** nocatalog
run {
allocate channel t1 type disk;
# set until time 'Aug 07 2000 :51';
restore tablespace users;
recover tablespace users;
release channel t1;
}
The examples above are extremely simplistic and only useful for illustrating basic concepts. By default Oracle uses the database controlfiles to store information about backups. Normally one would rather setup a RMAN catalog database to store RMAN metadata in. Read the Oracle Backup and Recovery Guide before implementing any RMAN backups.
Note: RMAN cannot write image copies directly to tape. One needs to use a third-party media manager that integrates with RMAN to backup directly to tape. Alternatively one can backup to disk and then manually copy the backups to tape.

What are the different file extensions that are created by oracle reports?
Rep file and Rdf file.

What is strip sources generate options?
Removes the source code from the library file and generates a library files that contains only pcode. The resulting file can be used for final deployment, but can not be subsequently edited in the designer.ex. f45gen module=old_lib.pll userid=scott/tiger strip_source YES output_file

How does one put a database into ARCHIVELOG mode? (for DBA )
The main reason for running in archivelog mode is that one can provide 24-hour availability and guarantee complete data recoverability. It is also necessary to enable ARCHIVELOG mode before one can start to use on-line database backups. To enable ARCHIVELOG mode, simply change your database startup command script, and bounce the database:
SQLPLUS> connect sys as sysdba
SQLPLUS> startup mount exclusive;
SQLPLUS> alter database archivelog;
SQLPLUS> archive log start;
SQLPLUS> alter database open;
NOTE1: Remember to take a baseline database backup right after enabling archivelog mode. Without it one would not be able to recover. Also, implement an archivelog backup to prevent the archive log directory from filling-up.
NOTE2: ARCHIVELOG mode was introduced with Oracle V6, and is essential for database point-in-time recovery. Archiving can be used in combination with on-line and off-line database backups.
NOTE3: You may want to set the following INIT.ORA parameters when enabling ARCHIVELOG mode: log_archive_start=TRUE, log_archive_dest=... and log_archive_format=...
NOTE4: You can change the archive log destination of a database on-line with the ARCHIVE LOG START TO 'directory'; statement. This statement is often used to switch archiving between a set of directories.
NOTE5: When running Oracle Real Application Server (RAC), you need to shut down all nodes before changing the database to ARCHIVELOG mode.

What is the basic data structure that is required for creating an LOV?
Record Group.

How does one backup archived log files? (for DBA )
One can backup archived log files using RMAN or any operating system backup utility. Remember to delete files after backing them up to prevent the archive log directory from filling up. If the archive log directory becomes full, your database will hang! Look at this simple RMAN backup script:
RMAN> run {
2> allocate channel dev1 type disk;
3> backup
4> format '/app/oracle/arch_backup/log_t%t_s%s_p%p'
5> (archivelog all delete input);
6> release channel dev1;
7> }

Does Oracle write to data files in begin/hot backup mode? (for DBA )
Oracle will stop updating file headers, but will continue to write data to the database files even if a tablespace is in backup mode.
In backup mode, Oracle will write out complete changed blocks to the redo log files. Normally only deltas (changes) are logged to the redo logs. This is done to enable reconstruction of a block if only half of it was backed up (split blocks). Because of this, one should notice increased log activity and archiving during on-line backups.