Cognos 8 and 10 Interview
Question
1) What is a Data Warehouse?
A Data Warehouse is a collection of data
marts representing historical data from different operation data sources
(OLTP). The data from these OLTP are structured and optimized for querying and
analysis in a Data Warehouse.
2) Define Cognos Report Net?
Cognos Report Net is the web-based,
dynamic, business intelligence reporting solution from Cognos.
3) What are the tiers of the ReportNet
Architecture?
The ReportNet architecture can be separated
into three tiers:
* Web server
* Applications
* Data
4) Define Business Intelligence
Business Intelligence is a broad category of
application programs and technology used for query, Reporting and analyzing the
business multi dimensionally.
5) What is a Data Mart?
A
Data Mart is a subset of a data warehouse that can provide data for reporting
and analysis.
6) What is HPQS ?
Data
Marts are sometimes also called as HPQS (Higher Performance Query Structure).
7) What is multi dimension analysis?
It is a technique to modify the data so
that the data can be view at the different levels of details.
8) What are the responsibilities of
Cognos Administrator?
A Cognos Administrator is assigned with
following responsibilities.
1. Installations and configurations in
distributed network environment.
2. Creating the Repository (Content Store).
3. Perform back up and recovery of Meta Data.4. Developing the user Administration.5.
Tuning the servers.6. Deployment.
9) Responsibility of Cognos Architect?
An Architect is responsible for designing
the interface by fulfilling the user requirements.Once the interface has been
designed it should be rigorously tested before distributing to the end user
population.
10) Roles of the Application Developer?
Design the Reports according to the Report
requirement templates.
Testing the each report with the following
types of tests.
a. Unit Testing b. System Testing c. Performance
Testing
11) What is OLAP?
OLAP
stands for Online Analytical Processing. It uses database tables (Fact and
Dimension tables) to enable multidimensional viewing, analysis and querying of
large amount of data.
12) What are the types of OLAPs?
1. DOLAP:-The OLAP tool which works with
desktop databases are called as DOLAP
Ex:- FoxPro, Clipper, Dbase, Paradox.
2. ROLAP:-The OLAP tool, which works with
Relational databases, are called as ROLAP.
Ex:-Oracle, SQL Server, Tera Data, DB2.
3. MOLAP: - The OLAP tool, which
works with Multidimensional databases, are called as MOLAP.
Ex:- ESSBASE, Power Cube
4. HOLAP:- The OLAP tool which works with
Relational databases and Multidimensional database, are called as MOLAP.
Ex:- Cognos, Business Objects.
13) What is OLTP?
OLTP stands for Online Transaction
Processing. Except data warehouse databases the other databases are OLTPs.
These OLTP databases are designed for recording the daily operations and
transactions of a business.
14) What is an Interface?
An Interface is a gateway between the user
and database.
An Interface contains a logical pointers
which pointes to data in the Data Warehouse.
An Interface is isolates the complexity and
diversity if data bases.
A good OLAP Interface writes an efficient
SQL read on accurate data from database.
An Interface needs to be designed by
fulfilling the report requirement.
15) What is the role of a Data Warehouse in
creating the Interface?
Data Warehouse acts as Source to the
Interface.
16) What are the types of components
installed while loading the Cognos Report Net Software?
When we install the Cognos Report Net
Software there are two types of components get installed :-
1. Windows based components. 2. Web based
components.
17) Define Windows based components?
A Framework
manager is windows based modeling tool used for creating a project (interface).
18) Define Web based Components?
The
following are the web based components.
A.
Cognos connection B. Query Studio C.
Report Studio D. Analysis Studio
19) Components of Report Net:
1. Framework manager.2. Cognos
connection 3. Query Studio 4. Report Studio 5.Transformer 6. Analysis Studio
20) What are the phases of the Cognos
ReportNet Workflow?
Plan, Manage, Model, Author, Consume.
21) What are the advanced features of
Report Net?
The Cognos Report Net has multilingual
database accessibility.
The parameter maps are key value phase,
which are used for working with local Language that the default value is ‘EN’.
Framework
Manager
22) What is Framework manager?
Frame Work Manager is windows based metadata
development or metadata modeling tool for Cognos Report Net.
23) Why we need Framework manager?
To
create the interface known as Project.
To
create model the metadata derived from one or more data sources
24) How a project appears in a FrameWork
manager?
A frame work manager project appears as a
folder that contains a project file (.cpf) and the specific XML files that
define the project.
25) What are the Building Blocks in Frame
Work Manager?
The Query subjects are called Building
Blocks in Framework Manager.
26) What are phases the workflow process
consists in Framework Manager?
The workflow process consists of the
following phases:
* Design and create project > * Prepare
Metadata >* Prepare the Business View
* Create and Manger Packages >* Set
Security > * Publish >* Manage the Project
27) How you set the security Framework
manager?
