IBM Interview Questions

What do you understand about MDM?

Ans: MDM is a methodology which allows an organisation to link all its crucial data. It links all the data to one file, which is called a master file that provides a common base of reference. When the master file is implemented properly, MDM networks share data among individuals and enterprises. 

Tell us what you know about Dimensional Modelling?

Ans: Dimensional Modelling contains two types of tables which is different from the third normal form. The Facts table contains the measurements of the business and the Dimension table contains the context. The dimension of calculation of the measurements is implemented.

What are the fundamental stages of Data Warehousing?

Ans: Four fundamental stages of Data Warehousing are as follows:

Offline Operational Databases: 

Development of Data warehouses in Offline Operational Databases is done by copying the database of an operational system to an off-line server.

Offline Data Warehouse: 

Data warehouses in Offline Data Warehouse are updated regularly and their storage is done in an integrated reporting-oriented data structure.

Real-Time Data Warehouse:

Every time an operational system carries out a transaction, data warehouses are updated on an event basis in Real-Time Data Warehouse.

Integrated Data Warehouse:

Data warehouses are used to generate activity or transactions In the Integrated Data Warehouse, that is sent back into the operational systems to use in the daily activity of the enterprise.

What is Informatica PowerCenter?

Ans: PowerCenter is the data integration software of Informatica Corporation. The usage of this software allows loading the data into centralized locations such as data warehouses. The data which is taken from multiple sources can be used as per the business requirements.

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What are the data movement modes in Informatica?

Ans: A data movement mode determines how the power centre server handles the character data. We choose the data movement in the Informatica server configuration settings. Two types of data movement modes available in Informatica.

• ASCII mode.
• Unicode mode.

Write the components of Informatica PowerCenter.

Ans: The components of Informatica PowerCenter are as follows:

• PowerCenter Domain.
• PowerCenter Repository.
• Administration Console.
• PowerCenter Client.
• Repository Service.
• Integration service.
• Web Services Hub.
• Data Analyzer.
• Metadata Manager.
• PowerCenter Repository Reports.

How to delete duplicate records in Informatica?

Ans: Following are ways to remove duplicate records

• In the source, qualifiers use select distinctly.
• Use Aggregator and group by all fields.
• Override SQL query in Source qualifier.

Explain various types of LOCK used in Informatica MDM 10.1?

Ans: Two types of LOCK are used in Informatica MDM as follows:

Exclusive Lock: Letting just one user make alterations to the underlying operational reference store.

Write Lock: Letting multiple users make amendments to the underlying metadata at the same time.

State the biggest technical and management challenges in adopting MDM?

Ans: The primary issue is Funding while selling the project is a secondary issue. The management is actively looking for an investment return. They want MDM to be benefitting and profitable for their business.

. Explain Transformation?

Ans: It is a repository object that helps in generating, modifying or passing data. In a mapping, transformations make a representation of the operations integrated with service performs on the data. All the data goes by transformation ports that are only linked with maple or mapping.

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. Describe the foreign key columns in fact table and dimension table?

Ans:

• Foreign keys of dimension tables are the primary keys of entity tables.
• Foreign keys of facts tables are the primary keys of dimension tables.

. What is a mapplet?

Ans: A Mapplet is a reusable object that contains a set of transformations and it enables to reuse the transformation logic in multiple mappings.

. What are the objects that you can’t use in a mapplet?

Ans: COBOL source definition.

• Joiner transformations.
• Normalizer transformations.
• Non-reusable sequence generator transformations.
• Pre or post-session stored procedures.
• Target definitions.
• Power mart 3.5 styles of Lookup functions.
• XML source definitions.
• IBM MQ source definitions.

. What are the different methods of loading Dimension tables?

Ans: There are two different ways to load data in dimension tables.

1. Conventional (Slow):  The data integrity is maintained when all the constraints and keys are validated against the data before, it is loaded.
2. Direct (Fast): All the constraints and keys are disabled before the data is loaded. Once data is loaded, it is validated against all the constraints and keys. If data is found invalid, it is not included in the index and all future processes are skipped on this data. 

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. What is the different type of repositories that can be created using the Informatica Repository Manager?

