Best Informatica Interview Questions & Answers -

Continued
Saurav Mitra

Deleting duplicate row for FLAT FILE sources

Now suppose the source system is a Flat File. Here in the Source Qualifier you will not be able to select the distinct
clause as it is disabled due to flat file source table. Hence the next approach may be we use a Sorter
Transformation and check the Distinct option. When we select the distinct option all the columns will the selected
as keys, in ascending order by default.

Sorter Transformation DISTINCT clause

Deleting Duplicate Record Using Informatica Aggregator

Other ways to handle duplicate records in source batch run is to use an Aggregator Transformation and using the
Group By checkbox on the ports having duplicate occurring data. Here you can have the flexibility to select the last
or the first of the duplicate column value records. Apart from that using Dynamic Lookup Cache of the target table
and associating the input ports with the lookup port and checking the Insert Else Update option will help to eliminate
the duplicate records in source and hence loading unique records in the target.
For more details on Dynamic Lookup Cache

Loading Multiple Target Tables Based on Conditions

Q2. Suppose we have some serial numbers in a flat file source. We want to load the serial numbers in two target files
one containing the EVEN serial numbers and the other file having the ODD ones.

Ans.
After the Source Qualifier place a Router Transformation . Create two Groups namely EVEN and ODD, with filter
conditions as MOD(SERIAL_NO,2)=0 and MOD(SERIAL_NO,2)=1 respectively. Then output the two groups into two
flat file targets.

Router Transformation Groups Tab

Normalizer Related Questions

Q3. Suppose in our Source Table we have data as given below:

Student Name Maths Life Science Physical Science

Sam 100 70 80
 John 75 100 85

Tom 80 100 85

We want to load our Target Table as:

Student Name Subject Name Marks

Sam Maths 100

Sam Life Science 70

Sam Physical Science 80

John Maths 75

John Life Science 100

John Physical Science 85

Tom Maths 80

Tom Life Science 100

Tom Physical Science 85

Describe your approach.

Ans.
Here to convert the Rows to Columns we have to use the Normalizer Transformation followed by an Expression
Transformation to Decode the column taken into consideration. For more details on how the mapping is performed
please visit Working with Normalizer

Q4. Name the transformations which converts one to many rows i.e increases the i/p:o/p row count. Also what is the
name of its reverse transformation.

Ans.
Normalizer as well as Router Transformations are the Active transformation which can increase the number of input
rows to output rows.
Aggregator Transformation is the active transformation that performs the reverse action.

Q5. Suppose we have a source table and we want to load three target tables based on source rows such that first
row moves to first target table, secord row in second target table, third row in third target table, fourth row again in
first target table so on and so forth. Describe your approach.

Ans.
We can clearly understand that we need a Router transformation to route or filter source data to the three target
tables. Now the question is what will be the filter conditions. First of all we need an Expression Transformation
where we have all the source table columns and along with that we have another i/o port say seq_num, which is gets
sequence numbers for each source row from the port NextVal of a Sequence Generator start value 0 and
increment by 1. Now the filter condition for the three router groups will be:

MOD(SEQ_NUM,3)=1 connected to 1st target table, MOD(SEQ_NUM,3)=2 connected to 2nd target table,
MOD(SEQ_NUM,3)=0 connected to 3rd target table.

Router Transformation Groups Tab

Loading Multiple Flat Files using one mapping

Q6. Suppose we have ten source flat files of same structure. How can we load all the files in target database in a
single batch run using a single mapping.

Ans.
After we create a mapping to load data in target database from flat files, next we move on to the session property of
the Source Qualifier. To load a set of source files we need to create a file say final.txt containing the source falt file
names, ten files in our case and set the Source filetype option as Indirect. Next point this flat file final.txt fully
qualified through Source file directory and Source filename .
Image: Session Property Flat File

Q7. How can we implement Aggregation operation without using an Aggregator Transformation in Informatica.

Ans.
We will use the very basic concept of the Expression Transformation that at a time we can access the previous row
data as well as the currently processed data in an expression transformation. What we need is simple Sorter,
Expression and Filter transformation to achieve aggregation at Informatica level.
For detailed understanding visit Aggregation without Aggregator

Q8. Suppose in our Source Table we have data as given below:

Student Name Subject Name Marks

Sam Maths 100

Tom Maths 80

Sam Physical Science 80

John Maths 75

Sam Life Science 70

John Life Science 100

John Physical Science 85

Tom Life Science 100

Tom Physical Science 85

We want to load our Target Table as:

 Student Name Maths Life Science Physical Science

Sam 100 70 80

John 75 100 85

Tom 80 100 85

Describe your approach.

