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    Company-

    Working as a Cognos Report developer for Linus Soft Solutions Pvt Ltd Bangalore from 5-dec-2014 to till date.

    Take home- 20,883 Earning- 23,333.00 Deduction-2450.00

    Project

    Project Title1 : Valiant Cube

    Client : Valiant Bank, Switzerland

    Environment : Cognos 10.1, Oracle 10g, Windows 2003 Server

    Project #2

    Rockwell Sales Reporting

    Technologies: cognos10.1, oracle 10g

    Client: Rockwell Electronics, USA

    Responsibilities:

    Created professional reports in Report Studio.

    Created list reports, crosstab reports, chart reports, with conditional formatting using Report Studio.

    Created Layout Calculations, Conditions & Filters, Prompt Pages, and Variables etc.

    Created complex reports using drill through reports, master detail reports, book mark reports.

    Developing conditional reporting with different styles.

    Created reports with value and search prompt and headers.

    Created reports with date formats.

    Reports developed based on value prompt

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    Q- What is cognos reporting tool ?

    Ans- Cognos is reporting tool from IBM which helps in reporting & analysis of various data from a data warehouse.

    Q-What is cognos connection ?

    Ans- It is a web portal for cognos 8 and a component which interacts with the content store. It is a frontend to publish, find, manage, organize and

    view organizations businessintelligence data.

    Q- What is report item ?

    Ans- Report item is nothing but a query item when it is drag and drop into the work area.

    Q- Define filter ?

    Ans- A filter is an expression that specifies the conditions that rows or instances must meet to be retrieved for the dimension, query subject,

    calculation, or report to which the filter is applied.

    Q- What is query subject ?

    Ans- A query subject is the basic building block in Framework manager. A query subject is the set of query items that have an inherent

    relationship.

    Q- What are the types of prompt in cognos ?

    Ans- value prompt

    Text prompt

    Date prompt

    Time Prompt

    Date & time prompt

    Q-What is Drill Through ?

    Ans- Drill-through reporting allows you to link from one report to another. You can drill through in a number of ways.

    A drill through id developed with two reports

    Parent report, Child Report

    Q- What are the components of Report Net ?

    Ans- Framework manager, cognos connection, query studio, Report Studio

    Q- What is set to be Cardinality?

    Ans- Cardinality is defined as relationships between the tables. Following are relationship formed between the tables.

    One to One, One to Many, Many to Many , Many to One

    Q- What is defined as Data mining?

    Ans- Data mining is the process of getting hidden trends from a data ware house.

    Q- Mention the difference between macros and prompt?

    Ans- Macro is used to run set of instructions to execute the report but prompt provide a way to change the report dynamically.

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    Q- What is a Cube?

    Ans- Cube is set to be multi-dimensional view of dimension and measures and it is used to analyze the data in various forms like Slicing and

    Dicing.

    Q- What is the size of the cube?

    Ans- Size of the cube is 2.0GB and size varies depends on the project.

    Q- What is a Snapshot?

    Ans- A snapshot is created to copy the exact data that is related to current report and compare with another report.

    Example: Data of this week compared with previous week

    Q- What are all the components of Report Studio?

    Ans- Following are the components of Report Studio:

    Objects panel

    Properties panel

    Explorer bar

    Report Viewer

    Q- What is a Transformer?

    Ans- Transformer is used for making the Cubes which is for the Multidimensional structure on OLAP processing.

    Q- What is defined as catalog and types of catalogs in Cognos?

    Ans- A catalog is defined as a file which contains information on Database tables and Impromptu users can create reports.

    Following are the types of catalog used:

    Personal

    Distributed

    Shared

    Secured

    Q- Is it possible to join multiple Databases in a Catalog?

    Ans- No, it is not possible to join multiple databases in a catalog and it can be achieved by Hotfile.

    Q- What is defined as Cognos Impromptu?

    Ans- A Cognos Impromptu is set to be a tool which is used for the generation of business intelligence reports.

    Q- What are query items?

    Ans- Query items are the most important object in framework manager and it has a lot of properties associated with it. This is mainly used for

    reporting and business intelligence.

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    Q- What are all the advantages of Cognos?

    Following are the advantages of Cognos:

    Planning

    Analysis

    Forecasting

    Scorecard

    Q- What are all the types of indexes in Cognos?

    Following are the types of Indexes in Cognos:

    Bitmap index

    B-tree index

    Function based index

    Reverse key and composite index

    Q- What is Bitmap Index?

    Ans- A bitmap index is used for replacement of list of rowids for each key value. This index is mainly efficient for data warehousing as i t has low

    cardinality and low updates.

    Q- What is a Folder?

    Ans- A folder consists of repository objects like sources, targets, transformation and mapping that help to organize data warehouse.

    Q- What is a Datastore in Cognos?

    Ans- A data store is nothing but a query database or a relational database or files that can be accessed through IBM Cognos.

    Q- What is a Query Subject?

    Ans- A Query subject is a set of query items that have inherent relationship and it is basic building block on framework manager.

    Q- What are all the types of report?

    Ans- Following are the types of report in Cognos:

    Blank report

    List report

    Cross report

    Chart report

    Repeater report

    Q- What are the two types of framework manager?

    There are two types of framework manager and they are as follows:

    Presentation layer

    Physical layer

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    Q- What are all types of prompt?

    Following are the types of Prompt used in Cognos:

    Value

    Textbox

    Select and search

    Date

    Time

    Date and time

    Interval

    Generated

    Prompt button

    Q- What is a dimension?

    Ans- Dimension is defined as structure of a cube. A dimension should have at least one key attribute and remaining attribute can define

    hierarchies.

    Q- What are all the types of gateway used in Cognos?

