Cognos EP7 Series1.What is Alias Table?An alternative name for a table generally used in self joins.2. What is Associated Data Item?

A data item linked to the group data item. Associated data item suppressduplicate data values but do not generate a

control break. The Associatedcolumn displays only one data value for the group with which it is associated.3. What is Automatic Association?The group association of a newly created summary. The location of thegroup where you create the summary determines its automatic association.4. What is a Bulk fetch?

Retrieval of more than one row of data from your database in a singlefetch call is called as Bulk fetch. This Bulk fetch can

improve the processing timefor large queries.5. What is Cache Query?A temporary cache on your personal computer that Impromptu uses tostore report results.6. What is a Prompt and types of Prompts?It is a dialog box that asks the user to enter/select information when reportis opened and which it uses to filter so as to get the information that user wants.

There are four types of Prompts available in impromptu. They are:

Type – In Prompt

Catalog Pick List Prompt

File Pick List Prompt

Report Pick List Prompt7. What is Cascading Prompt?

A prompt which takes the values from another prompt is called asCascading prompt. The Cascading prompt can be

implemented with the conceptof Report Pick List Prompt.8. What is a Catalog Pick List Prompt?

A pick list prompt which is create from the columns of the tables which areexisted in the catalog. The data for the catalog

pick list comes from thewarehouse database.9. What is Report Pick List Prompt?A pick list which is created from the report is called as Report Pick ListPrompt. The Report pick list prompt picks the values from the report.10. What is a File Pick List Prompt?

A pick list which is created from ASCII / text files is called as File Pick Listprompt. This prompt gets the values from a text

file which is already being created.19

11. What is a Catalog and what are the types of Catalogs?

Catalog is a file with .cat extension that contains all the informationnecessary for impromptu to access and retrieve

information from a relationaldatabase. A Catalog does not store data but contains metadata information likewhat database to

access, where the database is stored, and how the tables inthe catalog are joined. There are four types of Catalogs:

1. Personal Catalog

2. Secured Catalog

3. Shared Catalog

4. Distributed Catalog12. What is a Personal Catalog?

A Personal Catalog is intended for the small business owner who wants tomaintain a data such as personal information,

customer list etc. use PersonalCatalog if you are the only person using the catalog and you are using theAdministrator version of

Impromptu.13. What is Secured Catalog?

A Secured Catalog is intended for users who do not need or want tocreate or edit their own reports. The users cannot

change this catalog in anyway. The Secured catalog is useful for users who are not familiar with Impromptuand just want to analyze

the data in the pre defined reports.

14. What is Shared Catalog?

A Shared Catalog is intended for a workgroup or company were severalusers need to create and edit their own reports.

The Shared Catalog is ideal in aLAN environment where the catalog can be stored in a central and shared driveand accessed by all

the users.15. What is Distributed Catalog?

The Distributed Catalog is intended for a workgroup or company whereseveral users need to create and edit their own

reports and change the catalogcontent and work offline with Impromptu. The Distributed Catalog is ideal is theusers wants to work

with the Impromptu offline.16. What is Drill Through?

Drill through is an action that enables Impromptu PowerPlay and Scenariousers to view transactions level details in an

Impromptu report. You can setup aDrill Through for any cell in Impromptu, any value in PowerPlay or any node inthe Scenario’s tree

view. You can navigate through a set of associated reports.17. What is a Dynamo?

The Dynamo formats the result of an SQL query against an ODBC datasource. You can use Dynamo to generate HTML

controls that are placed on apage of a power prompt application.18. What is a Fixed Association?

A group association entered into the definition of a summary data item.Unlike an automatic association, the Fixed

Association remains the same whenyou move it to a new location.20

19. What is a Hot File?

A separate local data table that can be added to your catalog or used inthe report as a data source and as if it is a regular

database table. A Hot File canbe joined either with a database table or with another Hot File itself.20. What is a Macro?A customized sequence of instructions (“macro commands”) that Cognosapplication can carry out.21. What is a Measure Object?In PowerPlay the number by which you guage the performance.22. What is a Power Cube?A file that contains data that is structured to provide for fast retrieval andexploration of data in PowerPlay.23. What is a Reusable prompt and Non reusable Prompt?

The prompt that are create in the catalog are called as reusable Promptsand the prompts that are created in the report

environment are called as Nonreusable prompts.24. What are different data sources to generate the reports?The different data source to generate the reports are:

1. Catalog

2. Snapshot

3. Hot File

4. Thumbnail25. What is a Snapshot?

A permanent local copy of the report data which can be even manipulatedlater without connecting to the original

database. You cannot add a data item intothe snapshot. Best suitable when you are working in a disconnected network.26. What is a Thumbnail?

