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What is Oracle Financials? Oracle Financials products provide organizations with

solutions to a wide range of long- and short-term accounting system issues.
Regardless of the size of the business, Oracle Financials can meet accounting
management demands with:

• • • • • • • • • •

Oracle Assets: Ensures that an organization's property and equipment investment is

accurate and that the correct asset tax accounting strategies are chosen. Oracle
General Ledger: Offers a complete solution to journal entry, budgeting,
allocations, consolidation, and financial reporting needs. Oracle Inventory: Helps
an organization make better inventory decisions by minimizing stock and maximizing
cash flow. Oracle Order Entry: Provides organizations with a sophisticated order
entry system for managing customer commitments. Oracle Payables: Lets an
organization process more invoices with fewer staff members and tighter controls.
Helps save money through maximum discounts, bank float, and prevention of
duplicate payment. Oracle Personnel: Improves the management of employee- related
issues by retaining and making available every form of personnel data. Oracle
Purchasing: Improves buying power, helps negotiate bigger discounts, eliminates
paper flow, increases financial controls, and increases productivity. Oracle
Receivables:. Improves cash flow by letting an organization process more payments
faster, without off-line research. Helps correctly account for cash, reduce
outstanding receivables, and improve collection effectiveness. Oracle Revenue
Accounting Gives an organization timely and accurate revenue and flexible
commissions reporting. Oracle Sales Analysis: Allows for better forecasting,
planning. and reporting of sales information.

What is the most important module in Oracle Financials? The General Ledger (GL)
module is the basis for all other Oracle Financial modules. All other modules
provide information to it. If you implement Oracle Financials, you should switch
your current GL system first.GL is relatively easy to implement. You should go
live with it first to give your implementation team a chance to be familiar with
Oracle Financials. What is the MultiOrg and what is it used for? MultiOrg or
Multiple Organizations Architecture allows multiple operating units and their
relationships to be defined within a single installation of Oracle Applications.
This keeps each operating unit's transaction data separate and secure. Use the
following query to determine if MultiOrg is intalled: select multi_org_flag from
fnd_product_groups; What is the difference between Fields and FlexFields? A field
is a position on a form that one uses to enter, view, update, or delete
information. A field prompt describes each field by telling what kind of
information appears in the field, or alternatively, what kind of information
should be entered in the field. A flexfield is an Oracle Applications field made
up of segments. Each segment has an assigned name and a set of valid values.
Oracle Applications uses flexfields to capture information about your
organization. There are two types of flexfields: key flexfields and descriptive
flexfields.
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Where can one get more info about Oracle Apps?

• • • • • • •

This FAQ: Oracle Applications Scripts Oracle Applications Home Page Oracle AppsNet
Oracle Applications Users Group ITtoolbox Portal for Oracle (formerly
OracleAssist) Oracle Applications 10.7 NCA Documentation Library The ERP SuperSite

1. How do I find the list of responsibility assigned to menu. Just the table name
will do ? There are two views are involved in this case 1) FND_RESPONSIBILITY_VL
2) FND_MENUS_VL First you have to find the menu_id of the menu from FND_MENUS_VL
Then you have to search in the FND_RESPONSIBILITY_VL with the condition of menu_id
The query goes like this SELECT responsibility_name FROM FND_RESPONSIBILITY_VL
WHERE menu_id = (SELECT menu_id FROM FND_MENUS_VL WHERE user_menu_name LIKE
'%MENU_NAME%') 2. How many user is using the given menu ?What is the table name to
identify he above relations.

The Table to identiy is FND_USER_RESP_GROUPS. From this table, you can get the
User_id and then map it with the FND_USER table to get the user name 3. Relation
between the menu and form. What is the table name maintain this relation.

4. Can any one tell how many Key FlexFields are there in Oracle Applications and
there names with Module name. Run This qury: SELECT fat.application_name,
fif.id_flex_name FROM fnd_id_flexs fif JOIN fnd_application_tl fat ON
fat.application_id = fif.application_id AND fat.language = 'US' ORDER BY
fat.application_name 1. 1.i Suppliers There is more than one account for the same
supplier, which one do I choose? Check the supplier site addresses and choose the
supplier whose site address matches your invoice address. If none of them match
your invoice then ask DP section to create a new site. If all
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the supplier accounts have the same site addresses then choose the Supplier with
the lowest number. We are in the process of merging all the multiple accounts into
one. 1.ii I cannot find a supplier or an employee on the database Please send
details of the supplier or employee to DP section. Minimum details required are as
follows: • Name and full address • If an individual please confirm if the person
is an employee or not • Standard forms for full supplier set-up can be obtained
from DP section. 2. 2.i Batch Headers How to print batch headers • • • • 2.ii
Select the batch header you want to print by clicking on Query, and Find. Then
enter the batch number you require and click on the Find button The system brings
up the batch details Confirm that you have the right folder open ie UCL BATCH
HEADER Click on the Action menu and then click Print A copy of the batch header
would be printed on your printer

Can I adjust or delete batch header details? • • You can add invoices to a batch
at any time You can change the invoice type on the batch header after entering
invoices against a batch and the new invoice type will default onto new invoices
entered after the change. Changing the batch header does not affect invoices
entered before the change You can delete an invoice from a batch at any time
before the invoice has been approved. See 5.i You cannot delete an invoice batch
that contains invoices. If you want to delete an invoice batch, you must delete
the invoices in the batch first. See 5.i

• • 3. 3.i

Grant related Invoice Distributions I am unable to post an expense claim to a

grant Please check that you have used the standard invoice type and not expense
report type. If you have used the wrong invoice type then you would have to delete
the invoice and re-enter the invoice. See 5.i I am unable to enter a grant
distribution against a 6P … expenditure type because the system is requesting for
a valid quantity Please enter the expenditure amount in the quantity field.

3.ii

3.iii

I wish to enter a distribution against a grant code but the system is requesting
for an expenditure Item date In this case you are trying to enter an expense
against a completed grant. Please confirm the completion date of the grant and
enter a date on or before the grant completion date. You can confirm the date as
follows: • Select the grant field • Click on the picklist button on the toolbar or
press CTRL+F11 • Enter the grant code and click the Find button The system would
then bring up brief details about the grant. • Scroll to the right to view the
grant completion date.
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3.iv

I have entered my distributions against grant codes and the system generated
account codes are different from the grant codes that I entered? The grants were
set-up to map to control accounts in the general ledger. The account codes for
these control accounts are different from the grant codes that you have entered.
See further details on COA Philosophy document on the NewFis website

4. 4.i

VAT Distributions How do I confirm that the VAT amount is correct before the first
level approval process is run? After entering all your distribution lines, •
Select Special on the menu options at the top of the window. • Choose Generate VAT
distributions. The system then comes up with a note indicating that VAT is being
calculated, click OK on the box and wait for the system to complete the process by
bringing up the VAT lines and updating the distribution total. • Check that your
Invoice total agree with the distribution total, if not then make the necessary
changes as described in section 4.ii below.

4.ii

System calculated VAT amount does not agree with the invoice VAT amount due to
rounding differences or insignificant arithmetical errors on Supplier invoices
Manually change the system calculated VAT amount on the VAT distribution line to
agree with the invoice VAT amount.

4.iii

5. 5.i

Most of our expenses are VAT recoverable, and I am not sure of the VAT codes to
use Recoverability is now defined at the account code level. The code to enter is
the one that corresponds with the VAT rate on your invoice. Please find further
details on the VAT overview document on the Newfis website. Adjusting and deleting
invoices and invoice distributions How do I delete an invoice if I have made an
error? If invoice is unapproved (first level approval has not been done) • • • •
Ensure that you are on the invoices window and the cursor is on the invoice line
that you wish to delete Click on the red X button on your toolbar Click OK on the
delete message box. Once the deletion is completed save your work.

5.i.i

5.i.ii

If invoice is approved ie after 1st or secondary level approval An approved

Invoice cannot be deleted because funds have already been committed against the
invoice during the approval process. However, the system would allow you to cancel
the invoice.

5.ii

How do I cancel an invoice that has been approved? • • Navigate to the invoices
window Select the invoice to be cancelled. Please note that if you wish to re-
enter the invoice it is advised that you add A to the number of the invoice to be
cancelled and then re-enter the invoice with the number as written on the Supplier
invoice. This is necessary because the system would not allow you to enter the
same number twice for the same supplier. On your invoices screen, click on the
Actions..1 button and this brings up the Actions wndow. On the Actions window
click on the Cancel Invoice check box Click OK and click OK to the messages that
come up during the cancellation process. Once the process have been completed save
your work

• • • •
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5.iii

I have entered an expense claim with the wrong invoice type, how do I correct this
error Delete the invoice and re-enter it with the standard invoice type.

5.iv

I How can I amend input errors on my distribution window • Before approval

Purchase order matched distributions cannot be adjusted but can be reversed and
the correcting entries entered on a new distribution line. Distribution details
that are not generated from purchase orders can be changed or deleted before the
first level approval stage. Follow the procedure for adjusting invoices and
remember to save your work . • After first Level Approval

5.v 6. 6.i

Distributions cannot be amended or deleted once they have been approved. The
system would only allow you to reverse the entries by clicking on the Reverse …1
button. Please see the invoice adjustment chart at the end of this document.
Invoice Approval After running the batch approval process, how do I confirm that
all the invoices in the batch have been approved? • The batch approval process
normally takes a few minutes to run. The time it takes depend on the number of
entries in the batch and how busy the system is. Please wait a few minutes before
checking that all the invoices in your batch have been approved. After waiting for
a few minutes you may open the invoices window of the batch and click on Query,
then Run. This refreshes the screen and you may then check if your invoices have
been approved by reviewing the holds placed on them. Another alternative is to
view your requests by carrying out the following: i. Click on the help menu and
select View My Request and the Find request window comes up. ii. Click on the Find
button and this takes you to the Requests window. iii. On the Requests window
click on the refresh data button and the system would bring up all your
outstanding requests and show the status of your requests ie whether it is
pending, running or completed. If not completed click refresh again after a few
minutes and click again until completed.

•
6.ii

If you process large volumes of batches then it is advisable to print the Invoice
on Hold report once or twice a day instead of checking batches individually. See
page 45 of your AP training documentation for guidance on how to print reports. I
have approved my invoices but don't know where they have gone for secondary
approval? Invoices are automatically available for all authorised signatories in
your Department once the First Level approval is carried out. You do not need to
send them to anyone for approval. An invoice was not approved in my batch of 10
invoices. Does this stop the rest from being processed further? No General advice
It is advisable that you print out or review the Invoice on Hold Report at the end
of every day to ensure that all your invoices were successfully entered. You may
approve more than one batch at a time. To do this • Navigate to the Invoice
batches window
6.iii

7. 7.i 7.ii
Page 6 of 259

• • • 7.iii

Press the SHIFT key and then click on the invoice batches that you wish to
approve. The batches would become highlighted in blue and the Approve button would
indicate the number of batches that you have highlighted Lift your finger off the
shift key and then click on the approve button The system would ask you to confirm
the number of batches to be approved. Click OK

The on screen 'help' is very useful and provides the following information: •
Window help: topics relating to the window you are working on • Keyboard help : A
list of keyboard shortcuts • View My Request : Confirm the status of your requests
• About this Record: Details of who created a record and when it was created
Page 7 of 259

The Invoice document is used to bill the Buyer for services and/or products
delivered by the Seller. Credit is the means by which we are able to obtain
immediate benefit of goods or services upon the promise of payment at a future
date.
Page 8 of 259

Buyer

R e c o n c ile in v o ic e

C r e a t e in v o ic e re s p o n s e

G e n e ra te paym ent

In v o ic e

In v o ic e

Marketplace

In v o ic e R esponse N Is s u e r e s o lu tio n m a y ta k e p la c e v ia p h o
n e , e m a il, e tc .

Supplier

M a y in c lu d e in fo r m a tio n fr o m fie ld tic k e t( s ) a n d a n y th ir

d p a r ty c h a rg e s

C r e a te in v o ic e

P ro c e s s in v o ic e re s p o n s e

D is p u te d ite m s ?

R e s o lv e is s u e s a n d re c re a te in v o ic e

Credit memo: When you want to adjust an invoice, document issued by the vendor to
record an adjustment against an invoice. Description The supplier presents to the
customer for the ordered or delivered, received or consumed goods or services a
detailed invoice. The customer disputes the invoice and works with supplier to
resolve issue. If any discrepancy is found, the customer shall start the process
to treat incorrect invoices. Once Supplier and Customer agree upon the nature of
the dispute, Supplier issues a credit memo to correct the problem. Buyer receives
credit memo, reconciles with order and contract information and issues payment.
Negative = Credit Positive = Debit

Verify its correctness.

o o o o o

Note the reason for the credit if it is not clear on the credit memo itself
Indicate the account and center where the credit should be applied. Forward all
credits to Accounts Payable immediately so that the credit can be applied to your
cost center and deducted from the next payment to the vendor. DO NOT HOLD CREDITS
IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR ANY REASON. Accounts Payable will apply the credit against
any open invoices in the system. Make a copy for your records.

Debit memo: Negative amount invoice created by us and sent to supplier to

notifying him about the credit we are recording. AP is divided in to 2
workbenches. Invoice workbench Payable workbench We usually enter supplier invoice
either in Invoice workbench or quick invoice window.
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Invoice workbench: Contains: • Invoice Batch window • Invoice window •

Distribution window • Other associated windows When to use: • Incase of complex
invoices or invoices that requires online validation. • When an invoice requires
immediate action. Quick invoice window: • Used for quick high volume invoice entry
for invoices that don’t requires extensive validation. After entry just import
into payable system, validation and defaulting will occur during import. For more
see page 342 of Oracle payables.pdf Invoice distribution: It allocates total
invoice allowance to various expense or asset accounts. Expanse Reports: Invoice
Creation: Invoice Distributions: Account: Company have different COA so follow
that hierarchy for each set of item. Accounting Date: Date when we are planning to
post it to GL ie. GL Date. Payments: Record: Manual payments(checks,wire) which
are made out of OP and they will be recorded in Op and update the invoice for
which you have paid. Computer Generated: Combined: Payment: Lookup: It is a
predefined values used as a LOV. In some fields we select a value from a
predefined set of values, In some cases we have defined them in the setup windows
such as supplier name,payment terms or tax codes. Other predefined set of values
are Lookup codes. Lookup Category Lookup type ex. Invoice type Allowed values
are called Lookup names. Ex. Standard, Debit memo, Credit ,memo, Prepayment. For a
lookup type we can define upto 250 Lookup names. Navigation: Setup Lookups For
more details see Developer’s Guide pg. 58. Distribution Sets: It is a predefined
set of distribution for a repeated or a same set of distribution form a supplier.
We can either link it to supplier site or we can link it to the invoice. There are
2 types of distribution sets. Full Distribution Sets: We will define % amount of
the invoice to each distribution line and sum of all lines must be either 0 or
100. We can enter –ve % values. Skeleton Distribution Sets: Leave the % field as 0
so that at the time of invoice creation you ca enter amount in different
distribution lines. For more details see Developer’s Guide pg. 63.
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Purchase document: Use Bank window to define internal bank branch from which you
disburse payments. For each bank account we can define payment document for check,
EFT, EDI or wire transfer and other payment methods.

Oracle Interview Questions and Answers : SQL 1. To see current user name Sql> show
user; 2. Change SQL prompt name SQL> set sqlprompt “Manimara > “ Manimara >
Manimara > 3. Switch to DOS prompt SQL> host 4. How do I eliminate the duplicate
rows ? SQL> delete from table_name where rowid not in (select max(rowid) from
table group by duplicate_values_field_name); or SQL> delete
duplicate_values_field_name dv from table_name ta where rowid <(select min(rowid)
from table_name tb where ta.dv=tb.dv); Example. Table Emp Empno Ename 101 Scott
102 Jiyo 103 Millor 104 Jiyo 105 Smith delete ename from emp a where rowid <
( select min(rowid) from emp b where a.ename = b.ename); The output like, Empno
Ename 101 Scott 102 Millor 103 Jiyo 104 Smith 5. How do I display row number with
records? To achive this use rownum pseudocolumn with query, like SQL> SQL> select
rownum, ename from emp; Output: 1 Scott 2 Millor 3 Jiyo 4 Smith 6. Display the
records between two range select rownum, empno, ename from emp where rowid in
(select rowid from emp where rownum <=&upto minus select rowid from emp where
rownum<&Start); Enter value for upto: 10 Enter value for Start: 7 ROWNUM EMPNO
ENAME --------- --------- ---------1 7782 CLARK 2 7788 SCOTT 3 7839 KING 4 7844
TURNER 7. I know the nvl function only allows the same data type(ie. number or
char or date Nvl(comm, 0)), if commission is null then the text “Not Applicable”
want to display, instead of blank space. How do I write the query? SQL> select
nvl(to_char(comm.),'NA') from emp;
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Output : NVL(TO_CHAR(COMM),'NA') ----------------------NA 300 500 NA 1400 NA NA 8.

Oracle cursor : Implicit & Explicit cursors Oracle uses work areas called private
SQL areas to create SQL statements. PL/SQL construct to identify each and every
work are used, is called as Cursor. For SQL queries returning a single row, PL/SQL
declares all implicit cursors. For queries that returning more than one row, the
cursor needs to be explicitly declared. 9. Explicit Cursor attributes There are
four cursor attributes used in Oracle cursor_name%Found, cursor_name%NOTFOUND,
cursor_name%ROWCOUNT, cursor_name%ISOPEN 10. Implicit Cursor attributes Same as
explicit cursor but prefixed by the word SQL SQL%Found, SQL%NOTFOUND,
SQL%ROWCOUNT, SQL%ISOPEN Tips : 1. Here SQL%ISOPEN is false, because oracle
automatically closed the implicit cursor after executing SQL statements. : 2. All
are Boolean attributes. 11. Find out nth highest salary from emp table SELECT
DISTINCT (a.sal) FROM EMP A WHERE &N = (SELECT COUNT (DISTINCT (b.sal)) FROM EMP B
WHERE a.sal<=b.sal); Enter value for n: 2 SAL --------3700 12. To view installed
Oracle version information SQL> select banner from v$version; 13. Display the
number value in Words SQL> select sal, (to_char(to_date(sal,'j'), 'jsp')) from
emp; the output like, SAL (TO_CHAR(TO_DATE(SAL,'J'),'JSP')) ---------
----------------------------------------------------800 eight hundred 1600 one
thousand six hundred 1250 one thousand two hundred fifty If you want to add some
text like, Rs. Three Thousand only. SQL> select sal "Salary ", (' Rs. '||
(to_char(to_date(sal,'j'), 'Jsp'))|| ' only.')) "Sal in Words" from emp / Salary
Sal in Words ------- -----------------------------------------------------800 Rs.
Eight Hundred only. 1600 Rs. One Thousand Six Hundred only. 1250 Rs. One Thousand
Two Hundred Fifty only. 14. Display Odd/ Even number of records Odd number of
records: select * from emp where (rowid,1) in (select rowid, mod(rownum,2) from
emp); 1 3 5 Even number of records: select * from emp where (rowid,0) in (select
rowid, mod(rownum,2) from emp) 2
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4 6 15. Which date function returns number value? months_between 16. Any three
PL/SQL Exceptions? Too_many_rows, No_Data_Found, Value_Error, Zero_Error, Others
17. What are PL/SQL Cursor Exceptions? Cursor_Already_Open, Invalid_Cursor 18.
Other way to replace query result null value with a text SQL> Set NULL ‘N/A’ to
reset SQL> Set NULL ‘’ 19. What are the more common pseudo-columns? SYSDATE, USER
, UID, CURVAL, NEXTVAL, ROWID, ROWNUM 20. What is the output of SIGN function? 1
for positive value, 0 for Zero, -1 for Negative value. 21. What is the maximum
number of triggers, can apply to a single table? 12 triggers. PL/SQL Basiscs of
PL/SQL 1. What is PL/SQL ? PL/SQL is a procedural language that has both
interactive SQL and procedural programming language constructs such as iteration,
conditional branching. 2. What is the basic structure of PL/SQL ? PL/SQL uses
block structure as its basic structure. Anonymous blocks or nested blocks can be
used in PL/SQL. 3. What are the components of a PL/SQL block ? A set of related
declarations and procedural statements is called block. 4. What are the components
of a PL/SQL Block ? Declarative part, Executable part and Execption part.
Datatypes PL/SQL 5. What are the datatypes a available in PL/SQL ? Some scalar
data types such as NUMBER, VARCHAR2, DATE, CHAR, LONG, BOOLEAN. Some composite
data types such as RECORD & TABLE. 6. What are % TYPE and % ROWTYPE ? What are the
advantages of using these over datatypes? % TYPE provides the data type of a
variable or a database column to that variable. % ROWTYPE provides the record type
that represents a entire row of a table or view or columns selected in the cursor.
The advantages are : I. Need not know about variable's data type ii. If the
database definition of a column in a table changes, the data type of a variable
changes accordingly. 7. What is difference between % ROWTYPE and TYPE RECORD ?
Page 13 of 259

% ROWTYPE is to be used whenever query returns a entire row of a table or view.

TYPE rec RECORD is to be used whenever query returns columns of different table or
views and variables. E.g. TYPE r_emp is RECORD (eno emp.empno% type,ename emp
ename %type ); e_rec emp% ROWTYPE cursor c1 is select empno,deptno from emp; e_rec
c1 %ROWTYPE. 8. What is PL/SQL table ? Objects of type TABLE are called "PL/SQL
tables", which are modelled as (but not the same as) database tables, PL/SQL
tables use a primary PL/SQL tables can have one column and a primary key. Cursors
9. What is a cursor ? Why Cursor is required ? Cursor is a named private SQL area
from where information can be accessed. Cursors are required to process rows
individually for queries returning multiple rows. 10. Explain the two type of
Cursors ? There are two types of cursors, Implict Cursor and Explicit Cursor.
PL/SQL uses Implict Cursors for queries. User defined cursors are called Explicit
Cursors. They can be declared and used. 11. What are the PL/SQL Statements used in
cursor processing ? DECLARE CURSOR cursor name, OPEN cursor name, FETCH cursor
name INTO or Record types, CLOSE cursor name. 12. What are the cursor attributes
used in PL/SQL ? %ISOPEN - to check whether cursor is open or not % ROWCOUNT -
number of rows fetched/updated/deleted. % FOUND - to check whether cursor has
fetched any row. True if rows are fetched. % NOT FOUND - to check whether cursor
has fetched any row. True if no rows are fetched. These attributes are proceded
with SQL for Implict Cursors and with Cursor name for Explict Cursors. 13. What is
a cursor for loop ? Cursor for loop implicitly declares %ROWTYPE as loop
index,opens a cursor, fetches rows of values from active set into fields in the
record and closes when all the records have been processed. eg. FOR emp_rec IN C1
LOOP salary_total := salary_total +emp_rec sal; END LOOP; 14. What will happen
after commit statement ? Cursor C1 is Select empno, ename from emp; Begin open C1;
loop Fetch C1 into eno.ename; Exit When
Page 14 of 259

C1 %notfound;----commit; end loop; end; The cursor having query as SELECT .... FOR
UPDATE gets closed after COMMIT/ROLLBACK. The cursor having query as SELECT....
does not get closed even after COMMIT/ROLLBACK. 15. Explain the usage of WHERE
CURRENT OF clause in cursors ? WHERE CURRENT OF clause in an UPDATE,DELETE
statement refers to the latest row fetched from a cursor. Database Triggers 16.
What is a database trigger ? Name some usages of database trigger ? Database
trigger is stored PL/SQL program unit associated with a specific database table.
Usages are Audit data modificateions, Log events transparently, Enforce complex
business rules Derive column values automatically, Implement complex security
authorizations. Maintain replicate tables. 17. How many types of database triggers
can be specified on a table ? What are they ? Insert Update Delete Before Row o.k.
o.k. o.k. After Row o.k. o.k. o.k. Before Statement o.k. o.k. o.k. After Statement
o.k. o.k. o.k. If FOR EACH ROW clause is specified, then the trigger for each Row
affected by the statement. If WHEN clause is specified, the trigger fires
according to the retruned boolean value. 18. Is it possible to use Transaction
control Statements such a ROLLBACK or COMMIT in Database Trigger ? Why ? It is not
possible. As triggers are defined for each table, if you use COMMIT of ROLLBACK in
a trigger, it affects logical transaction processing. 19. What are two virtual
tables available during database trigger execution ? The table columns are
referred as OLD.column_name and NEW.column_name. For triggers related to INSERT
only NEW.column_name values only available. For triggers related to UPDATE only
OLD.column_name NEW.column_name values only available. For triggers related to
DELETE only OLD.column_name values only available. 20. What happens if a procedure
that updates a column of table X is called in a database trigger of the same table
? Mutation of table occurs. 21. Write the order of precedence for validation of a
column in a table ? I. done using Database triggers. ii. done using Integarity
Constraints. I & ii.
Page 15 of 259

Exception : 22. What is an Exception ? What are types of Exception ? Exception is

the error handling part of PL/SQL block. The types are Predefined and
user_defined. Some of Predefined execptions are. CURSOR_ALREADY_OPEN
DUP_VAL_ON_INDEX NO_DATA_FOUND TOO_MANY_ROWS INVALID_CURSOR INVALID_NUMBER
LOGON_DENIED NOT_LOGGED_ON PROGRAM-ERROR STORAGE_ERROR TIMEOUT_ON_RESOURCE
VALUE_ERROR ZERO_DIVIDE OTHERS. 23. What is Pragma EXECPTION_INIT ? Explain the
usage ? The PRAGMA EXECPTION_INIT tells the complier to associate an exception
with an oracle error. To get an error message of a specific oracle error. e.g.
PRAGMA EXCEPTION_INIT (exception name, oracle error number) 24. What is
Raise_application_error ? Raise_application_error is a procedure of package
DBMS_STANDARD which allows to issue an user_defined error messages from stored
sub-program or database trigger. 25. What are the return values of functions
SQLCODE and SQLERRM ? SQLCODE returns the latest code of the error that has
occured. SQLERRM returns the relevant error message of the SQLCODE. 26. Where the
Pre_defined_exceptions are stored ? In the standard package. Procedures, Functions
& Packages ; 27. What is a stored procedure ? A stored procedure is a sequence of
statements that perform specific function. 28. What is difference between a
PROCEDURE & FUNCTION ? A FUNCTION is alway returns a value using the return
statement. A PROCEDURE may return one or more values through parameters or may not
return at all. 29. What are advantages fo Stored Procedures /
Extensibility,Modularity, Reusability, Maintainability and one time compilation.
30. What are the modes of parameters that can be passed to a procedure ?
IN,OUT,IN-OUT parameters. 31. What are the two parts of a procedure ?
Page 16 of 259

Procedure Specification and Procedure Body. 32. Give the structure of the
procedure ? PROCEDURE name (parameter list.....) is local variable declarations
BEGIN Executable statements. Exception. exception handlers end; 33. Give the
structure of the function ? FUNCTION name (argument list .....) Return datatype is
local variable declarations Begin executable statements Exception execution
handlers End; 34. Explain how procedures and functions are called in a PL/SQL
block ? Function is called as part of an expression. sal := calculate_sal
('a822'); procedure is called as a PL/SQL statement calculate_bonus ('A822'); 35.
What is Overloading of procedures ? The Same procedure name is repeated with
parameters of different datatypes and parameters in different positions, varying
number of parameters is called overloading of procedures. e.g. DBMS_OUTPUT
put_line 36. What is a package ? What are the advantages of packages ? Package is
a database object that groups logically related procedures. The advantages of
packages are Modularity, Easier Applicaton Design, Information. Hiding,.
reusability and Better Performance. 37.What are two parts of package ? The two
parts of package are PACKAGE SPECIFICATION & PACKAGE BODY. Package Specification
contains declarations that are global to the packages and local to the schema.
Package Body contains actual procedures and local declaration of the procedures
and cursor declarations. 38. What is difference between a Cursor declared in a
procedure and Cursor declared in a package specification ? A cursor declared in a
package specification is global and can be accessed by other procedures or
procedures in a package. A cursor declared in a procedure is local to the
procedure that can not be accessed by other procedures.
Page 17 of 259

39. How packaged procedures and functions are called from the following? a. Stored
procedure or anonymous block b. an application program such a PRC *C, PRO* COBOL
c. SQL *PLUS a. PACKAGE NAME.PROCEDURE NAME (parameters); variable := PACKAGE
NAME.FUNCTION NAME (arguments); EXEC SQL EXECUTE b. BEGIN PACKAGE NAME.PROCEDURE
NAME (parameters) variable := PACKAGE NAME.FUNCTION NAME (arguments); END; END
EXEC; c. EXECUTE PACKAGE NAME.PROCEDURE if the procedures does not have any
out/in-out parameters. A function can not be called. 40. Name the tables where
characteristics of Package, procedure and functions are stored ? User_objects,
User_Source and User_error. FORMS4.0 12. what is a display item? Display items are
similar to text items but store only fetched or assigned values. Operators cannot
navigate to a display item or edit the value it contains. 13. What is a list item?
It is a list of text elements. 14. What are the display styles of list items?
Poplist, No text Item displayed in the list item. Tlist, No element in the list is
highlighted. 15. What is a radio Group? Radio groups display a fixed no of options
that are mutually Exclusive . User can select one out of n number of options. 16.
How many maximum number of radio buttons can you assign to a radio group?
Unlimited no of radio buttons can be assigned to a radio group 17. can you change
the default value of the radio button group at run time? No. 18.What triggers are
associated with the radio group? Only when-radio-changed trigger associated with
radio group Visual Attributes. 19. What is a visual attribute? Visual Attributes
are the font, color and pattern characteristics of objects that operators see and
intract with in our application. 20. What are the types of visual attribute
settings?
Page 18 of 259

Custom Visual attributes Default visual attributes Named Visual attributes. Window
21. What is a window? A window, byitself , can be thought of as an empty frame.
The frame provides a way to intract with the window, including the ability to
scroll, move, and resize the window. The content of the window ie. what is
displayed inside the frame is determined by the canvas View or canvas-views
displayed in the window at run-time. 22. What are the differrent types of windows?
Root window, secondary window. 23. Can a root window be made modal? No. 24. List
the buil-in routine for controlling window during run-time? Find_window,
get_window_property, hide_window, move_window, resize_window, set_window_property,
show_View 25. List the windows event triggers available in Forms 4.0? When-window-
activated, when-window-closed, when-window-deactivated, when-window-resized 26.
What built-in is used for changing the properties of the window dynamically?
Set_window_property Canvas-View 27. What is a canvas-view? A canvas-view is the
background object on which you layout the interface items (text-items, check
boxes, radio groups, and so on.) and boilerplate objects that operators see and
interact with as they run your form. At run-time, operators can see only those
items that have been assiged to a specific canvas. Each canvas, in term, must be
displayed in a specfic window. 28. Give the equivalent term in forms 4.0 for the
following. Page, Page 0? Page - Canvas-View Page 0 - Canvas-view null. 29. What
are the types of canvas-views? Content View, Stacked View. 30. What is the content
view and stacked view?
Page 19 of 259

A content view is the "Base" view that occupies the entire content pane of the
window in which it is displayed. A stacked view differs from a content canvas view
in that it is not the base view for the window to which it is assigned 31. List
the built-in routines for the controlling canvas views during run-time?
Find_canvas Get-Canvas_property Get_view_property Hide_View Replace_content_view
Scroll_view Set_canvas_property Set_view_property Show_view Alert 32. What is an
Alert? An alert is a modal window that displays a message notifies the operator of
some application condition 33. What are the display styles of an alert? Stop,
Caution, note 34. Can you attach an alert to a field? No 35. What built-in is used
for showing the alert during run-time? Show_alert. 36. Can you change the alert
messages at run-time? If yes, give the name of th built-in to chage the alert
messages at run-time. Yes. Set_alert_property. 37. What is the built-in function
used for finding the alert? Find_alert Editors 38. List the editors availables in
forms 4.0? Default editor User_defined editors system editors. 39. What buil-in
routines are used to display editor dynamicaly? Edit_text item show_editor Q) What
is TableSpace and Users? Tablespace is the amount of disk space you get on the
oracle database server to create tables and store
Page 20 of 259

data. Oracle users are like database users for any database server such as MySQL.
Normally, one user is sufficient to full-fill the requirements of a standard web
application. Additional users and their rights over your tablespace can be created
and modified from the end-user control panel.