Ans: 

• Standalone Repository: It is a repository which functions individually and is unrelated to any other repositories.
• Global Repository: It is a centralized repository in a domain. This repository can contain shared objects across the repositories in a domain. The objects are shared through global shortcuts.
• Local Repository: A Local repository is within a domain. The local repository can connect to a global repository using global shortcuts and can use objects in its shared folders.

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. Name the tables that are linked with staging data in Informatica MDM?

Ans: There are various tables that are linked with staging data in Informatica MDM. They are:

• Landing Table.
• Raw Table.
• Rejects Table.
• Staging Table.

. Define different ways used in Informatica to migrate from one environment to another?

Ans: 

• A repository can be imported and exported to the new environment.
• Informatica deployment groups can be used.
• Folders/objects can be copied.
• Each mapping can be exported to XML and then be imported in the new environment. 

. What are the new features of MDM?

Ans: 

• Enhanced MDM and DataStage integration.
• Expanded Patient Hub feature for medical applications.
• Through IBM PureSystems, it is easy to run with MDM 11.
• The Probabilistic Match Engine (PME) is introduced by InfoSphere MDM v10 in Advanced Edition. This was the embedding of Initiate MDS’s matching engine into MDM Server.  This capability has now surfaced up into a “Probabilistic Search Service”, an alternative to the deterministic search traditionally offered with MDM Server.
• For Weblogic Server clients, unfortunately, Weblogic is no longer supported and migration to WAS is required (due to the OSGi support).

. What is the difference between the mapping parameter and variable?

Ans: 

Mapping Parameter:

• It is a static value that is defined before running the session and its value remains until the end of the session. 
• When you run the session PowerCenter, it evaluates the value from the parameter and retains the same value throughout the session. 
• When the session runs again, then it reads from the file for its value.

Mapping Variable:

• It is a dynamic value or changes anytime during the session. 
• PowerCenter reads the initial value of the variable before the start of the session and changes its value by using variable functions and before the session ends, it saves the current value (last value held by the variable). 
• Next time when the session runs the variable. The value of that variable is the last saved value in the previous session.

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. What is the SYNTAX to call a task command from a controller command?

Ans: 

OrderCalculateCmd cmd = (OrderCalculateCmd) CommandFactory.createCommand (OrderCalculateCmd.class.getName(), getStoreId()))

cmd.setCommandContext (getCommandContext ());

cmd.setRequestProperties (requestProperties);

cmd.execute ();

. If I implemented MDM very recently, should I upgrade?

Ans: If you’re currently using MDM 10.x, it is not a worthy effort to upgrade immediately if implementation just took place.  It is worthy when reiterating takes place as that v11 is the way of the future from an implementation standpoint, and the OSGi framework will likely be the way of the future.

. What are the types of messages?

Ans: The following are the types of messages in MDM.

• MRM
• XML
• XMLNS
• XMLNSC
• JMSMap
• JMSStream
• MIME
• BLOB
• IDOC

. Describe the parallel degree of data loading properties in MDM?

Ans: This specifies the parallelism’s degree that is set upon the base object table as well as its related tables. Even when it doesn’t occur for all batch processes, it can have a positive consequence on performance once it’s used. However, its usage is restricted by the number of CPUs on the database server machine along with the amount of available memory. The default value is 1.

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. What is the difference between OLTP and OLAP?

Ans:

OLTP:

• OLTP is an acronym for Online Transaction Processing.
• OLTP is an application that modifies the data, the instance receives and it has a large number of concurrent users.

OLAP:

• OLAP is an acronym for Online Analytical Processing.
• OLAP is an application that collects, manages, processes and presents the multidimensional data for management and analytics purposes.

. Why is it often stated that a Data Warehouse is the main repository of an organization’s historical data?

Ans: Management’s decision support system is served with the raw source by the Data Warehouses. The use of a Data warehouse becomes essential because a Data Analyst can perform complex queries and analysis like data mining which makes use of a data warehouse. At a single point in time, we are able to present a clear image of business conditions with the help of Data warehousing which otherwise contains a wide variety of data.

. Is there out-of-the-box integration with all the supporting programs?

Ans: No. In some combinations of supporting programs and editions, there is no out-of-the-box integration. However, there may still be a benefit to having access to the supporting program.