A temporary data file with a restricted number of rows best suited fortesting the report. You can add a data item into the

thumbnail. The Thumbnail willbe deleted when you close the entire application.27. When “Loop – Exception” is occurred and how it is resolved?Is two tables share a single lookup table then the “Loop – Exception” is

occurred. To resolve the Loop exception do one of the following actions:

1.Remove one or more join.

2.Create an Alias Table.

3.Remove that table form the catalog

4.Leave the join structure as it is.28. When “Isolated Table – Exception” is occurred and how it is resolved?If a table is not joined to other table then the “Isolated Table” exception

occurs. To resolve this do one of the following:

1.Add a join between two table groups to create a Spanning tree.

2.Leave the join structure as it is.

9. What are objects that exists in the catalog?A catalog contains the following types of objects:

1. Filters

2. Expressions

3. Prompts4.Attributes / Columns30. What is a Sub Report?A sub query that is associate with a main query. You can include severalsub reports in one main query. You can have more than one query on a page.31. How can you test your Joins?We can test the joins from the Test option in the Catalog’s Join dialog box.The result is displayed either in a diagram format or as an expression.32. In what ways User Classes can help you control access to data in thedatabase?1.Limit table access2.Limit folder access and restrict select values3. Filter values4.Set Governor values33. What are the privileges and restrictions you can apply in Governor tabpage of catalog?

1.Set restrictions on queries for a user class

2.Grant or deny user privileges

3.Set limits for table retrieval or data retrieval.34.How can you optimize the Catalog?The catalog can be optimized by using the following options:1. Database interaction2.Client / Server balancing3. Database functions4.Table weighting and qualification5. Governors6. Hot Files.35. 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.36. Who is a Report Author?An Impromptu user who creates complex reports and has in-depthknowledge of the powerful features in Impromptu.37. Who is a Report Creator?An Impromptu user who creates basic reports using the report wizard or atemplate and applies skills such as sorting, grouping, formatting and filtering.

38. What are the general formats of the data in Impromptu?Data FormatNumbers With no symbols

Alphabets / Alphanumericals With an initial capital letterDates In MM/DD/YY formatDate – time In MM/DD/YY HH:MM:SS am/pm formatIntervals In D.HH:SS.SSS format

39. What are the extensions of files in ImpromptuFile Type ExtensionReports .IMRTemplates .IMTHotfiles .IMSCatalogs .CATMacros .MACCognos Query File .CQImpromptu Query Definition .IQDCognos Content Report .ICRPowerPlay Files .DATCompiled Macros .MCX40. What is a Cognos Script?A script like visual basic used to write macros.41. What is Impromptu?

Impromptu is a windows based powerful interactive query and reportingtool that lets you query data and create

sophisticated reports in a easy-to-useand sophisticated desktop interface.42. What are the uses of Impromptu?

The following are some of the uses of Impromptu:

1.Access up-to-the-minute corporate information.

2.Create and distribute sophisticated, tailored reports.

3.Identify and highlight exceptional data.

4.Provides clear answers to real business questions.43. What are Folders?Folders are meaningful group of information. A Folder contains columnsfrom one or more tables and also containscal cul ati ons,condi tions andprompts.44. What is a ad hoc report?An ad hoc report is a simple report or one-time report that is outside theset of standard reports you may have available to you.45. What is Grouping?

Grouping allows you to display hierarchical relationships within the data inthe report. When you group your data then first

the data within a group is sortedin ascending order, second, the duplicate values will be removed, finally a controlbreak will be

occurred with every change in the data item of the grouped column.

46. What is a Filter?A Filter is a set of criteria which you apply to a report to change its focus.They are based on expressions that result in a true-false value.47. What is a Expression Editor?The Expression Editor is used to define or build a common filterexpressions to a complex filter expressions.48. What are Predefined Conditions?The Predefined conditions are those that are created by impromptuAdministrator and stored in the catalog. You can use the Predefined conditions for:1. To create filter containing only the predefined conditions2. To create a more complex filter expression by combining the predefinedcondition with other conditions.49. What is a Calculation?A Calculation computes a new data based on existing data items.

Calculations can contain

1. Report Columns

2. Catalog Columns

3. Summaries

4. Functions

5. Values

6. IF…THEN…ELSE Statements

7. Operators50. What is a Conditional Statements?

The Conditional statements are often used in calculated columns tohighlight general categories of data. You use IF…

THEN …ELSE constructs tocreate the Conditional Statements. Most of the conditional statements will beprocessed locally.51. What is a Summarized Data?

The Summarized Data includes the type of summary to perform on anydata item. We use Summarized data to see a roll-

up view of the data and toperform exploratory analysis of the data.52. What is Summary Association?

When you add a summary to a query, the Impromptu will have anautomatic association to that summary by default that is

the summary which wehave done will be associated with an data item. There are two types of SummaryAssociations:1.