Q)What is the result of comparing NULL with NULL? NULL is neither equal to NULL,
nor it is not equal to NULL. Any comparison to NULL is evaluated to NULL. Look at
this code example to convince yourself. Q) What is the difference between %TYPE
and %ROWTYPE? %ROWTYPE is used to declare a record with the same types as found in
the specified database table, view or cursor. %TYPE is used to declare a field
with the same type as that of a specified table's column. Q)What is a mutating and
constraining table? "Mutating" means "changing". A mutating table is a table that
is currently being modified by an update, delete, or insert statement. When a
trigger tries to reference a table that is in state of flux (being changed), it is
considered "mutating" and raises an error since Oracle should not return data that
has not yet reached its final state. Another way this error can occur is if the
trigger has statements to change the primary, foreign or unique key columns of the
table off which it fires. If you must have triggers on tables that have
referential constraints, the workaround is to enforce the referential integrity
through triggers as well. There are several restrictions in Oracle regarding
triggers:

• • •

A row-level trigger cannot query or modify a mutating table. (Of course, NEW and
OLD still can be accessed by the trigger) . A statement-level trigger cannot query
or modify a mutating table if the trigger is fired as the result of a CASCADE
delete. Etc.

Q)Can one pass an object/table as an argument to a remote procedure? The only way
to reference an object type between databases is via a database link. Note that it
is not enough to just use "similar" type definitions. Look at this example: --
Database A: receives a PL/SQL table from database B CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE
pcalled(TabX DBMS_SQL.VARCHAR2S) IS BEGIN -- do something with TabX from database
B null; END; /

-- Database B: sends a PL/SQL table to database A CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE

pcalling IS TabX DBMS_SQL.VARCHAR2S@DBLINK2; BEGIN pcalled@DBLINK2(TabX);
Page 21 of 259

END; / what is Pragmas ? The PRAGMA keyword is used to give instructions to the
compiler. There are four types of pragmas in PL/SQL: EXCEPTION_INIT Tells the
compiler to associate the specified error number with an identifier that has been
declared an EXCEPTION in your current program or an accessible package. See the
Section 1.10, "Exception Handling " section for more information on this pragma.
RESTRICT_REFERENCES Tells the compiler the purity level of a packaged program. The
purity level is the degree to which a program does not read/write database tables
and/or package variables. See the Section 1.15, "Calling PL/SQL Functions in SQL"
section for more information on this pragma. SERIALLY_REUSABLE Tells the runtime
engine that package data should not persist between references. This is used to
reduce per-user memory requirements when the package data is only needed for the
duration of the call and not for the duration of the session. See the Section
1.14, "Packages" section for more information on this pragma.
AUTONOMOUS_TRANSACTION (Oracle8i ) Tells the compiler that the function,
procedure, top-level anonymous PL/SQL block, object method, or database trigger
executes in its own transaction space. See the Section 1.8, "Database Interaction
and Cursors " section for more information on this pragma. Autonomous Transactions
(Oracle8i) Autonomous transactions execute within a block of code as separate
transactions from the outer (main) transaction. Changes can be committed or rolled
back in an autonomous transaction without committing or rolling back the main
transaction. Changes committed in an autonomous transaction are visible to the
main transaction, even though they occur after the start of the main transaction.
Changes committed in an autonomous transaction are visible to other transactions
as well. The RDBMS suspends the main transaction while the autonomous transaction
executes: For more info see
http://www.unix.org.ua/orelly/oracle/langpkt/ch01_08.htm Kill session: ALTER
SYSTEM KILL SESSION ‘session id’; Session id can be find from following qry select
* from v$session where machine like 'IPDOMAINK\ERPNEW_USER%'
Page 22 of 259

How to create dynamic LOV in a form? Show_lov(lov_name);

Synonym : A synonym (synonym-name) is an alias for an object (such as a table).

The object does not need to exist at the time of its creation. Synonyms can't be
used in a drop and truncate statements. If this is tried, it results in a ORA-
00942: table or view does not exist. Truncate: A statement like delete from
tablename deletes all records in the table, but it does not free any space. In
order to free the space as well, use truncate. However, truncate can not be rolled
back . truncate table table_name; truncate cluster cluster_name; The truncate
statement is not the same as the <trunc.html> statement. trunc (date) trunc (date,
'format-string')

For ER-Diagram: http://members.iinet.net.au/~lonsdale/docs/erd.pdf What is a

lookup code? A lookup code is a word or string of characters that you provide for
your event listing when it's entered into the system. This code can then be used
to quickly and easily locate the event with a database search. The code, along
with The RideShare Alliance Web site address can be passed out with organizational
documentation and advertisements to let your participants know where to find your
ridesharing page. The lookup code serves another purpose as well. When an event is
marked as private it will not come up in any database query except for the lookup
code search. This means that the event cannot be found by anyone who doesn't have
the correct code (It is possible, though unlikely, that someone could guess your
code). This feature should be viewed as a way to keep your event out of normal
search results, not as a guaranteed method of security.

Troubleshooting Database Links Each Oracle DBA knowns this story of course ...
sorry, but not every Oracle user is a DBA. One early morning your management staff
complains about missing sales data, which must be ready for the daily trend
analysis. What's happen ... nobody changed the calculation procedure during the
night ... here it is ... the database link is down. Why ... well the remote DBA
changed all passwords. This is only one of the famous database link trobleshooting
stories. Read the following article and you have less annoyance with database
links. Global Naming Oracle enforces the requirement that the database.domain
portion of the database link name must match the complete global name of the
remote database by setting GLOBAL_NAMES to TRUE in the initialization parameter
file initSID.ora. Example: Local DB is 'SOL3' (Oracle 8.1.6), remote DB is 'SOL1'
(Oracle 7.3.4) # Parameter file initSOL3.ora for Database SOL3 # ### Global Naming
### ------------# Enforce that a dblink has same name as the DB it connects to
Page 23 of 259

global_names = TRUE # Parameter file initSOL1.ora for Database SOL1 # ### Global
database name is db_name.db_domain ### ----------------------------------------
db_name = SOL1 db_domain = world Our database link points from the local database
SOL3 to the remote database SOL1. Therefore we need the global database name for
SOL1. Ask the remote database administrator for these information or connect to
SOL1 and execute the following query on SOL1: SQL> select GLOBAL_NAME from
GLOBAL_NAME; GLOBAL_NAME ----------SOL1.WORLD We found the database link name
'SOL1.WORLD' for our local database SOL3. Now connect to the local database
database SOL3 as a user, who has the privilege to create a database link and
create the following named database link to SOL1. $ sqlplus jones/lion@SOL3 SQL>
CREATE DATABASE LINK sol1.world CONNECT TO scott IDENTIFIED BY tiger using 'SOL1';
With this DB-Link, you (jones/lion) can connect to the remote database SOL1 as
user scott/tiger. This user must exist on the remote database SOL1. Test the
database link as user jones/lion from SOL3. SQL> SELECT * FROM emp@SOL1.WORLD; You
may ask, what's this strange 'SOL1' in ..... using 'SOL1' means ?. Well this is
the so called connect_string (or net_connect_string in Oracle8i). This string has
nothing common with the DB-Link name, but very often the same name is used. The
connect string must be defined in the Net8 configuration file TNSNAMES.ORA, if you
don't use Oracle Names. # # TNSNAMES.ORA for SOL3 ###############################
# SOL1.world = (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS = (COMMUNITY = tcp.world) (PROTOCOL = TCP)
(Host = saturn) (Port = 1521)) (CONNECT_DATA = (SID = SOL1) (GLOBAL_NAME =
SOL1.world) (SERVER = DEDICATED))) Well, now you understand our short story at the
beginning of this article. If the DBA on SOL1 changes scott's password to snake,
we have the disaster with our missing sales data ... poor management. External
references Oracle allows three kinds of external references to DB-links, which are
resolved as follows:
Page 24 of 259

Named Link: The username specified in the link is used. You specify the username
and password used to connect to the remote database (this database link is
sometimes called fixed user database link). CREATE DATABASE LINK sol1.world
CONNECT TO scott IDENTIFIED BY tiger USING 'sol1';

Anonymous Link: The session username is used. If you omit the CONNECT TO clause,
the database link uses the username and password of each user who is connected to
the database (this database link is sometimes called connected user database
link). CREATE DATABASE LINK sol1.world USING 'sol1';

Privileged Link: The username of the invoker is used. The current user must be a
'global' user with a valid account on the remote database for the link to succeed.
If the database link is used directly, that is, not from within a stored object,
then the current user is the same as the connected user. When executing a stored
object (such as a procedure, view, or trigger) that initiates a database link,
CURRENT_USER is the username that owns the stored object, and not the username
that called the object. For example, if the database link appears inside procedure
SCOTT.show_emp (created by SCOTT), and user JONES calls procedure SCOTT.show_emp,
the current user is SCOTT. However, if the stored object is an invoker-rights
function, procedure, or package (new in Oracle8i), the invoker's authorization ID
is used to connect as a remote user. For example, if the privileged database link
appears inside procedure SCOTT.show_emp (an invoker-rights procedure created by
SCOTT), and user JONES calls procedure SCOTT.show_emp, then CURRENT_USER is JONES
and the procedure executes with JONES's privileges. For more information on
invoker-rights functions click here CREATE DATABASE LINK sol1.world CONNECT TO
CURRENT_USER USING 'sol1';

Besides these often used DB-Links, you can create a database link as PUBLIC. Be
very careful with PUBLIC database links, they may open a door for everybody to a
remote database. We suggest, NOT TO USE public database links without
Authentication. Shared PUBLIC DB-Link with Authentication A shared PUPLIC DB-Link
with Authentication uses a single network connection to create a PUBLIC database
link that can be shared between multiple users with more security. This DB-Link is
available only with the multi-threaded server configuration. Example SQL> CREATE
SHARED PUBLIC DATABASE LINK sol1.world CONNECT TO scott IDENTIFIED BY tiger
AUTHENTICATED BY jones IDENTIFIED BY lion USING 'sol1'; The AUTHENTICATED clause
specifies the username and password (JONES/LION) on the target instance (SOL1).
This clause authenticates the user to the remote server and is required for
security. The specified username and password (JONES/LION) must be a valid
username and password on the remote instance (SOL1). The username and password are
used only for authentication. No other operations are performed on behalf of this
user. 1. How many payment methods can be assigned to a customer? a. b. One Two
Page 25 of 259

c. d. 2. 3.

Eight Unlimited

What are the two types of commitments in Oracle Receivables? While entering
Invoices manually, Ship to Address of the customer is mandatory. a. b. True False

4. 5.

Name the two Invoicing Rules in Oracle Receivables Assuming a payment term
‘IMMEDIATE’ is attached to a Transaction Type, can we raise an Invoice with
Payment term ’30 Days’ for the transaction type? a. b. Yes No

6.

In which of the following field, Standard Memo Lines appear as List of values a.
b. c. d. Invoice Lines Description Transaction Type Miscellaneous Receipt
Description Invoice Item Code

7.

Auto Cash Rule Sets are defined to a. b. c. d. Automatically apply receipts to

invoices Automatically apply commitments to invoices Automatically apply credit
memos to invoices All of the above

8.

If a value in a Profile class is changed, the system will a. b. c. d.

Automatically change the value for all existing customers with the profile class
Assign the new value only to new customers Prompt the user whether to update for
all customers or only for new customers. None of the above

9.

Which is of the following is a mandatory descriptive Flexfield to be defined

before importing simple invoices through Auto Invoice? a. b. c. d. Line
Transaction Flexfield Link-to Transaction Flexfield Reference Transaction
Flexfield None of the above

10. Name the interface tables used for Auto Invoice Lines and Distributions 11.
What are the valid values for the column LINE_TYPE in the interface table? 12. Can
the user import invoices with user defined code combinations without using auto
accounting? a. b. Yes No

13. Which of the following information is not required when the user is importing
Credit memos? a. b. c. d. Transaction Type Customer Payment terms Amount
Page 26 of 259

14. Miscellaneous Receipts can be imported into Oracle Receivables using Auto
Lockbox c. d. True False

15. Name the interface table used for Auto Lockbox. 16. The three steps in Auto
Lockbox in sequence are a. b. c. d. Validation, Import, Post QuickCash Import,
Validation, Post QuickCash Post QuickCash, Import, Validation Any of the above

17. Lockbox is defined for a a. b. c. d. Bank Bank Branch Bank Account None of the
above

18. Lockbox transmission formats are normal copied into a. b. c. d. $AR_TOP/sql

$AR_TOP/out $AR_TOP/reports $AR_TOP/bin

19. Assuming a transaction number is not assigned to a receipt in the transmission

file and Auto Cash rules are not used, the system will a. b. c. d. Assign a status
of ‘Unidentified’ Assign a status of ‘Unapplied’ Ignore the receipt Apply to the
oldest invoice

20. Dunning Letters are a. b. c. d. Answers: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

12. 13. 14. 15. D Deposits and Guarantees False Bill in Advance and Bill in
Arrears Yes A A C A RA_INTERFACE_LINES_ALL and RA_INTERFACE_DISTRIBUTIONS_ALL A
LINE,TAX,FREIGHT & CHARGES C B AR_PAYMENTS_INTERFACE_ALL Statement of Account
Covering Letter Invoice Covering Letter Reminder Letters Receipt Covering Letters
Page 27 of 259

16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

B C D B C

Important Questions in Oracle, Developer /2000(Form 4.5 and Reports 2.5) Oracle 1)
What are the Back ground processes in Oracle and what are they. 1) This is one of
the most frequently asked question.There are basically 9 Processes but in a
general system we need to mention the first five background processes.They do the
house keeping activities for the Oracle and are common in any system. The various
background processes in oracle are a) Data Base Writer(DBWR) :: Data Base Writer
Writes Modified blocks from Database buffer cache to Data Files.This is required
since the data is not written whenever a transaction is commited.
b)LogWriter(LGWR) :: LogWriter writes the redo log entries to disk. Redo Log data
is generated in redo log buffer of SGA. As transaction commits and log buffer
fills, LGWR writes log entries into online redo log file. c) System Monitor(SMON)
:: The System Monitor performs instance recovery at instance startup.This is
useful for recovery from system failure d)Process Monitor(PMON) :: The Process
Monitor peforms process recovery when user Process fails. Pmon Clears and Frees
resources that process was using. e) CheckPoint(CKPT) :: At Specified times, all
modified database buffers in SGA are written to data files by DBWR at Checkpoints
and Updating all data files and control files of database to indicate the most
recent checkpoint f) Archives (ARCH) :: The Archiver copies online redo log files
to archival storal when they are busy. g) Recoveror(RECO) :: The Recoveror is used
to resolve the distributed transaction in network h) Dispatcher (Dnnn) :: The
Dispatcher is useful in Multi Threaded Architecture i) Lckn :: We can have upto 10
lock processes for inter instance locking in parallel sql. 2) How many types of
Sql Statements are there in Oracle 2) There are basically 6 types of sql
statments. They are a) Data Defination Language(DDL) :: The DDL statments define
and maintain objects and drop objects. b) Data Manipulation Language(DML) :: The
DML statments manipulate database data. c) Transaction Control Statements ::
Manage change by DML d) Session Control :: Used to control the properties of
current session enabling and disabling roles and changing .e.g :: Alter
Statements,Set Role e) System Control Statements :: Change Properties of Oracle
Instance .e.g:: Alter System f) Embedded Sql :: Incorporate DDL,DML and T.C.L in
Programming Language.e.g:: Using the Sql Statements in languages such as 'C',
Open,Fetch, execute and close 3) What is a Transaction in Oracle 3) A transaction
is a Logical unit of work that compromises one or more SQL Statements executed by
a single User. According to ANSI, a transaction begins with first executable
statment and ends when it is explicitly commited or rolled back. 4) Key Words Used
in Oracle 4) The Key words that are used in Oracle are :: a) Committing:: A
transaction is said to be commited when the transaction makes permanent changes
resulting from the SQL statements. b) Rollback :: A transaction that retracts any
of the changes resulting from SQL statements in Transaction. c) SavePoint :: For
long transactions that contain many SQL statements, intermediate markers or
savepoints are declared. Savepoints can be used to divide a transaction into
smaller points. d) Rolling Forward :: Process of applying redo log during recovery
is called rolling forward. e) Cursor :: A cursor is a handle ( name or a pointer)
for the memory associated with a specific statement. A cursor is basically an area
allocated by Oracle for executing the Sql Statement. Oracle uses an implicit
cursor statement for Single row query and Uses Explicit cursor for a multi row
query.
Page 28 of 259

f) System Global Area(SGA) :: The SGA is a shared memory region allocated by the
Oracle that contains Data and control information for one Oracle Instance. It
consists of Database Buffer Cache and Redo log Buffer. g) Program Global Area
(PGA):: The PGA is a memory buffer that contains data and control information for
server process. g) Database Buffer Cache :: Database Buffer of SGA stores the most
recently used blocks of database data. The set of database buffers in an instance
is called Database Buffer Cache. h) Redo log Buffer :: Redo log Buffer of SGA
stores all the redo log entries. i) Redo Log Files :: Redo log files are set of
files that protect altered database data in memory that has not been written to
Data Files. They are basically used for backup when a database crashes. j) Process
:: A Process is a 'thread of control' or mechanism in Operating System that
executes series of steps. 5) What are Procedure, functions and Packages 5)
Procedures and functions consist of set of PL/SQL statements that are grouped
together as a unit to solve a specific problem or perform set of related tasks.
Procedures do not Return values while Functions return one One Value Packages ::
Packages Provide a method of encapsulating and storing related procedures,
functions, variables and other Package Contents 6) What are Database Triggers and
Stored Procedures 6) Database Triggers :: Database Triggers are Procedures that
are automatically executed as a result of insert in, update to, or delete from
table. Database triggers have the values old and new to denote the old value in
the table before it is deleted and the new indicated the new value that will be
used. DT are useful for implementing complex business rules which cannot be
enforced using the integrity rules. We can have the trigger as Before trigger or
After Trigger and at Statement or Row level. e.g:: operations insert,update
,delete 3 before ,after 3*2 A total of 6 combinatons At statment level(once for
the trigger) or row level( for every execution ) 6 * 2 A total of 12. Thus a total
of 12 combinations are there and the restriction of usage of 12 triggers has been
lifted from Oracle 7.3 Onwards. Stored Procedures :: Stored Procedures are
Procedures that are stored in Compiled form in the database.The advantage of using
the stored procedures is that many users can use the same procedure in compiled
and ready to use format. 7) How many Integrity Rules are there and what are they
7) There are Three Integrity Rules. They are as follows :: a) Entity Integrity
Rule :: The Entity Integrity Rule enforces that the Primary key cannot be Null b)
Foreign Key Integrity Rule :: The FKIR denotes that the relationship between the
foreign key and the primary key has to be enforced. When there is data in Child
Tables the Master tables cannot be deleted. c) Business Integrity Rules :: The
Third Integrity rule is about the complex business processes which cannot be
implemented by the above 2 rules. 8) What are the Various Master and Detail
Relation ships. 8) The various Master and Detail Relationship are a) Non Isolated
:: The Master cannot be deleted when a child is exisiting b) Isolated :: The
Master can be deleted when the child is exisiting c) Cascading :: The child gets
deleted when the Master is deleted. 9) What are the Various Block Coordination
Properties 9) The various Block Coordination Properties are a) Immediate Default
Setting. The Detail records are shown when the Master Record are shown. b)
Deffered with Auto Query Oracle Forms defer fetching the detail records until the
operator navigates to the detail block. c) Deffered with No Auto Query The
operator must navigate to the detail block and explicitly execute a query 10) What
are the Different Optimisation Techniques 10) The Various Optimisation techniques
are a) Execute Plan :: we can see the plan of the query and change it accordingly
based on the indexes
Page 29 of 259

b) Optimizer_hint :: set_item_property('DeptBlock',OPTIMIZER_HINT,'FIRST_ROWS');
Select /*+ First_Rows */ Deptno,Dname,Loc,Rowid from dept where (Deptno > 25) c)
Optimize_Sql :: By setting the Optimize_Sql = No, Oracle Forms assigns a single
cursor for all SQL statements.This slow downs the processing because for evertime
the SQL must be parsed whenver they are executed. f45run module = my_firstform
userid = scott/tiger optimize_sql = No d) Optimize_Tp :: By setting the
Optimize_Tp= No, Oracle Forms assigns seperate cursor only for each query SELECT
statement. All other SQL statements reuse the cursor. f45run module = my_firstform
userid = scott/tiger optimize_Tp = No 11) How do u implement the If statement in
the Select Statement 11) We can implement the if statement in the select statement
by using the Decode statement. e.g select DECODE
(EMP_CAT,'1','First','2','Second'Null); Here the Null is the else statement where
null is done . 12)How many types of Exceptions are there 12) There are 2 types of
exceptions. They are a) System Exceptions e.g. When no_data_found, When
too_many_rows b) User Defined Exceptions e.g. My_exception exception When
My_exception then 13) What are the inline and the precompiler directives 13) The
inline and precompiler directives detect the values directly 14) How do you use
the same lov for 2 columns 14) We can use the same lov for 2 columns by passing
the return values in global values and using the global values in the code 15) How
many minimum groups are required for a matrix report 15) The minimum number of
groups in matrix report are 4 16) What is the difference between static and
dynamic lov 16) The static lov contains the predetermined values while the dynamic
lov contains values that come at run time 17) What are snap shots and views 17)
Snapshots are mirror or replicas of tables. Views are built using the columns from
one or more tables. The Single Table View can be updated but the view with multi
table cannot be updated 18) What are the OOPS concepts in Oracle. 18) Oracle does
implement the OOPS concepts. The best example is the Property Classes. We can
categorise the properties by setting the visual attributes and then attach the
property classes for the objects. OOPS supports the concepts of objects and
classes and we can consider the peroperty classes as classes and the items as
objects 19) What is the difference between candidate key, unique key and primary
key 19) Candidate keys are the columns in the table that could be the primary keys
and the primary key is the key that has been selected to identify the rows. Unique
key is also useful for identifying the distinct rows in the table. 20)What is
concurrency 20) Cuncurrency is allowing simultaneous access of same data by
different users. Locks useful for accesing the database are a) Exclusive The
exclusive lock is useful for locking the row when an insert,update or delete is
being done.This lock should not be applied when we do only select from the row. b)
Share lock
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We can do the table as Share_Lock as many share_locks can be put on the same
resource. 21) Previleges and Grants 21) Previleges are the right to execute a
particulare type of SQL statements. e.g :: Right to Connect, Right to create,
Right to resource Grants are given to the objects so that the object might be
accessed accordingly.The grant has to be given by the owner of the object.
22)Table Space,Data Files,Parameter File, Control Files 22)Table Space :: The
table space is useful for storing the data in the database.When a database is
created two table spaces are created. a) System Table space :: This data file
stores all the tables related to the system and dba tables b) User Table space ::
This data file stores all the user related tables We should have seperate table
spaces for storing the tables and indexes so that the access is fast. Data Files
:: Every Oracle Data Base has one or more physical data files.They store the data
for the database.Every datafile is associated with only one database.Once the Data
file is created the size cannot change.To increase the size of the database to
store more data we have to add data file. Parameter Files :: Parameter file is
needed to start an instance.A parameter file contains the list of instance
configuration parameters e.g.:: db_block_buffers = 500 db_name = ORA7 db_domain =
u.s.acme lang Control Files :: Control files record the physical structure of the
data files and redo log files They contain the Db name, name and location of dbs,
data files ,redo log files and time stamp. 23) Physical Storage of the Data 23)
The finest level of granularity of the data base are the data blocks. Data Block
:: One Data Block correspond to specific number of physical database space Extent
:: Extent is the number of specific number of contigious data blocks. Segments ::
Set of Extents allocated for Extents. There are three types of Segments a) Data
Segment :: Non Clustered Table has data segment data of every table is stored in
cluster data segment b) Index Segment :: Each Index has index segment that stores
data c) Roll Back Segment :: Temporarily store 'undo' information 24) What are the
Pct Free and Pct Used 24) Pct Free is used to denote the percentage of the free
space that is to be left when creating a table. Similarly Pct Used is used to
denote the percentage of the used space that is to be used when creating a table
eg.:: Pctfree 20, Pctused 40 25) What is Row Chaining 25) The data of a row in a
table may not be able to fit the same data block.Data for row is stored in a chain
of data blocks . 26) What is a 2 Phase Commit 26) Two Phase commit is used in
distributed data base systems. This is useful to maintain the integrity of the
database so that all the users see the same values. It contains DML statements or
Remote Procedural calls that reference a remote object. There are basically 2
phases in a 2 phase commit. a) Prepare Phase :: Global coordinator asks
participants to prepare b) Commit Phase :: Commit all participants to coordinator
to Prepared, Read only or abort Reply 27) What is the difference between deleting
and truncating of tables 27) Deleting a table will not remove the rows from the
table but entry is there in the database dictionary and it can be retrieved But
truncating a table deletes it completely and it cannot be retrieved. 28) What are
mutating tables 28) When a table is in state of transition it is said to be
mutating. eg :: If a row has been deleted then the table is said to be mutating
and no operations can be done on the table except select. 29) What are Codd Rules
Page 31 of 259

29) Codd Rules describe the ideal nature of a RDBMS. No RDBMS satisfies all the 12
codd rules and Oracle Satisfies 11 of the 12 rules and is the only Rdbms to
satisfy the maximum number of rules. 30) What is Normalisation 30) Normalisation
is the process of organising the tables to remove the redundancy.There are mainly
5 Normalisation rules. a) 1 Normal Form :: A table is said to be in 1st Normal
Form when the attributes are atomic b) 2 Normal Form :: A table is said to be in
2nd Normal Form when all the candidate keys are dependant on the primary key c)
3rd Normal Form :: A table is said to be third Normal form when it is not
dependant transitively 31) What is the Difference between a post query and a pre
query 31) A post query will fire for every row that is fetched but the pre query
will fire only once. 32) Deleting the Duplicate rows in the table 32) We can
delete the duplicate rows in the table by using the Rowid 33) Can U disable
database trigger? How? 33) Yes. With respect to table ALTER TABLE TABLE [ DISABLE
all_trigger ] 34) What is pseudo columns ? Name them? 34) A pseudocolumn behaves
like a table column, but is not actually stored in the table. You can select from
pseudocolumns, but you cannot insert, update, or delete their values. This section
describes these pseudocolumns: * CURRVAL * NEXTVAL * LEVEL * ROWID * ROWNUM 35)
How many columns can table have? The number of columns in a table can range from 1
to 254. 36) Is space acquired in blocks or extents ? In extents . 37) what is
clustered index? In an indexed cluster, rows are stored together based on their
cluster key values . Can not applied for HASH. 38) what are the datatypes
supported By oracle (INTERNAL)? Varchar2, Number,Char , MLSLABEL. 39 ) What are
attributes of cursor? %FOUND , %NOTFOUND , %ISOPEN,%ROWCOUNT 40) Can you use
select in FROM clause of SQL select ? Yes.
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Forms 4.5 Questions 1) Which trigger are created when master -detail rela? 1)
master delete property * NON-ISOLATED (default) a) on check delete master b) on
clear details c) on populate details * ISOLATED a) on clear details b) on populate
details * CASCADE a) per-delete b) on clear details c) on populate details 2)
which system variables can be set by users? 2) SYSTEM.MESSAGE_LEVEL
SYSTEM.DATE_THRESHOLD SYSTEM.EFFECTIVE_DATE SYSTEM.SUPPRESS_WORKING 3) What are
object group? 3) An object group is a container for a group of objects. You define
an object group when you want to package related objects so you can copy or
reference them in another module. 4) What are referenced objects? 4) Referencing
allows you to create objects that inherit their functionality and appearance from
other objects. Referencing an object is similar to copying an object, except that
the resulting reference object maintains a link to its source object. A reference
object automatically inherits any changes that have been made to the source object
when you open or regenerate the module that contains the reference object. 5) Can
you store objects in library? 5) Referencing allows you to create objects that
inherit their functionality and appearance from other objects. Referencing an
object is similar to copying an object, except that the resulting reference object
maintains a link to its source object. A reference object automatically inherits
any changes that have been made to the source object when you open or regenerate
the module that contains the reference object.
Page 33 of 259

6) Is forms 4.5 object oriented tool ? why? 6) yes , partially. 1) PROPERTY CLASS
- inheritance property 2) OVERLOADING : procedures and functions. 7) Can you issue
DDL in forms? 7) yes, but you have to use FORMS_DDL. Referencing allows you to
create objects that inherit their functionality and appearance from other objects.
Referencing an object is similar to copying an object, except that the resulting
reference object maintains a link to its source object. A reference object
automatically inherits any changes that have been made to the source object when
you open or regenerate the module that contains the reference object. Any string
expression up to 32K: ·a literal · an expression or a variable representing the
text of a block of dynamically created PL/SQL code · a DML statement or · a DDL
statement Restrictions: The statement you pass to FORMS_DDL may not contain bind
variable references in the string, but the values of bind variables can be
concatenated into the string before passing the result to FORMS_DDL. 8) What is
SECURE property? 8)- Hides characters that the operator types into the text item.
This setting is typically used for password protection. 9 ) What are the types of
triggers and how the sequence of firing in text item 9) Triggers can be classified
as Key Triggers, Mouse Triggers ,Navigational Triggers. Key Triggers :: Key
Triggers are fired as a result of Key action.e.g :: Key-next-field, Key-up,Key-
Down Mouse Triggers :: Mouse Triggers are fired as a result of the mouse
navigation.e.g. When-mouse-buttonpresed,when-mouse-doubleclicked,etc Navigational
Triggers :: These Triggers are fired as a result of Navigation. E.g : Post-Text-
item,Pre-text-item. We also have event triggers like when –new-form-instance and
when-new-block-instance. We cannot call restricted procedures like
go_to(‘my_block.first_item’) in the Navigational triggers But can use them in the
Key-next-item. The Difference between Key-next and Post-Text is an very important
question. The key-next is fired as a result of the key action while the post text
is fired as a result of the mouse movement. Key next will not fire unless there is
a key event. The sequence of firing in a text item are as follows :: a) pre - text
b) when new item c) key-next d) when validate e) post text 10 ) Can you store
pictures in database? How? 10)Yes , in long Raw datatype. 11) What are property
classes ? Can property classes have trigger? 11) Property class inheritance is a
powerful feature that allows you to quickly define objects that conform to your
own interface and functionality standards. Property classes also allow you to make
global changes to applications quickly. By simply changing the definition of a
property class, you can change the definition of all objects that inherit
properties from that class. Yes . All type of triggers . * 12 a) If you have
property class attached to an item and you have same trigger written for the item
.
Page 34 of 259

Which will fire first? 12)Item level trigger fires , If item level trigger fires,
property level trigger won't fire. Triggers at the lowest level are always given
the first preference. The item level trigger fires first and then the block and
then the Form level trigger. 13) What are record groups ? * Can record groups
created at run-time? 13)A record group is an internal Oracle Forms data structure
that has a column/row framework similar to a database table. However, unlike
database tables, record groups are separate objects that belong to the form module
in which they are defined. A record group can have an unlimited number of columns
of type CHAR, LONG, NUMBER, or DATE provided that the total number of columns does
not exceed 64K. Record group column names cannot exceed 30 characters.
Programmatically, record groups can be used whenever the functionality offered by
a two-dimensional array of multiple data types is desirable. TYPES OF RECORD
GROUP: Query Record Group A query record group is a record group that has an
associated SELECT statement. The columns in a query record group derive their
default names, data types, and lengths from the database columns referenced in the
SELECT statement. The records in a query record group are the rows retrieved by
the query associated with that record group. Non-query Record Group A non-query
record group is a group that does not have an associated query, but whose
structure and values can be modified programmatically at runtime. Static Record
Group A static record group is not associated with a query; rather, you define its
structure and row values at design time, and they remain fixed at runtime. 14)
What are ALERT? 14)An ALERT is a modal window that displays a message notifiying
operator of some application condition. 15) Can a button have icon and lable at
the same time ? 15) -NO 16) What is mouse navigate property of button? 16) When
Mouse Navigate is True (the default), Oracle Forms performs standard navigation to
move the focus to the item when the operator activates the item with the mouse.
When Mouse Navigate is set to False, Oracle Forms does not perform navigation (and
the resulting validation) to move to the item when an operator activates the item
with the mouse. 17) What is FORMS_MDI_WINDOW? 17) forms run inside the MDI
application window. This property is useful for calling a form from another one.
18) What are timers ? when when-timer-expired does not fire? 18) The When-Timer-
Expired trigger can not fire during trigger, navigation, or transaction
processing. 19 ) Can object group have a block? 19)Yes , object group can have
block as well as program units. 20) How many types of canvases are there. 20)There
are 2 types of canvases called as Content and Stack Canvas. Content canvas is the
default and the one that is used mostly for giving the base effect. Its like a
plate on which we add items and stacked canvas is used for giving 3 dimensional
effect. The following questions might not be asked in an Average Interview and
could be asked when the Interviewer wants to trouble u and go deeppppppppppppp……He
cannot go further….. 1) What are user-exits? 1) It invokes 3GL programs. 2) Can
you pass values to-and-fro from foreign function ? how ? 2) Yes . You obtain a
return value from a foreign function by assigning the return value to an Oracle
Forms
Page 35 of 259

variable or item. Make sure that the Oracle Forms variable or item is the same
data type as the return value from the foreign function. After assigning an Oracle
Forms variable or item value to a PL/SQL variable, pass the PL/SQL variable as a
parameter value in the PL/SQL interface of the foreign function. The PL/SQL
variable that is passed as a parameter must be a valid PL/SQL data type; it must
also be the appropriate parameter type as defined in the PL/SQL interface. 3) What
is IAPXTB structure ? 3) The entries of Pro * C and user exits and the form which
simulate the proc or user_exit are stored in IAPXTB table in d/b. 4) Can you call
WIN-SDK thruo' user exits? 4) YES. 5) Does user exits supports DLL on MSWINDOWS ?
5) YES . 6) What is path setting for DLL? 6) Make sure you include the name of the
DLL in the FORMS45_USEREXIT variable of the ORACLE.INI file, or rename the DLL to
F45XTB.DLL. If you rename the DLL to F45XTB.DLL, replace the existing F45XTB.DLL
in the \ORAWIN\BIN directory with the new F45XTB.DLL. 7) How is mapping of name of
DLL and function done? 7) The dll can be created using the Visual C++ / Visual
Basic Tools and then the dll is put in the path that is defined the registery. 8)
what is precompiler? 8) It is similar to C precompiler directives. 9) Can you
connect to non - oracle datasource ? How? 9) Yes . 10 ) what are key-mode and
locking mode properties? level ? 10) Key Mode : Specifies how oracle forms
uniquely identifies rows in the database.This is property includes for application
that will run against NON-ORACLE datasources . Key setting unique (default.)
dateable n-updateable. Locking mode : Specifies when Oracle Forms should attempt
to obtain database locks on rows that correspond to queried records in the form.
a) immediate b) delayed 11) What are savepoint mode and cursor mode properties ?
level? 11) Specifies whether Oracle Forms should issue savepoints during a
session. This property is included primarily for applications that will run
against non-ORACLE data sources. For applications that will run against ORACLE,
use the default setting. Cursor mode - define cursur state across transaction
Open/close. 12) Can you replace default form processing ? How ? 13) What is
transactional trigger property? 13) Identifies a block as transactional control
block. i.e. non - database block that oracle forms should manage as transactional
block.(NON-ORACLE datasource) default - FALSE. 14) What is OLE automation ? 14)
OLE automation allows an OLE server application to expose a set of commands and
functions that can be invoked from an OLE container application. OLE automation
provides a way for an OLE container application to use the features of an OLE
server application to manipulate an OLE object from the OLE container environment.
(FORMS_OLE)
Page 36 of 259

15) What does invoke built-in do? 15) This procedure invokes a method. Syntax:
PROCEDURE OLE2.INVOKE (object obj_type, method VARCHAR2, list list_type := 0);
Parameters: object Is an OLE2 Automation Object. method Is a method (procedure) of
the OLE2 object. list Is the name of an argument list assigned to the
OLE2.CREATE_ARGLIST function. 16) What are OPEN_FORM,CALL_FORM,NEW_FORM? diff? 16)
CALL_FORM : It calls the other form. but parent remains active, when called form
completes the operation , it releases lock and control goes back to the calling
form. When you call a form, Oracle Forms issues a savepoint for the called form.
If the CLEAR_FORM function causes a rollback when the called form is current,
Oracle Forms rolls back uncommitted changes to this savepoint. OPEN_FORM : When
you call a form, Oracle Forms issues a savepoint for the called form. If the
CLEAR_FORM function causes a rollback when the called form is current, Oracle
Forms rolls back uncommitted changes to this savepoint. NEW_FORM : Exits the
current form and enters the indicated form. The calling form is terminated as the
parent form. If the calling form had been called by a higher form, Oracle Forms
keeps the higher call active and treats it as a call to the new form. Oracle Forms
releases memory (such as database cursors) that the terminated form was using.
Oracle Forms runs the new form with the same Runform options as the parent form.
If the parent form was a called form, Oracle Forms runs the new form with the same
options as the parent form.