Ans.
Here our scenario is to convert many rows to one rows, and the transformation which will help us to achieve this is
Aggregator . Our Mapping will look like this:

Mapping using sorter and Aggregator

We will sort the source data based on STUDENT_NAME ascending followed by SUBJECT ascending.
 Sorter Transformation

Now based on STUDENT_NAME in GROUP BY clause the following output subject columns are populated as
MATHS: MAX(MARKS, SUBJECT='Maths')
LIFE_SC: MAX(MARKS, SUBJECT='Life Science')
PHY_SC: MAX(MARKS, SUBJECT='Physical Science')
 Aggregator Transformation

Revisiting Source Qualifier Transformation

Q9. What is a Source Qualifier? What are the tasks we can perform using a SQ and why it is an ACTIVE
transformation?

Ans.
A Source Qualifier is an Active and Connected Informatica transformation that reads the rows from a relational
database or flat file source.

We can configure the SQ to join [Both INNER as well as OUTER JOIN] data originating from the same source
database.
We can use a source filter to reduce the number of rows the Integration Service queries.
We can specify a number for sorted ports and the Integration Service adds an ORDER BY clause to the default SQL
query.
We can choose Select Distinct option for relational databases and the Integration Service adds a SELECT
DISTINCT clause to the default SQL query.
Also we can write Custom/Used Defined SQL query which will override the default query in the SQ by changing the
default settings of the transformation properties.
Aslo we have the option to write Pre as well as Post SQL statements to be executed before and after the SQ query
in the source database.

Since the transformation provides us with the property Select Distinct , when the Integration Service adds a
SELECT DISTINCT clause to the default SQL query, which in turn affects the number of rows returned by the
Database to the Integration Service and hence it is an Active transformation.

Q10. What happens to a mapping if we alter the datatypes between Source and its corresponding Source Qualifier?

Ans.
The Source Qualifier transformation displays the transformation datatypes. The transformation datatypes determine
how the source database binds data when the Integration Service reads it.
Now if we alter the datatypes in the Source Qualifier transformation or the datatypes in the source definition and
Source Qualifier transformation do not match, the Designer marks the mapping as invalid when we save it.

Q11. Suppose we have used the Select Distinct and the Number Of Sorted Ports property in the SQ and then we add
Custom SQL Query. Explain what will happen.

Ans.
Whenever we add Custom SQL or SQL override query it overrides the User-Defined Join, Source Filter, Number of
Sorted Ports, and Select Distinct settings in the Source Qualifier transformation. Hence only the user defined SQL
Query will be fired in the database and all the other options will be ignored .

Q12. Describe the situations where we will use the Source Filter, Select Distinct and Number Of Sorted Ports
properties of Source Qualifier transformation.

Ans.
Source Filter option is used basically to reduce the number of rows the Integration Service queries so as to improve
performance.
Select Distinct option is used when we want the Integration Service to select unique values from a source, filtering
out unnecessary data earlier in the data flow, which might improve performance.
Number Of Sorted Ports option is used when we want the source data to be in a sorted fashion so as to use the
same in some following transformations like Aggregator or Joiner, those when configured for sorted input will improve
the performance.

Q13. What will happen if the SELECT list COLUMNS in the Custom override SQL Query and the OUTPUT PORTS
order in SQ transformation do not match?

Ans.
Mismatch or Changing the order of the list of selected columns to that of the connected transformation output ports
may result is session failure.
Q14. What happens if in the Source Filter property of SQ transformation we include keyword WHERE say, WHERE
CUSTOMERS.CUSTOMER_ID > 1000.

Ans.
We use source filter to reduce the number of source records. If we include the string WHERE in the source filter, the
Integration Service fails the session .

Q15. Describe the scenarios where we go for Joiner transformation instead of Source Qualifier transformation.

Ans.
While joining Source Data of heterogeneous sources as well as to join flat files we will use the Joiner
transformation.
Use the Joiner transformation when we need to join the following types of sources:
Join data from different Relational Databases.
Join data from different Flat Files.
Join relational sources and flat files.

Q16. What is the maximum number we can use in Number Of Sorted Ports for Sybase source system.

Ans.
Sybase supports a maximum of 16 columns in an ORDER BY clause. So if the source is Sybase, do not sort more
than 16 columns.

Q17. Suppose we have two Source Qualifier transformations SQ1 and SQ2 connected to Target tables TGT1 and
TGT2 respectively. How do you ensure TGT2 is loaded after TGT1?