Position Dependent: A summary with an automaticassociation changes value depending on its position in thereport.2.

Position Independent:A summary with a fixed associationhas a value that does not change when you move it formone place to

another.

53. What is a Crosstab Report?

A Crosstab report summarize information in tabular format showing avalue at the intersection point of each row and

column. In a Crosstab report wehave Rows, Columns and Cells.54. What is a Crosstab Dimension?

The Crosstab Dimensions are the qualitative values of a data item alongthe top of the Crosstab report. For example if the

“Country” data item is show incrosstab report then the country names are the crosstab dimensions.55. What are Functions?

Functions are commands that take one or more values, perform anoperation and return a result. Functions can be

included in calculations toperform data manipulations that would otherwise be impossible to do. Thefunctions can use any of the

following Impromptu’s only supported data types:

1. numeric

2. character

3. data4.data – time5. time6. interval56. What are Frames?

Frames are the building blocks or containers used to design and createthe report objects like data, text, pictures and

charts. There are six Frame typesthat you can insert into a report.

1. List Frame

2. Chart Frame

3. Text Frame

4. Picture Frame

5. Form Frame

6. OLE Object57. What is Scope of Data?The Scope of data will determine what data is displayed in a form frame.

There are three options available to set the scope of data. They are :

1.Single row of data

2.Data in the group3. All Data58. Can you use multiple database to create catalog?Yes, in Cognos EP 7 there are two ways to access data from multipledatabase to create a catalog1.By Staging Database2. By Hotfiles59. What is Staging Database?

Combining two different database (say data marts) and integrating into asingle database to create a catalog.60. What is System of Report?

The System of Report contains multiple queries and multiple reportlayouts. We use the system of report to provide: To navigate from summary level information – details throughSub reports Report-to-Report drill through feature.61. What are ideal circumstances to use Sub Reports and Drill Reports?Report TypeBest Used WhenSub ReportWhen you want single or multiplequeries in a single report.When you want detail and summaryinformation in the same report.When you are advanced user.Drill-Through ReportWhen you want multiple queries in areport, or a series of reportsWhen you want detail and summaryinformation in different reports.When you a beginner or intermediateuser.62. When to use Limited Local Processing?Use Limited Local Processing settings when: Most processing is done on the database server by creatingmultiple queries

Local sorting is not allowed

You cannot use summaries in headings

Both database and local functions are available63. When to use Flexible Processing?Use Flexible Processing settings when:

Impromptu determines where processing takes place

Both built – in and database functions are available

Full querying capability is available

The entire result set can be sent to your computer.64. How can you improve Data Access Time?The Data Access time can be improved by accessing:

⇒ Local snapshot

⇒  Thum bnail

⇒  Cac he65. What are the Query options for performance?The following are the options which you can set for a query for betterperformance:

→  Override all catalog governor settings

→  Automatically retrieve data

→  Include the missing table join values (outer joins)→  Maximum number of characters to be retrieved for large text itemscommonly for BLOB data type columns.

66. What is a Hotfile and what are the uses?

A Hotfile is a file sequential file (not indexed) that holds from a report andacts like a separate local database table. The

Hotfile must be accessed from acatalog. The Hotfile is saved with .IMS extension. The following are the uses ofHotfile:

To compare historical values

To access subsets of large tables

To speed up processing

To access data from more than one database to create a

catalog.

67. What are the external influences of reducing performances?

The following are the external influences on reducing the performances:

• Network issues

• Non-indexed tables

• Slow on another query tool

• Hardware / software limit

69. What is Impromptu?

Impromptu is a business query and reporting tool that access data in thedatabase through the Impromptu user interface.

Impromptu builds a view of thedata in the business terms, called the Information Catalog, that shields end usersfrom the complexity

of the database.70. What are the Cognos EP7 Series Products?

The products of the Cognos EP7 series are:

1.Cognos Impromptu Administrator

2.Cognos Impromptu User3. Scheduler

4.Cognos PowerPlay Transformer

5.Cognos PowerPlay Reports

6.Cognos Web Reports7. Cognos Query8. Cognos Architect

9.Cognos Access Manager

10.Cognos Macros

11.Cognos Configuration Manager71 What is a Join?A Join identifies the columns from one table that are used to link toanother table.A Join is commonly formed by a foreign key definition within the database.72. What are the ways to connect to a database from Impromptu?

With Impromptu you can connect to the Database through:

1.A native driver (built within Impromptu)

2.A database vendor’s gateway3. ODBC73. What you require to create a catalog?