Example: IBM InfoSphere Information Analyzer.

It is a component of InfoSphere Information Server that doesn’t have direct MDM integration, but using this tool to analyze and profile the sources to be used in an MDM project will yield better data quality and improve project progress.

. Can I expect that for all MDM projects I will have everything I need through the Supporting Programs?

Ans: No, although we believe that the Supporting Programs are of great value to most customers, there will often be requirements specific to a customer’s environment or deployment pattern that will not be addressed by the Supporting Programs. This might mean that you might need other IBM or 3P software, or a different licensing of a program that is part of the Supporting Programs bundle.

. Where are the Supporting Programs made available?

Ans: The Supporting Programs, like the main InfoSphere MDM software, can be downloaded from Passport Advantage. 

. Are there restrictions on any of the supporting programs?

Ans: Yes, specific restrictions are applicable to some Supporting Programs. These restrictions are described in the License information in the sections “Supporting Program Details” and, if applicable, “Additional Supporting Program Restrictions”.

. What is the expiration module of automatic lock-in Informatica MDM?

Ans: In every 60 seconds, the hub console is refreshed in the current connection. A lock can be released manually by a user. In case the user switches to another database while having a hold of a lock, then the lock will be released automatically. In case the hub console is terminated by the user, then the lock will be expired after a minute.

. What Is Rpg?

Ans: RPG is a high-level programming language (HLL) for business applications, initials that stand for Report Program Generator.

. What Is Data Area And How It Is Used In Rpg Program ?

Ans: Data area is a type of an object which is used for storing data. It is defined using opcode *NAMVAR. The data is read by "IN" and written by "OUT" opcode

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. Which Program Rpg Or Cl Is Efficient To Update A Transaction Onto A Database File And Why?

Ans: CL program cannot update/write onto a data base file and hence, choice is RPG program

. What Is The Purpose Of Indicators In Rpg?

Ans: It is generally used to indicate the result of an operation or to condition (or control) the processing of an operation. Indicators are defined either by an entry on the specification or by the RPG IV program itself. The positions on the specification in which you define an indicator determine how the indicator is used. An indicator that has been defined can then be used to condition calculation and output operations. An indicator can be control level indicator, resulting, record identifying etc.

. Describe The Function Of Setll Operation In Rpg Language?

Ans: The SETLL operation positions a file at the next record with a key or relative record number that is greater than or equal to key or relative record number specified in factor1.

. What Is The Rpg System?

Ans: The RPG System is one of the interactive features of this site; it is a graphical representation of the user's activities and contribution to the site and forums. It is only for show/looks and has no effect of anything what-so-ever.

. Is This An Rpg Channel?

Ans: No. This is a channel for conversation. No one actively role plays in #Vampire, although many do frequent channels that DO role play, the most prominent one being #Vampire Hall. Check them out.

. What is A 'sim / Rpg'?

Ans: A Sim is a simulation. In this case, sort of a writers' collective where a diverse group of people all collaborate on stories set in a common idiom. It is also referred to as a Role-Playing Game (RPG), because of the similarity to games like Dungeons and Dragons, or even Worlds of War craft (technically a MMORPG). However, Borderlands and other similar 'games' have nowhere near the level of structure or rules that true RPG's do.

. What Is An Online Rpg?

Ans: Online RPG connects to a network server. Like former similar RPGs, your character will grow and advance in the world. Players from around the world are united, allowing them to form parties and experience thrill and adventure together.

. How Can You Display Specific sub file Page on the Screen in Unequal Sub file?

Ans: 

• If CURSOR is specified for the SFLRCDNBR the cursor is placed in the sub file record whose relative record number is identified by the contents of this field.
• SFLRCDNBR (sub file Record Number) - Displays the page of the sub file containing the record whose relative record number is in this field.

. What Are the Array Operations?

Ans: 

• The LOKUP operation causes a search to be made for a particular element in an array or table.
• The MOVEA operation transfers character or numeric values from factor 2 to the result field. (Certain restrictions apply when moving numeric values.) Factor 2 or the result field must contain an array. Factor 2 and the result field cannot specify the same array even if the array is indexed.
• SORTA (Sort an Array)
• XFOOT (Summing the Elements of an Array)

. Can You Debug Ile Rpg Program Using Isdb?