Ans.
If we have multiple Source Qualifier transformations connected to multiple targets, we can designate the order in
which the Integration Service loads data into the targets.
In the Mapping Designer, We need to configure the Target Load Plan based on the Source Qualifier transformations
in a mapping to specify the required loading order.

Image: Target Load Plan

 Target Load Plan Ordering

Q18. Suppose we have a Source Qualifier transformation that populates two target tables. How do you ensure TGT2
is loaded after TGT1?

Ans.
In the Workflow Manager, we can Configure Constraint based load ordering for a session. The Integration Service
orders the target load on a row-by-row basis. For every row generated by an active source, the Integration Service
loads the corresponding transformed row first to the primary key table, then to the foreign key table.
Hence if we have one Source Qualifier transformation that provides data for multiple target tables having primary and
foreign key relationships, we will go for Constraint based load ordering.

Image: Constraint based loading

Revisiting Filter Transformation

Q19. What is a Filter Transformation and why it is an Active one?

Ans.
A Filter transformation is an Active and Connected transformation that can filter rows in a mapping.
Only the rows that meet the Filter Condition pass through the Filter transformation to the next transformation in the
pipeline. TRUE and FALSE are the implicit return values from any filter condition we set. If the filter condition
evaluates to NULL, the row is assumed to be FALSE.
The numeric equivalent of FALSE is zero (0) and any non-zero value is the equivalent of TRUE.
As an ACTIVE transformation, the Filter transformation may change the number of rows passed through it. A filter
condition returns TRUE or FALSE for each row that passes through the transformation, depending on whether a row
meets the specified condition. Only rows that return TRUE pass through this transformation. Discarded rows do not
appear in the session log or reject files.

Q20. What is the difference between Source Qualifier transformations Source Filter to Filter transformation?

Ans.

SQ Source Filter Filter Transformation

Source Qualifier
transformation filters Filter transformation filters rows
rows when read from a from within a mapping
source.

Source Qualifier
Filter transformation filters rows
transformation can only
coming from any type of source
filter rows from
system in the mapping level.
Relational Sources.

Source Qualifier limits

Filter transformation limits the
the row set extracted
row set sent to a target.
from a source.

To maximize session
Source Qualifier
performance, include the Filter
reduces the number of
transformation as close to the
rows used throughout
sources in the mapping as
the mapping and hence
possible to filter out unwanted
it provides better
data early in the flow of data
performance.
from sources to targets.

The filter condition in Filter Transformation can define

the Source Qualifier a condition using any statement
 transformation only or transformation function that
uses standard SQL as returns either a TRUE or
it runs in the database. FALSE value.

Revisiting Joiner Transformation

Q21. What is a Joiner Transformation and why it is an Active one?

Ans.
A Joiner is an Active and Connected transformation used to join source data from the same source system or from
two related heterogeneous sources residing in different locations or file systems.
The Joiner transformation joins sources with at least one matching column. The Joiner transformation uses a
condition that matches one or more pairs of columns between the two sources.
The two input pipelines include a master pipeline and a detail pipeline or a master and a detail branch. The master
pipeline ends at the Joiner transformation, while the detail pipeline continues to the target.

In the Joiner transformation, we must configure the transformation properties namely Join Condition, Join Type and
Sorted Input option to improve Integration Service performance.
The join condition contains ports from both input sources that must match for the Integration Service to join two rows.
Depending on the type of join selected, the Integration Service either adds the row to the result set or discards the
row .
The Joiner transformation produces result sets based on the join type, condition, and input data sources. Hence it is
an Active transformation.

Q22. State the limitations where we cannot use Joiner in the mapping pipeline.

Ans.
The Joiner transformation accepts input from most transformations. However, following are the limitations:

Joiner transformation cannot be used when either of the input pipeline contains an Update Strategy transformation.
Joiner transformation cannot be used if we connect a Sequence Generator transformation directly before the Joiner
transformation.

Q23. Out of the two input pipelines of a joiner, which one will you set as the master pipeline?

Ans.
During a session run, the Integration Service compares each row of the master source against the detail source.
The master and detail sources need to be configured for optimal performance .
To improve performance for an Unsorted Joiner transformation, use the source with fewer rows as the master
source. The fewer unique rows in the master, the fewer iterations of the join comparison occur, which speeds the join
process.
When the Integration Service processes an unsorted Joiner transformation, it reads all master rows before it reads
the detail rows. The Integration Service blocks the detail source while it caches rows from the master source .
Once the Integration Service reads and caches all master rows, it unblocks the detail source and reads the detail
rows.