17 ) What is call form stack? 17) When successive forms are loaded via the
CALL_FORM procedure, the resulting module hierarchy is known as the call form
stack. 18) Can u port applictions across the platforms? how? 18) Yes we can port
applications across platforms.Consider the form developed in a windows system.The
form would be generated in unix system by using f45gen my_form.fmb scott/tiger GUI
1) What is a visual attribute? 1) Visual attributes are the font, color, and
pattern properties that you set for form and menu objects that appear in your
application's interface. 2) Diff. between VAT and Property Class? imp 2)Named
visual attributes define only font, color, and pattern attributes; property
classes can contain these and any other properties. You can change the appearance
of objects at runtime by changing the named visual attribute programmatically;
property class assignment cannot be changed programmatically. When an object is
inheriting from both a property class and a named visual attribute, the named
visual attribute settings take precedence, and any visual attribute properties in
the class are ignored. 3 ) Which trigger related to mouse? 3) When-Mouse-Click
When-Mouse-DoubleClick When-Mouse-Down When-Mouse-Enter When-Mouse-Leave When-
Mouse-Move When-Mouse-Up
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4) What is Current record attribute property? 4) Specifies the named visual

attribute used when an item is part of the current record. Current Record
Attribute is frequently used at the block level to display the current row in a
multi-record If you define an item-level Current Record Attribute, you can display
a pre-determined item in a special color when it is part of the current record,
but you cannot dynamically highlight the current item, as the input focus changes.
5) Can u change VAT at run time? 5) Yes. You can programmatically change an
object's named visual attribute setting to change the font, color, and pattern of
the object at runtime. 6) Can u set default font in forms? 6) Yes. Change windows
registry(regedit). Set form45_font to the desired font. 7) Can u have OLE objects
in forms? 7) Yes. 8) Can u have VBX and OCX controls in forms ? 8) Yes. 9) What r
the types of windows (Window style)? 9) Specifies whether the window is a Document
window or a Dialog window. 10) What is OLE Activation style property? 10)
Specifies the event that will activate the OLE containing item. 11) Can u change
the mouse pointer ? How? 11) Yes. Specifies the mouse cursor style. Use this
property to dynamically change the shape of the cursor. Reports 2.5 1) 1) How many
types of columns are there and what are they Formula columns :: For doing
mathematical calculations and returning one value Summary Columns :: For doing
summary calculations such as summations etc. Place holder Columns :: These columns
are useful for storing the value in a variable Can u have more than one layout in
report It is possible to have more than one layout in a report by using the
additional layout option in the layout editor. Can u run the report with out a
parameter form Yes it is possible to run the report without parameter form by
setting the PARAM value to Null

2) 2) 3) 3)

4) What is the lock option in reports layout 4) By using the lock option we cannot
move the fields in the layout editor outside the frame. This is useful for
maintaining the fields . 5) What is Flex 5) Flex is the property of moving the
related fields together by setting the flex property on 6) 6) What are the minimum
number of groups required for a matrix report The minimum of groups required for a
matrix report are 4

1. What is database? A database is a logically coherent collection of data with

some inherent meaning, representing some aspect of real world and which is
designed, built and populated with data for a specific purpose.
Page 38 of 259

2. What is DBMS? It is a collection of programs that enables user to create and

maintain a database. In other words it is general-purpose software that provides
the users with the processes of defining, constructing and manipulating the
database for various applications. 3. What is a Database system? The database and
DBMS software together is called as Database system. 4. Advantages of DBMS? Ø
Redundancy is controlled. Ø Unauthorised access is restricted. Ø Providing
multiple user interfaces. Ø Enforcing integrity constraints. Ø Providing backup
and recovery. 5. Disadvantage in File Processing System? Ø Data redundancy &
inconsistency. Ø Difficult in accessing data. Ø Data isolation. Ø Data integrity.
Ø Concurrent access is not possible. Ø Security Problems. 6. Describe the three
levels of data abstraction? The are three levels of abstraction: Ø Physical level:
The lowest level of abstraction describes how data are stored. Ø Logical level:
The next higher level of abstraction, describes what data are stored in database
and what relationship among those data. Ø View level: The highest level of
abstraction describes only part of entire database. 7. Define the "integrity
rules" There are two Integrity rules. Ø Entity Integrity: States that “Primary key
cannot have NULL value” Ø Referential Integrity: States that “Foreign Key can be
either a NULL value or should be Primary Key value of other relation. 8. What is
extension and intension? Extension It is the number of tuples present in a table
at any instance. This is time dependent. Intension It is a constant value that
gives the name, structure of table and the constraints laid on it. 9. What is
System R? What are its two major subsystems? System R was designed and developed
over a period of 1974-79 at IBM San Jose Research Center. It is a prototype and
its purpose was to demonstrate that it is possible to build a Relational System
that can be used in a real life environment to solve real life problems, with
performance at least comparable to that of existing system. Its two subsystems are
Ø Research Storage Ø System Relational Data System. 10. How is the data structure
of System R different from the relational structure? Unlike Relational systems in
System R Ø Domains are not supported Ø Enforcement of candidate key uniqueness is
optional Ø Enforcement of entity integrity is optional Ø Referential integrity is
not enforced 11. What is Data Independence? Data independence means that “the
application is independent of the storage structure and access strategy of data”.
In other words, The ability to modify the schema definition in one level should
not affect the schema definition in the next higher level.
Page 39 of 259

Two types of Data Independence: Ø Physical Data Independence: Modification in

physical level should not affect the logical level. Ø Logical Data Independence:
Modification in logical level should affect the view level. NOTE: Logical Data
Independence is more difficult to achieve 12. What is a view? How it is related to
data independence? A view may be thought of as a virtual table, that is, a table
that does not really exist in its own right but is instead derived from one or
more underlying base table. In other words, there is no stored file that direct
represents the view instead a definition of view is stored in data dictionary.
Growth and restructuring of base tables is not reflected in views. Thus the view
can insulate users from the effects of restructuring and growth in the database.
Hence accounts for logical data independence. 13. What is Data Model? A collection
of conceptual tools for describing data, data relationships data semantics and
constraints. 14. What is E-R model? This data model is based on real world that
consists of basic objects called entities and of relationship among these objects.
Entities are described in a database by a set of attributes. 15. What is Object
Oriented model? This model is based on collection of objects. An object contains
values stored in instance variables with in the object. An object also contains
bodies of code that operate on the object. These bodies of code are called
methods. Objects that contain same types of values and the same methods are
grouped together into classes. 16. What is an Entity? It is a 'thing' in the real
world with an independent existence. 17. What is an Entity type? It is a
collection (set) of entities that have same attributes. 18. What is an Entity set?
It is a collection of all entities of particular entity type in the database. 19.
What is an Extension of entity type? The collections of entities of a particular
entity type are grouped together into an entity set. 20. What is Weak Entity set?
An entity set may not have sufficient attributes to form a primary key, and its
primary key compromises of its partial key and primary key of its parent entity,
then it is said to be Weak Entity set. 21. What is an attribute? It is a
particular property, which describes the entity. 22. What is a Relation Schema and
a Relation? A relation Schema denoted by R(A1, A2, …, An) is made up of the
relation name R and the list of attributes Ai that it contains. A relation is
defined as a set of tuples. Let r be the relation which contains set tuples (t1,
t2, t3, ..., tn). Each tuple is an ordered list of n-values t=(v1,v2, ..., vn).
23. What is degree of a Relation? It is the number of attribute of its relation
schema. 24. What is Relationship? It is an association among two or more entities.
25. What is Relationship set? The collection (or set) of similar relationships.
26. What is Relationship type? Relationship type defines a set of associations or
a relationship set among a given set of entity types. 27. What is degree of
Relationship type?
Page 40 of 259

It is the number of entity type participating. 25. What is DDL (Data Definition
Language)? A data base schema is specifies by a set of definitions expressed by a
special language called DDL. 26. What is VDL (View Definition Language)? It
specifies user views and their mappings to the conceptual schema. 27. What is SDL
(Storage Definition Language)? This language is to specify the internal schema.
This language may specify the mapping between two schemas. 28. What is Data
Storage - Definition Language? The storage structures and access methods used by
database system are specified by a set of definition in a special type of DDL
called data storage-definition language. 29. What is DML (Data Manipulation
Language)? This language that enable user to access or manipulate data as
organised by appropriate data model. Ø Procedural DML or Low level: DML requires a
user to specify what data are needed and how to get those data. Ø Non-Procedural
DML or High level: DML requires a user to specify what data are needed without
specifying how to get those data. 31. What is DML Compiler? It translates DML
statements in a query language into low-level instruction that the query
evaluation engine can understand. 32. What is Query evaluation engine? It executes
low-level instruction generated by compiler. 33. What is DDL Interpreter? It
interprets DDL statements and record them in tables containing metadata. 34. What
is Record-at-a-time? The Low level or Procedural DML can specify and retrieve each
record from a set of records. This retrieve of a record is said to be Record-at-a-
time. 35. What is Set-at-a-time or Set-oriented? The High level or Non-procedural
DML can specify and retrieve many records in a single DML statement. This retrieve
of a record is said to be Set-at-a-time or Set-oriented. 36. What is Relational
Algebra? It is procedural query language. It consists of a set of operations that
take one or two relations as input and produce a new relation. 37. What is
Relational Calculus? It is an applied predicate calculus specifically tailored for
relational databases proposed by E.F. Codd. E.g. of languages based on it are DSL
ALPHA, QUEL. 38. How does Tuple-oriented relational calculus differ from domain-
oriented relational calculus The tuple-oriented calculus uses a tuple variables
i.e., variable whose only permitted values are tuples of that relation. E.g. QUEL
The domain-oriented calculus has domain variables i.e., variables that range over
the underlying domains instead of over relation. E.g. ILL, DEDUCE. 39. What is
normalization? It is a process of analysing the given relation schemas based on
their Functional Dependencies (FDs) and primary key to achieve the properties Ø
Minimizing redundancy Ø Minimizing insertion, deletion and update anomalies. 40.
What is Functional Dependency? A Functional dependency is denoted by X Y between
two sets of attributes X and Y that are subsets of R specifies a constraint on the
possible tuple that can form a relation state r of R. The constraint is for any
two
Page 41 of 259

tuples t1 and t2 in r if t1[X] = t2[X] then they have t1[Y] = t2[Y]. This means
the value of X component of a tuple uniquely determines the value of component Y.
41. When is a functional dependency F said to be minimal? Ø Every dependency in F
has a single attribute for its right hand side. Ø We cannot replace any dependency
X A in F with a dependency Y A where Y is a proper subset of X and still have a
set of dependency that is equivalent to F. Ø We cannot remove any dependency from
F and still have set of dependency that is equivalent to F. 42. What is
Multivalued dependency? Multivalued dependency denoted by X Y specified on
relation schema R, where X and Y are both subsets of R, specifies the following
constraint on any relation r of R: if two tuples t1 and t2 exist in r such that
t1[X] = t2[X] then t3 and t4 should also exist in r with the following properties
Ø t3[x] = t4[X] = t1[X] = t2[X] Ø t3[Y] = t1[Y] and t4[Y] = t2[Y] Ø t3[Z] = t2[Z]
and t4[Z] = t1[Z] where [Z = (R-(X U Y)) ] 43. What is Lossless join property? It
guarantees that the spurious tuple generation does not occur with respect to
relation schemas after decomposition. 44. What is 1 NF (Normal Form)? The domain
of attribute must include only atomic (simple, indivisible) values. 45. What is
Fully Functional dependency? It is based on concept of full functional dependency.
A functional dependency X Y is full functional dependency if removal of any
attribute A from X means that the dependency does not hold any more. 46. What is
2NF? A relation schema R is in 2NF if it is in 1NF and every non-prime attribute A
in R is fully functionally dependent on primary key. 47. What is 3NF? A relation
schema R is in 3NF if it is in 2NF and for every FD X A either of the following is
true Ø X is a Super-key of R. Ø A is a prime attribute of R. In other words, if
every non prime attribute is non-transitively dependent on primary key. 48. What
is BCNF (Boyce-Codd Normal Form)? A relation schema R is in BCNF if it is in 3NF
and satisfies an additional constraint that for every FD X A, X must be a
candidate key. 49. What is 4NF? A relation schema R is said to be in 4NF if for
every Multivalued dependency X Y that holds over R, one of following is true Ø X
is subset or equal to (or) XY = R. Ø X is a super key. 50. What is 5NF? A Relation
schema R is said to be 5NF if for every join dependency {R1, R2, ..., Rn} that
holds R, one the following is true Ø Ri = R for some i. Ø The join dependency is
implied by the set of FD, over R in which the left side is key of R. 51. What is
Domain-Key Normal Form? A relation is said to be in DKNF if all constraints and
dependencies that should hold on the the constraint can be enforced by simply
enforcing the domain constraint and key constraint on the relation. 52. What are
partial, alternate,, artificial, compound and natural key? Partial Key: It is a
set of attributes that can uniquely identify weak entities and that are related to
same owner entity. It is sometime called as Discriminator. Alternate Key:
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All Candidate Keys excluding the Primary Key are known as Alternate Keys.
Artificial Key: If no obvious key, either stand alone or compound is available,
then the last resort is to simply create a key, by assigning a unique number to
each record or occurrence. Then this is known as developing an artificial key.
Compound Key: If no single data element uniquely identifies occurrences within a
construct, then combining multiple elements to create a unique identifier for the
construct is known as creating a compound key. Natural Key: When one of the data
elements stored within a construct is utilized as the primary key, then it is
called the natural key. 53. What is indexing and what are the different kinds of
indexing? Indexing is a technique for determining how quickly specific data can be
found. Types: Ø Binary search style indexing Ø B-Tree indexing Ø Inverted list
indexing Ø Memory resident table Ø Table indexing 54. What is system catalog or
catalog relation? How is better known as? A RDBMS maintains a description of all
the data that it contains, information about every relation and index that it
contains. This information is stored in a collection of relations maintained by
the system called metadata. It is also called data dictionary. 55. What is meant
by query optimization? The phase that identifies an efficient execution plan for
evaluating a query that has the least estimated cost is referred to as query
optimization. 56. What is join dependency and inclusion dependency? Join
Dependency: A Join dependency is generalization of Multivalued dependency.A JD
{R1, R2, ..., Rn} is said to hold over a relation R if R1, R2, R3, ..., Rn is a
lossless-join decomposition of R . There is no set of sound and complete inference
rules for JD. Inclusion Dependency: An Inclusion Dependency is a statement of the
form that some columns of a relation are contained in other columns. A foreign key
constraint is an example of inclusion dependency. 57. What is durability in DBMS?
Once the DBMS informs the user that a transaction has successfully completed, its
effects should persist even if the system crashes before all its changes are
reflected on disk. This property is called durability. 58. What do you mean by
atomicity and aggregation? Atomicity: Either all actions are carried out or none
are. Users should not have to worry about the effect of incomplete transactions.
DBMS ensures this by undoing the actions of incomplete transactions. Aggregation:
A concept which is used to model a relationship between a collection of entities
and relationships. It is used when we need to express a relationship among
relationships. 59. What is a Phantom Deadlock? In distributed deadlock detection,
the delay in propagating local information might cause the deadlock detection
algorithms to identify deadlocks that do not really exist. Such situations are
called phantom deadlocks and they lead to unnecessary aborts. 60. What is a
checkpoint and When does it occur? A Checkpoint is like a snapshot of the DBMS
state. By taking checkpoints, the DBMS can reduce the amount of work to be done
during restart in the event of subsequent crashes. 61. What are the different
phases of transaction? Different phases are
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Ø Analysis phase Ø Redo Phase Ø Undo phase 62. What do you mean by flat file
database? It is a database in which there are no programs or user access
languages. It has no cross-file capabilities but is user-friendly and provides
user-interface management. 63. What is "transparent DBMS"? It is one, which keeps
its Physical Structure hidden from user. 64. Brief theory of Network, Hierarchical
schemas and their properties Network schema uses a graph data structure to
organize records example for such a database management system is CTCG while a
hierarchical schema uses a tree data structure example for such a system is IMS.
65. What is a query? A query with respect to DBMS relates to user commands that
are used to interact with a data base. The query language can be classified into
data definition language and data manipulation language. 66. What do you mean by
Correlated subquery? Subqueries, or nested queries, are used to bring back a set
of rows to be used by the parent query. Depending on how the subquery is written,
it can be executed once for the parent query or it can be executed once for each
row returned by the parent query. If the subquery is executed for each row of the
parent, this is called a correlated subquery. A correlated subquery can be easily
identified if it contains any references to the parent subquery columns in its
WHERE clause. Columns from the subquery cannot be referenced anywhere else in the
parent query. The following example demonstrates a non-correlated subquery. E.g.
Select * From CUST Where '10/03/1990' IN (Select ODATE From ORDER Where CUST.CNUM
= ORDER.CNUM) 67. What are the primitive operations common to all record
management systems? Addition, deletion and modification. 68. Name the buffer in
which all the commands that are typed in are stored ‘Edit’ Buffer 69. What are the
unary operations in Relational Algebra? PROJECTION and SELECTION. 70. Are the
resulting relations of PRODUCT and JOIN operation the same? No. PRODUCT:
Concatenation of every row in one relation with every row in another. JOIN:
Concatenation of rows from one relation and related rows from another. 71. What is
RDBMS KERNEL? Two important pieces of RDBMS architecture are the kernel, which is
the software, and the data dictionary, which consists of the system-level data
structures used by the kernel to manage the database You might think of an RDBMS
as an operating system (or set of subsystems), designed specifically for
controlling data access; its primary functions are storing, retrieving, and
securing data. An RDBMS maintains its own list of authorized users and their
associated privileges; manages memory caches and paging; controls locking for
concurrent resource usage; dispatches and schedules user requests; and manages
space usage within its table-space structures . 72. Name the sub-systems of a
RDBMS I/O, Security, Language Processing, Process Control, Storage Management,
Logging and Recovery, Distribution Control, Transaction Control, Memory
Management, Lock Management 73. Which part of the RDBMS takes care of the data
dictionary? How Data dictionary is a set of tables and database objects that is
stored in a special area of the database and maintained exclusively by the kernel.
74. What is the job of the information stored in data-dictionary? The information
in the data dictionary validates the existence of the objects, provides access to
them, and
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maps the actual physical storage location. 75. Not only RDBMS takes care of
locating data it also determines an optimal access path to store or retrieve the
data 76. How do you communicate with an RDBMS? You communicate with an RDBMS using
Structured Query Language (SQL) 77. Define SQL and state the differences between
SQL and other conventional programming Languages SQL is a nonprocedural language
that is designed specifically for data access operations on normalized relational
database structures. The primary difference between SQL and other conventional
programming languages is that SQL statements specify what data operations should
be performed rather than how to perform them. 78. Name the three major set of
files on disk that compose a database in Oracle There are three major sets of
files on disk that compose a database. All the files are binary. These are Ø
Database files Ø Control files Ø Redo logs The most important of these are the
database files where the actual data resides. The control files and the redo logs
support the functioning of the architecture itself. All three sets of files must
be present, open, and available to Oracle for any data on the database to be
useable. Without these files, you cannot access the database, and the database
administrator might have to recover some or all of the database using a backup, if
there is one. 79. What is an Oracle Instance? The Oracle system processes, also
known as Oracle background processes, provide functions for the user processes—
functions that would otherwise be done by the user processes themselves Oracle
database-wide system memory is known as the SGA, the system global area or shared
global area. The data and control structures in the SGA are shareable, and all the
Oracle background processes and user processes can use them. The combination of
the SGA and the Oracle background processes is known as an Oracle instance 80.
What are the four Oracle system processes that must always be up and running for
the database to be useable The four Oracle system processes that must always be up
and running for the database to be useable include DBWR (Database Writer), LGWR
(Log Writer), SMON (System Monitor), and PMON (Process Monitor). 81. What are
database files, control files and log files. How many of these files should a
database have at least? Why? Database Files The database files hold the actual
data and are typically the largest in size. Depending on their sizes, the tables
(and other objects) for all the user accounts can go in one database file—but
that's not an ideal situation because it does not make the database structure very
flexible for controlling access to storage for different users, putting the
database on different disk drives, or backing up and restoring just part of the
database. You must have at least one database file but usually, more than one
files are used. In terms of accessing and using the data in the tables and other
objects, the number (or location) of the files is immaterial. The database files
are fixed in size and never grow bigger than the size at which they were created
Control Files The control files and redo logs support the rest of the
architecture. Any database must have at least one control file, although you
typically have more than one to guard against loss. The control file records the
name of the database, the date and time it was created, the location of the
database and redo logs, and the synchronization information to ensure that all
three sets of files are always in step. Every time you add a new database or redo
log file to the database, the information is recorded in the control files. Redo
Logs Any database must have at least two redo logs. These are the journals for the
database; the redo logs record all changes to the user objects or system objects.
If any type of failure occurs, the changes recorded in the redo logs can be used
to bring the database to a consistent state without losing any committed
transactions. In the case of non-data loss failure, Oracle can apply the
information in the redo logs automatically without intervention from the DBA. The
redo log files are fixed in size and never grow dynamically from the size at which
they were created.
Page 45 of 259

82. What is ROWID? The ROWID is a unique database-wide physical address for every
row on every table. Once assigned (when the row is first inserted into the
database), it never changes until the row is deleted or the table is dropped. The
ROWID consists of the following three components, the combination of which
uniquely identifies the physical storage location of the row. Ø Oracle database
file number, which contains the block with the rows Ø Oracle block address, which
contains the row Ø The row within the block (because each block can hold many
rows) The ROWID is used internally in indexes as a quick means of retrieving rows
with a particular key value. Application developers also use it in SQL statements
as a quick way to access a row once they know the ROWID 83. What is Oracle Block?
Can two Oracle Blocks have the same address? Oracle "formats" the database files
into a number of Oracle blocks when they are first created—making it easier for
the RDBMS software to manage the files and easier to read data into the memory
areas. The block size should be a multiple of the operating system block size.
Regardless of the block size, the entire block is not available for holding data;
Oracle takes up some space to manage the contents of the block. This block header
has a minimum size, but it can grow. These Oracle blocks are the smallest unit of
storage. Increasing the Oracle block size can improve performance, but it should
be done only when the database is first created. Each Oracle block is numbered
sequentially for each database file starting at 1. Two blocks can have the same
block address if they are in different database files. 84. What is database
Trigger? A database trigger is a PL/SQL block that can defined to automatically
execute for insert, update, and delete statements against a table. The trigger can
e defined to execute once for the entire statement or once for every row that is
inserted, updated, or deleted. For any one table, there are twelve events for
which you can define database triggers. A database trigger can call database
procedures that are also written in PL/SQL. 85. Name two utilities that Oracle
provides, which are use for backup and recovery. Along with the RDBMS software,
Oracle provides two utilities that you can use to back up and restore the
database. These utilities are Export and Import. The Export utility dumps the
definitions and data for the specified part of the database to an operating system
binary file. The Import utility reads the file produced by an export, recreates
the definitions of objects, and inserts the data If Export and Import are used as
a means of backing up and recovering the database, all the changes made to the
database cannot be recovered since the export was performed. The best you can do
is recover the database to the time when the export was last performed. 86. What
are stored-procedures? And what are the advantages of using them. Stored
procedures are database objects that perform a user defined operation. A stored
procedure can have a set of compound SQL statements. A stored procedure executes
the SQL commands and returns the result to the client. Stored procedures are used
to reduce network traffic. 87. How are exceptions handled in PL/SQL? Give some of
the internal exceptions' name PL/SQL exception handling is a mechanism for dealing
with run-time errors encountered during procedure execution. Use of this mechanism
enables execution to continue if the error is not severe enough to cause procedure
termination. The exception handler must be defined within a subprogram
specification. Errors cause the program to raise an exception with a transfer of
control to the exception-handler block. After the exception handler executes,
control returns to the block in which the handler was defined. If there are no
more executable statements in the block, control returns to the caller. User-
Defined Exceptions PL/SQL enables the user to define exception handlers in the
declarations area of subprogram specifications. User accomplishes this by naming
an exception as in the following example: ot_failure EXCEPTION; In this case, the
exception name is ot_failure. Code associated with this handler is written in the
EXCEPTION specification area as follows: EXCEPTION when OT_FAILURE then
out_status_code := g_out_status_code; out_msg := g_out_msg; The following is an
example of a subprogram exception:
Page 46 of 259

EXCEPTION when NO_DATA_FOUND then g_out_status_code := 'FAIL'; RAISE ot_failure;