Ans: 

• No. However we can debug RPG program using STRDBG.
• Compile RPG using with Source listing options . . . *SRCDBG.
• STRDBG PGM(PH0040DCL) OPMSRC(*YES)
• OPM stands for original program model
• Same process for CLP also.

. How Do You Use Commitment Control In Rpg?

Ans: 

• With commitment control, you ensure one of two outcomes for the file operations: either all of the file operations are successful or none of the file operations has any effect. In this way, you process a group of operations as a unit. To use commitment control, you do the following:
• Use the CL commands CRTJRN (Create Journal), CRTJRNRCV (Create Journal Receiver) and STRJRNPF (Journal Physical File) to prepare for using commitment control, and the CL commands STRCMTCTL (Start Commitment Control) and ENDCMTCTL (End Commitment Control) to notify the system when you want to start and end commitment control.
• Specify commitment control on the file-description specifications of the files you want under commitment control.
• Use the COMIT (Commit) operation code to apply a group of changes to files under commitment control, or use the ROLBK (Roll Back) operation code to eliminate the pending group of changes to files under commitment control.

. How Do You Code File Field Renames In Ile Rpg?

Ans: 

• The PREFIX keyword is used to partially rename the fields in an externally described file. The characters specified as prefix string are prefixed to the names of all fields defined in all records of the file specified.
• You can also explicitly rename a field on input specification on field description entries.

. Do You Use Message Sub files? What Are the Necessary Keywords Required Coding a Message sub file?

Ans: 

• Specifying the SFLMSGRCD (24) keyword on the sub file record format identifies this sub file as a message sub file. The parameter value specified causes the sub file to appear on line 24 of the display.
• The fields MSGKEY and PGMQ are user-defined names given to the two fields required for the sub file record format for a message sub file. The only specifications allowed for them are their names and the SFLMSGKEY and SFLPGMQ keywords.
• This sub file is built by a series of output operations to SFL that place messages in the sub file as sub file records. Messages are truncated to fit single lines (76 characters or 128 characters, depending on display size), and second-level help is available. This sub file is displayed by an output operation to SFLCTL.
• The OS/400 program when the display station user presses a Page Up or a Page Down key pages this sub file. The SFLEND keyword allows the OS/400 program to display a plus sign whenever the sub file can be paged up.

. What Is the Necessary Keyword Needed to Scroll sub file Records?

Ans: 

• Pg/Up & Pg/Dn.
• SFLSCROLL (Subfile Scroll) - Returns the relative record number of the subfile record that is at the top of the sub file when control is given to the application.

. Can More Than One sub file Record Be Displayed On One Line?

Ans: Yes, using SFLLIN (sub file line).

. What Happens When Sflsiz = Sflpag? What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages?

Ans: 

It results in equal sub file. Loads only one page of records at a time. Can handle any number of records. But programming becomes much more involved.

The other case is that of Expanded sub file where in only Pg/Dn has to be programmed. It is displayed in a stable amount of time, depending on how many records the program loads.

. What Do You Mean By An Input Subfile, What Are The Keywords Required?

Ans: 

• The input data is first loaded to sub file and after doing interactive data validation they are added to physical file. The new keywords required include SFLNXTCHG, SFLINZ, and SFLRNA.
• SFLNXTCHG - It enables a READC instruction to process all of the sub file records as changed. To enable READC on the same record, which was already read by READC, set on SFLNZTCHG and update sub file?
• SFLINZ - Initializes alphanumeric fields to blanks and numeric fields to zeros. When input records are added to a subfile initialized by an SFLINZ operation, they are flagged as changed.
• SFLRNA - Initializes the subfile with no active records.•The input data is first loaded to sub file and after doing interactive data validation they are added to physical file. The new keywords required include SFLNXTCHG, SFLINZ, and SFLRNA.
• SFLNXTCHG - It enables a READC instruction to process all of the sub file records as changed. To enable READC on the same record, which was already read by READC, set on SFLNZTCHG and update sub file?
• SFLINZ - Initializes alphanumeric fields to blanks and numeric fields to zeros. When input records are added to a subfile initialized by an SFLINZ operation, they are flagged as changed.
• SFLRNA - Initializes the subfile with no active records.
  