To create a catalog we require:

1.A catalog name

2.A description (optional)

3.A catalog type

4.Database definition (driver)5. Required tables.74. What are the uses of Content Overview report?1.As a hard copy backup2.To verify contents of catalog28

3.To log changes4.As an analytical tool75. What are Joins available in Impromptu?The different types of joins available in Impromptu are:

1. Equi-joins

2. Non equi-joins

3. Outer joins

4. Self joins

5. Compound joins

6. Complex joins76. What is a User-Defined Function (UDF)?A User – Define Function is a custom function created outside ofImpromptu. To provide access to the UDFs

Create the UDF and place it in the a library

Tell Impromptu where to fine where to fine the library

Add the function declaration to COGUDF.SQL

Add the function name and a list of properties to IMPFUNCT.INI77. How to access the database UDFs?• Create a UDF in database.• Add the function declaration to COGUDFXX.SQL (where XX is OR forOracle, D2 fro DB2 and so on)• Add the function name and a list of parameters of XXFUNCT.INI(where XX is OR for Oracle, D2 for DB2 and so on)78. What are the .INI files created by Impromptu?The following are the .INI files that are created by Impromptu:

1. COGNOS.INI

2. CER2.INI

3. IMPROMPTU.INI4.UDF and database specific .INI79. What is the job of Scheduler in Impromptu?Scheduler works as part of the Cognos BI suite and coordinates the

following takes:

1.Running reports in Impromptu

2.Creating PowerCubes in PowerPlay Transformer

3.Running macros in CognosScript

4.Executing DOS executable and batch files.80. What is meant by Governors?To apply privileges and restrictions for a user class. Governor settings areused 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 queries5.Retrieval of large text items6.Number of records

7.Number of tables

8.Query execution time

81. What is a User Class?

A defined group of users with the same data access needs, privileges and

restrictions.

82. What is use of defining User Class?

• Easy access to data

• Control of access to data

• Performance

• Streamlined administration

Cognos Report Net 1.11) What is Report Net?Report Net is the web-based, dynamic, business intelligence reportingsolution from Cognos.2) Components of Report Net:i.Framework manager.

ii. Cognos connection

iii. Query Studio

iv. Report Studio3) Cognos connection:Use to access all corporate data available in ReportNet.4) What is the default formats of reports?HTML, PDF, CSV and XML.5) What are the types of folders in Cognos connection?Report can be organized by creating the folders.Public Folders: Public Folders can be viewed by many users.My Folders: Personal Folders that you can organize according to yourpreferences.6) What are the uses of Query Studio?

1.Create ad hoc reports that can be viewed by others.

2.Customize ad hoc reports that have been saved.

3.Compare and analyze data.

The corporate data available to you is stored in a package that has beencreated by the Report Net administrator and published to

CognosConnection.7) What is a Package?Package is interfacing between the data base and End user nothing butBusiness user.Packages use corporate business rules to define and group the data to beused for business reporting.8) How can you create Ad hoc reports?

The administrator previously creates a package in Framework Managerand publish to a location in the Cognos

Connection portal to which you haveaccess. With that we can use in our ad hoc reports.

9) How can you view the data from existing report?1.From the report viewer.2.While editing of the report in Query Studio.10) What is prompt?The prompt is dynamic filter, which can extract the data from existingreport.31

The prompts are very faster and easier than repeatedly changing the filter.11) How can you add the calculated data to a report?1.Summarize existing detail values predefined summary functions (such

as sum, avg)

2.Create new report items using data from existing report items.

3.Use model calculations provided in the package.12) What is Frame Work Manager?

Frame work manager is an application that runs in Microsoft windows andprovides a model development environment.

Frame work manager allows you todevelop the Meta data models called projects. Frame work manager providesMeta data model

development environment to develop the business packages asper the business requirements.In frame work Manager, you have to interact with a project, with contains:A. A modelB. Name spacesC.Data sourcesD.Parameter mapsE. PackagesF. FolderG.Query subjectH. Query itemI. Relation ship12) What are the types of Query Subjects?

1.Default data source query subjects

2.Model Query Subjects

3.Stored Query subjects.13) What are the phases of the Cognos Report Net workflow?Plan, Manage, Model, Author, Consume.14) 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 workingwith local Languages that the default value is ‘EN’15) What is physical layer?

The Physical layer provides the physical query layer and is madeup primarily of data source and stored

procedure query subjects. It acts as thefoundation for the presentation layer.16) What is Presentation layer?

The Presentation layer makes it easier for report authors to find andunderstand their data. The Presentation layer is

made up primarily of modelquery subjects that you create.17) Define function set:A function set is a collection of vendor specific database.32

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 thatyou want to use in your project.18) What is a Model?A model in Frame work manager is a business presentation of thestructure of the data from one or more databases.OrA model is a set of related query subjects and other objects.19) Explain about Data Source Query Subject?