To
set the security you have to set as:* Define access to packages. >* Create
security filters > * Define access to objects >* Define package
administration access
28) Define Name Space?
In security, a collection of user accounts
and user groups from an authentication provider.A Name Space is a
container, which holds the Query Subjects.A Name Space uniquely represents the
Query Subjects.
29) Can you delete Cognos namespace?
No, we cannot delete Cognos namespace
30) What is the Cognos Namespace? And what
it contains?
The Cognos namespace is the ReportNet
built-in namespace
It contains Cognos objects:
Groups , Roles, Sources, Distribution lists,
Contacts
31) What are the Groups and Roles?
Groups and roles represent collections of
users that perform similar tasks.
32) What is Folder?
A Folder is used to organize the Query
Subjects.
33) Define Relationship?
A
Relationship is a connection that explains how the data in one Query Subject
relates to data in other Query Subjects.
34) What is a Package?
A container for models, reports, and so on.
Modelers create packages in Framework Manager to publish models to the ReportNet
server.
35) What is Physical layer?
The Physical layer provides the physical
query layer and is made up primarily of data source and stored procedure query
subjects. It acts as the foundation for the presentation layer.
36) What is Presentation layer?
The
Presentation layer makes it easier for report authors to find and understand
their data. The Presentation layer is made up primarily of model query subjects
that you create.
37) Define function set:
A
function set is a collection of vendor specific database.
The
Expression editor lists the function sets for all available vendors. However,
you can restrict the function sets, so that it lists only the vendors that you
want to use in your project.
38) What is a Metadata?
Data
about data is called as Metadata. The Metadata contains the definition of a
data.
39) What is a Project?
When
we work with a framework manager you work in a project.
Project is a set of metadata organized for
Report Authors according to the Business rules and Model.
A
Project created appears as folder, which contains following files.
a. Project Name .CPF (Cognos Project File)
> b. Model .XML > c. Preferences .XML
d. Custom data .XML >The files in the
folder are unique to that Project.
40) Define Publish?
To transfer all or part of a Framework
Manager model to the ReportNet server, so that report authors can use it.
41) What a Project contains?
A. A Model > B. Namespaces > C. Data
sources > D. Parameter maps > E. Packages
F. Folders > G. Query Subject > H.
Query Item >I. Relation ship
42) What is a Model?
A
model in Frame work manager is a business presentation of the structure of the
data from one or more databases. Or A model is a set of related query subjects
and other objects.
43) What are Dimensions?
Dimensions are categories by which
summarized data can be viewed.
44) What are Confirmed Dimensions?
The Dimensions which are reusable and fixed
in nature.
45) What are Fact Tables?
A Fact Table is a table that contains
summarized numerical (facts) and historical data. This Fact Table has a
foreign key – primary key relation with a dimension table.
46) What are the types of Facts?
The
types of Facts are:
1. Additive Facts:- A Fact which can be
summed up for any of the dimension available in the Fact Table.
2. Semi-Additive Facts:- A Fact which can
be summed up to a few dimensions and not for all dimensions and not for all
dimensions available in the Fact Table.
3. Non-Additive Fact:- a fact which
cannot be summed up for any of the dimensions available in the Fact Table.
47) Define Query?
A
description of the data to be retrieved from a database.
48) Explain about Data Source Query
Subject?
Data Source query subjects contain SQL
statements the directly reference data in a single data source. Frame work
manager automatically creates a data source query subject for each table and
view that you import into model.
49) When the default data source query
subject is created?
During the initial metadata import operation,
a default data source query subject is created for each object you select (for
example table) and creates the default relationships between query subjects for
you automatically.
50) How can you edit the data source query
subject?
i. Apply or embed a filter > ii. Apply
or embed a calculation > iii. Insert a Macro
iv. Insert a data source reference. > v.
Change the SQL type. > vi. Change how SQL is generated. >These all are we
can find it in “Edit definition window”.
51) What are the types of SQL?
SQL
is the industry language for creating, updating and querying relational data
base management system. Types of SQL.
1. Cognos SQL 2. Native SQL 3. Pass-through
SQL.
52) Define Cognos SQL?
By
default Cognos FM uses Cognos SQL to create and edit Query subjects.
Advantages:
1. Can contain metadata from multiple data
sources. 2. Have fewer database restrictions 3. Interact more effectively with
Cognos applications.
Disadvantages:
You
can not enter nonstandard SQL.
53) Define Native SQL?
Native SQL is the SQL, the data source uses,
such as Oracle SQL, but you cannot uses Native SQL in a query subject that
references more than one data source in the project.
Advantages:
1. Performance is optimized across all
related query subjects.
2. You can use SQL that is specific to your
database.