    Ans- Following is the list of gateway used in Cognos:

    Common Gateway Interface (CGI)

    Internet Service Application Interface (ISAPI)

    Tomcat Server

    Q- What is called Cognos powerplay?

    Ans- Cognos powerplay is nothing but a multidimensional on-line analysis of data.

    Q- What are the types of studio present in Cognos?

    There are five types of studio are :

    Query Studio

    Metrics Studio

    Analysis Studio

    Report Studio

    Event Studio

    Q- What is defined as Query studio?

    Query studio is one of the studios in Cognos which is used to perform Adhoc queries.

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    Q- What are the types of folder present in Cognos?

    Ans- There are three main types of folders and they are listed below:

    Standard folder

    Package folder

    Metrics folder

    Q- What do you mean by drill across?

    Ans- The drill across executes queries with the help of more than one cube.

    Q- What are all the types of hierarchies?

    Ans- There are two types of hierarchies:

    Attribute hierarchies

    User defined hierarchies

    Q- What is the use of Cognos decision stream?

    Ans- Cognos decision stream is set to be a tool which is used for extracting, transforming the data from different data sources to target data

    source.

    Q- What are the themes in a data warehouse?

    The three important fundamental themes are:

    Drilling Down

    Drilling Across

    Handling Time

    Q- What do you mean by Drill down and Drill Up?

    Ans- Drill down is addition of grouping columns from the dimension tables whereas drill up is removing grouping columns from the dimension

    tables.

    Q- What is the advantage of using shortcuts?

    Ans- There are two shortcutsLocal and Global. Local is used for the local repository and Global for global repository. Advantage is to reuse an

    object instead of creating multiple objects.

    Q- What is called materialized view?

    Ans- A materialized view is a view which is physically stored in a database. This view is used to increase query performance by calculating

    costly operations.

    Q- What is a Pivot?

    Ans- Pivot is used to rotate the axis of the cube to provide a different presentation on the data.

    Q- What is called a slice?

    Ans- The slice is used to perform the operation on one dimension of a cube and it is results in a sub-cube.

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    Q- What is a Framework manager?

    Ans- Frame manager is a tool, which is used to develop end user layer and it can be used by Authors to build their own BI objects.

    Q- What is Metrics designer?

    Ans- Metrics Designer is a tool which is used to model, deploy score cards and data loading procedures.

    Q- What is set to be Cognos configuration?

    Ans- Cognos Configuration is a BI administrative tool which is used to define the behavior of Cognos 8 version. This will manage configuration

    parameters.

    Q- What is the difference between Standard and Metrics folder?

    Ans- Standard Folder This is a container of all folders and it is used for Organizational purposes. It acts like a local computer folder. It is

    yellow in color.

    Metrics Folder This folder is used by Metrics studio to store metrics related information. Metrics folder will open up directly in Metrics studio

    and it is dark blue in color.

    Q-What is the use of Cognos scenario?

    Ans- Cognos scenario is used to find the hidden trends and patterns of data.

    Q- Which studio is used to create reports?

    Ans- Report Studio is used to create more advanced business reports.

    Q- What is the difference between a cascading report and drill through report?

    Ans- Cascading report is used to extract data from one prompt to another prompt.

    Drill through report is used to extract the data by selecting the column in a report and it can be drilled down by clicking the column data.

    Q- What are all types of Batches?

    Ans- Following are the types of Batches:

    SequentialRun the sessions one by one

    Concurrent Run the sessions simultaneously

    Q- What are initial page components of Cognos connection?

    Ans- Initial page components of Cognos connection are:

    The Studio Toolbar

    The Utilities Toolbar

    The Tab Navigator

    Q- What is schema?

    Ans- A schema is composed of a set of dimensions and a set of fact relationships.

    Q- What is folder?

    Ans- Folder contains repository objects such as sources, targets, mappings, transformation which are helps logically organize our data

    warehouse.

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    Q- What are Slice and Dice?

    Ans- An operation that allows one to select a portion of the data of a fact on the basis of specified values in one or several dimensions.

    Q-What is pivot?

    Ans- The pivot (or rotate) operation rotates the axes of a cube to provide an alternative presentation of the data.

    Q- What is Cognos Reporting tool?

    Ans- Cognos is a reporting tool from IBM which helps in reporting and analysis of various data from a data warehouse.

    Q- What are the types of framework manager?

    Ans- There are two types of framework manager are :

    Presentation layer

    Physical layer

    Q- What is dimensions?

    Ans- Dimensions define the structure of a cube. A dimension must have at least one key attribute and other attributes that may define hierarchies.

    Q- What are the types of hierarchies?

    Ans- In Analysis Services, there are two types of hierarchies are :

    Attribute hierarchies

    User defined hierarchies.

    Q- What is OLAP designer?

    Ans- OLAP Designer is a development tool used to model and create multidimensional databases. A multidimensional database, often referred to

    as a cube, is a highly compressed database and contains summarized information that is optimized for analysis.

    Q- What is metrics designer?

    Ans- Metrics Designer is a development tool used to model and deploy scorecards and related data loading procedures.

    Q- What is meant by drill across?

    Ans- The drillacross operation executes queries involving more than one cube.

    Q- What is meant by drill down?

    Ans- The drill-down operation performs the operation opposite to the roll-up operation, i.e., it moves from a more general level to a detailed

    level in a hierarchy, thus presenting more detailed measures.

    Q- Define data mining?

    Ans- A data mining dimension provides support for dimensions that result from data mining models.

    Q- What is cognos powerplay?

    Ans- Cognos powerplay is for multidimensional online analysis of data.

    Q- What is the use of cognos decision stream?

    Ans- Cognos decision stream is a tool for extraction, transformation of loading of data from the source databases to the target database.

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    Q- What is the use of cognos scenario?