Data Source query subjects contain SQL statements the directly referencedata in a single data source. Frame work

manager automatically creates a datasource query subject for each table and view that you import into model.Example When we import the product the table from Go sales sampledatabase, Frame work manager creates a query subject using the following

statements.“select * from [go sales].product”20) 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”.21) What are the types of SQL?SQL is the industry language for creating, updating and querying relationaldata base management system. Types of SQL.

1. Cognos SQL

2. Native SQL

3. Pass-through SQL.1 Cognos SQL:By default Cognos Frame work manager uses Cognos SQL to create andedit 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.2 Native SQL:

Native SQL is the SQL, the data source uses, such as Oracle SQL, butyou cannot uses Native SQL in a query subject

that references more than onedata 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.

3 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 toautomatically optimize performance. The SQL may not work ona different data

source.

22) How can you restrict the tables retrieved by a query?

By setting governors we can restrict the tables. tables.

23) What is the security filter?

A security filter controls the data that is shown to report authors when they

set up Their reports.

24) Is there any impact if the package republish with frame work manager

to Report Net server?

No, no reports are impacted, if republish the package.

25) Explain Stitch Queries?

In the event of cross fact table queries, ReportNet will send two separateQueries to the data source, one for each fact

table. It will retrieve two record sets,which will be merged locally by stitching together the common dimensionalrecords in each

record set.

26) What are Query Processing Types?

There are two types of query processing.

1. Limited Local: The database server does as much of the SQLprocessing and Execution as possible. However, some reports orreport

sections use local SQL processing.

2.Database only: The database server does all the SQL processing andexecution with the exception of tasks not supported by the

database.An error appears if any reports of report sections require local SQLprocessing

27) How can you create the query subject?We can create the query subjects through models, data sources, andstored procedures.28) What is parameter map?The parameter maps are key value phase, which are used for workingwith local Language thatThe default value is ‘EN’.29) What is a Macro?To change the SQL syntax conditionally is called macro.30) What are the types of filters?In framework manager we can create two types of filters.1. Model filters.2. Query filters.Filters: In the report studio we can find two types if filters.1. Tabular filter2. Summary filters1. Tabular filters: Tabular filters are two typesA. Summary filtersB. Detailed filters2. Grouped filters.31) What is the use of Short cuts?To organize the information that you use regularly is called short cuts.32) What is the use to disable entries in Cognos connection?

We can disable the entries, which was created by you, to prevent otherusers from accessing it. Disabling it. Disabling is

useful when you want toperform maintance operations. When you disable a folder, everything in thefolders is disabled as well.33) What is Query Studio?Query Studio is the adhoc querying tool for ReportNet.34) Which component will create a package?

The package will be created by the Report Net administrator and willpublish to Cognos connections.35) What are the report items?The items, which are added from the package to your report are calledreport items.36) How it appears a project in Frame work manager?A frame work manager project appears as a folder that contains a projectfile (.cpf) and the specific XML files that define the project.37) What is the difference between the Frame work manager model and theadhoc query authors?Frame Work Manager model

With in Frame Work Manager,modelers interact with a developmentmodel, which exists within the XMLbased project located on the filesystem

Adhoc query authors.

A report or adhoc query authorinteracts with a run-time version of theFramework Manager model. Thismodel appears as the set of

publishedmetadata on which reports and queriesare based.38) When the default data source query subject is created?

During the initial metadata import operation, a default data source querysubject is created for each object you select (for

example table) and creates thedefault relationships between query subjects for you automatically.39) What are phases the work flow process consists in Frame WorkManager?The work flow process consists of the following phases:

• Design and create project

• Prepare Metadata

• Prepare the Business View

• Create and Manager Packages

• Set Security

• Publish

• Manage the Project40) How you set the security Frame work 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.41) What is a Physical Layer?

The physical layer is a representation of the metadata as it appears in thedata source. Provides a foundation for the

presentation layer. It is made upprimarily of data source and stored procedure query subjects.It is created import only the smallest number of objects required and tocreate calculations and filters that meet a wide range of business requirements.42) What is Presentation Layer?

The Presentation Layer is a modeled business view of the metadata fromthe data source, facilitates report authoring and

it is made up primarily of modelquery subjects and shortcuts.43) The types of query processing?There are two types of query processing to choose from:• Limited Local : The database server does as much of theSQL processing and execution as possible.• Database Only : The database server does all the SQLprocessing and execution with the exception of tasks notsupported by the database.44) What are the Building Blocks in Frame work manager?

The Query subjects are called Building Blocks in Frame work Manager.45) What is usage property? And what are different setting to set usageproperty?It identifies the intended use for the data represented byeach query item.It determines the aggregation rules of query items andcalculations.The different Usage property settings are:IdentifiesFactAttributeUnknown46) Can you edit the metadata in Frame Work Manager?