Within this exception is the RAISE statement that transfers control back to the
ot_failure exception handler. This technique of raising the exception is used to
invoke all user-defined exceptions. System-Defined Exceptions Exceptions internal
to PL/SQL are raised automatically upon error. NO_DATA_FOUND is a system-defined
exception. Table below gives a complete list of internal exceptions. PL/SQL
internal exceptions. PL/SQL internal exceptions. Exception Name Oracle Error
CURSOR_ALREADY_OPEN ORA-06511 DUP_VAL_ON_INDEX ORA-00001 INVALID_CURSOR ORA-01001
INVALID_NUMBER ORA-01722 LOGIN_DENIED ORA-01017 NO_DATA_FOUND ORA-01403
NOT_LOGGED_ON ORA-01012 PROGRAM_ERROR ORA-06501 STORAGE_ERROR ORA-06500
TIMEOUT_ON_RESOURCE ORA-00051 TOO_MANY_ROWS ORA-01422 TRANSACTION_BACKED_OUT ORA-
00061 VALUE_ERROR ORA-06502 ZERO_DIVIDE ORA-01476 In addition to this list of
exceptions, there is a catch-all exception named OTHERS that traps all errors for
which specific error handling has not been established. 88. Does PL/SQL support
"overloading"? Explain The concept of overloading in PL/SQL relates to the idea
that you can define procedures and functions with the same name. PL/SQL does not
look only at the referenced name, however, to resolve a procedure or function
call. The count and data types of formal parameters are also considered. PL/SQL
also attempts to resolve any procedure or function calls in locally defined
packages before looking at globally defined packages or internal functions. To
further ensure calling the proper procedure, you can use the dot notation.
Prefacing a procedure or function name with the package name fully qualifies any
procedure or function reference. 89. Tables derived from the ERD a) Are totally
unnormalised b) Are always in 1NF c) Can be further denormalised d) May have
multi-valued attributes (b) Are always in 1NF 90. Spurious tuples may occur due to
i. Bad normalization ii. Theta joins iii. Updating tables from join a) i & ii b)
ii & iii c) i & iii d) ii & iii (a) i & iii because theta joins are joins made on
keys that are not primary keys. 91. A B C is a set of attributes. The functional
dependency is as follows AB -> B AC -> C C -> B a) is in 1NF
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b) is in 2NF c) is in 3NF d) is in BCNF (a) is in 1NF since (AC)+ = { A, B, C}

hence AC is the primary key. Since C B is a FD given, where neither C is a Key nor
B is a prime attribute, this it is not in 3NF. Further B is not functionally
dependent on key AC thus it is not in 2NF. Thus the given FDs is in 1NF. 92. In
mapping of ERD to DFD a) entities in ERD should correspond to an existing
entity/store in DFD b) entity in DFD is converted to attributes of an entity in
ERD c) relations in ERD has 1 to 1 correspondence to processes in DFD d)
relationships in ERD has 1 to 1 correspondence to flows in DFD (a) entities in ERD
should correspond to an existing entity/store in DFD 93. A dominant entity is the
entity a) on the N side in a 1 : N relationship b) on the 1 side in a 1 : N
relationship c) on either side in a 1 : 1 relationship d) nothing to do with 1 : 1
or 1 : N relationship (b) on the 1 side in a 1 : N relationship 94. Select
'NORTH', CUSTOMER From CUST_DTLS Where REGION = 'N' Order By CUSTOMER Union Select
'EAST', CUSTOMER From CUST_DTLS Where REGION = 'E' Order By CUSTOMER The above is
a) Not an error b) Error - the string in single quotes 'NORTH' and 'SOUTH' c)
Error - the string should be in double quotes d) Error - ORDER BY clause (d) Error
- the ORDER BY clause. Since ORDER BY clause cannot be used in UNIONS 95. What is
Storage Manager? It is a program module that provides the interface between the
low-level data stored in database, application programs and queries submitted to
the system. 96. What is Buffer Manager? It is a program module, which is
responsible for fetching data from disk storage into main memory and deciding what
data to be cache in memory. 97. What is Transaction Manager? It is a program
module, which ensures that database, remains in a consistent state despite system
failures and concurrent transaction execution proceeds without conflicting. 98.
What is File Manager? It is a program module, which manages the allocation of
space on disk storage and data structure used to represent information stored on a
disk. 99. What is Authorization and Integrity manager? It is the program module,
which tests for the satisfaction of integrity constraint and checks the authority
of user to access data. 100. What are stand-alone procedures? Procedures that are
not part of a package are known as stand-alone because they independently defined.
A good example of a stand-alone procedure is one written in a SQL*Forms
application. These types of procedures are not available for reference from other
Oracle tools. Another limitation of stand-alone procedures is that they are
compiled at run time, which slows execution. 101. What are cursors give different
types of cursors. PL/SQL uses cursors for all database information accesses
statements. The language supports the use two
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types of cursors Ø Implicit Ø Explicit 102. What is cold backup and hot backup (in
case of Oracle)? Ø Cold Backup: It is copying the three sets of files (database
files, redo logs, and control file) when the instance is shut down. This is a
straight file copy, usually from the disk directly to tape. You must shut down the
instance to guarantee a consistent copy. If a cold backup is performed, the only
option available in the event of data file loss is restoring all the files from
the latest backup. All work performed on the database since the last backup is
lost. Ø Hot Backup: Some sites (such as worldwide airline reservations systems)
cannot shut down the database while making a backup copy of the files. The cold
backup is not an available option. So different means of backing up database must
be used — the hot backup. Issue a SQL command to indicate to Oracle, on a
tablespace-by-tablespace basis, that the files of the tablespace are to backed up.
The users can continue to make full use of the files, including making changes to
the data. Once the user has indicated that he/she wants to back up the tablespace
files, he/she can use the operating system to copy those files to the desired
backup destination. The database must be running in ARCHIVELOG mode for the hot
backup option. If a data loss failure does occur, the lost database files can be
restored using the hot backup and the online and offline redo logs created since
the backup was done. The database is restored to the most consistent state without
any loss of committed transactions. 103. What are Armstrong rules? How do we say
that they are complete and/or sound The well-known inference rules for FDs Ø
Reflexive rule : If Y is subset or equal to X then X Y. Ø Augmentation rule: If X
Y then XZ YZ. Ø Transitive rule: If {X Y, Y Z} then X Z. Ø Decomposition rule : If
X YZ then X Y. Ø Union or Additive rule: If {X Y, X Z} then X YZ. Ø Pseudo
Transitive rule : If {X Y, WY Z} then WX Z. Of these the first three are known as
Amstrong Rules. They are sound because it is enough if a set of FDs satisfy these
three. They are called complete because using these three rules we can generate
the rest all inference rules. 104. How can you find the minimal key of relational
schema? Minimal key is one which can identify each tuple of the given relation
schema uniquely. For finding the minimal key it is required to find the closure
that is the set of all attributes that are dependent on any given set of
attributes under the given set of functional dependency. Algo. I Determining X+,
closure for X, given set of FDs F 1. Set X+ = X 2. Set Old X+ = X+ 3. For each FD
Y Z in F and if Y belongs to X+ then add Z to X+ 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until Old
X+ = X+ Algo.II Determining minimal K for relation schema R, given set of FDs F 1.
Set K to R that is make K a set of all attributes in R 2. For each attribute A in
K a. Compute (K – A)+ with respect to F b. If (K – A)+ = R then set K = (K – A)+
105. What do you understand by dependency preservation? Given a relation R and a
set of FDs F, dependency preservation states that the closure of the union of the
projection of F on each decomposed relation Ri is equal to the closure of F. i.e.,
Page 49 of 259

((PR1(F)) U … U (PRn(F)))+ = F+ if decomposition is not dependency preserving,

then some dependency is lost in the decomposition. 106. What is meant by
Proactive, Retroactive and Simultaneous Update. Proactive Update: The updates that
are applied to database before it becomes effective in real world . Retroactive
Update: The updates that are applied to database after it becomes effective in
real world . Simulatneous Update: The updates that are applied to database at the
same time when it becomes effective in real world . 107. What are the different
types of JOIN operations? Equi Join: This is the most common type of join which
involves only equality comparisions. The disadvantage in this type of join is that
there FAQ In SQL 1. Which is the subset of SQL commands used to manipulate Oracle
Database structures, including tables? Data Definition Language (DDL) 2. What
operator performs pattern matching? LIKE operator 3. What operator tests column
for the absence of data? IS NULL operator 4. Which command executes the contents
of a specified file? START <filename> or @<filename> 5. What is the parameter
substitution symbol used with INSERT INTO command? & 6. Which command displays the
SQL command in the SQL buffer, and then executes it? RUN 7. What are the wildcards
used for pattern matching? _ for single character substitution and % for multi-
character substitution 8. State true or false. EXISTS, SOME, ANY are operators in
SQL. True 9. State true or false. !=, <>, ^= all denote the same operation. True
10. What are the privileges that can be granted on a table by a user to others?
Insert, update, delete, select, references, index, execute, alter, all 11. What
command is used to get back the privileges offered by the GRANT command? REVOKE
12. Which system tables contain information on privileges granted and privileges
obtained? USER_TAB_PRIVS_MADE, USER_TAB_PRIVS_RECD 13. Which system table contains
information on constraints on all the tables created? USER_CONSTRAINTS 14.
TRUNCATE TABLE EMP; DELETE FROM EMP; Will the outputs of the above two commands
differ? Both will result in deleting all the rows in the table EMP. 15. What is
the difference between TRUNCATE and DELETE commands? TRUNCATE is a DDL command
whereas DELETE is a DML command. Hence DELETE operation can be
Page 50 of 259

rolled back, but TRUNCATE operation cannot be rolled back. WHERE clause can be
used with DELETE and not with TRUNCATE. 16. What command is used to create a table
by copying the structure of another table? Answer : CREATE TABLE .. AS SELECT
command Explanation : To copy only the structure, the WHERE clause of the SELECT
command should contain a FALSE statement as in the following. CREATE TABLE
NEWTABLE AS SELECT * FROM EXISTINGTABLE WHERE 1=2; If the WHERE condition is true,
then all the rows or rows satisfying the condition will be copied to the new
table. 17. What will be the output of the following query? SELECT
REPLACE(TRANSLATE(LTRIM(RTRIM('!! ATHEN !!','!'), '!'), 'AN', '**'),'*','TROUBLE')
FROM DUAL; TROUBLETHETROUBLE 18. What will be the output of the following query?
SELECT DECODE(TRANSLATE('A','1234567890','1111111111'), '1','YES', 'NO' ); Answer
: NO Explanation : The query checks whether a given string is a numerical digit.
19. What does the following query do? SELECT SAL + NVL(COMM,0) FROM EMP; This
displays the total salary of all employees. The null values in the commission
column will be replaced by 0 and added to salary. 20. Which date function is used
to find the difference between two dates? MONTHS_BETWEEN 21. Why does the
following command give a compilation error? DROP TABLE &TABLE_NAME; Variable names
should start with an alphabet. Here the table name starts with an '&' symbol. 22.
What is the advantage of specifying WITH GRANT OPTION in the GRANT command? The
privilege receiver can further grant the privileges he/she has obtained from the
owner to any other user. 23. What is the use of the DROP option in the ALTER TABLE
command? It is used to drop constraints specified on the table. 24. What is the
value of ‘comm’ and ‘sal’ after executing the following query if the initial value
of ‘sal’ is 10000? UPDATE EMP SET SAL = SAL + 1000, COMM = SAL*0.1; sal = 11000,
comm = 1000 25. What is the use of DESC in SQL? Answer : DESC has two purposes. It
is used to describe a schema as well as to retrieve rows from table in descending
order. Explanation : The query SELECT * FROM EMP ORDER BY ENAME DESC will display
the output sorted on ENAME in descending order. 26. What is the use of CASCADE
CONSTRAINTS? When this clause is used with the DROP command, a parent table can be
dropped even when a child table exists. 27. Which function is used to find the
largest integer less than or equal to a specific value? FLOOR
Page 51 of 259

28. What is the output of the following query? SELECT TRUNC(1234.5678,-2) FROM
DUAL; 1200

SQL – QUERIES I. SCHEMAS Table 1 : STUDIES PNAME (VARCHAR), SPLACE (VARCHAR),

COURSE (VARCHAR), CCOST (NUMBER) Table 2 : SOFTWARE PNAME (VARCHAR), TITLE
(VARCHAR), DEVIN (VARCHAR), SCOST (NUMBER), DCOST (NUMBER), SOLD (NUMBER) Table 3
: PROGRAMMER PNAME (VARCHAR), DOB (DATE), DOJ (DATE), SEX (CHAR), PROF1 (VARCHAR),
PROF2 (VARCHAR), SAL (NUMBER) Important Questions in Oracle, Developer /2000(Form
4.5 and Reports 2.5) Oracle 1) What are the Back ground processes in Oracle and
what are they. 1) This is one of the most frequently asked question. There are
basically 9 Processes but in a general system we need to mention the first five
background processes. They do the house keeping activities for the Oracle and are
common in any system. The various background processes in oracle are a) Data Base
Writer(DBWR) :: Data Base Writer Writes Modified blocks from Database buffer cache
to Data Files. This is required since the data is not written whenever a
transaction is commited. b)LogWriter(LGWR) :: LogWriter writes the redo log
entries to disk. Redo Log data is generated in redo log buffer of SGA. As
transaction commits and log buffer fills, LGWR writes log entries into an online
redo log file. c) System Monitor(SMON) :: The System Monitor performs instance
recovery at instance startup. This is useful for recovery from system failure.
d)Process Monitor(PMON) :: The Process Monitor performs process recovery when user
process fails. PMON Clears and Frees resources that process was using. e)
CheckPoint(CKPT) :: At Specified times, all modified database buffers in SGA are
written to data files by DBWR at Checkpoints and Updating all data files and
control files of database to indicate the most recent checkpoint f)Archieves(ARCH)
:: The Archiver copies online redo log files to archival storal when they are
busy. g) Recoveror(RECO) :: The Recoveror is used to resolve the distributed
transaction in network h) Dispatcher (Dnnn) :: The Dispatcher is useful in Multi
Threaded Architecture i) Lckn :: We can have upto 10 lock processes for inter
instance locking in parallel sql. 2) How many types of Sql Statements are there in
Oracle 2) There are basically 6 types of sql statments.They are a) Data Definition
Language (DDL) :: The DDL statements define and maintain objects and drop objects.
Create, alter, drop, truncate b) Data Manipulation Language (DML) :: The DML
statements manipulate database data. Eg: select, update, delete
Page 52 of 259

c) Transaction Control Statements :: Manage change by DML eg : grant, revoke d)

Session Control Statements :: Used to control the properties of current session
enabling and disabling roles and changing .e.g :: Alter Statements, Set Role e)
System Control Statements :: Change Properties of Oracle Instance .e.g:: Alter
System f) Embedded Sql :: Incorporate DDL,DML and TCS in Programming Language.
e.g:: Using the Sql Statements in languages such as 'C', Open,Fetch, execute and
close

3) What is a Transaction in Oracle 3) A transaction is a Logical unit of work that

compromises one or more SQL Statements executed by a single User. According to
ANSI, a transaction begins with first executable statement and ends when it is
explicitly commited or rolled back. 4) Key Words Used in Oracle 4) The Key words
that are used in Oracle are :: a) Commit :: A transaction is said to be commited
when the transaction makes permanent changes resulting from the SQL statements. b)
Rollback :: A transaction that retracts any of the changes resulting from SQL
statements in Transaction. c) SavePoint :: For long transactions that contain many
SQL statements, intermediate markers or savepoints are declared. Savepoints can be
used to divide a transaction into smaller points. d) Rolling Forward :: Process of
applying redo log during recovery is called rolling forward. e) Cursor :: A cursor
is a handle ( name or a pointer) for the memory associated with a specific
statement. A cursor is basically an area allocated by Oracle for executing the Sql
Statement. Oracle uses an implicit cursor statement for Single row query and Uses
Explcit cursor for a multi row query. f) System Global Area(SGA) :: The SGA is a
shared memory region allocated by the Oracle that contains Data and control
information for one Oracle Instance. It consists of Database Buffer Cache and Redo
log Buffer. g) Program Global Area (PGA) :: The PGA is a memory buffer that
contains data and control information for server process. g) Database Buffer Cache
:: Databese Buffer of SGA stores the most recently used blocks of datatbase data.
The set of database buffers in an instance is called Database Buffer Cache. h)
Redo log Buffer :: Redo log Buffer of SGA stores all the redo log entries. i) Redo
Log Files :: Redo log files are set of files that protect altered database data in
memory that has not been written to Data Files. They are basically used for backup
when a database crashes. j) Process :: A Process is a 'thread of control' or
mechansim in Operating System that executes series of steps. 5) What are
Procedure,functions and Packages 5) Procedures and functions consist of set of
PL/SQL statements that are grouped together as a unit to solve a specific problem
or perform set of related tasks. Procedures do not Return values while Functions
return one One Value Packages :: Packages Provide a method of encapsulating and
storing related procedures, functions, variables and other Package Contents 6)
What are Database Triggers and Stored Procedures 6) Database Triggers :: Database
Triggers are Procedures that are automatically executed as a result of insert
into, update to, or delete from table. Database triggers have the values old and
new to denote the old value in the table before it is deleted and the new
indicated the new value that will be used. DT are useful for implementing complex
business rules which cannot be enforced using the integrity rules. We can have the
trigger as Before trigger or After Trigger and at Statement or Row level. e.g::
operations insert, update, delete 3 before ,after 3*2 A total of 6 combinatons At
statment level(once for the trigger) or row level( for every execution ) 6 * 2 A
total of 12. Thus a total of 12 combinations are there and the restriction of
usage of 12 triggers has been lifted from Oracle 7.3 Onwards. Stored Procedures::
Stored Procedures are Procedures that are stored in Compiled form in the database.
The advantage of using the stored procedures is that many users can use the same
procedure in compiled and ready to use format.
Page 53 of 259

7) How many Integrity Rules are there and what are they 7) There are Three
Integrity Rules. They are as follows :: a) Entity Integrity Rule :: The Entity
Integrity Rule enforces that the Primary key cannot be Null b) Foreign Key
Integrity Rule :: The FKIR denotes that the relationship between the foreign key
and the primary key has to be enforced. When there is data in Child Tables the
Master tables cannot be deleted. c) Business Integrity Rules :: The Third
Intigrity rule is about the complex business processes which cannot be implemented
by the above 2 rules. 8) What are the Various Master and Detail Relationships? 8)
The various Master and Detail Relationship are a) NonIsolated :: The Master cannot
be deleted when a child is existing b) Isolated :: The Master can be deleted when
the child is existing c) Cascading :: The child gets deleted when the Master is
deleted. 9) What are the Various Block Coordination Properties 9) The various
Block Coordination Properties are a) Immediate Default Setting. The Detail records
are shown when the Master Record is shown. b) Deffered with Auto Query Oracle
Forms defer fetching the detail records until the operator navigates to the c)
Deffered with No Auto Query The operator must navigate to the detail block and
explicitly execute a query

detail block.

10) What are the Different Optimisation Techniques 10) The Various Optimisation
techniques are a) Execute Plan :: we can see the plan of the query and change it
accordingly based on the indexes b) Optimizer_hint :
::set_item_property('DeptBlock',OPTIMIZER_HINT,'FIRST_ROWS'); Select /*+
First_Rows */ Deptno,Dname,Loc,Rowid from dept where (Deptno > 25) c) Optimize_Sql
:: By setting the Optimize_Sql = No, Oracle Forms assigns a single cursor for all
SQL statements. This slow downs the processing because for every time the SQL must
be parsed whenever they are executed. f45run module = my_firstform userid =
scott/tiger optimize_sql = No d) Optimize_Tp :: By setting the Optimize_Tp= No,
Oracle Forms assigns seperate cursor only for each query SELECT statement. All
other SQL statements reuse the cursor. f45run module = my_firstform userid =
scott/tiger optimize_Tp = No 11) How do u implement the If statement in the Select
Statement 11) We can implement the if statement in the select statement by using
the Decode statement. e.g select DECODE (EMP_CAT,'1','First','2','Second'Null);
Here the Null is the else statement where null is done. 12) How many types of
Exceptions are there? 12) There are 2 types of exceptions. They are a) System
defined Exceptions e.g. WHEN NO_DATA_FOUND, WHEN TOO_MANY_ROWS b) User Defined
Exceptions e.g. My_exception exception When My_exception then 13) What are the
inline and the precompiler directives 13) The inline and precompiler directives
detect the values directly 14) How do you use the same lov for 2 columns 14) We
can use the same lov for 2 columns by passing the return values in global values
and using the global values in the code 15) How many minimum groups are required
for a matrix report 15) The minimum number of groups in matrix report are 4 16)
What is the difference between static and dynamic lov
Page 54 of 259

16) The static lov contains the predetermined values while the dynamic lov
contains values that come at run time 17) What are snap shots and views? 17)
Snapshots are mirror or replicas of tables. Views are built using the columns from
one or more tables. The Single Table View can be updated but the view with multi
table cannot be updated. Views with joins or grouping expressions cannot be
updated. 18) What are the OOPS concepts in Oracle. 18) Oracle does implement the
OOPS concepts. The best example is the Property Classes. We can categorize the
properties by setting the visual attributes and then attach the property classes
for the objects. OOPS supports the concepts of objects and classes and we can
consider the property classes as classes and the items as objects 19) What is the
difference between candidate key, unique key and primary key 19) Candidate keys
are the columns in the table that could be the primary keys and the primary key is
the key that has been selected to identify the rows. Unique key is also useful for
identifying the distinct rows in the table. 20) What is concurrency 20)
Cuncurrency is allowing simultaneous access of same data by different users. Locks
useful for accessing the database are a) Exclusive The exclusive lock is useful
for locking the row when an insert, update or delete is being done. This lock
should not be applied when we do only select from the row. b) Share lock We can do
the table as Share_Lock as many share_locks can be put on the same resource. 21)
Previleges and Grants 21) Previleges are the right to execute a particular type of
SQL statements. e.g :: Right to Connect, Right to create, Right to resource Grants
are given to objects so that the objects might be accessed accordingly. The grant
has to be given by the owner of the object. 22)Table Space, Data Files, Parameter
File, Control Files 22)Table Space :: The table space is useful for storing the
data in the database. When a database is created two table spaces are created. a)
System Table space :: This data file stores all the tables related to the system
and dba tables b) User Table space :: This data file stores all the user related
tables We should have seperate table spaces for storing the tables and indexes so
that the access is fast. Data Files :: Every Oracle Data Base has one or more
physical data files. They store the data for the database. Every datafile is
associated with only one database. Once the Data file is created the size cannot
change. To increase the size of the database to store more data we have to add
data file. Parameter Files :: Parameter file is needed to start an instance. A
parameter file contains the list of instance configuration parameters e.g.::
db_block_buffers = 500 db_name = ORA7 db_domain = u.s.acme lang Control Files ::
Control files record the physical structure of the data files and redo log files.
They contain the Db name, name and location of dbs, data files ,redo log files and
time stamp. 23) Physical Storage of the Data 23) The finest level of granularity
of the data base are the data blocks. Data Block :: One Data Block correspond to
specific number of physical database space Extent :: Extent is the number of
specific number of contiguous data blocks. Segments :: Set of Extents allocated
for Extents. There are three types of Segments a) Data Segment :: Non Clustered
Table has data segment data of every table is stored in cluster data segment. b)
Index Segment :: Each Index has index segment that stores data c) Roll Back
Segment :: Temporarily stores 'undo' information 24) What are the Pct Free and Pct
Used
Page 55 of 259

24) Pct Free is used to denote the percentage of the free space that is to be left
when creating a table. Similarly Pct Used is used to denote the percentage of the
used space that is to be used when creating a table eg.:: Pctfree 20, Pctused 40
25) What is Row Chaining 25) The data of a row in a table may not be able to fit
in the same data block. Data for row is stored in a chain of data blocks. 26) What
is a 2 Phase Commit 26) Two Phase commit is used in distributed data base systems.
This is useful to maintain the integrity of the database so that all the users see
the same values. It contains DML statements or Remote Procedural calls that
reference a remote object. There are basically 2 phases in a 2 phase commit. a)
Prepare Phase :: Global coordinator asks participants to prepare b) Commit Phase
:: Commit all participants to coordinator to Prepared, Read only or abort Reply
27) What is the difference between deleting and truncating of tables 27) Deleting
a table will not remove the rows from the table but entry is there in the database
dictionary and it can be retrieved But truncating a table deletes it completely
and it cannot be retrieved. 28) What are mutating tables? 28) When a table is in
state of transition it is said to be mutating. eg :: If a row has been deleted
then the table is said to be mutating and no operations can be done on the table
except select. 29) What are Codd Rules 29) Codd Rules describe the ideal nature of
a RDBMS. No RDBMS satisfies all the 12 codd rules and Oracle Satisfies 11 of the
12 rules and is the only Rdbms to satisfy the maximum number of rules. 30) What is
Normalisation 30) Normalisation is the process of organising the tables to remove
the redundancy.There are mainly 5 Normal rules/forms. a) 1 Normal Form :: A table
is said to be in 1st Normal Form when the attributes are atomic. b) 2 Normal Form
:: A table is said to be in 2nd Normal Form when all the candidate keys are
dependant on the primary key c) 3rd Normal Form :: A table is said to be third
Normal form when it is not dependant transitively 31) What is the Difference
between a post query and a pre query 31) A post query will fire for every row that
is fetched but the pre query will fire only once. 32) Deleting the Duplicate rows
in the table 32) We can delete the duplicate rows in the table by using the Rowid
33) Can U disable database trigger? How? 33) Yes. With respect to table ALTER
TABLE TABLE [ DISABLE all_trigger ] 34) What is pseudo columns ? Name them? 34) A
pseudocolumn behaves like a table column, but is not actually stored in the table.
You can select from pseudocolumns, but you cannot insert, update, or delete their
values. This section describes these pseudocolumns: * CURRVAL * NEXTVAL * LEVEL *
ROWID * ROWNUM 35) How many columns can table have? The number of columns in a
table can range from 1 to 254. 36) Is space acquired in blocks or extents? In
extents
Page 56 of 259

37) What is clustered index? In an indexed cluster, rows are stored together based
on their cluster key values. Can not applied for HASH. 38) what are the datatypes
supported By oracle (INTERNAL)? Varchar2, Number,Char , MLSLABEL. 39 ) What are
attributes of cursor? %FOUND , %NOTFOUND , %ISOPEN,%ROWCOUNT 40) Can you use
select in FROM clause of SQL select ? Yes. Forms 4.5 Questions 1) Which triggers
are created when master -detail relation? 1) master delete property * NON-ISOLATED
(default) a) on check delete master b) on clear details c) on populate details *
ISOLATED a) on clear details b) on populate details * CASCADing a) pre-delete b)
on clear details c) on populate details 2) Which system variables can be set by
users? 2) SYSTEM.MESSAGE_LEVEL SYSTEM.DATE_THRESHOLD SYSTEM.EFFECTIVE_DATE
SYSTEM.SUPPRESS_WORKING 3) What is object group? 3) An object group is a container
for a group of objects. You define an object group when you want to package
related objects so that you can copy or reference them in another module. 4) What
are referenced objects? 4) Referencing allows you to create objects that inherit
their functionality and appearance from other objects. Referencing an object is
similar to copying an object, except that the resulting reference object maintains
a link to its source object. A reference object automatically inherits any changes
that have been made to the source object when you open or regenerate the module
that contains the reference object. 5) Can you store objects in library? 5) 6) Is
forms 4.5 object oriented tool ? why? 6) yes , partially. 1) PROPERTY CLASS -
inheritance property 2) OVERLOADING : procedures and functions. 7) Can you issue
DDL in forms? 7) yes, but you have to use FORMS_DDL. Any string expression up to
32K: · a literal
Page 57 of 259

· an expression or a variable representing the text of a block of dynamically

created PL/SQL code · a DML statement or · a DDL statement Restrictions :: The
statement you pass to FORMS_DDL may not contain bind variable references in the
string, but the values of bind variables can be concatenated into the string
before passing the result to FORMS_DDL. 8) What is SECURE property? 8) Hides
characters that the operator types into the text item. This setting is typically
used for password protection. 9 ) What are the types of triggers and how the
sequence of firing in text item 9) Triggers can be classified as Key Triggers,
Mouse Triggers, Navigational Triggers. Key Triggers :: Key Triggers are fired as a
result of Key action. e.g :: Key-next-field, Key-up,Key-Down Mouse Triggers ::
Mouse Triggers are fired as a result of the mouse navigation.e.g. When-mouse-
buttonpresed,when-mouse-doubleclicked,etc Navigational Triggers :: These Triggers
are fired as a result of Navigation. E.g : Post-Text-item,Pre-text-item. We also
have event triggers like when –new-form-instance and when-new-block-instance. We
cannot call restricted procedures like go_to (‘my_block.first_item’) in the
Navigational triggers But can use them in the Key-next-item. ***The Difference
between Key-next and Post-Text is a very important question. The key-next is fired
as a result of the key action while the post text is fired as a result of the
mouse movement. Key next will not fire unless there is a key event. The sequence
of firing in a text item are as follows :: a) pre – text-item b) when-new-item-
Instance c) key-next-item d) when-validate-item e) post-text-item 10) Can you
store pictures in database? How? 10) Yes , in long Raw datatype. 11) What are
property classes ? Can property classes have triggers? 11) Property class
inheritance is a powerful feature that allows you to quickly define objects that
conform to your own interface and functionality standards. Property classes also
allow you to make global changes to applications quickly. By simply changing the
definition of a property class, you can change the definition of all objects that
inherit properties from that class. Yes . All type of triggers . * 12) If you have
property class attached to an item and you have same trigger written for the item.
Which will fire first? 12) Item level trigger fires, If item level trigger fires,
property level trigger won't fire. Triggers at the lowest level are always given
the first preference. The item level trigger fires first and then the block and
then the Form level trigger. 13) What are record groups? * Can record groups be
created at run-time? 13) A record group is an internal Oracle Forms data structure
that has a column/row framework similar to a database table. However, unlike
database tables, record groups are separate objects that belong to the form module
in which they are defined. A record group can have an unlimited number of columns
of type CHAR, LONG, NUMBER, or DATE provided that the total number of columns does
not exceed 64K. Record group column names cannot exceed 30 characters.
Programmatically, record groups can be used whenever the functionality offered by
a two-dimensional array of multiple data types is desirable. TYPES OF RECORD
GROUPS: 1. Query Record Group :: A query record group is a record group that has
an associated SELECT statement. The columns in a query record group derive their
default names, data types, and lengths from the database columns referenced in the
SELECT statement. The records in a query record group are the rows retrieved by
the query associated with that record group. 2. Non-query Record Group :: A non-
query record group is a group that does not have an associated query, but whose
structure and values can be modified programmatically at runtime.
Page 58 of 259

3.

Static Record Group :: A static record group is not associated with a query;
rather, you define its structure and row values at design time, and they remain
fixed at runtime.

14) What is an ALERT? 14) An ALERT is a modal window that displays a message
notifying the operator of some application condition. 15) Can a button have icon
and label at the same time? 15) -NO 16) What is mouse navigate property of button?
16) When Mouse Navigate is True (the default), Oracle Forms performs standard
navigation to move the focus to the item when the operator activates the item with
the mouse. When Mouse Navigate is set to False, Oracle Forms does not perform
navigation (and the resulting validation) to move to the item when an operator
activates the item with the mouse. 17) What is FORMS_MDI_WINDOW? 17) Forms run
inside the MDI application window. This property is useful for calling a form from
another one. 18) What are timers? When when-timer-expired does not fire? 18) The
When-Timer-Expired trigger can not fire during trigger, navigation, or transaction
processing. 19) Can object group have a block? 19) Yes, object group can have
block as well as program units. 21) How many types of canvases are there? 20)
There are 2 types of canvases called as Content and Stacked Canvas. Content canvas
is the default and the one that is used mostly for giving the base effect. It’s
like a plate on which we add items and stacked canvas is used for giving 3
dimensional effect. The following questions might not be asked in an Average
Interview and could be asked when the Interviewer wants to trouble u and go
deeppppppppppppp……He cannot go further….. 1) What are user-exits? 1) It invokes
3GL programs. 2) Can you pass values to-and-fro from foreign function? how ? 2)
Yes . You obtain a return value from a foreign function by assigning the return
value to an Oracle Forms variable or item. Make sure that the Oracle Forms
variable or item is the same data type as the return value from the foreign
function. After assigning an Oracle Forms variable or item value to a PL/SQL
variable, pass the PL/SQL variable as a parameter value in the PL/SQL interface of
the foreign function. The PL/SQL variable that is passed as a parameter must be a
valid PL/SQL data type; it must also be the appropriate parameter type as defined
in the PL/SQL interface. 3) What is IAPXTB structure ? 3) The entries of Pro * C
and user exits and the form which simulate the proc or user_exit are stored in
IAPXTB table in d/b. 4) Can you call WIN-SDK thruo' user exits? 4) YES. 5) Does
user exits supports DLL on MSWINDOWS ? 5) YES . 6) What is path setting for DLL?
6) Make sure you include the name of the DLL in the FORMS45_USEREXIT variable of
the ORACLE.INI file, or rename the DLL to F45XTB.DLL. If you rename the DLL to
F45XTB.DLL, replace the existing F45XTB.DLL in the \ORAWIN\BIN directory with the
new F45XTB.DLL. 7) How is mapping of name of DLL and function done? 7) The dll can
be created using the Visual C++ / Visual Basic Tools and then the dll is put in
the path that is defined the registery.
Page 59 of 259

8) what is precompiler? 8) It is similar to C precompiler directives. 9) Can you

connect to non - oracle datasource ? How? 9) Yes . 10 ) what are key-mode and
locking mode properties? level ? 10) Key Mode : Specifies how oracle forms
uniquely identifies rows in the database. This is property includes for
application that will run against NON-ORACLE datasources . Key setting unique
(default.) dateable n-updateable. Locking mode : Specifies when Oracle Forms
should attempt to obtain database locks on rows that correspond to queried records
in the form. a) immediate b) delayed 11) What are savepoint mode and cursor mode
properties ? level? 11) Specifies whether Oracle Forms should issue savepoints
during a session. This property is included primarily for applications that will
run against non-ORACLE data sources. For applications that will run against
ORACLE, use the default setting. Cursor mode - define cursur state across
transaction Open/close. 12) Can you replace default form processing ? How ? 13)
What is transactional trigger property? 13) Identifies a block as transactional
control block. i.e. non - database block that oracle forms should manage as
transactional block.(NON-ORACLE datasource) default - FALSE. 14) What is OLE
automation ? 14) OLE automation allows an OLE server application to expose a set
of commands and functions that can be invoked from an OLE container application.
OLE automation provides a way for an OLE container application to use the features
of an OLE server application to manipulate an OLE object from the OLE container
environment. (FORMS_OLE) 15) What does invoke built-in do? 15) This procedure
invokes a method. Syntax: PROCEDURE OLE2.INVOKE (object obj_type, method VARCHAR2,
list list_type := 0); Parameters: object Is an OLE2 Automation Object. method Is a
method (procedure) of the OLE2 object. list Is the name of an argument list
assigned to the OLE2.CREATE_ARGLIST function. 16) What are
OPEN_FORM,CALL_FORM,NEW_FORM? diff? 16) CALL_FORM : It calls the other form. but
parent remains active, when called form completes the operation , it releases lock
and control goes back to the calling form. When you call a form, Oracle Forms
issues a savepoint for the called form. If the CLEAR_FORM function causes a
rollback when the called form is current, Oracle Forms rolls back uncommitted
changes to this savepoint. OPEN_FORM : When you call a form, Oracle Forms issues a
savepoint for the called form. If the CLEAR_FORM function causes a rollback when
the called form is current, Oracle Forms rolls back uncommitted changes to this
savepoint. NEW_FORM : Exits the current form and enters the indicated form. The
calling form is terminated as the parent form. If the calling form had been called
by a higher form, Oracle Forms keeps the higher call active and treats it as a
call to the new form. Oracle Forms releases memory (such as database cursors) that
the terminated form was using. Oracle Forms runs the new form with the same
Runform options as the parent form. If the parent form was a called form, Oracle
Forms runs the new form with the same options as the parent form.
Page 60 of 259

17 ) What is call form stack? 17) When successive forms are loaded via the
CALL_FORM procedure, the resulting module hierarchy is known as the call form
stack. 18) Can u port applications across the platforms? how? 18) Yes we can port
applications across platforms. Consider the form developed in a windows system.
The form would be generated in unix system by using f45gen my_form.fmb scott/tiger
GUI 1) What is a visual attribute? 1) Visual attributes are the font, color, and
pattern properties that you set for form and menu objects that appear in your
application's interface. ***2) Diff. between VAT and Property Class? imp 2) Named
visual attributes define only font, color, and pattern attributes; property
classes can contain these and any other properties. You can change the appearance
of objects at runtime by changing the named visual attribute programmatically;
property class assignment cannot be changed programmatically. When an object is
inheriting from both a property class and a named visual attribute, the named
visual attribute settings take precedence, and any visual attribute properties in
the class are ignored. 3 ) Which trigger related to mouse? 3) When-Mouse-Click
When-Mouse-DoubleClick When-Mouse-Down When-Mouse-Enter When-Mouse-Leave When-
Mouse-Move When-Mouse-Up 4) What is Current record attribute property? 4)
Specifies the named visual attribute used when an item is part of the current
record. Current Record Attribute is frequently used at the block level to display
the current row in a multi-record. If you define an item-level Current Record
Attribute, you can display a pre-determined item in a special color when it is
part of the current record, but you cannot dynamically highlight the current item,
as the input focus changes. 5) Can u change VAT at run time? 5) Yes. You can
programmatically change an object's named visual attribute setting to change the
font, color and pattern of the object at runtime. 6) Can u set default font in
forms? 6) Yes. Change windows registry (regedit). Set form45_font to the desired
font. 7) Can u have OLE objects in forms? 7) Yes. 8) Can u have VBX and OCX
controls in forms? 8) Yes. 9) What r the types of windows (Window style)? 9)
Specifies whether the window is a Document window or a Dialog window. 10) What is
OLE Activation style property? 10) Specifies the event that will activate the OLE
containing item. 11) Can u change the mouse pointer ? How? 11) Yes. Specifies the
mouse cursor style. Use this property to dynamically change the shape of the
cursor. Reports 2.5
Page 61 of 259

7) 3)

How many types of columns are there and what are they Formula columns :: For doing
mathematical calculations and returning 1 value Summary Columns :: For doing
summary calculations such as summations etc. Place holder Columns :: These columns
are useful for storing the value in a variable Can u have more than one layout in
report It is possible to have more than one layout in a report by using the
additional layout option in the layout editor.