    Ans- Cognos scenario is used to find the hidden trends and patterns in data.

    Q- What are the three important fundamental themes in a data warehouse?

    Ans- The three most important fundamental themes are :

    Drilling Down

    Drilling Across

    Handling Time

    Q- How to create reports?

    Ans- Use Report Studio to create more advanced business reports.

    Using Query Studio: We create adhoc reports.

    Using Report Studio: We create advanced Business Reports

    Using Analysis Studio: We create reports from Cube as source or by using dimensional modelled relational package for analysis purpose.

    Q-What is the security module used in cognos?

    ANS- The security module used in cognos is cognos access manager.

    Q- What is catalog?

    Ans- A catalog is a file containing the information (Database tables) that Impromp to users need to create reports.

    Q- What are the types of catalogs in cognos?

    There are four types of catalogs in cognos. They are :

    Personal

    Distributed

    Shared

    Secured

    Q-What are the differences between Reporter report and Explorer report?

    Ans- In a Cube, you can either modify or explore. Reporter is used to modify where as explorer is used to explore the cube.

    Q- What is cognos configuration?

    Ans- Cognos Configuration is the Cognos 8 BI administrative tool that is used to define the behavior of a Cognos 8 BI installation. It is used to

    manage configuration parameters.

    In cognos configuration we can start and stop the entire cognos services. We can deploy content from one content store to another.

    Q- What are the types of folder?

    Ans- There are three main types of folders are :

    Standard folder, Package folder, Metrics folder

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    Q- What is the difference between standard and metrics folder?

    Ans- Standard Folder : This is a container for other folders and/or BI objects, and is used for organizational purposes. It will behave just like a

    folder on your local computer, but will operate like a web page with active links. A bright yellow icon specifics Standard folders.

    Metrics Folder : Metrics folders arc used by the Metrics Studio to store metrics-related information. While the standard behavior upon selecting

    the other two folder types is to show their contents, a Metrics Folder will open up directly into Metrics Studio. A dark blue icon with colored dots

    specifies Metrics folders.

    Q- What is the difference between a cascading report and drillthrough report?

    Ans- Cascading prompt means to extract the data from one prompt to using values from another prompt.

    Drill through report means to extract the data by selecting a column in a report, means to get the detailed information by clicking that

    column data.

    Q- What are cognos connection initial page components?

    Ans- The page can be broken down into three major sections :

    The Studio Toolbar

    The Utilities Toolbar

    The Tab Navigator

    Q- What is the difference between macros and prompt?

    Ans- Macro is set of instructions to run report.

    Prompt provide a way to dynamically change the reports.

    Q- What is cognos scenario?

    Ans- Cognos scenario is a tool that is used to find the hidden trends and patterns in data.

    Q-How to create cubes in transformer?

    Ans- Cube can be created by using different data sources.

    Q- What is transformer?

    Ans- Transformer is used for building the Cubes (Multidimensional Structure used for OLAP processing).

    Q- What is model?

    Ans- A model is a complete set of query objects and query subjects that are used for reporting.

    Model is created in the Framework manager it is collection of Namespaces,query Subjects,query items that are used for creating packages and

    package is published to connection for reporting purpose.

    Q- What is IQD?

    Ans- IQD stands for Impromptu Query Definition. It is report save extension with .iqd it is use for creating a cube in power play transformer

    Q- What are the filters in Framework Manager and Report Studio?

    Filters in framework manager are : Standalone filters , Embedded filters

    Report studio Filters are : Detail filters ,Summary filters

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    Q- What is difference between content store and content manager?

    Ans- A content store is a data base which stores the meta data of the reports.

    Content manager is a service which is available in dispatcher. which it manages the security.

    Q- What is cognos 8 BI?

    Ans- Cognos 8BI is a powerful suite of products that focuses on transforming raw data into powerful information for business decis ions. Cognos

    8 BI can be used across all levels in an organization, from users looking for pre-defined reports to analysts with complex data requirements.

    Q- What is package folders?

    Ans- This folder is similar to a Standard Folder, but internally it contains pre-defined business rules and metadata related to sources of

    information. It is used by the Studios to create new queries, reports, analyses, etc. A dark blue icon specifics Package folders.

    Q- What are components of report studio?

    Ans- There are four components of report studio are :

    Insertable Objects pane

    Properties pane

    Explorer bar

    Report Viewer

    Q- What are the types of security?

    Ans- There are three different types of Security are :

    Data security : Create a security filter and apply it to a specific query subject.

    Object security : Secure an object directly by allowing users access to the object, denying users access to the object, or keeping it hidden for all

    users.

    Package security : Apply security to a package and identify who has access to that package.

    Q- What is query studio?

    Ans- Query Studio is a very user friendly ad hoc query tool that allows users to easily access information. With Query Studio, the user drags and

    drops fields to execute queries, and with multiple available options at a touch of the mouse, it can group data, create summaries, display charts,

    filter information and export data.

    Q- What is metrics studio?

    Ans- Metrics Studio is a powerful scorecard tool that allows for the creation and monitoring of goals through an organization.

    Q- What is analysis studio?

    Ans- Analysis Studio is the user friendly tool used to quickly analyze summarized information with powerful dimension and variable crossing

    for complex analysis, discovery of trends and forecasting.

    Q- What is report studio?

    Ans- Report Studio is the professional report authoring tool. The tool allows for the development of pixel perfect reports, such as invoices and

    statements, as well as very complex layouts, such as those required for enterprise dashboards.

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    Q- What is event studio?

    Ans- Event Studio is a monitoring tool that allows for the definition of agents that will monitor certain user-defined events and will execute tasks

    accordingly. They can be saved to Cognos as agents.

    Q-What are the types of user roles?