Yes, We can edit the meta data in Frame work manager. And also we cantranslate the metadata to a more convenient

format, such as CSV or Unicode text.47) What is parameter map and what it consists of?Parameter maps are similar to data source look-up tables.Each parameter map consists of two columns:•Key (must be unique)•Value (Used for substitution)48) What is session parameter?Session parameter is a variable, such as username, or a run Locale, thatFrame work manager associates with a session.49) What is override value?

The override value is to test the results that value returns. The overridevalue is valid only while you have the model open,

and is not saved when yousave the model. If no override value exists, Frame work manager uses thedefault value when it executes

a query that contains a session parameter.50) Where you can use the prompts?•The prompts where we can use:•Parameter maps•Session parameter•Stored procedure arguments•Expression,includingfilters,calculationsandrelationships.51) What is the use of prompt value?A prompt value can be used when user input is required for variables

beyond the report author’s control.

The syntax is :

?<prompt name>?

52) How can restrict the number of rows?

By setting the Governors, you can restrict the number of tables retrievedby a query as well as restrict the number of rows

returned. You can also set timelimits for query execution, as well as restrict character length on binary largeobjects (BLOBs).53) What are security objects, Cognos namespace contains?

The Cognos namespace contains security objects, which are• Per-defined group or roles• User-defined groups or roles54) What tasks do you perform to set the repository control?To set up repository, perform the following tasks:

• Create the repository

• Set up the path to the repository

• Configure a connection to the repository

• Add the project to the repositoryOnce the repository connection has been established, you can modify ordelete it through the connection manager.55) What tasks will be done after creating of segment?You can create asegment so that you can:•

Organize a project according to organizationalrequirements, fro example, human resources, sales, and

finance, oraccording to business rules.•Distribute responsibility for the modeling processamongst multiple groups according to areas of expertise.•Share and reuse project information to avoid duplicationin a new folder.56) What is a link? What are the uses from links?A link is a shortcut to an existing project, folder, or namespace.The uses from links are:

• Organize work across large projects.

• Maintain consistency

• Reuse information57) What is use from the Dimensional Information?Dimensional information is used to associate attribute with levels toensure proper aggregation and avoid double counting or repeating values.“A confirmed dimension has relationships to more than one fact table”58) What are the ReportNet Administration Roles?1.System Administrator: This is like super key, can access and modifyany object in the content store.2.Directory Administrator: This can administer the contents of

namespaces.

3.Report Administrator: This can administer the public content.

4.Server Administrator: Can administer services and dispatchers.38

59) When a report cannot be viewed?

A report cannot be viewed at the time it is run when it:

1.It runs later

2.has multiple formats or languages

3.has a delivery method of save, print or email

4.is a burst report60) How can you distribute the reports?

You can distribute reports to other users to share information with the.

You can distribute reports by:

1.Saving them where other users can access them

2.sending them to other users by email

3. printing them61) What is the use from a Burst Report?1.Use bursting to run a report once and divide the results for distribution

to multiple recipients.

2.Each recipient will only view a subset of the data

3.Burst reports can be distributed by email, saved to a directory, or both.62) What are the distribution lists contain?The Distribution lists contain a collection of users, groups, roles, contacts,or other distribution lists.If a recipient is not part of the Cognos security system, you can createcontact information for this person, such as name and email address.63) We can user cut and paste functionality to move a report or other entryto another location in the portal.64)How you remove an entry permanently?Delete an entry if you want to permanently remove it from the portal.

An entry refers to another entry, such as a package or a report. As aresult, it you rename, delete, or move a referenced

entry, the entries that refer tothis original entry may no longer run properly.65) How can search for entries in Cognos connection?Can fine types of entries by leaving the search string box empty andselecting a specific entry type in the Advanced Search Criteria.Note that the search functionality is not case – sensitive.66) What is Report Studio?The Report Studio is :1.Aweb-based report authoring tool.2.Provides many methods of formatting, presenting, anddistributing your findings.67) What are the logical steps to build a report?1.Determine Data to be Displayed2.Choose Appropriate Report Type39

3. Build report4.Apply Filters or Create Prompts5. Format Report68) What are the types of Reports?Report Studio uses three main report types:1. List reports2.Cross tab reports3. Chart reportsNote:• You can combine different report types on the same page• You can use pre-define templates, or start with a blankreport.• Use Repeater to display objects multiple times on thesame page.69) What is a Repeater?A Repeater is a table in which you can insert items, such as a table, thatwill be repeated. This is useful for creating mailing labels.70) What are the uses from list reports?The List Reports uses are:• Display data as a series of columns• Are useful for presenting tabular list information.71) What are the uses from Cross tab reports?

The Cross tab reports uses are:

1.Summarize data and display results in a two-dimensional grid

2.are useful for comparative analysis

Note: Cross tabs must include at least three query items.72) What are the uses from Chart Reports?