Disadvantages:
1. You cannot use SQL that the data source
does not support for sub queries.
2. The query subject may not work on
different database type.
54) Define Pass-Through SQL?
Pass-Through SQL lets you use native SQL
without any of the restrictions the data source imposes on sub queries.
Advantages:
1. You can enter any SQL supported by the
database.
Disadvantages:
1. There is no opportunity for Frame work
manager to automatically optimize performance. The SQL may not work on a
different data source.
55) What are Query Processing Types?
There are two types of query processing.
1. Limited Local: The database server does
as much of the SQL processing and Execution as possible. However, some reports
or report sections use local SQL processing.
2. Database only: The database server does
all the SQL processing and execution with the exception of tasks not supported
by the database. An error appears if any reports of report sections require
local SQL processing.
56) What is Query Subject?
A
Query Subject maps to the table in the database.
A
Query Subject uses an SQL to retrieve the data from the data source.
A
Query Subject is also known as Business View.
57) What are the types of Query subjects?
1. Default data source query subjects 2.
Model Query Subjects
3. Stored Query subjects
58) What is a Query Item?
A
query Item maps to columns to the database table. A Query Subject contains
Query Items.
59) How can you restrict the tables
retrieved by a query?
By
setting governors we can restrict the tables.
60) What is meant by Governors?
To apply privileges and restrictions for a
user class. Governor settings are used to set restrictions on queries by user
class, such as
1. Sorting on non-indexed columns 2. Outer
joins 3. Suppress duplicates 4. Cross-product queries 5. Retrieval of large
text items 6. Number of records 7. Number of tables 8. Query execution time
61) What is a User Class?
A defined group of users with the same data
access needs, privileges and restrictions.
62) What is Scrubbing at Project level?
According to the report requirements derive
the new Items with the help of existing Query Items. This process is known as
Scrubbing at Project level.
63) How can you add the calculated data to
a report?
a. Summarize existing detail values predefined
summary functions (such as sum, avg)
b. Create new report items using data from
existing report items.
c. Use model calculations provided in the
package.
64) What are the sources to create new
Query subjects?
A
new Query Subject can be created from the following sources.
1. Model (Query subjects & Query Items)
2. Data Sources (Tables and Columns)
3. Stored Procedure.
65) What is Multi Database Access in Cognos
Report Net?
In
Cognos Report Net a Project can be created from multiple databases. The
databases can be either homogenous or hydrogenous.
66) What are Parameter Maps?
A
Parameter Map is a key value pair used in creation of conditional Query
Subjects.
A
Parameter map sub situates the values at the query at runtime.
67) What is the default formats of reports?
HTML, PDF, CSV, and XML.
68) What are the different ways to modify
multi lingual metadata?
1. Macro :- To modify dynamically
2. Directly
69) What is a Macro?
A Macro is a runtime object, which uses the
parameter maps and session parameters in developing the conditional query
subjects.
70) What is usage property? And what are
different setting to set usage property?
It identifies the intended use for the data
represented by each query item.
It determines the aggregation rules of
query items and calculations.
The different usage property settings are:
* Identifies * Fact * Attribute * Unknown
71) What are the types of filters in
Framework manager?
In framework manager we can create two
types of filters.
1. Model filters 2. Query filters.
72) Define Model Filter?
A
filter is a condition used to restrict the data displayed in the Report.
Model filter are reusable.
73) Define Data restriction:
A filter is a condition, which restricts
the amount of data displayed in the report.
74) What is condition?
An expression that yields a Boolean value.
Conditions are used in query expressions, query filters, and Boolean report
variables that can be used for conditional formatting, styles, data sources,
layouts and blocks.
75) Types of Conditions:
Conditions are of 2 types:
1. Static Condition: - Condition doesn’t
change whenever you run the report.
2. Dynamic Condition: -A condition can be kept
on change whenever you run the report.
76) What are the types of filters in Report
Studio?
In
the report studio we can find two types of filters.
1. Tabular Filters:- These filters are two
types
a. Summary Filters b. Detailed Filters
2. Grouped Filter
77) What is a Loop?
A Loop is a closed path which is resulted
due to joints.
A Loop causes performance degradation of
query execution and wrong data will be displayed in the report.
A Loop can be resolved by creating the
short cuts (Alias).
78) What is Alias Table?
An alternative name for a table generally
used in self joins.
79) What are the uses of Alias Table?
The uses of Alias Table are :1. To resolve
the Loops. 2. To create self-joins with in a table. 3. To Provide alternate
join structure.
80) What is Associated Data Item?
A Data Item linked to the group data item.
Associated data item suppress duplicate data values but do not generate a
control break. The associated column displays only one data values for the
group with which it is associated.
81) What is Automatic Association?