    Ans- The users of Cognos 8 BI can be grouped into four major roles based upon their respective business and technical requirements.

    Consumers

    Authors

    Developers

    Administrators-

    Q- What are repeaters?

    Ans- Repeaters are tables in which you can insert items that are repeated when you run the report.

    Q- What are cross tab reports?

    Ans- Crosstab reports are reports that show data in rows and columns. However, the values at the intersection points of rows and columns show

    summarized information rather than detailed information.

    Q- What is list report?

    Ans- A list report is a report that shows data in rows and columns. Each column shows all the values for a query item in the datab ase or a

    calculation based on query items in the database.

    Q- What is the use of charts?

    Ans- Charts are a graphical way of presenting information. Use charts to reveal trends and relationships that are not evident in tabular reports.

    Q- What is a Data Warehouse?

    Ans- A Data Warehouse is a collection of data marts representing historical data from different operation data sources (OLTP). The data fromthese OLTP are structured and optimized for querying and analysis in a Data Warehouse.

    Q- Define Cognos Report Net?

    Ans- Cognos Report Net is the web-based, dynamic, business intelligence reporting solution from Cognos.

    Q- What are the tiers of the ReportNet Architecture?

    Ans- The ReportNet architecture can be separated into three tiers:

    * Web server

    * Applications

    * Data

    Q- Define Business Intelligence

    Ans- Business Intelligence is a broad category of application programs and technology used for query, Reporting and analyzing the business

    multi dimensionally.

    Q- What is a Data Mart?

    Ans- A Data Mart is a subset of a data warehouse that can provide data for reporting and analysis.

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    Q- What is HPQS ?

    Ans- Data Marts are sometimes also called as HPQS (Higher Performance Query Structure).

    Q- What is multi dimension analysis?

    Ans- It is a technique to modify the data so that the data can be view at the different levels of details.

    Q- What are the responsibilities of Cognos Administrator?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- Responsibility of Cognos Architect?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- Roles of the Application Developer?

    Ans- 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

    Q- What is OLAP?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What are the types of OLAPs?

    Ans- DOLAP:-The OLAP tool which works with desktop databases are called as DOLAP

    Ex:- FoxPro, Clipper, Dbase, Paradox.

    Q- ROLAP:-The OLAP tool, which works with Relational databases, are called as ROLAP.

    Ex:-Oracle, SQL Server, Tera Data, DB2.

    Q- MOLAP: - The OLAP tool, which works with Multidimensional databases, are called as MOLAP.

    Ex:- ESSBASE, Power Cube

    Q- HOLAP:- The OLAP tool which works with Relational databases and Multidimensional database, are called as MOLAP.

    Ex:- Cognos, Business Objects.

    Q-What is OLTP?

    Ans- 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.

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    Q- 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.

    Q- What is the role of a Data Warehouse in creating the Interface?

    Ans- Data Warehouse acts as Source to the Interface.

    Q- What are the types of components installed while loading the Cognos Report Net Software?

    Ans- When we install the Cognos Report Net Software there are two types of components get installed :-

    1.Windows based components. 2. Web based components

    Q- Define Windows based components?

    Ans- A Framework manager is windows based modeling tool used for creating a project (interface).

    Q- Define Web based Components?

    Ans- The following are the web based components.

    A. Cognos connection B. Query Studio C. Report Studio D. Analysis Studio

    Q- What are the phases of the Cognos ReportNet Workflow?

    Ans- Plan, Manage, Model, Author, Consume.

    Q- What are the advanced features of Report Net?

    Ans- 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

    Q-What is Framework manager?

    Ans- Frame Work Manager is windows based metadata development or metadata modeling tool for Cognos Report Net.

    Q- Why we need Framework manager?

    Ans- To create the interface known as Project.

    To create model the metadata derived from one or more data sources

    Q-How a project appears in a FrameWork manager?

    Ans- A frame work manager project appears as a folder that contains a project file (.cpf) and the specific XML files that define the project

    Q- What are the Building Blocks in Frame Work Manager?

    Ans- The Query subjects are called Building Blocks in Framework Manager.

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    Q- What are phases the workflow process consists in Framework Manager?

    Ans- 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

    Q- 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

    Q- Define Name Space?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- Can you delete Cognos namespace?

    Ans- No, we cannot delete Cognos namespace

    Q- 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

    Q- What are the Groups and Roles?

    Ans- Groups and roles represent collections of users that perform similar tasks.

    Q- What is Folder?

    Ans- A Folder is used to organize the Query Subjects.

    Q- Define Relationship?

    Ans- A Relationship is a connection that explains how the data in one Query Subject relates to data in other Query Subjects.

    Q- What is a Package?

    Ans- A container for models, reports, and so on. Modelers create packages in Framework Manager to publish models to the ReportNet server.

    Q- What is Physical layer?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What is Presentation layer?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- Define function set:

    Ans- 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.

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    Q- What is a Project?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- Define Publish?

    Ans- To transfer all or part of a Framework Manager model to the ReportNet server, so that report authors can use it.

    Q- What a Project contains?

    Ans- A. A Model > B. Namespaces > C. Data sources > D. Parameter maps > E. Packages

    F. Folders > G. Query Subject > H. Query Item >I. Relation ship

    Q- What is a Model?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What are Dimensions?

    Ans- Dimensions are categories by which summarized data can be viewed.

    Q- What are Confirmed Dimensions?

    Ans- The Dimensions which are reusable and fixed in nature.

    Q- What are Fact Tables?

    Ans- A Fact Table is a table that contains summarized numerical (facts) and historical data. This Fact Table has a foreign keyprimary keyrelation with a dimension table.

    Q- What are the types of Facts?

    Ans-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.

    Q- Define Query?

    Ans- A description of the data to be retrieved from a database.

    Q- Explain about Data Source Query Subject?