4) 8)

3) Can u run the report with out a parameter form 9) Yes it is possible to run the
report without parameter form by setting the PARAM value to Null. 4) What is the
lock option in reports layout 10) By using the lock option we cannot move the
fields in the layout editor outside the frame. This is useful for maintaining the
fields. 11) What is Flex 5) Flex is the property of moving the related fields
together by setting the flex property on. 12) What are the minimum number of
groups required for a matrix report 7) The minimum of groups required for a matrix
report are 4

Forms Path In UNIX: \\192.168.20.107\ildev2_appl\au\11.5.0\forms\US Reports path

in UNIX: \\192.168.20.102:\ildev2_appl\ap\11.5.0\reports\US Encumbrance
Accounting: Definition: An encumbrance is an obligation to disburse funds in the
future. Recording encumbrances helps prevent over-spending the amount available in
the account. Encumbrances can be created by:

• • • •

Creating a Purchase Order for payments to vendors outside the university Obtaining
services from Telecommunications or Administrative Technology Services Submitting
an Electronic Personnel Action for a salaried employee Entering an Authorization
or Air Ticket Requisition on the Web Travel system.

What is encumbrance accounting? What is Accrual account? For more info see P360 of
Application developer guide. What is dynamic insertion? When we are trying to
insert flexfield through the foreign key reference forms. If you have used
mandatory application specific column with flexfield table defn then u cann’t use
dynamic insertion. Defining a Flexfield in your application: • • • • • • Decide
which application entities require key or descriptive flexfield. Design flexfield
columns into application DB. Register table with AOL. Register the flexfield with
Oracle-AOL. Assign flexfield and segment qualifier. (Optional) Develop forms that
uses flexfield and calls AOL to activate them.

Key FF can be implemented for the following three types of forms:

Page 62 of 259

Combination Forms: General forms where you can enter the combination of different
segment to constitute a flexfield. Form with foreign key reference: Forms whose
base table foreign key reference to the combination table. Basically these type of
forms uses flexfeild, such as entereing orders, receiving parts etc. Form with key
flexfield range:
Page 63 of 259

Design flexfield columns into application DB: Id column to uniquely identify your
flexfiled rows. • Type Number Length 38, Not Null. • Name should be like XXX_ID,
This column is known as CCID(ie. Code combination ID). Column for each key segment
• Type Varchar2 Length (1-60) Null allowed. • Max no of key FF segment columns
supported by AOL are 70. Define Summery_Flag and Enable_Flag • Type Varchar2
Length 1 Not NULL Define Start_Date_Active and End_Date_Active • Type Date Not
Null Define a structure defining column(Structure Id Column) - Optional Column •
Used for defining multiple structure. • Type Number Length 38 Not Null • Name this
column as XXX_Structure_ID Define a Unique index on Unique Id column Create Oracle
sequence for that column with the same grants as of code combination table • It
should be named as YOUR_TABLE_NAME_S Define Who columns • • •
Last_Update_Date(Type Date Not Null) Last_Updated_By(Type NUMBER length 15
NotNull). All other columns should have NULL Allowed.

For using dynamic insertion we should not define any mandatory application
specific column in this table.

For a base table with foreign key reference Define one column with the same name
as of Unique Id name in the corresponding combination table. Type Number Length 38
and Null or Not Null depending upon application needs. If you have used structure
column in the combination table then you should have to define that column. For
more info see Pg369 of Application Developer Guide. Descriptive Flex Fields: • • •
• • Define DFF column into DB. Register ur table with AOL. Register ur DFF with
AOL. Create DFF into ur forms. Add DFF routines to ur forms.

Reference fields: Fields are used for storing context information of DFF.
ATTRIBUTE_CATEGORY column is used for storing DFF.
Page 64 of 259

Design DFF columns into application DB:

Column for each descriptive segment • Type Varchar2 Length (1-150) Null allowed. •
Max no of key FF segment columns supported by AOL are 70. Define Summery_Flag and
Enable_Flag • Type Varchar2 Length 1 Not NULL Define Start_Date_Active and
End_Date_Active • Type Date Not Null Define a structure defining column(Context
column) • Preferably named is ATTRIBUTE_CATEGORY column. • Type Varchar2 Length 30
Null Allowed Maximum of 200 attribute column we can define in a table. Adding FF
to forms: Create table: create table test_Flex_Field (Acc_ID Number(38) Not Null,
segment1 varchar2(60), segment2 varchar2(60), segment3 varchar2(60), segment4
varchar2(60), segment5 varchar2(60), segment6 varchar2(60), segment7 varchar2(60),
segment8 varchar2(60), segment9 varchar2(60), Summery_Flag varchar2(1) Not Null,
Enable_Flag varchar2(1) Not Null, Start_Date_Active Date Not Null, End_Date_Active
Date Not Null, Last_Update_Date Date Not Null, Last_Update_By Number(15) Not Null,
CREATION_DATE DATE, CREATED_BY NUMBER(15), LAST_UPDATE_LOGIN NUMBER(15)) grant all
on TEST_FLEX_FIELD to APPLSYS; grant all on test_Flex_Field_S to APPLSYS; Register
table in the APPS: execute
AD_DD.register_table(Application_short_name,Table_name,p_tab_type,P_pct_free,
P_pct_used); p_tab_type: Use T , If it is a transaction table, S for seed data.
P_next_extend: P_pct_free: P_pct_used: execute
AD_DD.register_table('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','T',8,10,90);
Page 65 of 259

Register column in the APPS: execute

AD_DD.register_column(Application_short_name,Table_name,p_col_name,p_col_seq,p_
col_type,p_col_width,p_nullable,p_translate,p_precesion,p_scale); execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','ACC_ID',1,'NUMBER',38,'N','N');
execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','SEGMENT1',2,'VARCHAR2',60,'Y','
N'); execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','SEGMENT2',3,'VARCHAR2',60,'Y','
N'); execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','SEGMENT3',4,'VARCHAR2',60,'Y','
N'); execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','SEGMENT4',5,'VARCHAR2',60,'Y','
N'); execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','SEGMENT5',6,'VARCHAR2',60,'Y','
N'); execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','SEGMENT6',7,'VARCHAR2',60,'Y','
N'); execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','SEGMENT7',8,'VARCHAR2',60,'Y','
N'); execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','SEGMENT8',9,'VARCHAR2',60,'Y','
N'); execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','SEGMENT9',10,'VARCHAR2',60,'Y','
N'); execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_FLEX_FIELD','CREATION_DATE',17,'DATE',9,'N','
N'); For finding the application long name see table fnd_Application_Tl and for
short name see fnd_Application.
Page 66 of 259
Page 67 of 259

Define state table: desc test_state Name Null? Type

------------------------------- -------- ---STATE_NAME VARCHAR2(60) STATE_ID NOT
NULL VARCHAR2(10) execute AD_DD.register_table('FND','TEST_STATE','T',8,10,90);
execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_STATE','STATE_NAME',1,'VARCHAR2',60,'Y','N');
execute
AD_DD.register_column('FND','TEST_STATE','STATE_ID',2,'VARCHAR2',60,'N','N');
grant all on TEST_STATE to applsys; Defining Value Set:

Adding flexfield segment def in APPS:

Page 68 of 259
Page 69 of 259

Adding Flexfields to forms: Create hidden fields Create display field: Create ur
concatenated segment field of size 2000. Text field. Attach LOV ENABLE_LIST_LAMP
to this set LOV validation to ‘NO’. 1. What is 3rd normal form? All items are
atomic, all tables have a primary key, every row is determined by its primary key,
there are no duplicate rows, every column is dependent on ONLY the primary key. 2.
What are cascading triggers? Executing one trigger may cause another trigger to
also be executed. 3. What are snapshots? Snapshots are copies of remote data,
based upon queries. In their simplest form, they can be thought of as a table
created by a command such as: create table t as select * from z; 4. What Oracle
package allows you to schedule one-off or recurring jobs in your database?
DBMS_JOB 5. What packages has Oracle provided for use by developers? The DBMS_
series of packages, i.e. DBMS_JOB,DBMS_OUTPUT, DBMS_UTILITY, UTL_FILE, UTL_HTTP,
UTL_SMTP, UTL_TCP, DBMS_SQL, DBMS_PIPE, DBMS_TRANSACTION, DBMS_LOCK, DBMS_ALERT,
DBMS_DDL. 6. What are some methods for transferring a table from one schema to
another? Export-Import, Create table as .. Select .., Copy 7. What happens if a
tablespace clause is left off a primary key constraint? This results in the index
automatically generated being placed in the users' default tablespace, which is
usually the same tablespace as where the table is being created which can cause
performance problems. 8. Where is most tuning done? 80-90 percent at application
level, 10-20 percent at database level 9. What is a mutating table? A mutating
table is a table that is in the process of being modified by an UDPATE, DELETE or
INSERT statement. For example, if your trigger contains a select statement or an
update statement referencing the table it is triggering off of you will receive
the error. 10. What is a bind variable and why is it important? A bind variable is
a placeholder in a query. The way the Oracle shared pool (a very important shared
memory data structure) operates is predicated on developers using bind variables.
11. How are reads and writes handled in Oracle that is different than almost every
other database? Reads are not blocked by writes. 12. Why should you care about the
NLS_DATE_FORMAT? Because its' value (dd-mon-yy or dd-mon-rr) determines the
results of your date arithmetic when you are dealing with years of 99 and 00..nn.
13. What is the purpose of the SUBSTR string function? To return a specified
substring from a string. 14. What's the difference between an equijoin and a self-
join? An equijoin does an equality test between two fields in two different
tables; a self join does the same thing on a copy of the same table. 15. In a
Select statement, what is the difference between a & and &&? Both pass in values
at runtime, but if the && is used the user will not be bothered with a second
prompt for the value.
Page 70 of 259

16. What is Oracle*Alert? Oracle*Alert is licensed as an Application but it

functions as an extension of AOL in that it supplements the features of all the
Applications. Oracle Alert is an end-user tool, and so individual alerts enjoy
support from Oracle at the same level as, for instance, FSG reports in Oracle
General Ledger. 17. What is the TRANSLATE function? TRANSLATE is a simple function
that does an orderly character-by-character substitution in a string. The format
is TRANSLATE (string, if, then). Example: select TRANSLATE (7671234,
234567890,'BCDEFGHIJ') from DUAL; The result would be: GFG1BCD. I have found this
useful during some data migrations where special characters needed to be
translated. 18. What are PL/SQL Tables (or Arrays)? This is dependent upon your
Oracle version. PL/SQL Tables have only one dimension, but after PLSQL 2.3 that
dimension could be a record. Their main advantage is that when relatively small
tables must be constantly consulted, if they can be put in memory via a PL/SQL
table, performance can be enhanced. 19. What's the most important 'Best Practice'
guideline you follow? Ask for Help if you find yourself spending more than 30
minutes to solve a problem. I follow this advice when at a client site; when I'm
at home, I act like the Duracell bunny and just keep going and going. 20. What's
another Best Practice? Make code reviews a regular part of your development
process. 21. Describe the PL/SQL Block structure. Declare Begin Exception End 22.
Describe a nested PL/SQL Block. Declare Begin Begin End; Begin End; End; 23. What
is %TYPE used for? v_min_bal sales.balance%TYPE := 10.00; - the var v_min_bal
takes on the Type of sales.balance and the value of 10.00. 24. What is %ROWTYPE
used for? Assigns a row to a table. Similar to %TYPE but for a record, not just a
field. 25. What is an anonymous block? A stored procedure without a name. 26. Is
PL/SQL truly compiled when stored in the database or is it interpreted? PL/SQL on
the server is run in much the same fashion as Java is run anywhere. PL/SQL is
compiled into PCode and the PCode is interpreted at runtime. 27. What is the
purpose of the PL/SQL FETCH command? The FETCH command retrieves values returned
by the cursor from the active set into the local variables. 28. What does
truncating a table do? It deletes the data from the table. 29. What else may
truncating a table do? It can reset the high water mark for a table if the REUSE
STORAGE clause is not used. 30. Why is the high water mark important? The high
water mark is used in association with each individual table and tells Oracle 1.
where to start loading data during a SQL*Loader process 2. how far to scan a
table's information when doing a full-table scan. 31. What does the TO_NUMBER
function do? It converts VARCHAR2 values to numbers. 32. What is the default
length of the CHAR column? 1 33. What is the purpose of a referential integrity
constraint? Enforce the rule that a child foreign key must have a valid parent
primary key. 34. What is the purpose of the SQL*Plus command GET? Get the contents
of a previously saved operating system file into the buffer. 35. What is the order
of the stages of the system development cycle? 1. Strategy and analysis 2. Design
3. Build and document 4. Transition 5. Production. 36. In a SELECT statement,
which character is used to pass in a value at runtime? The '&' character or the
'&&' characters. 37. What is DNS? What does it stand for and why do we care that
it exists? Dynamic Name Server is what allows us to type in names instead of IP
addresses to get to Web servers, use Telnet, FTO, etc.
Page 71 of 259

38. What are realms? Application security in Oracle Applications is maintained and
managed by assigning responsibilities, excluding attributes, and securing
attributes to users. Internet Procurement 11i uses a security realm as an
additional layer for application security. A security realm is a list of objects
(item source or a category) to which a user is granted access. 39. What occurs
during the production phase of the system development cycle? Perform normal
routine maintenance. 40. A database trigger is fired automatically when what is
executed? a DML statement 41. In a PL/SQL block, what needs to be followed with a
semicolon? All SQL statements, all PL/SQL statements and the END clause 42. What
character do you type to execute an anonymous block? / 43. What data type is used
to store large binary objects outside the database? The BFILE data type 44. Which
variable type accepts only character strings of a specified length? CHAR 45. Which
variable type accepts any length of character up to 32767 bytes? VARCHAR2 46. What
operator is used to assign a value to a variable that doesn't have a typical
value? := 47. What keyword is used to assign a value to a variable that has a
typical value? DEFAULT 48. How frequently are block declared variables
initialized? Every time a block is executed 49. With which symbol do you prefix a
bind variable when you reference it in PL/SQL? : 50. What are two statements that
are true about the INTO clause? 1. You have to specify the same number of
variables in the INTO clause as the values returned by the SELECT statement. 2.
The data types of the variables specified in the INTO clause need to correspond
with the values returned by the SELECT statement. 51. What keyword is used when
you populate a host variable from the SQL prompt? The VARIABLE keyword 52. How do
you end each SQL statement in a PL/SQL block? With a ; 53. Can you have more than
one transaction in a PL/SQL block? Yes 54. What is common among these cursor
attributes; SQL%FOUND, SQL%NOTFOUND, SQL%ISOPEN? They are all Boolean attributes.
55. What does it mean when the cursor attribute SQL%FOUND returns the result TRUE?
The most recent SQL statement issued affects one or more rows. 56. What are two
true statements concerning the index in a FOR loop? 1. You can't reference it
outside the loop. 2. You can use an expression to reference its existing value
within the loop. 57. How do you begin defining a record type? TYPE emp_record_type
IS RECORD 58. Do PL/SQL records have a predefined data type? No. 59. Give an
example of the correct syntax to reference a row in a PL/SQL table. Dept_table(15)
60. The primary key of a PL/SQL table must be of what data type? Scalar 61. What
is the term used for the rows produced by a query? Active set 62. Name three
things that are true about explicit cursors. 1. They are manipulated through
specific statements in the block's executable actions. 2. They individually
process each row returned by a multi row SELECT statement. 3. They need to be
declared and named before they can be used. 63. Name two things true about cursor
FOR loops. 1. They process rows in an explicit cursor. 2. They automate the
processing as the cursor is automatically opened and the rows fetched for each
iteration in the loop, and the cursor is closed when all the rows have been
processed. 64. What are four attributes that provide status information about a
cursor? 1. %ISOPEN 2. %NOTFOUND 3. %FOUND 4. %ROWCOUNT 65. Describe at least one
way explicit cursor attributes are used. You can use the explicit cursor
attributes to test the success of each fetch before any further references are
made to the cursor. 66. What clause do you use to apply updates and deletes to the
row currently being addressed, without having to explicitly reference the ROWID?
67. How long does the Oracle server wait if it cannot acquire the locks on the
rows it needs in a SELECT FOR UPDATE? indefinitely 68. Name three things about
using cursors with parameters.
Page 72 of 259

1. You can use parameters to pass values to a cursor when it is open. 2.

Parameters are used in a query when it executes. 3. In the OPEN statement, each
formal parameter in the cursor declaration must have a corresponding real
parameter. 69. Name three things true about trapping exceptions 1. When an
exception occurs, PL/SQL processes only one handler before leaving the block. 2.
If you use the OTHERS clause, it should be placed last of all the exception-
handling clauses. 3. Exceptions cannot appear in assignment statements or SQL
statements. 70. Describe two aspects about exceptions. 1. Once an Oracle error
occurs, the associated exception is raised automatically. 2. You can raise an
exception explicitly by issuing the RAISE statement within the block. 71. What
exception occurs when the conversion of a character string to number fails?
INVALID_NUMBER 72. Name three things about user-defined exceptions. 1. When
defining your own exceptions, you need to declare them in the DECLARE section of a
PL/SQL block. 2. They are raised explicitly with RAISE statements. 3. You need to
reference your declared exception within the corresponding exception-handling
routine. 73. What's another Best Practice? Set standards and guidelines for your
application before anyone starts writing code. 1. Selection of development tools
2. How SQL is written in PL/SQL code. 3. How the exception handling architecture
is designed. 4. Processes for code review and testing. 74. Explain the
relationship between a Conceptual Data Model (CDM) and a Physical Data Model
(PDM). Most of the objects in the logical model correspond to a related object in
the physical model, e.g. the logical model contains entities, attributes, and key
groups, which are represented in the physical model as tables, columns, and
indexes, respectively. The CDM allows the designer to concentrate solely on
defining the objects in the information system and the relationships between them,
without having to consider the numerous parameters associated with the physical
implementation such as data integrity constraints, data access speed and data
storage efficiency. The CDM thus provides a clear and succinct picture of the
information system, which is independent of the targeted DBMS. A single CDM may
therefore be associated with a number of PDMs targeting different DBMSs. The
conceptual level schema, should present to the user a simple, physical
implementation-independent clear view of the format of the data sets and their
descriptions. A Conceptual Data Model lays the foundation for building shared
databases and re-engineering the business. 75. Elaborating on 74, describe
conceptual vs logical vs physical designs. Conceptual database design is the
process of building a model of the essential part of the enterprise business
process and the used information, independent of all physical considerations.
Logical database design - The process of constructing a model of information used
in an enterprise based on a specific data model, using natural objects of
information and natural associations between them. The model of information is
independent of a particular implementation and other physical consideration.
Physical database design - The process of producing a description of the
implementation of the database on secondary storage. It describes the storage
structures and access methods used to achieve efficient access to the data. 76.
What is a pseudo-column? A pseudo-column is a "column" that yields a value when
selected, but which is not an actual column of the table. 77. What are the more
common pseudo-columns? sequence.CurrVal, sequence.NextVal, RowID, RowNum, SysDate,
UID, User 78. What is the difference between VARCHAR and VARCHAR2? The VARCHAR
data type is currently synonymous with the VARCHAR2 data type. It is recommended
that you use VARCHAR2 rather than VARCHAR. In a future version of Oracle, VARCHAR
might be a separate data type used for variable length character strings compared
with different comparison semantics. 79. Give an example of overloaded Built-in
functions. date_string := TO_CHAR (SYSDATE, 'MMDDYY'); number_string := TO_CHAR
(10000); If overloading was not supported in PL/SQL (TO_CHAR is a function in the
STANDARD package), then two different functions would be required to support
conversions to character format. 80. What is the difference between call and
execute sql*+ commands. The CALL statement is SQL(and only understands SQL types).
EXEC is really shorthand for begin/end;. 81. How can I check for duplicates?
select count(*), job from emp group by job having count(*) > 0; 4 CLERK 4 SALESMAN
3 MANAGER 2 ANALYST 1 PRESIDENT 82. What is another name for ref cursors? cursor
variables 83. What data type column can not be used with INTERSECT? LONG
Page 73 of 259

84. When is the MINUS keyword used? To remove those rows which are retrieved by
one SELECT from those retrieved by another SELECT statement. 85. Give an example
of the MINUS keyword. List the numbers of all managers who do not hold advanced
degrees. SELECT MGRNO FROM DEPT WHERE MGRNO IS NOT NULL MINUS SELECT EMPNO FROM
EMP WHERE EDLEVEL >= 18; 86. When is the INTERSECT keyword used? To return only
those rows that are the result of two or more SELECT statements. 87. Give an
example of the INTERSECT keyword. List the numbers of all managers who do not hold
advanced degrees. SELECT MGRNO FROM DEPT WHERE MGRNO IS NOT NULL INTERSECT SELECT
EMPNO FROM EMP WHERE EDLEVEL < 18; 88. Write a query to find the duplicate
record(s) of column a, b and c in a table of columns a..z. SELECT count(*), a, b,
c FROM t GROUP BY a, b, c HAVING COUNT(*) > 1; 89. Give an example of the NOT
keyword. SELECT c FROM t WHERE c != 'x'; SELECT c FROM t WHERE NOT c = 'x'; 90.
Give an example of the LIKE keyword. SELECT c FROM t WHERE c LIKE '_EU%L'; ie the
first character can be any character, the next two must be EU and the last must be
L. Any number of chararcters or numbers could be between the U and L. 91. What is
SQLCODE? A predefined symbol that contains the Oracle error status of the
previously executed PL/SQL statement. If a SQL statement executes without errors,
SQLCODE is equal to 0. 92. What is SQLERRM? A PL/SQL symbol that contains the
error message associated with SQLCODE. If a SQL statement executes successfully,
SQLCODE is equal to 0 and SQLERRM contains the string ORA-0000: normal, successful
completion 93. What is ROWNUM? A pseudocolumn that indicates the order of the
retrieved row. The ROWNUM for the first returned row is 1, ROWNUM can limit the
number of rows that are returned by a query. 94. What are the benefits of using
the PLS_INTEGER Datatype in PL/SQL? If you have a whole-number counter, for
example in a loop or record counter, consider using a datatype of PLS_INTEGER
instead of INTEGER or NUMBER. When declaring an integer variable, PLS_INTEGER is
the most efficient numeric datatype because its values require less storage than
INTEGER or NUMBER values, which are represented internally as 22-byte Oracle
numbers. Also, PLS_INTEGER operations use machine arithmetic, so they are faster
than BINARY_INTEGER, INTEGER, or NUMBER operations, which use library arithmetic.
Jayanta Sengupta Lowell, Massachusetts 95. Explain the difference between NVL and
NVL2. NVL (expr1, expr2); NVL - If expr1 is null then return expr2 else return
expr1. NVL2 (expr1, expr2, expr3) NVL2 - If expr1 is not null then the function
will return expr2. Otherwise, the function will return expr3. The expr1 can have
any datatype and arguments expr2 and expr3 can be of any datatype other than LONG.
The datatype of the return value is that of expr2. 96. Describe RTRIM. RTRIM
(string [,'set']) RTRIM is the opposite of RPAD and similar to LTRIM. The function
removes characters from the right-hand portion of a string. The string passed as
the first parameter is returned with all characters contained in the string passed
as the second parameter removed from the right of the last character not found in
the remove string. The second parameter is optional and defaults to a single
space. rtrim('ORACLE UPDATE ') --> 'ORACLE UPDATE' rtrim('ORACLE UPDATE','EDATPU')
--> 'ORACLE ' rtrim('ORACLE UPDATE',' EDATPU') --> 'ORACL' 97. Describe UNION and
UNION ALL. UNION returns distinct rows selected by both queries while UNION ALL
returns all the rows. Therefore, if the table has duplicates, UNION will remove
them. If the table has no duplicates, UNION will force a sort and cause
performance degradation as compared to UNION ALL. 98. What is 1st normal form?
Each cell must be one and only one value, and that value must be atomic: there can
be no repeating groups in a table that satisfies first normal form. 99. What is
2nd normal form? Every nonkey column must depend on the entire primary key. 100.
What is 3rd normal form? (another explanation than #1) No nonkey column depends on
another nonkey column. 101. What is 4th normal form?
Page 74 of 259

Fourth normal form forbids (prohibits, prevents) independent one-to-many

relationships between primary key columns and nonkey columns. 102. What is 5th
normal form? Fifth normal form breaks tables into the smallest possible pieces in
order to eliminate all redundancy within a table. Tables normalized to this extent
consist of little more than the primary key. 103. What does pragma mean to Oracle?
A pragma is simply a compiler directive, a method to instruct the compiler to
perform some compilation option. 104. What is a Latch? A Latch is a low level
serialization mechanism that (released as quickly as it is acquired) protects
shared data structures. A process acquires and holds the latch as long as the data
structure is in use. The basic idea is to prevent concurrent access to shared data
structures in the SGA. In case the process dies without releasing the latch, the
PMON process will clean up the lock on the data structure and release the latch.
If a process is not able to obtain a latch, it must wait for the latch to be freed
up by the process holding it. This causes additional spinning (looking for
availability at fixed intervals of time) of the process, thereby causing extra
load on the CPU. This process will spin until the latch is available. A dba has to
monitor the latches for contention and make sure that CPU cycles are not being
burnt on process spinning. 105. Does ROLLUP work with multiple columns? The ROLLUP
feature can in fact be applied to multiple columns. The result is multiple levels
of rollup, as illustrated here: select deptno, job, count(*), grouping(deptno),
grouping(job) from emp group by rollup(deptno, job); DEPTNO JOB COUNT(*)
GROUPING(DEPTNO) GROUPING(JOB) ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 10 CLERK 1 0 0 10 MANAGER
1 0 0 10 PRESIDENT 1 0 0 10 3 0 1 20 ANALYST 2 0 0 20 CLERK 2 0 0 20 MANAGER 1 0 0
20 5 0 1 30 CLERK 1 0 0 30 MANAGER 1 0 0 30 SALESMAN 4 0 0 30 6 0 1 14 1 1 As
shown in this example, we're able to count the employees by 1) department and job;
2) department; and 3) grand total. 106. What is an inline view? A subquery in the
from clause of your main query. 107. Give an example of an inline view and Top-N
Query. SELECT ename, job, sal, rownum FROM (SELECT ename, job, sal FROM emp ORDER
BY sal) WHERE rownum <= 3; SMITH CLERK 800 1 JAMES CLERK 950 2 ADAMS CLERK 1100 3
108. What SQL*Plus command is useful for determining whether the "N rows selected"
message will appear? Feedback 109. What SQL*Plus keyword is used for defining
formats for how SQL*Plus displays column information? Set 110. This phrase
describes a query that feeds one row of results to a parent query for the purpose
of selection when the exact where clause criteria is not known? Single-row
subquery. 111. Use of what command requires that you first run the plustrce.sql
script? Autotrace 112. The database for an international athletic competition
consists of one table, ATHLETES, containing contestant name, age, and represented
country. To determine the youngest athlete representing each country, how do you
write the code? scott@PO816>SELECT name, country, age FROM athletes WHERE
(country, age ) IN ( SELECT country, min(age) FROM athletes GROUP BY country);
113. What is a single-row subquery? The main query expects the subquery to return
only one value. 114. What is an inline view? A subquery in a from clause used for
defining an intermediate result set to query from. 115. What does AUTOTRACE do?
Allows us to see the execution plan of the queries we've executed and the
resources they used, without having to use the EXPLAIN PLAN command. 116. What
does SQL_TRACE do? Enables logging of all application SQL, performance stats and
query plan used. 117. What does TKPROF do? Formats the raw trace files into a
readable report. 118. What are the two main index types that Oracle uses? B*Tree
and Bitmap 119. When are Bitmap indexes appropriate?
Page 75 of 259

In situations of low cardinality data, i.e. data with few distinct values. 120.
What is a top-n query? select * from ( select ename from emp order by sal ) where
rownum <= 3; In general it refers to getting the top-n rows from a result set.
121. What is PostgreSQL? PostgreSQL is a sophisticated Object-Relational DBMS,
supporting almost all SQL constructs, including subselects, transactions, and
user-defined types and functions. It is the most advanced open-source database
available anywhere. Commercial Support is also available. 122. What are the three
main reasons for partitioning a database? 1. To increase availability (derived
from the fact that partitions are independent entities). 2. To ease administration
burdens (derived from the fact that performing operations on small objects is
inherently easier, faster, and less resource intensive than performing the same
operation on a large object). 3. To enhance DML and query performance (potential
to perform parallel DML). 123. What are the two types of cursors? Implicit
(Oracle's) and explicit (yours). 124. Does the order of stored procedures in a
package matter? It does if one procedure calls another; if that happens, the
calling procedure must be the earlier of the two. 125. How does 9i compare to 8i?
Q21: What is the difference between Oracle 7 and Oracle 8? Ans : Difference
between Oracle 7 and 8 are as follows: 1. New Table-Partitioning Option The
advantages of partitioning include: • Reduced Downtime for Scheduled Maintenance •
Less Downtime Due to Data Failures • Improved I/O Performance • Disk Striping:
Performance versus Availability 2. New index Partitioning Oracle8 provides the
same flexibility with table indexes as it does with table partitions. To take
advantage of this index flexibility, you go through the same steps used in table
partitioning. Again, you do not have to modify existing applications and business
processes.

3. Improved Backup and Recovery Mechanisms 1. New Parallel Data-Manipulation-

Language Ability 2. New and Improved Networking Features 3. A Better Optimizer 7.
Reduced Resource Consumption

Q22: What is the advantage of using Packages over using procedures and funtions?
Ans: A Stored packages allow you to encapsulate, or group, related stored
procedures, variables, datatypes, etc. in a single named, stored unit in the
database. This provides for better organization during the development process.
Encapsulation of procedural constructs in a package also makes privilege
management easier. Granting the privilege to use a package makes all constructs of
the package accessible to the grantee. Using packages rather than stand–alone
stored procedures results in the following improvements:  The entire package is
loaded into memory when a procedure within the package is called for the first
time. This load is completed in one operation, as opposed to the separate loads
required for standalone
Page 76 of 259

procedures. Therefore, when calls to related packaged procedures occur, no disk

I/O is necessary to execute the compiled code already in memory.  A package body
can be replaced and recompiled without affecting the specification. As a result,
objects that reference a package’s constructs (always via the specification) never
need to be recompiled unless the package specification is also replaced. By using
packages, unnecessary recompilations can be minimized, resulting in less impact on
overall database performance.