To improve performance for a Sorted Joiner transformation, use the source with fewer duplicate key values as the
master source.
When the Integration Service processes a sorted Joiner transformation, it blocks data based on the mapping
configuration and it stores fewer rows in the cache, increasing performance. Blocking logic is possible if master and
detail input to the Joiner transformation originate from different sources . Otherwise, it does not use blocking logic.
Instead, it stores more rows in the cache.

Q24. What are the different types of Joins available in Joiner Transformation?

Ans.
In SQL, a join is a relational operator that combines data from multiple tables into a single result set. The Joiner
transformation is similar to an SQL join except that data can originate from different types of sources.
The Joiner transformation supports the following types of joins :
Normal
Master Outer
Detail Outer
Full Outer
 Join Type property of Joiner Transformation

Note: A normal or master outer join performs faster than a full outer or detail outer join.

Q25. Define the various Join Types of Joiner Transformation.

Ans.
In a normal join , the Integration Service discards all rows of data from the master and detail source that do not
match, based on the join condition.
A master outer join keeps all rows of data from the detail source and the matching rows from the master source. It
discards the unmatched rows from the master source.
A detail outer join keeps all rows of data from the master source and the matching rows from the detail source. It
discards the unmatched rows from the detail source.
A full outer join keeps all rows of data from both the master and detail sources.

Q26. Describe the impact of number of join conditions and join order in a Joiner Transformation.

Ans.
We can define one or more conditions based on equality between the specified master and detail sources.
Both ports in a condition must have the same datatype . If we need to use two ports in the join condition with non-
matching datatypes we must convert the datatypes so that they match. The Designer validates datatypes in a join
condition.
Additional ports in the join condition increases the time necessary to join two sources.

The order of the ports in the join condition can impact the performance of the Joiner transformation. If we use multiple
ports in the join condition, the Integration Service compares the ports in the order we specified.

NOTE: Only equality operator is available in joiner join condition.

Q27. How does Joiner transformation treat NULL value matching.

Ans.
The Joiner transformation does not match null values .
For example, if both EMP_ID1 and EMP_ID2 contain a row with a null value, the Integration Service does not
consider them a match and does not join the two rows.
To join rows with null values, replace null input with default values in the Ports tab of the joiner, and then join on the
default values.

Note: If a result set includes fields that do not contain data in either of the sources, the Joiner transformation
populates the empty fields with null values. If we know that a field will return a NULL and we do not want to insert
NULLs in the target, set a default value on the Ports tab for the corresponding port.

Q28. Suppose we configure Sorter transformations in the master and detail pipelines with the following sorted ports in
order: ITEM_NO, ITEM_NAME, PRICE.
When we configure the join condition, what are the guidelines we need to follow to maintain the sort order?

Ans.
If we have sorted both the master and detail pipelines in order of the ports say ITEM_NO, ITEM_NAME and PRICE
we must ensure that:
Use ITEM_NO in the First Join Condition.
If we add a Second Join Condition, we must use ITEM_NAME.
If we want to use PRICE as a Join Condition apart from ITEM_NO, we must also use ITEM_NAME in the Second
Join Condition.
If we skip ITEM_NAME and join on ITEM_NO and PRICE, we will lose the input sort order and the Integration
Service fails the session .

Q29. What are the transformations that cannot be placed between the sort origin and the Joiner transformation so
that we do not lose the input sort order.

Ans.
The best option is to place the Joiner transformation directly after the sort origin to maintain sorted data.
However do not place any of the following transformations between the sort origin and the Joiner transformation:

Custom
Unsorted Aggregator
Normalizer
Rank
Union transformation
XML Parser transformation
XML Generator transformation
Mapplet [if it contains any one of the above mentioned transformations]

Q30. Suppose we have the EMP table as our source. In the target we want to view those employees whose salary is
greater than or equal to the average salary for their departments.

Describe your mapping approach. Ans.