  

. Explain Sflclr, Sflend, Sfldlt, And Sflcsrrrn?

Ans: 

• SFLCLR - Clears subfile area before the subfile is created.
• SFLEND - Displays + sign to the right of the last sub file record on the current page, indicating that more records are available.
• SFLDLT - Deletes a sub file. Used when the program controls more than one sub file. Max. Active sub files (24)
• SFLCSRRRN - RRN of the sub file record where the cursor was positioned is returned.

. What Is The Difference Between Non-display Attribute & Hidden Fields?

. What Would Be The Effect On The Field Where Reverse Image, Underline, And High Intensity?

Ans: The field will not be displayed i.e. becomes non-display.

. How Can A Screen Field That Has Changed Since The Last Output Operation Be Detected?

Ans: 

• Using CHANGE keyword e.g. CHANGE (25).
• BLANK for numeric field.

. What Are The Key Words You Must Use When Using A Subfile?

Ans: •

• SFL - Record level - specifies sub file record format, consists of variable data items.
• SFLCTL - Record level - specifies sub file control record format in which display, clearing, and initialization functions are controlled.
• SFLSIZ - Record level control record keyword - specifies the number of records that may be loaded in the sub file. Max. (9999)
• SFLPAG - Record level control record keyword - specifies the number of records that may be displayed on CRT at the same time.
• SFLDSP - Record level control record keyword - displays the sub file when program issues an output operation to the control record format.

. What Is the Difference between Do While And Do Until?

Ans: 

The DOU operations allow the processing of a group of calculations one or more times. The end of a Do-Until operation is indicated by an ENDDO operation. Here processing is done at least one time.

The DOW operations allow the processing of a group of calculations zero or more times. The end of a Do-While operation is indicated by an ENDDO operation

. What Is File Information Data Structure?

Ans: File Information Data structure (INFDS) can be defined for each file to make file exception/error information available to the program. A file information data structure contains predefined subfields that identify: the name of the file for which the exception/error occurred. the record being processed when the exception/error occurred or the record that caused the exception/error. The last operation being processed when the exception/error occurred.
The status code. The RPG routine in which the exception/error occurred.

. What is meant by MDM in terms of Data warehousing?

Ans. MDM refers to Master Data Management, a process that locates crucial information within a business entity. It helps to build a unique data source to power up the various business processes. Further, MDM includes multiple technology solutions such as BPM, data integration, etc. Once we create master data, it helps as crucial business data to manage and share throughout the enterprise.

. How does it affect the end-users in business?

Ans. Using advanced MDM with modern functionalities doesn’t require any future updates. Also, implementing future upgrades is more straightforward, using OSGi for updating. Further, MDM version 11 consists of many advanced features like physical or virtual MDM, Big Data, etc. It enables you to build better business value from the existing data.

. Define the Fact Table?

Ans. A fact table consists of business process measurements, including the foreign keys for the dimension tables.

. In which way does it impact the IT user?

Ans. There are multiple things in this regard:-

• Improved MDM version 11 workbench
• Get better performance from MDM version 11, WAS 8.5, and newer versions of DB2/Oracle.
• OSGi or Open Service Gateway Initiative
• A smaller codebase gives easy tracking – just custom-made projects – the final output being a much less deployable artefact.
• Simplified installation is generally the same for both the workbench and server. It helps to improve the developer experience, who looks after the installation.
• New developments in batch processors.
• Imposed security features
• Commence with the benefits that users gain, such as:-
  a) Notification about events
  b) Address regularity through QS

. What type of issues does this update resolve?

Ans. The MDM version 11 delivers much better efficiency than ever by combining standard and advanced editions. If we combine the Initiate MDS (Master Data Service) and the traditional MDM service, then it will delete the various duplicate functions. Also, this upgrade can make some changes in the batch processor.

Further, we can see that the security feature is also on by default which will help to reduce future threats. Also, it will allow only authorized people to see the data. On the whole, this upgrade will enhance the progress in efficiency.

. List out the various stages of Data loading in MDM?

Ans. Below are the various stages of the data loading process. Here the data is stored in a hub storage sequentially.

• Land
• Stage
• Load
• Match
• Consolidate
• Publish