    Ans- 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.

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    Q- When the default data source query subject is created?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- How can you edit the data source query subject?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What are the types of SQL?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- Define Cognos SQL?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- 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.

    Q- 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:There is no opportunity for Frame work manager to automatically optimize performance. The SQL may not work on a different

    data source.

    Q- What are Query Processing Types?

    Ans- 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.

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    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.

    Q- What is Query Subject?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What are the types of Query subjects?

    Ans- 1. Default data source query subjects 2. Model Query Subjects

    3. Stored Query subjects

    Q- What is a Query Item?

    Ans- A query Item maps to columns to the database table. A Query Subject contains Query Items.

    Q- How can you restrict the tables retrieved by a query?

    Ans- By setting governors we can restrict the tables.

    Q- What is meant by Governors?

    Ans- 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

    Q- What is a User Class?

    Ans- A defined group of users with the same data access needs, privileges and restrictions.

    Q- What is Scrubbing at Project level?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- How can you add the calculated data to a report?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What are the sources to create new Query subjects?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What is Multi Database Access in Cognos Report Net?

    Ans- In Cognos Report Net a Project can be created from multiple databases. The databases can be either homogenous or hydrogenous.

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    Q- What are Parameter Maps?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What is the default formats of reports?

    Ans- HTML, PDF, CSV, and XML.

    Q- What are the different ways to modify multi lingual metadata?

    Ans- 1. Macro :- To modify dynamically

    2. Directly

    Q- What is a Macro?

    Ans- A Macro is a runtime object, which uses the parameter maps and session parameters in developing the conditional query subjects.

    Q- What is usage property? And what are different setting to set usage property?

    Ans- 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

    Q- What are the types of filters in Framework manager?

    Ans- In framework manager we can create two types of filters.

    1. Model filters 2. Query filters.

    Q- Define Model Filter?

    Ans- A filter is a condition used to restrict the data displayed in the Report.

    Model filter are reusable.

    Q- Define Data restriction:

    Ans- A filter is a condition, which restricts the amount of data displayed in the report.

    Q- What is condition?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- Types of Conditions:

    Conditions are of 2 types:

    Ans- 1. Static Condition: - Condition doesnt change whenever you run the report.

    2. Dynamic Condition: -A condition can be kept on change whenever you run the report.

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    Q- What are the types of filters in Report Studio?

    Ans- 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

    Q- What is a Loop?

    Ans- 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).

    Q- What is Alias Table?

    Ans- An alternative name for a table generally used in self joins.

    Q- What are the uses of Alias Table?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What is Associated Data Item?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What is Automatic Association?

    Ans- The group association of a newly created summary. The location of the group where you create the summary determines its automatic

    association.

    Q- What is an Ambiguous Relationship?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What is a Join and types of Joins?

    Ans- 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

    Q- What is a dimension?

    Ans- 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.

    Q- What is a Confirmed Dimension?

    Ans- If a Dimension is connected to multiple fact tables then it is called as Confirmed Dimension.

    Q- What is a Junk Dimension?

    Ans- A randomly used dimension is Junk Dimension.

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    Q- Define Surrogate Key?

    Ans- It has system-generated artificial primary key values, which allows to maintain historical records in the Data Warehouse more effectively.

    Q- What are the User Interface Components?

    Ans- * Cognos Connection * Report Studio * Query Studio * Frame work manager

    * Cognos configuration

    Q- 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

    Q- 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.

    Q- 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

    Q- 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 newdatasource).Then import it

    Q- 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.

    Q- 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

    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.

    Q- What is the use of prompts in Framework Manager?

    ANS: Use of Prompt in Framework Manager:

    Filter on query subjectto restrict the rows that are returned by filtering out the unwanted data by creating one or more embedded filters for

    query subject.

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    Prompt in filter with usage set to alwaysuser need to supply a value to filter.

    Q- 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.

    Q- 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.

    Q- 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)

    Q- 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.

    Q- 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.

    Q-

    What is bursting? How can we burst reports and what type of reports can we burst?

    Ans- We can run the report once and distribute it to recipients (like email)Create the report with group fullname and pass the id to mailMake

    avlbl for burst options for the report.

    Cognos Connection

    Q- Define Cognos connection?

    Ans- It is a web portal, which allows you to perform the following tasks.

    1. Creating the Reports

    2. Performing the scheduling tasks

    3. Deployment

    Use to access all corporate data available in ReportNet.

    Q-What are the types of folders in Cognos connection?

    Ans- 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 your preferences.

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    Q- What is a job?

    Ans- A group of reports and other jobs in Cognos that you run and schedule as a batch.

    Q- What is a job step?

    Ans- The smallest part of a job that can be run separately. Usually, a job step is a report. A job step can also be another job.

    Q- Define content language?

    Ans- The code or setting that specifies what language and regional preferences to use for the data that appears in a report.

    Q- What is deployment?

    Ans- The process of moving a Reports, models to a different instance of Cognos. For example, you often create reports in a test environment and

    then deploy them to production.

    When you deploy an application, you export, transfer, and import it .

    Q- What is the use of Schedule?

    The schedule allows you to run a report at a later time or run it on a recurring basis.

    Q-What are the uses of Schedule Management tool?

    Ans- * Change the properties of a job

    * Modify a scheduled report

    * View the run history of a report

    * Run a scheduled entry once

    * Delete a schedule

    Q-What is a Sub Report?

    A sub query that is associated with a main query. You can include several sub reports in one main query. You can have more than one query on apage.

    Q-What is a Cognos Script?

    Ans- A Script visual basic used to write macros.

    Q- What is a Catalog?

    Ans-A Catalog is a data base for a user to create own tables, joins, items, prompts, calculations and conditions.