Our Mapping will look like this:
Image: Mapping using Joiner

To start with the mapping we need the following transformations:

After the Source qualifier of the EMP table place a Sorter Transformation . Sort based on DEPTNO port.
 Sorter Ports Tab

Next we place a Sorted Aggregator Transformation . Here we will find out the AVERAGE SALARY for each
(GROUP BY) DEPTNO .
When we perform this aggregation, we lose the data for individual employees. To maintain employee data, we must
pass a branch of the pipeline to the Aggregator Transformation and pass a branch with the same sorted source data
to the Joiner transformation to maintain the original data. When we join both branches of the pipeline, we join the
aggregated data with the original data.
Aggregator Ports Tab
 Aggregator Properties Tab

So next we need Sorted Joiner Transformation to join the sorted aggregated data with the original data, based on
DEPTNO .
Here we will be taking the aggregated pipeline as the Master and original dataflow as Detail Pipeline.
Joiner Condition Tab
 Joiner Properties Tab

After that we need a Filter Transformation to filter out the employees having salary less than average salary for their
department.
Filter Condition: SAL>=AVG_SAL
 Filter Properties Tab

Lastly we have the Target table instance.

Revisiting Sequence Generator Transformation

Q31. What is a Sequence Generator Transformation?

Ans.
A Sequence Generator transformation is a Passive and Connected transformation that generates numeric values.
It is used to create unique primary key values, replace missing primary keys, or cycle through a sequential range of
numbers.
This transformation by default contains ONLY Two OUTPUT ports namely CURRVAL and NEXTVAL . We cannot
edit or delete these ports neither we cannot add ports to this unique transformation.
We can create approximately two billion unique numeric values with the widest range from 1 to 2147483647.

Q32. Define the Properties available in Sequence Generator transformation in brief.

Ans.
Sequence
Generator Description
Properties

Start value of the generated sequence that

we want the Integration Service to use if
we use the Cycle option. If we select
Start Value Cycle, the Integration Service cycles back
to this value when it reaches the end
value.
Default is 0.

Difference between two consecutive

Increment
values from the NEXTVAL port.
By
Default is 1.

Maximum value generated by SeqGen.

After reaching this value the session will
End Value fail if the sequence generator is not
configured to cycle.
Default is 2147483647.

Current value of the sequence. Enter the

Current value we want the Integration Service to
Value use as the first value in the sequence.
Default is 1.

If selected, when the Integration Service

reaches the configured end value for the
Cycle sequence, it wraps around and starts the
cycle again, beginning with the configured
Start Value.
 Number of sequential values the
Integration Service caches at a time.
Number of
Default value for a standard Sequence
Cached
Generator is 0.
Values
Default value for a reusable Sequence
Generator is 1,000.

Restarts the sequence at the current value

each time a session runs.
Reset
This option is disabled for reusable
Sequence Generator transformations.

Q33. Suppose we have a source table populating two target tables. We connect the NEXTVAL port of the Sequence
Generator to the surrogate keys of both the target tables.
Will the Surrogate keys in both the target tables be same? If not how can we flow the same sequence values in both
of them.
Ans.
When we connect the NEXTVAL output port of the Sequence Generator directly to the surrogate key columns of the
target tables, the Sequence number will not be the same .
A block of sequence numbers is sent to one target tables surrogate key column. The second targets receives a block
of sequence numbers from the Sequence Generator transformation only after the first target table receives the block
of sequence numbers.
Suppose we have 5 rows coming from the source, so the targets will have the sequence values as TGT1 (1,2,3,4,5)
and TGT2 (6,7,8,9,10). [Taken into consideration Start Value 0, Current value 1 and Increment by 1.

Now suppose the requirement is like that we need to have the same surrogate keys in both the targets.
Then the easiest way to handle the situation is to put an Expression Transformation in between the Sequence
Generator and the Target tables. The SeqGen will pass unique values to the expression transformation, and then the
rows are routed from the expression transformation to the targets.
 Sequence Generator

Q34. Suppose we have 100 records coming from the source. Now for a target column population we used a
Sequence generator.
Suppose the Current Value is 0 and End Value of Sequence generator is set to 80. What will happen?
Ans.
End Value is the maximum value the Sequence Generator will generate. After it reaches the End value the session
fails with the following error message:
TT_11009 Sequence Generator Transformation: Overflow error.

Failing of session can be handled if the Sequence Generator is configured to Cycle through the sequence, i.e.
whenever the Integration Service reaches the configured end value for the sequence, it wraps around and starts the
cycle again, beginning with the configured Start Value.

Q35. What are the changes we observe when we promote a non resuable Sequence Generator to a resuable one?
And what happens if we set the Number of Cached Values to 0 for a reusable transformation?

Ans.
When we convert a non reusable sequence generator to resuable one we observe that the Number of Cached
Values is set to 1000 by default; And the Reset property is disabled.

When we try to set the Number of Cached Values property of a Reusable Sequence Generator to 0 in the
Transformation Developer we encounter the following error message:
The number of cached values must be greater than zero for reusable sequence transformation.