1 Write different type of report triggers? Ans.Before Parameter Form After

ParameterForm Before Report Between Pages After Report 2 diff type of reports in
report25 Ans.tabular master detail matrix form form letter mailing label 3 diff
type of columns in report25 Ans.database columns,formula columns,placeholder
column summary columns 4 what is dynmic sql Ans.sql with sql_dbms package 5 what
is the maximum length of a variable in pl/sql Ans. 32768 bytes 6 Which of the
following is unary operator a.! b. + c. * Ans.a. 7 can you write a while loop that
never end Ans. yes 8 number,date 9 select( to_date('06/11/97','mm/dd/yy')-
to_date('06/11/67','mm/dd/yy'))/365 from dual; Ans. 30.021918 10 name of at least
four predefined oracle exception errors Ans. invalid_number no-data-found too-
many-rows invalid-cursor
Page 77 of 259

value-error 11 legal or not legal ? employee_last_name % type; Ans. not legal 12

missing a semicolumn is what type of error a) logical error b)syntax error answer
is (a) 13 what is the maximum length of an alert statment a)25 character b 30
character c)40 character answer is (b) 14 which function enables you to find out
the time in a time zone by simply passing the date and time of first zone and
specifying the second zone,write the syntax of that function?
Ans.NEW_TIME(input_date_and-time,time_zone1,time_zone2) 15 16 what is a relation
what are tuples and domain in the relation

Ans. the no of rows in a table are tuples and the set of value the attribute may
have is called domain

17 what is vsam Ans. virtual storage access method 18 two diff integrity rules are
Ans. entity integrity and referential integrity 19 what do you understand by
cardinality or arity Ans. the no of tuples in a relation and no of attributes in a
relation are called cardinality and arity respective. 20 from the given operation
which three are union compitable a)union a,b.c b)difference c)intersection
d)Cartesian product write the result Ans. a,b,c select nvl(1,2) from dual Ans. 1
select * from a,b (a has 10 records and b has no records) Ans. no row selected can
you use save points other than on-save-points trigger Ans. no

21 22 23
Page 78 of 259

24 25 26 27 28

can you delete a column from a table? Ans. no select nvl(null,2) from dual; Ans. 2
can you use ceil, floor for date Ans. no whether oracle support y2k problems Ans.
yes,by using RR format a)11,10,10,10

ceil(10.6),round(10.6),trunc(10.6),floor(10.6) is b)11,11,11,10 c)11,11,10,10

answer is (c) 29 different pseudocolumns are Ans.
curval,nextval,rowid,rownum,level

30 Name the column which behave like a table column but is not actullay stored in
the table we can not insert ,delete,update their values Ans. Pseudocolumns 31 diff
between union and union all Ans. union operator returns only distinct values while
union all operator returns all the rows 32 what is optimization Ans. excellent
execution path for sql statements 33 which of the function is used to convert a
rowid value to varchar2 Ans. ROWIDCHAR 34 diff between rowid and rownum Ans. Rowid
returns the row address while rownum returns the no in which oracle select the row
from table 35 trigger firing order on item level? Ans. 1)key-next-item 2)when-
validate-item

37

which one is block level trigger I.e not true for form level? 1)when-clear-block
2)when-new-block-instance 3) 1,2 both 4) none answer is 4. 38 write the result
Ans.select LTRIM('xxxXxxLAST WORD','x') FROM DUAL; XxxLASTWORD 39 Name the
triggers which fire automatically when we create the master detail block Ans. on-
clear-details
Page 79 of 259

on-check-delete-master on-populate-details 40 how many groups are req. when we

create a matrix report Ans. four 41 diff between truncate and delete statement
Ans. truncate is DDL and delete is DML 42 what is 2nd normalization form Ans. if
all the nonkey attribute depend fully on primary key 43 diff between table level
constraints and column level Ans. if constraints are defined on column level then
it is column level constraints else table level constraints 44 which is true alter
table clause perform following task a)change the name of table b)change the name
of column c)drop a column d)decrease the size of column e) none answer is (e) 45
write the syntax for copying the data from one database to another database Ans.
COPY [FROM username [/password] [@database_specification]| TO username [/password]
[@database_specification]] APPEND|CREATE|INSERT|REPLACE} destination_table
[(column, column, column, ...)] USING query 46 what is the main diff between
functions and procedure . Ans. functions always return a single value to the
caller, while procedures do not return values to the caller. 47 what is diff
between unique key and primary key Ans. unique key may have null value while
primary key never be null 48 how many exclusive lock are possible on a resource
Ans. one 49 named groups of related privileges Ans. roles 50 what is redo log?
Ans.the redo log is a set of files that protect altered database data in memory
that has not been written to the data files Q51: What are snapshot ? . Ans. ORACLE
provides an automatic method for table replication and update called
snapshots.Snapshots are read-only copies of a master table located on a remote
node. A snapshot can be queried ,but not updated; only the master table can be
updated. A snapshot is periodically refreshed to reflect changes made to the
master table. Q52: Violated integrity constraint (OWNER.CONSTRAINT) WHY this
occurs ? And. When there is master detail relationship between two tables and
record is deleted from master table or insert into detail table without inserting
the key field in the master table. Q53 :When I create a link between queries, does
the link have to be an equi-join And. NO. Q54 :What are the bind parameters ?
attribute then relation is in 2nd normal form. constraints
Page 80 of 259

Ans. Bind references are used to replace a single value in SQL or PL/SQL.
Specifically, bind references may be used to replace expressions in SELECT, WHERE,
GROUP BY, ORDER BY, HAVING, CONNECT BY, and START WITH clauses of queries. Binds
may not be referenced in the FROM clause. Q55 :What are the name of block which
have no base table ? Ans. Control block Q56 :What is a 'Break Group' Ans. A break
group is used to create a report in which an identical values in sequential rows
is printed only once for its related records. (i.e. A break group divides a
query's columns into sets.) Q57: Is there an easy way to have the Odd page numbers
appear on the right side of the Report page and the Even Page numbers to appear on
the left side of the Report page so when you put the pages together like a book
they will appear on the correct side ? Ans. You have to create two fields, one on
the right side, one on the left side. In the format trigger of each field, you
test if it is an odd or an even page by using SRW.GET_PAGE_NUM. And then, you
display or not the field. Q58 :Will the Before Report Trigger be the first trigger
fired? It appears so from the order the triggers are listed in the Object
Navigator? Ans. No Q59 : Is it possible to upgrade directly from SQL*ReportWriter
1.1 to Reports 2.5 ? Ans. Yes Q60 : Are there any facilities to restart a report
that was stopped in the middle of processing for whatever reason? Ans. No Q61 :Is
there anyway to programmatically disable the PRINT button in the Previewer ? Ans.
Currently this is an enhancement request and is being considered for a future
release of the product. Q62 : Is there any way in Reports 2.0 or 2.5 to trap all
errors in order to display your own error message, similar to the ON-ERROR and ON-
MESSAGE triggers in Forms ? Ans. no Q63 : Is pl/sql support data defination
languge Ans. No,but by using sql_dbms package it support the ddl. Q64 :What is
name of SQL System Control command Ans. Alter system Q65:lock table is which type
of command a)DDL b)DML c)sql transection control command Ans. b)DML Q67
:MONTHS_BETWEEN FUN. RETURN WHICH DATATYPE? a)date b)number c)both Ans. b Q68
:SELECT TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, 'MM-DD-YYYY HH24:MI:SS') NOW Ans. Q69 :How we write the
record in descending order Ans.by using desc Q70 :true or false A table cannot
contain more than one LONG column. Ans.true Q71:A table must be in which
normalization form Ans.first normal form Q72 :Is there any diff between varchar2
and varchar Ans.no Q73 :Could we multiply or divide the date values Ans.no Q74
:name any charcter operator Ans.concatenation FROM DUAL
Page 81 of 259

Q75: WHAT IS GLB Ans.Returns the greatest lower bound of label. Q76: SELECT
TO_CHAR(TO_DATE('27-OCT-17', 'DD-MON-RR') ,'YYYY') "4-digit year" "4-digit year"
FROM DUAL answer is 2017 Q77 :WHY VSIZE USE? Ans.Returns the number of bytes in
the internal representation of expr. If expr is null, this function returns null.
Q78 :WHY WE USE USERNV Ans. Returns information of VARCHAR2 datatype about the
current session. This information can be useful for writing an application-
specific audit trail table or for determining the language-specific characters
currently used by your session. You cannot use this function in the condition of a
CHECK constraint. EXAMPLE: SELECT USERENV('LANGUAGE') "Language"
-------------------------AMERICAN_AMERICA.US7ASCII Q79 :WHAT THE USE OF SOUNDEX
Ans. Returns a character string containing the phonetic representation of char.
This function allows you to compare words that are spelled differently, but sound
alike in English. Q80 :IS THERE ANY DIFF BETWEEN OF LIST OF VALUES AND LIST
ELEMENTS Ans. :No Q81 :Can YOU replace an LOV's underlying record group with a
different record group : Ans. YES BY USING
Set_LOV_Property('my_lov',GROUP_NAME,'new_group'); Q82 :How can I change the title
of my RUNFORM window ? Ans. Use the following code in you When-New-Form-Instance
trigger :Set_Window_Property(FORMS_MDI_WINDOW, TITLE, 'Your Title'); Q83 :How can
I dynamically make an entire block query-only at runtime ? Ans.Issue the following
: Set_Block_Property('blockname', INSERT_ALLOWED,PROPERTY_OFF);
Set_Block_Property('blockname', UPDATE_ALLOWED,PROPERTY_OFF); 84 DATATYPE OF
GLOBALS Ans.char Q85 :Is it possible to defer locking of a record until commit
time ? Ans.yes Q86 :HOW MANY CODD'S RULE ARE SATISFIED BY ORACLE7.x partially or
fully Ans.all the codd's rule are satsfied by oracle 7.x Q87 :WHAT IS THE DIFF
BETWEEN PRIMARY KEY AND CANDIDATE KEY Ans. there may be two or more attributes
that uniquely identify an instance of an entity set.these attributes or
combination of attributes are called candidate key.in such a case we must decide
which of the candidate key will be used as primary key.the remaning keys would be
considered as alternate key Q88 :WHAT IS THE DIFF BETWEEN RADIO BUTTON AND PUSH
BUTTON Ans. a radio button created with radio group, but no group req for creating
push button Q89 :What do you understand by metadata? Ans. Description of database
is called meta data Q90 :What is third normal form Ans.A relation is said to be in
3rd normal form if there is no functional dependency between non key attributes
Q91: What is the minimum value of cache in a sequnce Ans. 2 Q92 :Write the syntax
for grant statement Ans.GRANT {object_priv | ALL [PRIVILEGES]} [ (column [,
column] ...) ] [, {object_priv | ALL [PRIVILEGES]} [ (column [, column] ...) ] ]
...ON [schema.]object TO {user | role | PUBLIC} [, {user | role | PUBLIC}] ... Q93
:What is the diff between row trigger and statement trigger
Page 82 of 259

Ans. Oracle fires a row trigger once for each row that is affected by the
triggering statement and meets the optional trigger constraint defined in the WHEN
clause.if you omit this clause, the trigger is a statement trigger. Oracle fires a
statement trigger only once when the triggering statement is issued if the
optional trigger constraint is met. Q94 : Diff between database trigger and form
trigger Ans. Database triggers are defined on a table and stored in the associated
database and executed as a result of an insert, update,delete statement being
issued against a table.sql*form triggers are fired only when a specific trigger
point is executed witin a specific application Q95 :What are control items item
Ans. Which have no base table Q96 :Write diff type of library file format Ans.
.pll,.plx,.pld Q97 :When creating master detail form which of the master delete
property set by default Ans. non-isolated Q98 :What is the default value set for
sys date in a form Ans. $$date$$ Q99 :What is the conditon for creating master
detail form Ans. Primary key -foreginkey relationship between two bas etable Q100
:What is ballon help Ans.The hint displayed when mouse cursor moves from one push
button to another Q101 :In the report 25 type of list of values Ans. Static
value,value from a select statement Q102 :Oracle report provides several system
parameter two of which are included in the run time parameter formby default what
are that Ans. Destination name,destination type Q103 : Which is false a)queries a
data model is composed of some or all b)groups c)anchors d)columns Ans: c. Q104 :
Write the syntax for creating a trigger Ans. CREATE [OR REPLACE] TRIGGER
[schema.]trigger{BEFORE | AFTER} {DELETE | INSERT | UPDATE [OF column [, column]
...]} [OR {DELETE | INSERT | UPDATE [OF column [, column] ...]}] ... ON
[schema.]table [ [REFERENCING { OLD [AS] old [NEW [AS] new] | NEW [AS] new [OLD
[AS] old] } ] FOR EACH ROW [WHEN (condition)] ] pl/sql_block Q105 :At least how
many content canvas view you define for each window in your application. Ans. At
least one Q106 : Diff type of locking mode are? Ans. 'Immediate' or 'Delayed'.
Q107 : Have a Pre-Record trigger that does: IF ((dynamic-condition-is-true) AND
:System.Record_Status = 'NEW') THEN RAISE Form_Trigger_Failure; END IF; what is
the result of this--Ans. dynamically prevent the user from entering a new record
Page 83 of 259

Q108 :How can I dynamically make an entire block query-only at runtime ? Ans.
Issue the following : Set_Block_Property('blockname',
INSERT_ALLOWED,PROPERTY_OFF); Set_Block_Property('blockname',
UPDATE_ALLOWED,PROPERTY_OFF); Q109:What exactly does 'Query Hits' and 'Query
Options' mean in the context of a block ? Ans. Set_Block_Property(.., QUERY_HITS)
lets your ON-COUNT transactional trigger tell Forms how many records the query out
the message :"FRM-xxxxx: Query will retrieve nnn record(s)."Getting this property
via Get_Block_Property(.., QUERY_HITS) simply returns the number of records that
have been retrieved by the query.Get_Block_Property(.., QUERY_OPTIONS) lets your
transactional trigger know whether it's supposed to be doing a normal query, a
COUNT(*) type query, or a lock record query.

Q110 :What is the difference between the block properties of ARRAY SIZE and
RECORDS BUFFERED ? Ans. ARRAY SIZE is the number of records that get fetched each
time forms goes to the database. The RECORDS BUFFERED specifies the minimum number
of records that should be placed in memory when records are fetched from the
database. Even if you specify a low value of 3, the minimum per form is slightly
over 300.As more records are brought back from the database (eg records 303-306)
they get moved between memory and the file buffer as the user scrolls down. Q111 :
Write diff datatypes for a parameter in a form? Ans.Parameters are NUMBER, CHAR,
or DATE Q112 : What is the diff between Pre-Query vs. Pre-Select Ans. PRE-QUERY
fires just before Forms begins to prepare the SQL statement that will be required
to query the appropriate records from the database in response to the query
criteria that have been entered into the example record.It is the designers last
chance to "deposit" query criteria into the items in the block as if they had been
entered into the example record by the operator. PRE-SELECT fires after the PRE-
QUERY trigger has fired,and just before the actual, physical construction of the
SELECT statement begins. It would typically be used in conjunction with an ON-
SELECT trigger in which the designer would be supplanting the normal construction
of the SELECT statement with a user exit of his own to construct and prepare the
SELECT statement for execution (perhaps against a foreign datasource). Q113 : To
store images in the database, you need to read them from the file system in one of
the supported standard file formats ,name some of the files? Ans.
JFIF,PCX,BMP,TIFF Q114 :How can I determine which user interface I am using at
runtime Ans. Issue the builtin Get_Application_Property (USER_INTERFACE).'PICT'
Q115 : Will the following query use an index ,given rule based optimization :
select distinct city from emp where city not in('new york','boston','dallas') a.
Yes b. No Ans. b Q116 : What will the outcome of following command? REVOKE CONNECT
FROM MARY a. mary's current session will be disconnected b.mary's account will be
dropped c.maty will no longer be able to use the connect privilege d.mary will no
longer be able to enable the connect role. category: security And : d. Q117 :
Which program is used to verify sql*net v2 connectivity from a window connectivity
a. tnsname b.listener b.listener c.orasrv c.orasrv d.tnsping d.tnsping answer is
d. Q118 : Which of the following is not a lockmode option for the lock table
command a.share update a.share update
Page 84 of 259

b.share row level exclusive c row share d.update Ans: d. Q119 :When you create a
new table space ,do the control file increase in size a.yes, b. no Ans b. Q120 :
An SCN is a.SOURCE CODE NO b.system contril number c.system change number
d.session commit node Ans : C. Q121 : What is the outcoming of following command :
a.all succesfull connection to the databases will be recorded audit session b.all
unsucessfull connection to the data base are recorded c.all successfull and
unsuccesfull connection are recorded d.the command will return an error Ans. c.all
successfull and unsuccesfull connection are recorded Q122 :Which data dictionary
view records the creation date of table a.D.B.A.-objects b.D.B.A.-tables c.D.B.A.-
segments d.D.B.A.-tab-columns Ans: a.D.B.A.-objects Q123 : Place the database
creation steps listed below in their proper chronological order: 1.cretae database
2.create tablespace roll_segs.... 3.create rollback segments R_1 table space
roll_segs 4.create rollback segments r1 tablespace system 5.alter rollback segment
R_1 online Q124 :What is the name of the default user profile? a.default b.user
c.connect d.profile Ans: a. Q125 :A large table has all of its records are
deleted, and the deletion is commited .to verify that there is no record a.Table
was fragmentd into multiple extents.,you perform the following query b.the table
have more index on it select count(*) from employee; c.The table has not analyzed
since its records had been deleted.But it takes long time to give the result d.The
tables highwatermark had not been reset. Ans.d. Q126 :WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WOULD
CAUSE A SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE TO FAIL? a).a transacton that has just started. b).a
user process that is not connected. c).a transection that is in the process of
rolling back d).a deadlock between two process. Ans :d. Q127 :Which of the
following can you not change after a database has beencreated a.) shared pool size
b.)the default no of listener
Page 85 of 259

c.)the no. of control file. d.)the database block size Ans. d. Q128 :Can a
database trigger contain a commit. a.yes b.no answer is b. Q129 :Which file does
the following listing come from.
tcp.db.us.oracle.com=(description=(address_list=(address=(community=tcp.us.oracle.
com)(protocol=tcp)(ho
st=tcp_server.us.oracle.com)(port=1521)))(connect_data=(sid=oracle7))) a.init.ora
b.tnsnames.ora c.config.ora d.listner.ora Ans : b.tnsnames.ora Q130 : Which of the
following constraints ,when applied to a table,will automatically create an index?
a.foreign key b.check c.unique d.not null Ans: c. Q131 :By default,what is the
frquency of commits during an import? a.after each table b.after each 100sec
c.after the import complete d.after each user is imported Ans: a. Q132 : What is
the default password for the sql*net v2 listner? a.listner b.tnsnames c.oracle
d.lsnrctl Ans: a. Q133 :DUAL is a tiny table provide with how many rows and column
in it Ans. 1,1 Q134 :SELECT ROUND(99.308,1) FROM DUAL; Ans. 99.3 Q135 :SELECT
ROUND(99.308) FROM DUAL; Ans. 99 Q136 :select round(99.308,-1) FROM DUAL; Ans. 100
Q137 :WHAT IS THE DIFF BETWEEN APPEND AND INSERT IN CASE OF SQLLODER? Ans : Append
is done if the table have record,but in case of insert the table must be empty.
Q138 :HOW MANY DATATYPES CAN BE LOADED USING SQL*LOADER Ans.14 Q139 :$CHMOD 753
MEMO1,EXPLAIN THIS Ans. owner has rwe rights group has re others has we Q140 :To
change the ownership which of the commond is used in unix Ans. chown user2 temp
Q141 :How to display hidden file in UNIX
Page 86 of 259

Ans. ls -a Q142 : Define entity Ans. entities are distinguishable objects of

concern and are modeled using their attributes Q143 : In an E-Rdig what are the
meaning of Ans. an entity set is shown in rectangle, the diamond reprent the
relationship among the no of entities Q144 :THERE ARE TWO RELATIONS PID name 101
jones 103 smith 104 evan 107 drew 112 smith then result of P INTERSECTION Q IS a.
id name 101 jones 103 smith 104 evan 106 bayron 107 drew 112 smith c id name 106
bayron ans b Q145 :HOW TO CONVERT A VALUE OF CHAR DATATYPE TO DATE DATATYPE Ans.
TO_DATE(char [, fmt [, 'nlsparams'] ]) Q146 :WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL DEPENDANCY ?given
two sets of attributes X AND Y Ans. Y is said to be functionally dependent on X if
a given value for each attribute in X detrmines the value of the attribute Y. Q147
:WHAT IS THE Btitle Ans. Set the bottam title for each page of a report. Q148
:Oracle Forms supplies how many triggers? Ans. About 80 triggers Q149 :Name any
five form level triggers only Ans. when -timer-expierd when-new-form-instancre
when-window-activate when-window-close when-form-navigate Q150 :What is parse
option? Ans. Converts the text file format of a module (.FMT, .MMT, .PLD) to a
binary format (.FMB, .MMB, .PLL). Q151 :What is control block Ans. which have no
base table Q152 :CEIL(4*3*(12-1)+12*9+7*(55-12*4)/11) Ans. 245 Q153 :What is DDBMS
? Ans. Distributed data base management system Q154 :WHAT IS LOGICAL
DATAINDEPEDENCY
Page 87 of 259

Ans. The conceptual schema can be changed withot affecting the existing external
schema. Q155 :WHAT IS SUPER KEY? Ans. IF WE ADD AN ADDITIONAL ATTRIBUTE TO A
PRIMARY KEY THEN THE RESULTING COMBINATION IS AGAIN A PRIMARY KEY.SUCH A KEY IS
CALLED SUPER KEY. Q156 :WHAT IS UWA? Ans. IT IS USER WORK AREA Q157 :WHAT ARE
VIRTUAL FIELD Ans. UNLIKE A REAL FIELD A VIRTUAL FIELD CANNOT MODIFIED BY USER.
e.g age: depend upon date of birth and todays date. Q158 :what is the diff between
execute-query and execute-query(no-validate) Q159 :What is deadlock? Ans. A
deadlock is a situation that can occur in multi-user systems that causes some
number of transactions to be unable to continue work.A deadlock can occur when two
or more users are waiting for data locked by each other. It typically happens when
each of two or more users are waiting to access a resource that another user has
already locked. Q160 :UPDATE emp 1 SET sal = sal*1.1 WHERE empno = 1000; UPDATE
emp 2 SET sal = sal*1.1 WHERE empno = 2000; WHAT IS THE RESULT OF TIME POINT2 Ans
: deadlock Q161 :WHAT IS BOM IN AN ERP Ans. Bill of material Q162 :WHAT IS THE
ORDER OF FIRING THE TRIGGERS IN A FORM Ans. form----->block------->item Q163 :WHAT
IS THE use of grep command in UNIX Ans. To search for a pattern in a file. Q164
:Why we use wc -c in UNIX Ans. Counts only the characters in the file. Q165
:ORACLE 6 FOLLOWS HOW MANY CODD'S RULE Ans. Seven Q166 :INPUT DATA 7456123.89
SPECIFIED AS NUMBER(6) STORED AS ? Ans.(not accepted, exceeds precision) Q167
:WHAT IS LGWR? Ans. Log Writer PROCESS Q168 :WHAT IS THE PMON ? Ans. Process
Monitor Q169 :WHAT IS VIRTUAL MEMORY Ans. On many operating systems, ORACLE takes
advantage of virtual memory.Virtual memory is an operating system feature which
offers more apparent memory than is provided by real memory alone and more
flexibility in using main memory.Virtual memory simulates memory using a
combination of real(main) memory and secondary storage (usually disk space).The
operating system accesses virtual memory by making secondary storage look like
main memory to application Q170 :SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT(SUBSTR(ROWID,1,8)||
SUBSTR(ROWID,15,4)) a.the number of rows in the employee table FROM EMPLOYEE;
b.the no of blocks used by employee table WHAT WILL BE THE RESULT OF THE QUERY?
c.the no of extent in the employee table d.the no of block allocated to the
employee table Ans: b. Q171 :Reload is the option for which of the following
utilities a.sqlload b.lsnrctl c.import d.sqldba
Page 88 of 259

Ans: b. Q172 :Which of the following privileges can not be granted to a role
a.create session b.unlimited tablespace c.insert any table d.analyze any Ans :b
Q173 :Which of the background process periodically coalesces free space in the
table a.smon b.pmon c.imon d.fmon Ans :a . Q174 :Which of the foloowing is not
apart of create index statment? a.pctfree b.pctused c.initrans d.freelist Ans: b.
Q175 : An index corrosponds to a table from which many record are being deleted
.to reclaim or reuse a.alter the index to decrese pctused to 20 space used by the
deleted index rows,which action would be best? b.alter the index to increase
pctused c.alter the index to increse next d.drop and recreate the index Ans:d.
Q176 :What is virtual table? Ans. A view is defined using a query, and can thus be
thought of as a "stored query" or a "virtual table." Views can be used in most
places where a table can be used. Q177 : What is sys. Ans. All base tables and
user accessible views of the data dictionary are owned by the ORACLE user SYS.
Therefore,no ORACLE user should ever alter any object contained in the SYS schema
and the security administrator should keep strict control of this central account
Q178 :What is the diff between V$ AND V_$ Ans. The dynamic performance tables are
owned by SYS and their name is all begin with V_$. Views are created on these
tables, and then synonyms are created for the views. The synonym names begin with
V$. Q179 :WHAT IS DATABASE AND DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ans. The integrated
collection of related files is called database, dbms is the software system that
allow access to data contained in a database. Q180 :DEFINE TWO DISTICT LEVEL OF
DATA INDEPENDENCY Ans. logical data independency and physical data independency
Q181 :NAMED DIFF TYPES OF RELATIONSHIPS IN THE SETS/ Ans. 1:1 ,1:m ,m:n Q182 :What
are weak entity? Ans. ENTITES WHICH ARE THE PART OF AN ENTITES e,.g employee in
atble is an entity but dependents of an emp are weak entity Q183 :Name two phase
in two phase commit? Ans. prepare phase Commit phase Q184 :The two-phase commit
mechanism is only used if a transaction contains a.DML B.DDL C.remote procedure
call that references a remote object using its global object name which of the
above is false? Ans: b.
Page 89 of 259

Q185 :What is pseudo code? Ans. pseudo code (P code)The PL/SQL compiler generates
the pseudocode, or P code,based on the or p code ,based on the parsed code. The
PL/SQL engine executes this when the procedure or package is invoked. Q186 :What
is RR FORMAT Ans. The RR date format element is similar to the YY date format
element,but it provides additional flexibility for storing date values in other
centuries. The RR date format element allows you to store twenty-first century
dates in the twentieth century by specifying only the last two digits of the year.
It will also allow you to store twentieth century dates in the twenty-first
century in the same way if necessary. Q187 :IS THERE ANY DIFF BETWEEN DATABASE
TABLE AND PL/SQL TABLE?' Ans. PL/SQL tables can have one column and a primary key,
neither of which can be named.The column can belong to any scalar type, but the
primary key must belong to type BINARY_INTEGER. Q188 :WHAT ARE Lexical Units Ans.
A line of PL/SQL text contains groups of characters known as lexical units, Q189
:NAME DIFF SQL COMMANDS? Ans. * Data Definition Language commands * Data
Manipulation Language commands * Transaction Control commands * Session Control
commands * System Control commands Q190 :Write an experssion for decode? Ans.
DECODE( expr, search, result [, search, result] ... [, default] ) 191 SELECT
TO_CHAR(17145,'L099G999','NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS = ".," NLS_CURRENCY = "AUD" ')
"Char" FROM DUAL write result of it ? Ans.AUD017,145 Q192 :What is radio group?
Ans. A radio group is an interface control that displays a fixed number of options
that are mutually exclusive.Each option is represented by an individual radio
button. Q193 :Write diff between post_form_commit and post_ database_commit Ans
:POST-FORMSCOMMIT is the renamed version of POST-COMMIT from V3. It fires as the
last trigger which is still part of the current transaction during commit-time
processing (ie before the actual 'COMMIT' has been issued).The POST-DATABASE-
COMMIT triggers fires just after the 'COMMIT' statement is issued by forms to
close the current transaction. Q194 :Write diff alert style? Ans.
stop,note,caution Q195 :What is the default value for alert style? Ans. Stop Q196
:What is the default value of menu style in a form Ans. pull_down Q197 :Access key
property applied to which type of item type? Ans. :button,radio button,check box
Q198 :ON-FETCH IS ITEM LEVEL TRIGGER ALSO TRUE OR FALSE Ans. FALSE Q199 :WRITE
SYNTAX FOR GENERATING modules IN THE UNIX MODE ? Ans. Generate Module=<formname>
Userid=<userid/password> [Parameters]. Q200 :Source code of UNIX is written in
which language? Ans. C Q51: What are snapshot ? . Ans. ORACLE provides an
automatic method for table replication and update called snapshots.Snapshots are
read-only copies of a master table located on a remote node. A snapshot can be
queried ,but not updated; only the master table can be updated. A snapshot is
periodically refreshed to reflect changes made to the master table.
Page 90 of 259

Q52: Violated integrity constraint (OWNER.CONSTRAINT) WHY this occurs ? And. When
there is master detail relationship between two tables and record is deleted from
master table or insert into detail table without inserting the key field in the
master table. Q53 :When I create a link between queries, does the link have to be
an equi-join And. NO. Q54 :What are the bind parameters ? Ans. Bind references are
used to replace a single value in SQL or PL/SQL. Specifically, bind references may
be used to replace expressions in SELECT, WHERE, GROUP BY, ORDER BY, HAVING,
CONNECT BY, and START WITH clauses of queries. Binds may not be referenced in the
FROM clause. Q55 :What are the name of block which have no base table ? Ans.
Control block Q56 :What is a 'Break Group' Ans. A break group is used to create a
report in which an identical values in sequential rows is printed only once for
its related records. (i.e. A break group divides a query's columns into sets.)
Q57: Is there an easy way to have the Odd page numbers appear on the right side of
the Report page and the Even Page numbers to appear on the left side of the Report
page so when you put the pages together like a book they will appear on the
correct side ? Ans. You have to create two fields, one on the right side, one on
the left side. In the format trigger of each field, you test if it is an odd or an
even page by using SRW.GET_PAGE_NUM. And then, you display or not the field. Q58
:Will the Before Report Trigger be the first trigger fired? It appears so from the
order the triggers are listed in the Object Navigator? Ans. No Q59 : Is it
possible to upgrade directly from SQL*ReportWriter 1.1 to Reports 2.5 ? Ans. Yes
Q60 : Are there any facilities to restart a report that was stopped in the middle
of processing for whatever reason? Ans. No Q61 :Is there anyway to
programmatically disable the PRINT button in the Previewer ? Ans. Currently this
is an enhancement request and is being considered for a future release of the
product. Q62 : Is there any way in Reports 2.0 or 2.5 to trap all errors in order
to display your own error message, similar to the ON-ERROR and ON-MESSAGE triggers
in Forms ? Ans. no Q63 : Is pl/sql support data defination languge Ans. No,but by
using sql_dbms package it support the ddl. Q64 :What is name of SQL System Control
command Ans. Alter system Q65:lock table is which type of command a)DDL b)DML
c)sql transection control command Ans. b)DML Q67 :MONTHS_BETWEEN FUN. RETURN WHICH
DATATYPE? a)date b)number c)both Ans. b Q68 :SELECT TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, 'MM-DD-YYYY
HH24:MI:SS') NOW Ans. Q69 :How we write the record in descending order Ans.by
using desc Q70 :true or false A table cannot contain more than one LONG column.
Ans.true Q71:A table must be in which normalization form Ans.first normal form Q72
:Is there any diff between varchar2 and varchar FROM DUAL
Page 91 of 259