The chart reports uses are:

1.Present data graphically

2.are useful for showing comparisons, relationship, and trends73) How many ways to add an object or item?Three methods to add an object or item to your report are:

1. double-click2.right-click and inset3.drag and drop74) What are the types of data?

There are two types of data:

1.Summarized aggregated data

2.Detailed non-aggregated data.75) What is aggregated data and types of aggregated data?Aggregated data is grouped or summarized data. You can set theaggregation in the Properties pane to:

Total

Maximum

• Aggregated

• Count

• Minimum

• Automatic

• Average

• Calculated

• NoneNote: By default, Total is chosen unless it is changed in the model.76) Can you list headers and footers in list report?Yes, can add headers and footers in list report. But not to a cross tabreport or chart report.77) What is a measure?A measure what data is being reported on, such as revenue, quantity, orprofit margin.78) What is a chart and types of chart?

Display data graphically using one or more of the available chart types.Charts are an effective way of showing

comparisons, relationships and trends.There are various chart types available including.The list of charts:•Column•Line•Point•Bar•Pie•Radar•Pareto•Area•Combination79) How to create a repeater report?1.Create a new report using Repeater template, and an object such as atable, and then populate the object with query items.2.Create a list report and then from the Structure menu, click ConvertList to Repeater.80) What is the use to break a report into sections?

The use of create section is to show grouped information in separatereport objects. This makes information easier to

locate, and lets you view data forone group of items at a time.81) Can you convert list to Cross tab report?

Yes, To gain a different perspective on your data, you can convert a listreport into a cross tab report.Note:* If you want to change list tab to cross tab report you must have three ormore than three columns.41

82)Can convert a list to a repeater?

Yes, we can convert a list to repeater. You can create a list to repeater.You can create a repeater using the Repeater

temple, or by converting a list intoa repeater.Note:* Only a list report can be converted intoa repeater. You cannot convert across tab or chart into a repeater.83) How can you create Reuse objects?84) What is the reuse object? How can you create reuse object?The object which is reusable in the same report or another report is calledas reuse object.Creation of reuse object:1.Add a Layout component Reference object to any page of your report thatreferences the original object.2.In the properties pane set ID, you must set ID.85) What are the roles and responsibilities of prompts, parameters,parameter values?Parameters: Parameters from the question you want to ask users.Prompts: Prompt controls provide the user interface in which thequestions are asked.Parameter values: Parameters values provide the answers to thequestions.86) How may ways are there to create prompt?To create a prompt you can:•Use the Build prompt page tool•Build your own prompt and prompt page•Create a prompt directly in a report page87) What is the use from Customize prompts?Customize prompts in order to help users select and submit their choices.88) What is the Layout Calculation?

Layout calculation creates a calculation that contains run-time information,such as current date, current time, and user

name. It provides information aboutthe report itself, not about data found in the database.89) To get the possible outcomes what types of variables you use?The types of variables are:•Boolean variable : If there are only two possibleoutcomes, where the values will be Yes or No.•String variable :If there is more than one outcome,based on string values you will specify.•Language Variable : Language variable when the valuesare different languages.42

90) To ensure professional results and make report designing easier,remember to:•Set properties on the highest level item.•Use padding and margins to create white space•Avoid fixed size objects.91) You can use the Schedule Management tool to:

◊  Change the properties of a job

◊  Modify a scheduled report

◊  View the run history of a report

◊  Run a scheduled entry once

◊  Delete a schedule92) What is parameter?Parameters are placeholders that require a value to determine what datato report on.93) How do Organize Data in Cognos Connection?To reorganize data content in Cognos Connection, you can cut, copy, andpaste entries, just as you can with files and folders in Windows Explorer.94) Specify the Portal and Report Language?1.Product Language : The language used by the portal interface.2.Content Language : The language used to view or produce reports.95) Identify the phases of the Cognos ReportNet workflow process?1.Plan : Develop the application scope as part of a system developmentlifecycle.2.Manage : Install the product, configure to meet reporting requirements,and administer the environment3.Model : Create Framework Manger projects4.Author : Use Report Studio and Query Studio to create and savereports for business community5.Consume: End-users consume the required business reports.96) How to Identify the Architecture?To effectively administer the ReportNet server environment you shouldunderstand the underlying architecture, including:

♦  UI and server components

♦  Communication protocols

♦  Third-party applications

♦  Load balancing97) How do you secure the ReportNet Environment?To implement security in the ReportNet environment, you should:

•  Understand the ReportNet security model and develop a plan

•  Identify and configure third-party authentication providers

• Lock down the environment

•  Control access to functionality

•  Assign access permissions to content.

106) Determine what are the Burst Recipients?You can distribute burst reports to :•Users•Groups•Roles•Email address and distribution lists.107) What is CAMID?