The group association of a newly created
summary. The location of the group where you create the summary determines its
automatic association.
82) What is an Ambiguous Relationship?
An ambiguous relationship is where there
are multiple relationship paths between one or more query subjects leaving
multiple options for how to write a query.
83) What is a Join and types of Joins?
A
Join identifies the columns from one table that are used to link to another
table.
A
Join is commonly formed by a foreign key definition within the database.
Types of Joins :- 1. Equi-joins 2. Non
equi-joins 3. Outer joins
84) What is a dimension?
A broad grouping of descriptive data about
a major aspect of a business, such as products, dates, or markets. Each
dimension includes different levels of members in one or more hierarchies, and
an optional set of calculated members.
85) What is a Confirmed Dimension?
If a Dimension is connected to multiple
fact tables then it is called as Confirmed Dimension.
86) What is a Junk Dimension?
A randomly used dimension is Junk
Dimension.
87) Define Surrogate Key?
It has system-generated artificial primary
key values, which allows to maintain historical records in the Data Warehouse
more effectively.
88) What are the User Interface Components?
* Cognos Connection * Report Studio * Query
Studio * Frame work manager
* Cognos configuration
1. What is
significance of Framework Manager in Cognos Reporting?
ANS: Framework Manager is a metadata
modeling tool. A model is a business presentation of the information in one or
more data sources. When you add security and multilingual capabilities to this
business presentation, one model can serve the reporting, ad hoc querying, and
analysis needs of many groups of users
2. What is loop
in framework manager?
ANS: Loop is closed path in IN
FRAME WORK MANAGER DUE TO JOINS report net it called as
ambiguous relationship. That means a query subject contains multiple paths to
retrieve the data. It is an exception to resolve to create a shortcut on that
query subject otherwise it displays wrong results in reports and performance is
degrades.An undefined join between two tables is known as loop. To resolve loop
delete the joins, if these joins are necessary then we have to create shortcuts
nothing but alias tables. Place the joins in alias tables.
3. What are the
filters in Framework Manager and Report Studio?
ANS: Filters in framework manager are
1. Standalone filters 2. Embedded filters
Report studio Filters are
1. Detail filters 2. Summary filters
4. How to import
two data sources into Framework Manager?
We can import two data sources to FM
in the Run Metadata Wizard.
Go to Run Metadata Wizard–>Select
another database ( e.g. suppose SQL Server is choosed in prior attempt, then u
can choose Oracle as new datasource).Then import it
5. How to
perform single sign on in Cognos by using URL?
In Cognos configuration under
authentication allow anonymous access should be false. In cgi-bin properties
(under iis) the enable anonymous access should be false.
6. What is usage
property? Where do we set usage property?
1.The Usage Property identifies the use for
the data represented by query item.
It determines the aggregation rules of
query items and calculations.
The different usage property settings are Identifier, Fact, Attribute, Unknown
The different usage property settings are Identifier, Fact, Attribute, Unknown
2. To set the usage property: Click the
query item u want to set the usage property for Then click the properties icon
on the tool bar or you can see the properties pane on the right side of the
browser. Go to “USAGE” tab and click “CLICK TO EDIT” option. And select the
appropriate.
7. What is the
use of prompts in Framework Manager?
ANS: Use of Prompt in Framework Manager:
Filter on query subject – to restrict the
rows that are returned by filtering out the unwanted data by creating one or
more embedded filters for query subject.
Prompt in filter with usage set to always –
user need to supply a value to filter.
8. Where exactly
determinants are used in cognos framework manager?
ANS: A query subject that behaves as a
dimension has multiple levels of granularity and will be joined on different
sets of keys to fact data.
9. How would you
structure your Framework Manager Model?
ANS: A model is normally structured into
two layers/views. Database/ Physical view and Business/ Presentation view.
These can be implemented using Namespaces.
You import the metadata into Physical layer
from DB using data source connection. You will use Import Metadata Wizard. You
will change the Query Subjects & Query Items, create relationships (joins)
and other activities here.
In the Presentation layer, you create Query
Subjects taking input from the existing Physical layer. You change the names of
the Query Items and other cosmetic modifications.You can choose only the
Presentation layer while creating the Packages and apply appropriate security
settings.
10. How to
provide security in frame work manager for a query subject?
ANS: Procedure for providing security for
query subject in frame work manager is:
Select querysubject -> in properties
pane select ->security filters (click on edit)a specify data security wizard
appears->click on add groups -> cognosnamesspace(select users and groups
wizard opens)
11. How can we
generate the cubes in framework manager?
ANS: You can create the IQD file from
framework manager.
This IQD file will be used by Transformer
to create the cube.
12. How to
generate IQD file from framework manager?
Create a Query Subject, from the properties
pane select externalise, there we have 4 options in that select IQD.
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