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    Report Studio

    Q- What is a Report Studio?

    Ans- Using Report Studio we can create more advanced professional Business Reports.

    Q- What is burst?

    ANS- To create many report results by running a single report once. For example, you can create a report that shows sales for each employee, and

    run it once, sending different results to regional managers by bursting on region.

    You set up bursting in Report Studio and enable it in the portal.

    Q- Define calculated member?

    ANS- A member of a dimension whose measure values are not stored but are calculated at run time using an expression.

    Q- What is cardinality?

    For OLAP data sources, cardinality is the number of members in a hierarchy. The cardinality property for a hierarchy is used to assign solve

    orders to expressions.

    For relational data sources, cardinality indicates the nature of the relationship between two query subjects, query items, or other model objects.

    Q- Define report specification?

    An XML representation of the queries, prompts, layouts, and styles in a report. You create report specifications by using Report Studio or Query

    Studio, or by writing your own report specifications in XML.

    Q- What is report view?

    A reference to another report that has its own properties, such as prompt values, schedules, and results.

    You use report views to share a report specification instead of making copies of it.

    Q- What is report item?

    A query item that is added to a report is known as a report item.

    Report items appear as columns in list reports, and as rows and columns in crosstab reports. In charts, report items appear as data markers and

    axis labels.

    Q-What is work area?

    ANS- The area within a studio that contains the report, analysis, query or agent currently being used.

    Q- What is Simple List Report?

    ANS- The data is displayed in a series of columns (Tabular format).

    Q- How to set Page Breaks?

    ANS- To set the page breaks in the report needs to be designed with either Group or Section.

    Each Group or section will be displayed in a separate page.

    Q- What is the procedure for Page Breaks?

    Select the Grouped Report Item, from the changed layout menu click on set page breaks.

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    Q- Define Sections:

    Like group a section also eliminates the duplicates and display the report item as a separate block and separated from rest of other report items.

    Q-How to eliminate duplicates?

    ANS- The duplicates can be eliminated by creating the Groups

    Q- What is a prompt?

    A prompt is an end users object which allows you to select the values or enter the values to restrict the data displayed in the report.

    A report element that asks for parameter values before the report is run.

    A Prompt is known as dynamic filter.

    Prompt can be created using Parameters enclosed between ? marks.

    Ex :- ?prompt?

    Q- What are the types of Prompts?

    The following are the types of prompts:

    1. Text box Prompt

    2. Value Prompt

    3. Select and Search Prompt

    4. Date Prompt

    5. Time Prompt

    6. Date and time Prompt.

    Q- How many 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 page.

    Q-What is a Non-reusable prompt?

    The prompts that are created in the report environment are called as Non-reusable prompts.

    Q- What is a cascading prompt?

    A prompt that uses values from a previous prompt to filter the values in the current prompt or Pick list.

    Q- How many ways we can create Cascading Prompt?

    A Cascading Prompt can be developed in a two different ways.

    1. Single select and auto submit cascading prompt.

    2. Multi select and Re-prompt button cascading prompt.

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    Q-What kind of relationship is required for cascading prompt?

    ANS- To develop the cascading prompt the relationship between the dimensional query Items should be 1 to many (1: M).

    Q- What is a filter?

    A filter is a condition, which restricts the amount of data displayed in the report.

    Q-What is Detailed Filter?

    ANS- If the filter is applied before aggregation known as aggregated records are filtered. (Detailed Records are filtered)

    Q- What is Summary Filter?

    ANS- If the filter applied after aggregation than aggregated records are filtered.

    Q- What is Group Filter?

    ANS- A filter which is applied to the group is known as Group Filter.

    Q- Define Sorting:

    ANS- Sorts the data in the following 2 directions

    1. Ascending

    2. Descending

    The default sort is dont sort.

    Q- Define the Custom Group:

    ANS- A custom group allows you to compare one element in the attribute with remaining all elements with in the same attribute.

    It is defined for comparative analyses.

    It allows comparing one element with remaining all.

    Q- How the pages of a single report delivered to the browser?

    ANS- Based on the order of the pages add to the report.

    Q- In How many file formats we can export Report Data.

    ANS- The data can be exported into the following file formats

    1. PDF format (Portable Document Format)

    2. CSV Format (Comma Separated Value)

    3. XML Format

    Q- Use of Header and Footer in Reports?

    ANS- Headers and Footers allow you to format the report and present the data in a readable format.

    Q- Can you convert list to Cross tab report?

    ANS- Yes, to gain a different perspective on your data, you can convert a list report into a cross tab report.

    Note: To convert list to cross tab report minimum 3 report items required.

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    Q- Can you converting to repeater?

    ANS- Only a list report can be converted into a repeater. You cannot convert a cross tab or chart into a repeater.

    Q- What is a Calculation?

    According to the report requirement a calculation needs to be done using an object known as calculation object this process is known as OLAP

    Scrubbing.

    Q- What are the types of Calculations?

    There are three types of Calculations:-

    1. Detail:- Calculation is performed for non-aggregated (Detail) records

    2. Group: - Calculation is performed for aggregated records.

    3. Layout Calculation: - Calculation is performed to develop customized report titles, page No, etc...

    Q- To get the possible outcomes what types of variables you use?

    ANS-Boolean variable: If there are only two possible outcomes, where the value 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 values are different languages.

    Q-What is Master detail relationship?

    ANS- A Master detail relationship allows you to merge a Master query and Detail query.

    To link the Master query and the Detailed query there should be a common column between the query.

    A Master detail report provides navigation form summary to detail.

    Q- What is Drill Through?

    ANS- A Drill Through allows you to navigate the information from summery to detail.

    A Drill Through id developed with two reports

    1. Parent Report which contains Summary Data.

    2. Child Report which contains Detailed Data.

    Their should be a common column between the two reports.