CAMID is an internal path to users, groups, roles contacts or distributionlists. Using the CAMID syntax, you can substitute

a static user ID with adynamically generated user ID when creating your burst key.108) What are the information do you need to create burst table?To create a Burst table to map recipients or groups of recipients to specificdata that they are allowed to see.Unique IdentifierList of RecipientsData item to Burst on109) What is the impact of changes to row or columns of the burst table?Burst reports that are affected by changes to the burst table may fail whenthey are run.110) How can you set the burst options?Ensure that the report contains the query item you intend to burst the

report on and group it.

Set the following burst options:

1.Burst key : defines how the data should be filtered and divided

2.Burst recipient : determines who receives the subset of data111) The consideration of Burst to Email Recipients?To supply email addresses when you burst a report to email recipients,you can either:1. reference the email address for each user that is stored in yourauthentication source when bursting to directories2.supply the email address in the report itself by creating a calculatedfiled3.reference the appropriate burst table column112) What is the use from page structure view?

1.Locating hard – to – objects in a report

2.quickly moving objects from one area of a page to another

3.Modifying object properties.113) How can you add a layout to Report Specification?The layout section of a report specification determines how the data isdisplayed on the pages of the report.A report requires at least one layout, but may have more. You can addmultiple layouts to accommodate different languages.The layout section of the report specification consists of:45

• Pages• Layout Objects114) What are the tool bar objects (explorers)?The objects available in the toolbox are different depending on whichexplorer you have open.

Those are:

1.Page explorer tool box

2.Query explorer tool box

3.Query explorer tool box115) Can you create a custom toolbox object?Yes, To create a new toolbox object, you must add it to the Standardcomponents.xml file, and then reference it from the Toolbox.xml file.You can add the object reference to one of the following sections of theToolbox.xml file:

Layout View

QueryView_queryset

QueryView_BIQuery

QueryView_tabularModel

QueryView_tabularSet116) Can you create Custom Templates?Yes, to create a new template, you must add it to the Template.xml file,and then reference if from the AppComponents.xml file.117) What is the Authentication?

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of users when theylog on. Authentication providers define users,

groups, and roles used forauthentication.Note: User authentication in ReportNet is managed by third – partyauthentication providers.118) What is Authorization?Authorization is the process of granting or denying users access to data,based on their sign on identity.119)What are the Groups and Roles?Groups and roles represent collections of users that perform similar tasks.120) What is the Cognos namespace? And what is contains?The Cognos namespace is the ReportNet built-in namespace.

It contains Cognos objects:

Groups

Roles

Sources

Distribution lists

Contacts121)Can you delete Cognos namespace?No, we can not delete Cognos namespace46

122) What are the Built – in Entries?Built – in entries are fundamental entries required to access andadminister ReportNet, and cannot be deleted.The Built – in entries are:•Anonymous•All Authenticated Users•Everyone•System Administrators.123) What are predefined Entries?Predefined entries are logical roles provided as a convenience whensetting up your security infrastructure. They can be modified or deleted.The Predefined Entries are:•Consumers•Query users•Authors•Reports Administrator•Server Administrator•Directory Administrator124)What are Access Permissions?

The Access permissions are:

1.Read: View all the properties of an entry

2.Write : Modify any of the properties of an entry

3.Execute : Process an entry

4.Set Policy: Read and Modify the security settings for an entry

5.Traverse: View the child contents of a parent container entry125) What is Deployment?Deploy entries to move applications from one installation to another.The deployment can include data sources and access permissions.126)What are the entries can you deploy in content store?You can deploy the entire content store, which includes all entries in theportal, such as:Public foldersPackages and reportsData sourcesDistribution lists and contactsPrintersSchedulesThe Cognos namespaceDeployment specifications and historyConfiguration settings127) What are the security items Cognos namespace contains?The Cognos namespace contains security entries, which are:•Built – in groups or roles•Predefined group or roles•User – defined groups or roles

28) What is the use of the Cognos namespace?

Create groups and roles specific to a ReportNet

application

Repackage security data available for authentication

providers

Avoid cluttering authentication providers

129) Evaluate Policy Rules?

The basic rules that affect access permissions for each entry in ReportNet

include those for:

⇒  Acquired policies

⇒  Traversing to view child entries

⇒  Group inheritance

⇒ Implicit deny

⇒  Explicit deny versus grant

⇒  Union of permissions

⇒  owner ship

130) To tune the performance of the server environment as follows:

→ Group dispatchers

→  Set processing capacity

→ Set number of processes and connections

→  Maximize usage during peak periods

→  Set queue time limits in ReportNet

131) Examine Audit Logging Details and Categories?

The ReportNet operations are logged based on the following categories:

⇒  Audit

⇒ Audit administration

⇒  Audit run-time usage

⇒  Audit other.