Ans.no Q73 :Could we multiply or divide the date values Ans.no Q74 :name any
charcter operator Ans.concatenation Q75: WHAT IS GLB Ans.Returns the greatest
lower bound of label. Q76: SELECT TO_CHAR(TO_DATE('27-OCT-17', 'DD-MON-RR')
,'YYYY') "4-digit year" "4-digit year" FROM DUAL answer is 2017 Q77 :WHY VSIZE
USE? Ans.Returns the number of bytes in the internal representation of expr. If
expr is null, this function returns null. Q78 :WHY WE USE USERNV Ans. Returns
information of VARCHAR2 datatype about the current session. This information can
be useful for writing an application-specific audit trail table or for determining
the language-specific characters currently used by your session. You cannot use
this function in the condition of a CHECK constraint. EXAMPLE: SELECT
USERENV('LANGUAGE') "Language" -------------------------AMERICAN_AMERICA.US7ASCII
Q79 :WHAT THE USE OF SOUNDEX Ans. Returns a character string containing the
phonetic representation of char. This function allows you to compare words that
are spelled differently, but sound alike in English. Q80 :IS THERE ANY DIFF
BETWEEN OF LIST OF VALUES AND LIST ELEMENTS Ans. :No Q81 :Can YOU replace an LOV's
underlying record group with a different record group : Ans. YES BY USING
Set_LOV_Property('my_lov',GROUP_NAME,'new_group'); Q82 :How can I change the title
of my RUNFORM window ? Ans. Use the following code in you When-New-Form-Instance
trigger :Set_Window_Property(FORMS_MDI_WINDOW, TITLE, 'Your Title'); Q83 :How can
I dynamically make an entire block query-only at runtime ? Ans.Issue the following
: Set_Block_Property('blockname', INSERT_ALLOWED,PROPERTY_OFF);
Set_Block_Property('blockname', UPDATE_ALLOWED,PROPERTY_OFF); 84 DATATYPE OF
GLOBALS Ans.char Q85 :Is it possible to defer locking of a record until commit
time ? Ans.yes Q86 :HOW MANY CODD'S RULE ARE SATISFIED BY ORACLE7.x partially or
fully Ans.all the codd's rule are satsfied by oracle 7.x Q87 :WHAT IS THE DIFF
BETWEEN PRIMARY KEY AND CANDIDATE KEY Ans. there may be two or more attributes
that uniquely identify an instance of an entity set.these attributes or
combination of attributes are called candidate key.in such a case we must decide
which of the candidate key will be used as primary key.the remaning keys would be
considered as alternate key Q88 :WHAT IS THE DIFF BETWEEN RADIO BUTTON AND PUSH
BUTTON Ans. a radio button created with radio group, but no group req for creating
push button Q89 :What do you understand by metadata? Ans. Description of database
is called meta data Q90 :What is third normal form Ans.A relation is said to be in
3rd normal form if there is no functional dependency between non key attributes
Q91: What is the minimum value of cache in a sequnce Ans. 2 Q92 :Write the syntax
for grant statement
Page 92 of 259

Ans.GRANT {object_priv | ALL [PRIVILEGES]} [ (column [, column] ...) ] [,

{object_priv | ALL [PRIVILEGES]} [ (column [, column] ...) ] ] ...ON
[schema.]object TO {user | role | PUBLIC} [, {user | role | PUBLIC}] ... Q93 :What
is the diff between row trigger and statement trigger Ans. Oracle fires a row
trigger once for each row that is affected by the triggering statement and meets
the optional trigger constraint defined in the WHEN clause.if you omit this
clause, the trigger is a statement trigger. Oracle fires a statement trigger only
once when the triggering statement is issued if the optional trigger constraint is
met. Q94 : Diff between database trigger and form trigger Ans. Database triggers
are defined on a table and stored in the associated database and executed as a
result of an insert, update,delete statement being issued against a table.sql*form
triggers are fired only when a specific trigger point is executed witin a specific
application Q95 :What are control items item Ans. Which have no base table Q96
:Write diff type of library file format Ans. .pll,.plx,.pld Q97 :When creating
master detail form which of the master delete property set by default Ans. non-
isolated Q98 :What is the default value set for sys date in a form Ans. $$date$$
Q99 :What is the conditon for creating master detail form Ans. Primary key
-foreginkey relationship between two base table Q100 :What is ballon help Ans.The
hint displayed when mouse cursor moves from one push button to another Q101 :In
the report 25 type of list of values Ans. Static value,value from a select
statement Q102 :Oracle report provides several system parameter two of which are
included in the run time parameter formby default what are that Ans. Destination
name,destination type Q103 : Which is false a)queries a data model is composed of
some or all b)groups c)anchors d)columns Ans: c. Q104 : Write the syntax for
creating a trigger Ans. CREATE [OR REPLACE] TRIGGER [schema.]trigger{BEFORE |
AFTER} {DELETE | INSERT | UPDATE [OF column [, column] ...]} [OR {DELETE | INSERT
| UPDATE [OF column [, column] ...]}] ... ON [schema.]table [ [REFERENCING { OLD
[AS] old [NEW [AS] new] | NEW [AS] new [OLD [AS] old] } ] FOR EACH ROW [WHEN
(condition)] ] pl/sql_block Q105 :At least how many content canvas view you define
for each window in your application. Ans. At least one Q106 : Diff type of locking
mode are? Ans. 'Immediate' or 'Delayed'. Q107 : Have a Pre-Record trigger that
does: IF ((dynamic-condition-is-true) AND :System.Record_Status = 'NEW')
Page 93 of 259

THEN RAISE Form_Trigger_Failure; END IF; what is the result of this--Ans.

dynamically prevent the user from entering a new record Q108 :How can I
dynamically make an entire block query-only at runtime ? Ans. Issue the following
: Set_Block_Property('blockname', INSERT_ALLOWED,PROPERTY_OFF);
Set_Block_Property('blockname', UPDATE_ALLOWED,PROPERTY_OFF); Q109:What exactly
does 'Query Hits' and 'Query Options' mean in the context of a block ? Ans.
Set_Block_Property(.., QUERY_HITS) lets your ON-COUNT transactional trigger tell
Forms how many records the query out the message :"FRM-xxxxx: Query will retrieve
nnn record(s)."Getting this property via Get_Block_Property(.., QUERY_HITS) simply
returns the number of records that have been retrieved by the
query.Get_Block_Property(.., QUERY_OPTIONS) lets your transactional trigger know
whether it's supposed to be doing a normal query, a COUNT(*) type query, or a lock
record query.

Q110 :What is the difference between the block properties of ARRAY SIZE and
RECORDS BUFFERED ? Ans. ARRAY SIZE is the number of records that get fetched each
time forms goes to the database. The RECORDS BUFFERED specifies the minimum number
of records that should be placed in memory when records are fetched from the
database. Even if you specify a low value of 3, the minimum per form is slightly
over 300.As more records are brought back from the database (eg records 303-306)
they get moved between memory and the file buffer as the user scrolls down. Q111 :
Write diff datatypes for a parameter in a form? Ans.Parameters are NUMBER, CHAR,
or DATE Q112 : What is the diff between Pre-Query vs. Pre-Select Ans. PRE-QUERY
fires just before Forms begins to prepare the SQL statement that will be required
to query the appropriate records from the database in response to the query
criteria that have been entered into the example record.It is the designers last
chance to "deposit" query criteria into the items in the block as if they had been
entered into the example record by the operator. PRE-SELECT fires after the PRE-
QUERY trigger has fired,and just before the actual, physical construction of the
SELECT statement begins. It would typically be used in conjunction with an ON-
SELECT trigger in which the designer would be supplanting the normal construction
of the SELECT statement with a user exit of his own to construct and prepare the
SELECT statement for execution (perhaps against a foreign datasource). Q113 : To
store images in the database, you need to read them from the file system in one of
the supported standard file formats ,name some of the files? Ans.
JFIF,PCX,BMP,TIFF Q114 :How can I determine which user interface I am using at
runtime Ans. Issue the builtin Get_Application_Property (USER_INTERFACE).'PICT'
Q115 : Will the following query use an index ,given rule based optimization :
select distinct city from emp where city not in('new york','boston','dallas') a.
Yes b. No Ans. b Q116 : What will the outcome of following command? REVOKE CONNECT
FROM MARY a. mary's current session will be disconnected b.mary's account will be
dropped c.maty will no longer be able to use the connect privilege d.mary will no
longer be able to enable the connect role. category: security And : d. Q117 :
Which program is used to verify sql*net v2 connectivity from a window connectivity
a. tnsname b.listener b.listener c.orasrv c.orasrv d.tnsping
Page 94 of 259

d.tnsping answer is d. Q118 : Which of the following is not a lockmode option for
the lock table command a.share update a.share update b.share row level exclusive c
row share d.update Ans: d. Q119 :When you create a new table space ,do the control
file increase in size a.yes, b. no Ans b. Q120 : An SCN is a.SOURCE CODE NO
b.system contril number c.system change number d.session commit node Ans : C. Q121
: What is the outcoming of following command : a.all succesfull connection to the
databases will be recorded audit session b.all unsucessfull connection to the data
base are recorded c.all successfull and unsuccesfull connection are recorded d.the
command will return an error Ans. c.all successfull and unsuccesfull connection
are recorded Q122 :Which data dictionary view records the creation date of table
a.D.B.A.-objects b.D.B.A.-tables c.D.B.A.-segments d.D.B.A.-tab-columns Ans:
a.D.B.A.-objects Q123 : Place the database creation steps listed below in their
proper chronological order: 1.cretae database 2.create tablespace roll_segs....
3.create rollback segments R_1 table space roll_segs 4.create rollback segments r1
tablespace system 5.alter rollback segment R_1 online Q124 :What is the name of
the default user profile? a.default b.user c.connect d.profile Ans: a. Q125 :A
large table has all of its records are deleted, and the deletion is commited .to
verify that there is no record a.Table was fragmentd into multiple extents.,you
perform the following query b.the table have more index on it select count(*) from
employee; c.The table has not analyzed since its records had been deleted.But it
takes long time to give the result d.The tables highwatermark had not been reset.
Ans.d. Q126 :WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WOULD CASUSE A SHUTDOWN IMMEDIATE TO FAIL?
a).a transacton that has just started. b).a user process that is not connected.
c).a transection that is in the process of rolling back d).a deadlock between two
process. Ans :d.
Page 95 of 259

Q127 :Which of the following can you not change after a database has beencreated
a.) shared pool size b.)the default no of listener c.)the no. of control file.
d.)the database block size Ans. d. Q128 :Can a database trigger contain a commit.
a.yes b.no answer is b. Q129 :Which file does the following listing come from.
tcp.db.us.oracle.com=(description=(address_list=(address=(community=tcp.us.oracle.
com)(protocol=tcp)(ho
st=tcp_server.us.oracle.com)(port=1521)))(connect_data=(sid=oracle7))) a.init.ora
b.tnsnames.ora c.config.ora d.listner.ora Ans : b.tnsnames.ora Q130 : Which of the
following constraints ,when applied to a table,will automatically create an index?
a.foreign key b.check c.unique d.not null Ans: c. Q131 :By default,what is the
frquency of commits during an import? a.after each table b.after each 100sec
c.after the import complete d.after each user is imported Ans: a. Q132 : What is
the default password for the sql*net v2 listner? a.listner b.tnsnames c.oracle
d.lsnrctl Ans: a. Q133 :DUAL is a tiny table provide with how many rows and column
in it Ans. 1,1 Q134 :SELECT ROUND(99.308,1) FROM DUAL; Ans. 99.3 Q135 :SELECT
ROUND(99.308) FROM DUAL; Ans. 99 Q136 :select round(99.308,-1) FROM DUAL; Ans. 100
Q137 :WHAT IS THE DIFF BETWEEN APPEND AND INSERT IN CASE OF SQLLODER? Ans : Append
is done if the table have record,but in case of insert the table must be empty.
Q138 :HOW MANY DATATYPES CAN BE LOADED USING SQL*LOADER Ans.14 Q139 :$CHMOD 753
MEMO1,EXPLAIN THIS Ans. owner has rwe rights group has re others has we
Page 96 of 259

Q140 :To change the ownership which of the commond is used in unix Ans. chown
user2 temp Q141 :How to display hidden file in UNIX Ans. ls -a Q142 : Define
entity Ans. entities are distinguishable objects of concern and are modeled using
their attributes Q143 : In an E-Rdig what are the meaning of Ans. an entity set is
shown in rectangle, the diamond reprent the relationship among the no of entities
Q144 :THERE ARE TWO RELATIONS PID name 101 jones 103 smith 104 evan 107 drew 112
smith then result of P INTERSECTION Q IS a. id name 101 jones 103 smith 104 evan
106 bayron 107 drew 112 smith c id name 106 bayron ans b Q145 :HOW TO CONVERT A
VALUE OF CHAR DATATYPE TO DATE DATATYPE Ans. TO_DATE(char [, fmt [,
'nlsparams'] ]) Q146 :WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL DEPENDANCY ?given two sets of attributes
X AND Y Ans. Y is said to be functionally dependent on X if a given value for each
attribute in X detrmines the value of the attribute Y. Q147 :WHAT IS THE Btitle
Ans. Set the bottam title for each page of a report. Q148 :Oracle Forms supplies
how many triggers? Ans. About 80 triggers Q149 :Name any five form level triggers
only Ans. when -timer-expierd when-new-form-instancre when-window-activate when-
window-close when-form-navigate Q150 :What is parse option? Ans. Converts the text
file format of a module (.FMT, .MMT, .PLD) to a binary format (.FMB, .MMB, .PLL).
Q151 :What is control block Ans. which have no base table Q152 :CEIL(4*3*(12-
1)+12*9+7*(55-12*4)/11) Ans. 245
Page 97 of 259

Q153: What is DDBMS ? Ans. Distributed database management system Q154: WHAT IS
LOGICAL DATAINDEPEDENCY Ans. The conceptual schema can be changed withot affecting
the existing external schema. Q155: WHAT IS SUPER KEY? Ans. IF WE ADD AN
ADDITIONAL ATTRIBUTE TO A PRIMARY KEY THEN THE RESULTING COMBINATION IS AGAIN A
PRIMARY KEY.SUCH A KEY IS CALLED SUPER KEY. Q156: WHAT IS UWA? Ans. IT IS USER
WORK AREA Q157 :WHAT ARE VIRTUAL FIELD Ans. UNLIKE A REAL FIELD A VIRTUAL FIELD
CANNOT MODIFIED BY USER. e.g age: depend upon date of birth and todays date. Q158
:what is the diff between execute-query and execute-query(no-validate) Q159 :What
is deadlock? Ans. A deadlock is a situation that can occur in multi-user systems
that causes some number of transactions to be unable to continue work. A deadlock
can occur when two or more users are waiting for data locked by each other. It
typically happens when each of two or more users are waiting to access a resource
that another user has already locked. Q160 :UPDATE emp 1 SET sal = sal*1.1 WHERE
empno = 1000; UPDATE emp 2 SET sal = sal*1.1 WHERE empno = 2000; WHAT IS THE
RESULT OF TIME POINT2 Ans : deadlock Q161 :WHAT IS BOM IN AN ERP Ans. Bill of
material Q162 :WHAT IS THE ORDER OF FIRING THE TRIGGERS IN A FORM Ans. form-----
>block------->item Q163: WHAT IS THE use of grep command in UNIX Ans. To search
for a pattern in a file. Q164 :Why we use wc -c in UNIX Ans. Counts only the
characters in the file. Q165: ORACLE 6 FOLLOWS HOW MANY CODD'S RULE Ans. Seven
Q166: INPUT DATA 7456123.89 SPECIFIED AS NUMBER(6) STORED AS ? Ans.(not accepted,
exceeds precision) Q167: WHAT IS LGWR? Ans. Log Writer PROCESS Q168: WHAT IS THE
PMON ? Ans. Process Monitor Q169: WHAT IS VIRTUAL MEMORY Ans. On many operating
systems, ORACLE takes advantage of virtual memory.Virtual memory is an operating
system feature which offers more apparent memory than is provided by real memory
alone and more flexibility in using main memory.Virtual memory simulates memory
using a combination of real(main) memory and secondary storage (usually disk
space).The operating system accesses virtual memory by making secondary storage
look like main memory to application Q170: SELECT
COUNT(DISTINCT(SUBSTR(ROWID,1,8)|| SUBSTR (ROWID,15,4)) a. The number of rows in
the employee table FROM EMPLOYEE; b. He no of blocks used by employee table WHAT
WILL BE THE RESULT OF THE QUERY? c. The no of extent in the employee table d. The
no of block allocated to the employee table Ans: b. Q171 :Reload is the option for
which of the following utilities
Page 98 of 259

a.sqlload b.lsnrctl c.import d.sqldba Ans: b. Q172 :Which of the following

privileges can not be granted to a role a.create session b.unlimited tablespace
c.insert any table d.analyze any Ans :b Q173 :Which of the background process
periodically coalesces free space in the table a.smon b.pmon c.imon d.fmon Ans :a
. Q174 :Which of the foloowing is not apart of create index statment? a.pctfree
b.pctused c.initrans d.freelist Ans: b. Q175 : An index corresponds to a table
from which many record are being deleted .to reclaim or reuse a. Alter the index
to decrease pctused to 20 space used by the deleted index rows,which action would
be best? b. Alter the index to increase pctused c. Alter the index to increase
next d. Drop and recreate the index Ans:d. Q176 :What is virtual table? Ans. A
view is defined using a query, and can thus be thought of as a "stored query" or a
"virtual table." Views can be used in most places where a table can be used. Q177
: What is sys. Ans. All base tables and user accessible views of the data
dictionary are owned by the ORACLE user SYS. Therefore,no ORACLE user should ever
alter any object contained in the SYS schema and the security administrator should
keep strict control of this central account Q178 :What is the diff between V$ AND
V_$ Ans. The dynamic performance tables are owned by SYS and their name is all
begin with V_$. Views are created on these tables, and then synonyms are created
for the views. The synonym names begin with V$. Q179 :WHAT IS DATABASE AND
DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Ans. The integrated collection of related files is
called database, dbms is the software system that allow access to data contained
in a database. Q180 :DEFINE TWO DISTICT LEVEL OF DATA INDEPENDENCY Ans. logical
data independency and physical data independency Q181 :NAMED DIFF TYPES OF
RELATIONSHIPS IN THE SETS/ Ans. 1:1 ,1:m ,m:n Q182 :What are weak entity? Ans.
ENTITES WHICH ARE THE PART OF AN ENTITES e,.g employee in atble is an entity but
dependents of an emp are weak entity Q183 :Name two phase in two phase commit?
Ans. prepare phase Commit phase Q184 :The two-phase commit mechanism is only used
if a transaction contains a.DML B.DDL
Page 99 of 259

C.remote procedure call that references a remote object using its global object
name which of the above is false? Ans: b. Q185 :What is pseudo code? Ans. pseudo
code (P code)The PL/SQL compiler generates the pseudocode, or P code,based on the
or p code ,based on the parsed code. The PL/SQL engine executes this when the
procedure or package is invoked. Q186 :What is RR FORMAT Ans. The RR date format
element is similar to the YY date format element,but it provides additional
flexibility for storing date values in other centuries. The RR date format element
allows you to store twenty-first century dates in the twentieth century by
specifying only the last two digits of the year. It will also allow you to store
twentieth century dates in the twenty-first century in the same way if necessary.
Q187 :IS THERE ANY DIFF BETWEEN DATABASE TABLE AND PL/SQL TABLE?' Ans. PL/SQL
tables can have one column and a primary key, neither of which can be named.The
column can belong to any scalar type, but the primary key must belong to type
BINARY_INTEGER. Q188 :WHAT ARE Lexical Units Ans. A line of PL/SQL text contains
groups of characters known as lexical units, Q189: NAME DIFF SQL COMMANDS? Ans. *
Data Definition Language commands * Data Manipulation Language commands *
Transaction Control commands * Session Control commands * System Control commands
Q190 :Write an experssion for decode? Ans. DECODE( expr, search, result [, search,
result] ... [, default] ) 191 SELECT
TO_CHAR(17145,'L099G999','NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS = ".," NLS_CURRENCY = "AUD" ')
"Char" FROM DUAL write result of it ? Ans.AUD017,145 Q192 :What is radio group?
Ans. A radio group is an interface control that displays a fixed number of options
that are mutually exclusive.Each option is represented by an individual radio
button. Q193 :Write diff between post_form_commit and post_ database_commit Ans
:POST-FORMSCOMMIT is the renamed version of POST-COMMIT from V3. It fires as the
last trigger which is still part of the current transaction during commit-time
processing (ie before the actual 'COMMIT' has been issued).The POST-DATABASE-
COMMIT triggers fires just after the 'COMMIT' statement is issued by forms to
close the current transaction. Q194 :Write diff alert style? Ans.
stop,note,caution Q195 :What is the default value for alert style? Ans. Stop Q196
:What is the default value of menu style in a form Ans. pull_down Q197 :Access key
property applied to which type of item type? Ans. :button,radio button,check box
Q198 :ON-FETCH IS ITEM LEVEL TRIGGER ALSO TRUE OR FALSE Ans. FALSE Q199 :WRITE
SYNTAX FOR GENERATING modules IN THE UNIX MODE ? Ans. Generate Module = <formname>
Userid = <userid/password> [Parameters]. Q200: Source code of UNIX is written in
which language? Ans. C
Page 100 of 259

Oracle app’s technical document 1) What is ERP? Architecture of apps? A packaged

business software system that lets a company automate and integrate the majority
of its business processes; share common data and practices across the enterprise;
[and] produce and access information in a real-time environment. 2) Tell me some
thing about SQL-LOADER. Sql * loader is a bulk loader utility used for moving data
from external files into the oracle database. Sql * loader supports various load
formats, selective loading, and multi-tables loads. 1) conventional --The
conventional path loader essentially loads the data by using standard ‘insert’
statement. 2) direct -- the direct path loader (direct = true) by possess of logic
involved with that, and loads directly in to the oracle data files. EX:My data.csv
file 1001, “scott tiger”,1000,40 1002,”gvreddy”,2345,50 Load data Infile
‘c:\data\mydata.csv’ Into table emp Fields terminated by “,” optionally enclosed
by ‘”’ (empno, empname,sal,deptno) >sqlldr scott/tiger@vis control=loader.ctl log=
gvlog.log bad=gvbad.bad discard=gvdis.dsc . 3) how do u dump data from pl/sql
block to flat files? Using utl_file package, we can dump data from pl/sql block to
flat file. PRE-REQUIREMENTS for UTL_FILE is specify the accessible directories for
the UTL_FILE function in the initialization file (INIT.ORA) Using the UTL_FILE_DIR
parameters. Ex: UTL_FILE_DIR = <Directory name> EX:--remember to update
INITSID.ORA, --utl_file_dir = ‘c:\oradata’ Declare Fp utl_file.file_type; Begin Fp
:= utl_file.fopen(c:\oradata’,tab1.txt’,’w’); Utl_file.putf(fp,’%s %s \n ‘text
field’, 55); Utl_file.fclose(fp); End; 4) What is SET-OF-BOOKS? Collection of Chat
of Accounts and Currency and Calendars is called SOB 5) What is the interface?
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Interface Table is a table, which is used as medium for transfer of data between
two systems. 6) 7) What is invoice? Send you a request for payment What is INBOUND
and OUT BOUND? (Different types of interfaces) Inbound Interface: For inbound
interfaces, where these products are the destination, interface tables as well as
supporting validation, processing, and maintenance programs are provided.

Outbound Interface: For outbound interfaces, where these products are the source,
database views are provided and the destination application should provide the
validation, processing, and maintenance programs 8) Tell me what r the Base tables
in the AR? hz_parties (party_id) (store info about org, groups and people)
HZ_PARTIES stores information about parties such as organizations, people, and
groups, including the identifying address information for the party.
hz_cust_accounts (cust_account_id) HZ_CUST_ACCOUNTS stores information about
customer relationships. If a party becomes a customer, information about the
customer account is stored in this table. You can establish multiplecustomer
relationships with a single party, so each party can have multiple customer
account records in this table. hz_cust_acct_sites_all (cust_acct_site_id)
HZ_CUST_ACCT_SITES_ALL stores information about customer sites.One customer
account can have multiple sites. The address is maintained in HZ_LOCATIONS.
hz_cust_site_uses_all (site_use_id) HZ_CUST_SITE_USES_ALL stores information about
site uses or business purposes. A single customer site can have multiple site
uses, such as bill to or ship to, and each site use is stored as a record in this
table. hz_party_sites (party_site_id) HZ_PARTY_SITES stores information about the
relationship between Parties and Locations. The same party can have multiple party
sites.Physical addresses are stored in HZ_LOCATIONS. hz_locations (location_id)
HZ_LOCATIONS stores information about physical locations. hz_Person_Profiles
(person_profile_id) HZ_PERSON_PROFILES stores detail information about people.
hz_Organization_Profiles (organization_profile_id) HZ_ORGANIZATION_PROFILES stores
credit rating, financial statistics, socioeconomic and corporate linkage
information for business sites. The primary key for this table is
ORGANIZATION_PROFILE_ID.

9)

What r the table’s interface tables in the customer interface tables? 1)

Ra_customers_interface_all
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This table stores customer, address, and business purpose information. You do not
have to enter values in this table if you do not want to import customers,
addresses, or business purposes. ADDRESS1 through 4 Enter the address for your
customer in these four columns. You can enter up to four lines of an address.
Validation: If you enter a value in ORIG_SYSTEM_ADDRESS_REF, you must enter a
value in ADDRESS1. For multiple rows with the same address reference, insert
values in address 1–4. Destination: HZ_LOCATIONS.ADDRESS1, HZ_LOCATIONS.ADDRESS2,
HZ_LOCATIONS.ADDRESS3, HZ_LOCATIONS.ADDRESS4

2) Ra_customer_profile_int_all A customer level profile must exist in

A_CUSTOMER_PROFILES_INTERFACE for new customers and each bill–to business purpose.
3) Ra_contact_phones_int_all This table stores telephone numbers for customers,
addresses and contacts as well as contacts for customers and addresses. 4)
Ra_customer_banks_int_all This table stores bank information for a customer or for
a specific Bill–To address, you must enter a bank account for this customer, 5)
Ra_cust_paymethod_int_all To import payment methods for customers and bill–to
business purposes, 10) What r the staging tables in the customer interface?
Ra_customers_stg Ra_customers_address_stg Ra_customers_point_stg
Ra_customers_contact points_stg Ra_customers_relate_stg Ra_customer_error. 11)
Tell me some mandatory columns in the customer interface tables? a)
Ra_customers_interface_all 1) Orig_system_customer_ref 2) insert_update_flag 3)
customer_number 4) customer_status 5)last_updated_by 6) last_updated_date
7)created_by 8) creation_date. b) Ra_customer_profile_int_all 1)
customer_profile_class_name c) Ra_contact_phones_int_all
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1)orig_system_telephone_ref 2)telephone 3) telephone_type d)

Ra_customer_banks_int_all 1) bank_a/c_name 2)bank_a/c_no 3)bank_a/c_currency_code
e) Ra_cust_paymethod_int_all 1) payment_method_name 12) Tell me the Navigation for
customer interface? Receivables Interface Customers

1. What tables cannot be updated through customer interface? No updates will be

allowed to be made through customer interface for Following tables
RA_SITE_USES_ALL RA_CUSTOMER_RELATIONSHIPS_ALL RA_CUST_RECEIPT_METHODS
AP_BANK_BRANCHES AP_BANK_ACCOUNTS_ALL AP_BANK_ACCOUNT_USES_ALL 2. How to send
additional customer and address information through customer interafce Here is
where attribute columns are used. * Additional Customer data can be populated in
RA_CUSTOMERS_INTERFACE_ALL.customer_attribute1 to 15 This will go into
RA_CUSTOMERS.attribute1 to 15 * Additional address information can be populated in
RA_CUSTOMERS_INTERFACE_ALL.address_attribute1 to 15 This will go into
RA_ADDRESSES_ALL.attribute1 to 15
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And so on. 5. What should be the batch size (number of customer records) general
guidelines for optimal performance About 10,000 records per bacth is ideal, it is
suggested to keep the batch size small. 6. Why does customer interface error out
if there is mismatch in address information? Because the code validates against
these mismatches. arplscin.sql and arplbcin.sql It validates the address being
inserted or updated with respect to the tax location flexfield structure. For each
row being inserted or updated in RA_CUSTOMERS_INTERFACE, and that has not already
been marked in error, the set_location_ccid function is called to return either an
existing ccid for the address entered or to create a new entry in
AR_LOCATION_VALUES for this new address. The RA_CUSTOMERS_INTERFACE record is then
updated with the value of the ccid returned. 7. How do you send records at
customer level profile and address/site level profile? For every customer record
in RA_CUSTOMERS_INTERFACE_ALL, insert two records in table
RA_CUSTOMER_PROFILES_INT_ALL. (Refer Note: 1070800.6 ) 9. Does Customer Interface
import salesperson data? No, Refer Enhancement Bug: 147495 11. Customer Interface
process can be used for updating the customer information How does the UPDATE
work? Current functionality of Customer Interface is to update all the data. You
cannot run Customer Interface to update only changed data. (Refer Bug: 879121 for
the intended functinality)

12. What are some of the important fields that Customer Interface does not load?
Not all fields in RA_CUSTOMERS are being loaded by the interface. SIC_CODE
Page 105 of 259

GSA_INDICATOR FOB_POINT SALES_CHANNEL_CODE FREIGHT_TERM WAREHOUSE_ID PRICE LIST

SHIP_PARTIAL PAYMENT_TERM_ID in RA_SITE_USES.PAYMENT_TERM_ID (Refer Enhancement
Request Bug: 245300) 13. New TCA/Customer Model, how to load customer as PERSON or
ORGANIZATION through Customer Interface? a) Populate ra_customers_interface_all .
person_flag = 'Y' Run Customer Interface process will load this record as PERSON
b) Populate ra_customers_interface_all . person_flag = 'N' ( or NULL ) Run
Customer Interface process will load this record as ORGANIZATION

13) Tell me what is the procedure to develop an interface? a. b. c. d. e. a. First

we will get the Requirement document. We will create control file based on that
plot file. Then the control files which loads the data into staging tables.
Through pl/sql programs we will mapping and validate the data and then dump into
the interface tables. Through the standard programs we will push the data from
interface tables to Base tables. customer name : the same customer reference can’t
have different customer names with in this table HZ_PARTIES.PARTY_NAME b. customer
number : must be null if your r using automatic customer numbering, must exit if
you are not using automatic customer numbering. This value much be unique with in
HZ_PARTIES c. d. customer status : must be ‘A’ for active or ‘I’ for inactive
HZ_PARTIES_STATUS bank account num or bank account currency code : if the bank a/c
already exist do not enter a value 14) What validations u did in the customer
interface?
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if the bank a/c does not exist you must enter a value e. bank a/c name : it must
exist in AP_BANK_ACCOUNTS or if it does not exist values must exist for
BANK_A/C_CURRENCY_CODE BANK_A/C_NUM BANK_NAME BANK_BRANCH_NAME Note : every
interface table has two error msg 1) 2) Error code. Error msg.

15) How can u call a standard interface program from sql or pl/sql code?
FND_REQUEST.SUBMIT_REQUEST (‘PO’,’EXECUTABLE NAME’,,,,PARAMETERS) 16) API’s FOR
CUSTOMER INTERFACE? HZ_CUST_A/C_VZPUB.UPDATE_CUST_A/C
HZ_CUST_A/C_VZPUB.CREATE_CUST_A/C FND_PROFILES FND_APPLICATIONS FND_GLOBAL FND-
FILE FND_CONCSUB(can submit conc program in host invironment) 17) Tell me some
API? FND_FILE.PUTLINE(FND_FILE.LOG) FND_FILE.PUTLINE(FND_FILE.OUTPUT) Is the
Program exits, delete conc program and its executables. IF
FND_PROGRAM.PROGRAM_EXITS(‘EMP’,APPLICATION_NAME_IN) THEN
FND_PROGRAM.DELETE_PROGRAM(‘EMP’,APPLICATION_NAME_IN)
FND_PROGRAM.DELETE_EXECUTABLE(‘EMP’,APPLICATION_NAME_IN) END; 18) What are profile
options? Is the Functional and Technical behavior of Oracle Applications Package.
EX: - I want to assign the user3 responsibility to p4 printer then System
Administrator Profile System (FND_PROFILE_OPTIONS) 19) Oracle E-Business
suite? Oracle apps + analytical components software. (Oracle discover) (Oracle
sales analyzer) (Oracle financial analyzer) (Oracle marketing analyzer) 24) What
is multi org? “Legal entity has more than one operating unit is called as multi
org” a) Business group --- Human resources information is secured by
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Business group b) Legal entity. --- inter-company and fiscal/tax reporting.