    Q- Define Cross Tab Report:

    Ans- Design a Cross Tab Report for comparative analysis. Cross tab report is created with 3 drop zones.

    1. Row

    2. Column

    3. Measure

    Q- What all the types of Cross Tab layouts Cognos Report Net supports?

    Ans- Cognos Report net supports only Basic and Nested Cross Tab layouts.

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    Q- Define a chart:

    ANS- A Chart is a graphical presentation of business data.

    A chart Report is designed for comparative Analysis.

    Q-What are the different types of charts?

    1. Column chart

    2. Bar Chart

    3. Pie Chart

    4. Line Chart

    5. Area Chart

    6. Point Chart

    7. Radar Chart

    Q-Define Collapse Group:

    ANS- It will suppress (hide) the details of a grouped report.

    Q- Define Expand Group:

    ANS- It restores the details. A report needs to be designed with group.

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    Query Studio

    Q- What is Query Studio?

    ANS- Query Studio is the adhoc querying tool.

    Q- What is a adhoc report?

    ANS- An adhoc report is a simple report or one-time report that is outside the set of standard reports you may have available to you.

    A design time environment acts as a runtime environment.

    Its also known as self service.

    Q- What is measure?

    ANS- A query item that contains values that can be aggregated to produce meaningful results. For example, product costs can be treated as a

    measure because average and total costs have some meaning, but product codes, though numbers, are not usually treated the same way. Measures

    are quantitative performance indicators.

    Measures give the numbers that usually appear in the cells of cross tab reports or in the numbers of a chart.

    Measures are also known as facts.

    Q-How Grand totals and Sub totals are generated in Query Studio?

    ANS- In Query Studio the footer summaries (Grand Totals) are automatically generated for measures.

    The sub totals can be generated by creating the Groups.

    Q-Define layout:

    In reporting, layout defines the appearance of the report, including formatting, style, and design.

    In report specifications, layout is also the name of an element that defines how the data returned by queries is presented.

    IBM Cognos FAQs

    Q- Cognos 8

    ANS- Cognos ReportNet with enhancements + EP7 series.

    Q- Which server tire is responsible for transforming information to Cognos 8 Application Server?

    ANS- A Web server contains one or more web gateways which is responsible for transforming the information from one server to an

    appropriate server.( Cognos 8 Application Server) .

    Q- Which Server Tire processes the users request?

    ANS- Application Tire server, Its a main server which process users request.

    Q- What is the role of Data Tire?

    ANS- Data tire contains content store and data source.

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    Q- What is content store?

    The database that contains all data that ReportNet needs to operate, such as

    Report specifications, published models, and the packages that contain them

    Connection information for data sources

    Information about the external namespace, and the Cognos namespace itself

    Information about scheduling and bursting reports

    Design models and log files are not stored in the content store.

    The ReportNet service that uses the content store is named Content Manager.

    Q-What the gateways Cognos web server supports?

    ANS- CGI (Common Gateway Interface):- This is the default gateway supported to all web servers.

    ISAPI (Internet service Application Programming Interface):- Use this gateway for Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) web server.

    Apache-Mod :- This gateway is used for Apache Web Server.

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    Report Studio

    Q- What are enhancements in list report in Cognos 8 Report Studio?

    ANS- A list report is enhanced with following features:

    1. Can apply List column Title Style

    2. Can apply list column Body Style

    3. Can apply the table Style

    Q- What are enhancements in cross tab report in Cognos 8?

    ANS- A Cross tab report is enhanced with following features:

    a. Can create the union Cross tabs.

    b. Can create headers and footers for a cross tab.

    c. List like cross tab.

    Q- What are enhancements in Chart report in Cognos 8?

    ANS- A Chart report is enhanced with following features:

    1. The following new charts are add

    a. Gauge Charts

    b. 3D point chart

    c. By polar axis charts (used for Bio-technology).

    2. The chart can be applied with patterns, Fonts, Colors.

    3. Can perform drill on chart.

    4.Now we can create map reports which includes Geographical information and compares the business with various geographies.

    Q- What is Prompt Cache?

    When a report contain a prompt executes a prompt queries the data from database at very first time and stores the results in prompt cache.

    Analysis Studio

    Q- What is Analyses studio?

    In analyses studio users can explore analyses and compare dimensional data. Use Analyses studio to read the data from multiple dimensional

    structures known as Cubes.

    Q- What are report Analyses Studio supports?

    Analyses studio supports only cross tab, charts.

    Q- What is Cube?

    A physical data source containing a multidimensional representation of data. A cube contains information organized into dimensions and

    optimized to provide faster retrieval and navigation in reports.

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    Query Studio

    Q- What are enhancements in Cognos 8 Query Studio?

    1. Formatting :- Now query studio allows you to format the report with font, colors, and border styles.

    2. Conditional Formatting :- The data in the report can be formatted based on given condition this allows you to quickly identify the data for

    faster analyses.

    3. Applying Templates :-Templates can be created in report studio which can be applied to the reports created in Query Studio.

    4. Improved Filtering :- Query Studio allows you to create more advanced filters using logical operators. AND or OR.

    5. Query Data from OLAP sources (cube) :- Now Query Studio supports in reading the data from multi-dimensional structures known as

    Cubes.

    6. Supports Hierarchy Levels :- Since Query studio reads the data from Cube which is defined with hierarchy levels it supports multi-

    dimensional analyses. (Drill Up, Drill Down, Drill Across).

    Q- What is Conditional format?

    ANS- The data in the report can be formatted based on given condition this allows you to quickly identify the data for faster analyses.

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    Metric Studio Application

    Q- A set of metric types, metrics, and scorecards that monitor the performance of an organization.

    ANS- Each organization may have several Metric Studio applications monitoring distinct units, such as operating companies or divisions that

    have different user communities, metric types or reporting calendars.

    Q- Define Metric designer?

    ANS- Its a Cognos 8 modeling tool use to create extracts for using Cognos 8 score cording applications.

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    Transformer

    Q- What is Transformer in Cognos 8?

    ANS- Its a modeling tool for creating the Power Cubes for use with Cognos EP7 series and Cognos 8.

    Q- What is a Power Cube?

    ANS- A file that contains data that is structured to provide for fast retrieval and exploration of data in Power Play.

    Q- What is the role of Transformer?

    ANS- Transformer is used to create dimensional models and also create cubes.

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    Event Studio

    Q- Define Event Studio:

    ANS- Use the event studio to perform the tasks when the business event occurs.

    When an event occur people are alerted to take actions.

    Q- Define burst:

    ANS- To create many report results by running a single report once. For example, you can create a report that shows sales for each employee, and

    run it once, sending different results to regional managers by bursting on region.

    You set up bursting in Report Studio and enable it in the portal.

    Q- What is a report?

    ANS- A set of data deliberately laid out to communicate business information. Depending on the context, "report" may refer to report

    specification or report output.

    Report (more precisely, report specification) is the generic term for the objects created by edited by Query Studio, Report Studio, and Analysis

    Studio.

    Q-What is Report specification?

    ANS- The definition of queries, prompts, layouts, and styles that make up a report. A report specification is combined with data by a run

    operation to create report outputs. You create report specifications by using Report Studio, Query Studio, Analysis Studio, or through the

    Software

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    Development Kit.

    Q- Define report output?

    ANS- A report output combines data at the point in time when the report was run with a report specification. It is a document that can be

    displayed, printed or emailed. Cognos 8 can produce report outputs in HTML, PDF, Excel, or CSV formats.

    Q- Define Content Manager:

    ANS- The Cognos 8 service that manages the storage of customer applications, including application-specific security, configuration data,

    models, metrics, reports, and report output.

    Content Manager is needed to publish models, retrieve or store report specifications, manage scheduling information, and manage the Cognos

    namespace.

    Q- What is data source?

    A relational database, dimensional cube, file, or other physical data store that can be accessed though Cognos 8.

    Q- Define data tree:

    Within a studio, contains objects such as query subjects, query items, dimensions, levels, and members. A data tree is used as a palette of theavailable data that can be inserted into calculations, filters, display areas, and other authoring gestures.

    Q- Define drill down:

    The act of navigating from one level of data to a more detailed level. The levels are set by the structure of the data.

    Q- Define drill up:

    The act of navigating from one level of data to a less detailed level. The levels are set by the structure of the data.

    Q- What is hierarchy?

    A hierarchy represents a collection of dimensional members organized into a tree structure, with each member having one or more parent

    members and an arbitrary number of child members.

    The root of a hierarchy has no parent, and leaf members of a hierarchy have no children.

    Q- What is layout?

    In reporting, layout defines the appearance of the report, including formatting, style, and design.

    In report specifications, layout is the portion of the specification that defines how the data returned by queries is presented.

    Q- Define level:

    A level is a set of members that have common attributes. For example, a geographical dimension might contain levels for country, region, and

    city. Levels are used to define the structure of hierarchies in a dimension.

    Q- What is member?

    A member is a unique item within a level. For example, Camping Equipment and Golf Equipment are members of the Product Line level.

    Q- Define locale:

    A code that is used to set the language or dialect used for browsers, report text, and so on; and the regional preferences, such as formats for time,

    date, money, money expressions, and time of day.

    For Cognos products, you can specify a locale for the product interface (product locale) and for the data in the report (content locale).

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    Q- Define multidimensional expression language (MDX):

    An abbreviation for multidimensional expression language, MDX is the multidimensional equivalent of SQL. Cognos 8 allows report authors to

    type in their queries using MDX expressions in Report Studio for dimensional data sources.

    Q-Use of repeater:

    In Report Studio, a cell container that repeats values within itself with no predefined internal structure.

    Q-Define Repeater table:

    In Report Studio, a table-like container that repeats cells across and down the page for row in the associated query.

    Q- What is template?

    A reusable reports layout or style that can be used to set the presentation of a query or report.

    Q- Define work area:

    The area within a studio that contains the report, analysis, query or agent currently being used.

    Q-What is a Hot File?

    A separate local data table that can be added to your catalog or used in the report as a data source and as if it is a regular database table. A Hot

    File can be joined either with a database table or with another Hot File itself.

    Q-What is Impromptu?

    Impromptu is a windows based powerful interactive query and reporting tool that lets you query data and create sophisticated reports in a easy

    to- use and sophisticated desktop and interface.

    Q- What is the difference b/w macros and prompt?

    Macro is a dynamic object which is used to substitute the values at query run time.

    Prompt is a report element that asks for values before the report is run.

    Q- What is a Cube size?

    Cube size is not static. it can be defined according to Project but we can create up to 2GB

    Q- What is refreshing of cube and how can we do it?

    Refreshing a cube means getting the latest records from content store. we have an option to refresh cube.

    Q- what is meant by dash boards/flash cards?

    Dash Board reports are used to create many reports in one report.

    Q-What is the usage of html object in tools box?

    By using HTML object, We can insert multimedia file into report. At the run time we can see the file multimedia file.

    Q-How can we use conditional blocks?

    Conditional Blocks adds an empty block that you can use for conditional formatting. You can hide and show report elements.

    Q-What is cube group?

    Set of similar cubes built by Transformer.

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    Q-What is burst reporting?

    Burst reporting means sending a single report to multiple recipients using Cognos connection.

    Q-What is Level Span?

    Level Span is used to avoid 1:1 relationship.