Security responsibility operating unit. c) Operating unit --- secures AR,
OE, AP, PA and PO Information. d) Organizations --- is a specialize unit of work
at particular locations

25) What are the User PARAMETERS in the Reports? P_CONC_REQUEST_ID P_FLEX_VALUE
26) FND USER EXITS:FND SRWINIT FND SRWEXIT FND FLEXSQL sets your profile option
values, multiple organizations and allows Oracle Application ensures that all the
memory allocated for AOL user exits have been freed up properly. these user exits
allow you to use flex fields in your reports Object Library user exits to detect
that they have been called by an Oracle Reports program. FND FLEXIDVAL are used to
display flex field information like prompt, value etc FND FORMAT_CURRENCY is used
to print currency in various formats by using formula column 26) PL/SQL stored
procedure parameters? or what are the two parameters that are mandatory for pl/sql
type concurrent program? Procedure/function (ERRBUF OUT RETCODE OUT ………………….)
ERRBUF :Used to write the error message to log or request file. RETCODE :-
Populate log request file with program submission details info. 27) What is Value
Set? --The value set is a collection (or) container of values. --When ever the
value set associated with any report parameters. It provides list of values to the
end user to accept one of the values as report parameter value. -- If the list of
values needed to be dynamic and ever changing and define a table based values set.

27) What r the validation types? 1) None 3) Dependent 3) Table 4) Special 5) Pair
-------- validation is minimal. ------input is checked against a subset of values
based on a prior value. ----- input is checked against values in an application
table ------values set uses a flex field itself. ------ two flex fields together
specify a range of valid values. of values; translated values can be used. 2)
Independent ------input must exist on previously defined list of values

6) Translatable independent ----- input must exist on previously defined list

Page 108 of 259

7) Translatable dependent ------- input is checked against a subset of values

based on a prior values; translated value can be used. 28) Form development
process? a) open template form b) Save as <your form>.fmb c) Change the form
module name as form name. d) Delete the default blocks, window, and canvas e)
Create a window. f) Assign the window property class to window g) Create a canvas
(subclass info) h) Assign canvas property class to the canvas I) assign the window
to the canvas and canvas to the window j) Create a data block k) Modify the form
level properties. (sub class item Text item) l) Modify the app_cusom package.
In the program unit. m) Modify the pre-form trigger (form level) n) Modify the
module level properties ((console window, First navigation p) Save and compile the
form. Place the .fmx in the server directory. Q) Register in the AOL APPLICATION
FORM APPLICATION FUNCTION APPLICATION MENU 29) How do u customize the
Reports? a. Identify the Short name of the standard report in which module we have
to customize Ex: - if u want to customize in the AR module path is Appl
top\ar\11.5.0\reports\US\ .rdf b. Open the .rdf file in Report builder and change
the name of the module. Open the data module and modify the query (what is client
requirements) assign the columns to the attributes. d. e. Go to report wizard and
select, what r the newly created columns. Then Compile it. Then u will get a .rep
file in the specified module. If it is not in the specified directory then we have
to put in the server directory.

c.

f. g.

Then Register in the AOL Concurrent executable. Concurrent program. go to

system administrator Security Responsibility request

h) Add and assign a concurrent program to a request group 30) Registering

parametric report? Any applications will have two parameters, 1) from-period 2)
to-period
Page 109 of 259

a) Go to object navigator and create the parameters. User parameters from_no,

to_no (data type char and width 30) b) Open the report layout and write the
query(we have to reg the table in AOL) Select empno,ename,from g_emp where empno
between :from_no and to_no c) Compile and put the .RDP file in the server
directory. d) Registering in AOL. Concurrent executable Concurrent program
then go to “PARAMETERS” e) Go to Application validation set. then go to “EDIT
INTO” After entering the VALUE SETS (1) And TOKENS (2) f) Go to Administrations
Sequrity responsibility Request h) Add and assign a concurrent program to a
request group 31) Tell me some report names and their table names in GL, AP, AR,
and PO? 1) ra_customer_trx_all customer_trx_id trx_number (invoice no, debit memo
no, credit memo no) cust_trx_type_id 2) ra_customer_lines_all (details of invoice)
cutomer_trx_id 3) ar_payment_schdules_all check_id This table stores all
transactions except adjustments and miscellaneous cash receipts. Oracle
Receivables updates this table when activity occurs against an invoice, debit
memo, chargeback, credit memo, on account credit, or receipt. 4)
ra_cust_trx_types_all cust_trx_type_id (invoice types)

5) ra_batches_all Batch_id This table stores information about each receipt batch
that you create in Oracle Receivables. Each row includes information about a
specific batch such as batch source, status, batch type, control count, and
control amount 6) ra_receivable_application_all 7) ra_adjustments_all This table
stores information about your invoice adjustments. Each row includes general
information about the adjustment you are making such as activity name, amount,
accounting information, reason, and type of adjustment. You need one row for each
adjustment you are making to an invoice.

8) ra_cash_receiots_all Cash_receipt_id This table stores one record for each

receipt that you enter. Oracle Receivables creates records concurrently in the
AR_CASH_RECEIPT_HISTORY_ALL, AR_PAYMENT_SCHEDULES_ALL, and
AR_RECEIVABLE_APPLICATIONS tables for invoice–related receipts. 1) ap_invoice_all
Page 110 of 259

invoice_amount, base_amount, payment_status_flag(‘y’ –fully paid ‘n’—unpaid ‘p’ –

partially paid) 2) ap_invoice_payments_all invoice_id, 3)
ap_invoice_distibutions_All amount, base_amount, dist_code_combination_id,
line_type_lookup_code 4) ap_payment_schdules payment_status_flag(“ ‘’’’’”) 5)
ap_payment_dustributions_all 6) ap_checks_all check_id, AP_CHECKS_ALL stores
information about payments issued to suppliers or refunds received from suppliers.
You need one row for each payment you issue to a supplier or refund received from
a supplier. Your Oracle Payables application uses this information to record
payments you make to suppliers or refunds you receive from suppliers. 7) 8)
ap_accounting_events_all

ap_bank_accounts_all AP_BANK_ACCOUNTS_ALL contains information about your bank

accounts. You need one row for each bank account you define. Each bank account
must be affiliated with one bank branch. When you initiate an automatic payment
batch, enter a manual check, or create a Quick payment, you can select a bank
account that you define in this table. 9) ap_bank_accounts_uses_all
AP_BANK_ACCOUNT_USES_ALL stores information for the internal and external bank
accounts you define in Oracle Payables and Oracle Receivables applications. 1) 2)
3) 4) 5) 6) po_vendors_all po_vendors_sites_all po_headers_all po_header_id
po_lines_all po_line_id po_line_locations_All po_distributions_all
po_distribution_id,

Gl_code_combinations GL_CODE_COMBINATIONS stores valid account combinations for

each Accounting Flexfield structure within your Oracle General Ledger application.
Associated with each account are certain codes and flags, including whether the
account is enabled, whether detail posting or detail budgeting is allowed, and
others. 2) 3) Gl_je_batches. GL_JE_BATCHES stores journal entry batches.

1)

Gl_je_headers GL_JE_HEADERS stores journal entries. There is a one–to–many

relationship between journal entry batches and journal entries. Each row in this
table includes the associated batch ID, the journal entry name and description,
and other information about the journal entry. This table corresponds to the
Journals window of the Enter Journals form. STATUS is ’U’ for unposted, ’P’ for
posted. Other statuses indicate that an error condition was found. A complete list
is below. Gl_je_lines. GL_JE_LINES stores the journal entry lines that you enter
in the Enter Journals form. There is a one–to–many relationship between journal
entries and journal entry lines. Each row in this table stores the associated
journal entry header ID, the line number, the associated code combination ID, and
the debits or credits associated with the journal line. STATUS is ’U’ for unposted
or ’P’ for posted 4)
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5) Gl_set of books GL_SETS_OF_BOOKS stores information about the sets of books you
define in your Oracle General Ledger application. Each row includes the set of
books name, description, functional currency, and other information. This table
corresponds to the Set of Books form. Gl_periods GL_PERIODS stores information
about the accounting periods you define using the Accounting Calendar form. Each
row includes the start date and end date of the period, the period type, the
fiscal year, the period number, and other information. There is a one–to–many
relationship between a row in the GL_PERIOD_SETS table and rows in this table. 1)
OPEN-DEBIT MEMO REPORT? This report shows all the open-debit memo transactions,
based on customer number and dates. Columns :- type, customer_no, trx_no, amt_due,
remaining. Parameter :- type, customer, from_date, to_date. 2) GENERATING POSITIVE
PAY FILE FOR BANK REPORT? Basically this report generates a flat file of all the
payments in order to send in to the bank. 3) UPDATE POSITIVEPAY CHECKS REPORT?
This report which updates the data into the (AP) account payables system from the
plot file, the file which is sent by bank 4) UPDATE POSITIVEPAY OUT STANDING
CHECKS? This report which shows the out standing checks 5) CUSTOMER PAYMENT
DETAILS REPORT? Which shows each customer original amount, amount pay and due
amount based on transaction type (books, pens) 6)

Transaction types in AR Credit memo transaction types Invoice, debit memo, and
charge back transaction types Commitment transaction types Q) HOW DO YOU RECTIFY
THE ERRORS IN INTERFACE TABLES? Depending on the naming convention used, errors
appear in either alphabetical order or by error code number. 31) How do u identity
its name of report? System administrator concurrent program define System
administrator concurrent program executable 32) Who information’s? 1)
Created by 2) Creation date 3) Last _updated by 4) last_update_date 5)
last_update_value 33) FLEX FIELDS? Used to capture the additional business
information. DFF Additional Captured in attribute prefixed columns KFF Unique
Info, Mandatory Segment prefixed
Page 112 of 259

Not reported on standard reports To provide expansion space on your form With the
help of []. [] Represents descriptive Flex field. FLEX FILED : DESCRIPTIVE :
REGIGSTER

Is reported on standard reports Used for entering and displaying key information
For example Oracle General uses a key Flex field called Accounting Flex field to
uniquely identifies a general account. FLEX FILED : KEY : REGIGSTER

Oracle Applications KEY FLEX FIELDS 1) GL :- ACCOUNTING 2) AR :- SALES TAX

LOCATION, TERRITORY, 3) AP :- BANK DETAILS, COST ALLOCATION, PEOPLE GROUP Oracle
Applications DESCRIPTIVE FLEX FIELDS (Partial) 1) 2) GL :- daily rates AR :-
credit history, information

3) PA :- bank branch, payment terms, site address, 34) What are the requests
groups? a) Single request: - this allows you to submit an individual request. b)
Request set 35) Sys Admin Module? a) Define Custom Users, b) Define Login Users,
c) Register oracle DB users, d) Define Concurrent Programs, e) Register Concurrent
Executables, f) Setting Profile Option Values, g) Define Request Types. 36) AOL?
a) Registering tables. b) Registering views c) Registering db sequences d)
Registering profile options e) Registering lookups and lookup codes f) Registering
forms g) Registering Form and Non-Form functions i) registering Menus and sub-
menus. j) Registering DFF and KFF. k) Libraries 37) What r the type Models in the
system parameters of the report? 1) Bit map 2) Character mode 38) .What is SRW
Package? (Sql Report Writer) The Report builder Built in package know as SRW
Package This package extends reports ,Control report execution, output message at
runtime, Initialize layout fields, Perform DDL statements used to create or Drop
temporary table, Call User Exist, to format width of the columns, to page break
the column, to set the colors Ex: SRW.DO_SQL, It’s like DDL command, we can create
table, views , etc., SRW.SET_FIELD_NUM SRW. SET_FILED_CHAR SRW. SET FILED _DATE
37) Difference between Bind and Lexical parameters? : - this allows you to submit
a pre-defined set of requests.
Page 113 of 259

BIND VARIABLE : A bind variable is a variable that you declare in a host

environment. Bind variables can be used to pass run-time values, either number or
character, into or out of one or more PL/SQL programs. The PL/SQL programs use
bind variables as they would use any other variable. You can reference variables
declared in the host or calling environment in PL/SQL statements, unless the
statement is in a procedure, function, or package. This includes host language
variables declared in precompiler programs, screen fields in Oracle Developer
Forms applications, and iSQL*Plus bind variables. Creating Bind Variables To
declare a bind variable in the iSQL*Plus environment, use the command VARIABLE.
For example, you declare a variable of type NUMBER and VARCHAR2 as follows:
VARIABLE return_code NUMBER VARIABLE return_msg -- are used to replace a single
value in sql, pl/sql -- bind variable may be used to replace expressions in
select, where, group, order by, having, connect by, start with cause of queries.
-- bind reference may not be referenced in FROM clause (or) in place of reserved
words or clauses. LEXICAL REFERENCE: -- you can use lexical reference to replace
the clauses appearing AFTER select, from, group by, having, connect by, start
with. -- you can’t make lexical reference in a pl/sql statmetns. 38) Matrix
Report: Simple, Group above, Nested Simple Matrix Report : 4 groups 1.Cross
Product Group 2. Row and Column Group 3. Cell Group 4. Cell column is the source
of a cross product summary that becomes the cell content. Frames: 1.Repeating
frame for rows(down direction) 2.Repeating frame for columns(Across ) 3.Matrix
object the intersection of the two repeating frames 39) what is Flex mode and
Confine mode? Confine mode On: child objects cannot be moved outside their
enclosing parent objects. Off: child objects can be moved outside their enclosing
parent objects. Flex mode: On: parent borders "stretch" when child objects are
moved against them. Off: parent borders remain fixed when child objects are moved
against them.

40) What is Place holder Columns? A placeholder is a column is an empty container

at design time. The placeholder can hold a value at run time has been calculated
and placed in to It by pl/sql code from anther object. You can set the value of a
placeholder column is in a Before Report trigger. Store a Temporary value for
future reference. EX. Store the current max salary as records are retrieved. 23)
What is Formula Column? A formula column performs a user-defined computation on
another column(s) data, including placeholder columns. 24) What is Summary
columns? A summary column performs a computation on another column's data. Using
the Report Wizard or Data Wizard, you can create the following summaries: sum,
average, count, minimum, maximum, % total. You can also create a summary column
manually in the Data Model view, and use the Property Palette to create the
following additional summaries: first, last, standard deviation, variance.
Page 114 of 259

50) What is cursor? A Cursor is a pointer, which works on active set, I.e. which
points to only one row at a time in the context area’s ACTIVE SET. A cursor is a
construct of pl/sql, used to process multiple rows using a pl/sql block. 28) Types
of cursors? 1) Implicit: declared for all DML and pl/sql statements. By default it
selects one row only. 2) Explicit: Declared and named by the programmer. Use
explicit cursor to individually process each row returned by a Multiple
statements, is called ACTIVE SET. Allows the programmer to manually control
explicit cursor in the Pl/sql block a) declare: create a named sql area b) Open:
identify the active set. c) Fetch: load the current row in to variables. d) Close:
release the active set. CURSOR ATTRIBUTES a) %is open: evaluates to true if the
cursor is open. b) %not found: evaluates to true if the most recent fetch does not
return a row c) %found: evaluates to true if the most recent fetch returns a row.
d) %row count: evaluates to the total number of rows returned to far. Example for
cursor: 1) Declare Vno emp.empno%type; Vname emp.ename %type; Cursor emp_cursor is
Select empno,ename From emp; Begin Open cursor; For I in 1..10 loop Fetch
emp_cursor into vno,vname; Dbms_output.putline(to_char(vno) ||’ ‘||vname); End if;
E nd; 2) Begin Open emp_cursor; Loop Fetch when emp_cursor % rowcount >10 or
Emp_curor % not found; Bdms_output_put_line(to_char(vno)||’ ‘|| vname); End loop;
Close emp_cursor; End; CURSOR FOR LOOP A) cursor for loop is a short cut to
process explicit cursors B) it has higher performance C) cursor for loop requires
only the declaration of the cursor, remaining things like opening, fetching and
close are automatically take by the cursor for loop Example: 1) Declare Cursor
emp_cursor is Select empno,ename From emp; Begin
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For emp_record in emp_cursor loop Dbms_output.putline(emp_record.empno);

Dbms_output.putline(emp_record.ename) End loop End;

Can we create a cursor without declaring it? Yes – by using cursor for loop using
subqueries. BEGIN FOR emp_record IN ( SELECT empno, ename FROM emp) LOOP --
implicit open and implicit fetch occur IF emp_record.empno = 7839 THEN ... END
LOOP; -- implicit close occurs END; a) for update clause: 1) use explicit locking
to deny access for the duration of a transaction 2) lock the rows before update or
delete Ex : select ……. From……. For update[ of column ref] [no_wait] b) where
current of clause? 1) use cursor to update or delete the current row Where current
of < column ref> 29) Attribute data types? 1) %type 2) %row type. 30) Exception
Handilings? Is a mechanism provided by pl/sql to detect runtime errors and process
them with out halting the program abnormally 1) pre-defined 2) user-defined. PRE-
DEFINED: 1) cursor_already_open--------attempted to open an already open cursor.
2) Dup_val_on_index --------attempted to insert a duplicate values. 3)
Invalid_cursor -------- illegal cursor operation occurred. 4) Invalid_number
-------- conversion of character string to number fails. 5) Login_denied ---------
loging on to oracle with an invalid user name and password. 6) program_error
-------- pl/sql has an internal problem. 7) storage_error -------- pl/sql ran out
of memory or memory is corrupted. 8) to_many_row ---------single row select
returned more than one row. 9) value_error --------
arithmetic,conversion,truncation or size constraint error occurred. 10)
zero_devided -------- attempted to divided by zero. USER-DEFINED: Declare : name
the exception Raise : explicitly raise the exception by using the raise statements
Reference: exception handing section.
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The Raise_Application_Error_Procedure: You can use this procedure to issue

user-defined error messages from stored sub programs. You can report errors to
your applications and avoid returning unhandled exceptions.
Raise_Application_Error(error_number,message[,{true/false}] Error number
between -20000 to -20999 pragma exception_init? It tells the compiler to associate
an exception with an oracle error. To get an error message of a specific oracle
error. Ex: pragma exception_init(exception name, oracle error number) Example for
Exceptions? 1) Check the record is exist or not? Declare E emp% rowtype Begin
e.empno := &empno; select * into e from emp where empno =e.empno;
Dbms_output.putline(‘empno’ || e.empno); Exception When no_data_found then
Dbms_output.putline(e.empno ||’doest exist’); End; 2) User defined exceptions?
Define p_dept_desc =’gvreddy’ Define p_dept_number =1236 Declare E_invalid_dept
exception; Begin Update departments Set dept_name=’&p_dept_desc’ Where dept_id
=’&p_dept_number’; If sql% not found then Raise e_invalid_departments; End if;
Commit; Exception When e_invalid_departments then Dbms_output.putline(‘no such
dept’); End; 52) what is REF Cursor? To execute a multi-row query, oracle opens an
unnamed work area that stores processing information, to access the information,
an explicit, which names the work area or, a cursor variable, which points to the
work area. where as a cursor always refers to the same query work area, a cursor
variable can refer to a different work areas, cursor variable area like ‘c’ or
‘pascal’ pointers, which hold the memory location(address) of some object instead
of the object itself. So, declaring a cursor variable creates a pointers, not an
object. 32) Can u define exceptions twice in same block? No 33) Can you have two
functions with the same name in a pl/sql block? Yes 34) Can you have two stored
functions with in the same name? Yes 35) Can function be overload?
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Yes What is the maximum number of statements that can be specified in a trigger
statement? One. 32) Stored procedure? Stored procedure is a sequence of statements
that perform specific function. 36) 53) What is procedure? ------------is a named
pl/sql block to perform a specific task. A procedure may have DML statements. It
may or may not return a value. Procedure can return more than one value.

Example for procedure

1)

To accept the year as a parameter and list emp belong to the year? Create or
replace Procedure empy(y number) is Cursor emp_cursor is Select * from emp where
to_char(hiredate,’yyyy’)=’y’; Emp_record emp%rowtype; Begin For emp_record in
emp_cursor loop Print (emp_record.empno); Print (emp_record.ename); Print
(emp_record.sal); End loop; End;

Output : var empx number; Begin :empx := ‘1234’; End; Exec empy(:empx); Print
empy; 54) What is function? ---- is a named pl/sql block to perform a specific
task, is mainly used for calculation purpose. ---- A function is called as part of
an exception. ---- Every function should return a value Example for function
Create or replace Function get_sal(p_id in emp.emp_no% type) Return number Is
v_sal emp.sal%type :=0; Begin Select salary into v_salary From emp Where emp_no =
p_id; Return v_salary End get_sal; End; Output : var g_sal number; Exec :g_sal :=
get_sal(99);
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Print g_salary; 9.Can functions be overloaded ? Yes. 10.Can 2 functions have same
name & input parameters but differ only by return datatype No. 55) What is the
package? ---- Group logically related pl/sql types, items and subprograms. 1) 2)
package specification package body

Advantages of a package: • • • • Modularity Easier Application Design Information

Hiding Overloading

You cannot overload: •Two subprograms if their formal parameters differ only in
name or parameter mode. (datatype and their total number is same). •Two
subprograms if their formal parameters differ only in datatype and the different
datatypes are in the same family (number and decimal belong to the same family)
•Two subprograms if their formal parameters differ only in subtype and the
different subtypes are based on types in the same family (VARCHAR and STRING are
subtypes of VARCHAR2) •Two functions that differ only in return type, even if the
types are in different families. 56) What is FORWARD DECLARATION in Packages?
PL/SQL allows for a special subprogram declaration called a forward declaration.
It consists of the subprogram specification in the package body terminated by a
semicolon. You can use forward declarations to do the following: • Define
subprograms in logical or alphabetical order. • Define mutually recursive
subprograms.(both calling each other). • Group subprograms in a package Example of
forward Declaration: CREATE OR REPLACE PACKAGE BODY forward_pack IS PROCEDURE
calc_rating(. . .); -- forward declaration PROCEDURE award_bonus(. . .) IS --
subprograms defined BEGIN -- in alphabetical order calc_rating(. . .); ... END;
PROCEDURE calc_rating(. . .) IS BEGIN ... END;
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END forward_pack;

56) What are triggers? ---- triggers are similar to procedures, in that they are
the named pl/sql blocks with declarative, executable and exception-handling
sections, how ever a procedure is executed explicitly from another block via a
procedure call, which can also pass arguments. ---- A trigger is executed
implicitly when ever a particular event task places. And is nothing but a event.
---- The triggering event is a DML (insert, update, delete) operations on a data
base table ----- fires whenever a data event(such as DML) or system event(such as
login or shutdown) occurs on a schema or database Trigger timing : 1) before 2)
after 3) instead of ( this is used for views) Triggering events : 1) insert
2)update 3) delete Trigger type : 1) statement level 2) row level. Firing sequence
of database triggers 1) 2) 3) 4) Ex: 1) Create or replace trigger secure_emp
Before Insert on emp Begin If (to_char(sysdate,’dy’) in(‘sat’,’sun’)) or
To_char(sysdate,’hh24:mi’) Not between ’08:00’ and ’18:00’) Then
raise_application_error(-20500,’u can insert in the office timings’) End if; End;
Ex :- 2) write a program to all transitions with name smith? Create or replace
Trigger trigger_name Before insert or update or delete On emp For each row When
(old.ename =’smith’ or New.ename =’smith’) Begin before statement trigger before
row trigger after row trigger after statement trigger
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Raise_application_error(-20003,’smith’); End; 57) Difference between triggers and

procedures? Defined with create trigger The data dictionary contains source code
in the user_triggers. Implicitly invoked Commit, save point and rollback are not
allowed(TCL) Defined with create procedure Data dictionary contains source code in
user_source Explicitly invoked Those are allowed

58) LOCKS? -- Is to reduce concurrency 1) share lock ---it allows the other users
for only reading not to insert or update or delete. 2) exclusive lock --- only one
user can have the privileges of insert or update and delete of particular object
--- others can only read. 3) update lock ----multiple user can read, update delete
Lock levels : 1) table level 2) table space 3) data base level. 58) What is
template? a) The TEMPLATE form is the required starting point for all development
of new Forms. b) The TEMPLATE form includes platform–independent attachments of
several Libraries. APPSCORE :- It contains package and procedures that are
required of all forms to support the MENUS ,TOOLBARS. APPSDAYPK :- It contains
packages that control the oracle applications CALENDER FEATURES. FNDSQF :- it
contains packages and procedures for MESSAGE DICTONARY, FLEX FIELDS, PROFILES AND
CONCURRENT PROCESSING. CUSTOM :- it allows extension of oracle applications forms
with out modification of oracle application code, you can use the custom library
for customization such as zoom ( such as moving to another form and querying up
specific records) 59) What are ad-hoc reports? Ans.: Ad-hoc Report is made to meet
one-time reporting needs. Concerned with or formed for a particular purpose. For
example, ad hoc tax codes or an ad hoc database query 60) What is responsibility?
Is collection of menus, request security groups and data groups Menus: collection
of forms is nothing but menus Request security groups: collection of programs.
Data groups: is a group of modules to be made accessible by the user through
Responsibility System admin security define
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Security user define 61) What are different execution methods of executabls?

FlexRpt FlexSql Host Oracle Reports PL/SQL Stored Procedure SQL*Loader SQL*Plus
SQL*Report Spawned Immediate

The execution file is wrnitten using the FlexReport API. The execution file is
written using the FlexSql API. The execution file is a host script. The execution
file is an Oracle Reports file. The execution file is a stored procedure. The
execution file is a SQL script. The execution file is a SQL*Plus script. The
execution file is a SQL*Report script. The execution file is a C or Pro*C program.
The execution file is a program written to run as a subroutine of the concurrent
manager. We recommend against defining new immediate concurrent programs, and
suggest you use either a PL/SQL Stored Procedure or a Spawned C Program instead.

Composite Datatypes : – PL/SQL TABLES – PL/SQL RECORDS Nested TABLE VARRAY What is
the sequence of functions – group by,having,orderby in a select statements ?
Select….. Group by… Having… Orderby.. Difference between User and Super User? User
: login user or front end user Super user : it has full access of particular
module What is an Oracle instance? Overview of an Oracle Instance Every running
Oracle database is associated with an Oracle instance. When a database is started
on a database server (regardless of the type of computer), Oracle allocates a
memory area called the System Global Area (SGA) and starts one or more Oracle
processes. This combination of the SGA and the Oracle processes is called an
Oracle instance. The memory and processes of an instance manage the associated
database’s data efficiently and serve the one or multiple users of the database.
The Instance and the Database After starting an instance, Oracle associates the
instance with the specified database. This is called mounting the database. The
database is then ready to be opened, which makes it accessible to authorized
users.
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Multiple instances can execute concurrently on the same computer, each accessing
its own physical database. In clustered and massively parallel systems (MPP), the
Oracle Parallel Server allows multiple instances to mount a single database. Only
the database administrator can start up an instance and open the database. If a
database is open, the database administrator can shut down the database so that it
is closed. When a database is closed, users cannot access the information that it
contains. Security for database startup and shutdown is controlled via connections
to Oracle with administrator privileges. Normal users do not have control over the
current status of an Oracle database. Q: What is a view? A view is a tailored
presentation of the data contained in one or more tables (or other views). Unlike
a table, a view is not allocated any storage space, nor does a view actually
contain data; rather, a view is defined by a query that extracts or derives data
from the tables the view references. These tables are called base tables. Views
present a different representation of the data that resides within the base
tables. Views are very powerful because they allow you to tailor the presentation
of data to different types of users. Views are often used to: • provide an
additional level of table security by restricting access to a predetermined set of
rows and/or columns of a table • hide data complexity • simplify commands for the
user • present the data in a different perspective from that of the base table •
isolate applications from changes in definitions of base tables • express a query
that cannot be expressed without using a view Q:What is referential integrity?
Rules governing the relationships between primary keys and foreign keys of tables
within a relational database that determine data consistency. Referential
integrity requires that the value of every foreign key in every table be matched
by the value of a primary key in another table.

Name the data dictionary that stores user-defined constraints? USER_CONSTRAINTS

What is a collection of privileges? user_tab_privs_made user_tab_privs_recd
Snapshot: A snapshot is a read-only copy of a table or a subset of a table. What
is a cursor? cursor is a private sql work area used to perform manipulations on
data using pl\sql. adv: 1.mainly used for multiple row manipulations and locking
columns. note: data which is populated into the cursor is known as active dataset.
cursors are of two types 1.implicit 2.explicit implicit ——— attributes or
properties for implicit cursor 1.sql%is open:attribute returns a boolean value
stating wether the cursor is open or closed. 2.sql % found: returns boolean value
stating whether the record is found in the cursor. 3.sql%notfound : returns a
boolean value stating whether the record is not found in the cursor 4.sql
%rowcount :returns a pneumeric value stating no.of rows executed in the cursor.
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explicit cursors—retrives multiple rows. ************ adv: users can perform locks
on th data in the cursor attributes 1.% is open 2.% found 3.% not found 4.%
rowcount Note: DATA which is populated in the cursor is known as active data set.
WE CAN WRITE TWO CURSORS IN ONE PROGRAM WE CAN WRITE A CURSOR SPECIFYING
PARAMETERS CURSOR WITH UPDATE CLAUSE IS USED TO PERFORM LOCKS ON DATA. Name the
data dictionary that stores user-defined Stored procedures? ans :- user_objects

Question:Why Use Sql* Loader in Oracle Database? Answer: The Sql Loader module of
the oracle database Management System loads data into an existing ORACLE table
from an external files.It is available locally only on CMS and PCs with oracle
version 5. Throughout this documentation the CAR database described in Referance A
is used for illustration. There are several methods others than using SQL *Loader
of inserting data into a table. 1. The Sql insert command may be used from the SQL
* Plus module, for Example : insert into CAR values(…) where the values to be
inserted into a row of the table are listed inside the parentheses. Dates and
Characters data must be Surrounded by single quotes; items are seperated by
commas.

2. Sql*Forms allows you to add rows interactively using forms. The forms may
contain default values and checks for invalid data. 3. ODL loads the table from a
control file and separate fixed format data file. ODL is available on all versions
of ORACLE . SQL * Loader is much more flexible than ODL and will eventually
supersede it on all systems.

We can execute a function in sql query select functionname(paramaters) from dual;

Suppose i am created a function add which returns the addition of two numbers then
select add(3,4) from dual; 7 ODBC stands for open database connectivity trigger is
a stored procedure which auotomatically fired on a table whenever any dml
operation is affected in the table. we can create ddl trigger,database
trigger(logon,logoff,startup,startoff),audit triggers pseudo column the column
which does not exist in a table ex;rownum,rowid,level etc Normalization is the
techinque of designing the database with the least redundancy and duplicacy of
data. Types of Normalization: 1 NF 2 NF 3 NF BCNF 5 NF 6NF : Impossible to achieve
this level of normalization what is a synonym ?
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Ans. A synonym is an alternative name for tables,views,procedures and other

database objects generally when we have more than one schema and we wish to access
an object of a different schema then we create synonyms for that object in the
schema where we wish to access the object. Syntax: create synonym synonym-name for
schemaname.object-name what is an exception ? Exception is an event that causes
suspension of normal program execution. In oracle there are serveral types of
exceptions 1) Pre-defined exceptions like NO_DATA_FOUND,TOO_MANY_ROWS 2) User-
defined exceptions which would validate the business logic 3) unnamed system
exceptions which are raised due to errors in the application code .. you can name
these exceptions using PRAGMA EXCEPTION_INIT 4)Unnamed programmer-defined
exceptions. Exceptions that are defined and raised in the server by the
programmer. In this case, the programmer provides both an error number (between
-20000 and -20999) and an error message, and raises that exception with a call to
RAISE_APPLICATION_ERROR. for all the exceptions raised oracle fills in sqleerm and
sqlcode variable which provide the error message and error code for the exception
raised. What are pseudo-columns in SQL? Provide examples? A pseudocolumn behaves
like a table column, but is not actually stored in the table. You can select from
pseudocolumns, but you cannot insert, update, or delete their values. Examples:
CURRVAL,NEXTVAL,ROWID,LEVEL what is a schema ? A schema is a oracle database user
account. How do I eliminate duplicate rows in an Oracle database? SQL> delete from
table_name where rowid not in (select max(rowid) from table group by
duplicate_values_field_name); or SQL> delete duplicate_values_field_name dv from
table_name ta where rowid < (select min(rowid) from table_name tb where
ta.dv=tb.dv); How do you view version information in Oracle? SQL> select banner
from $version;

1. What is a Cartesian product? What causes it? Expected answer: A Cartesian

product is the result of an unrestricted join of two or more tables. The result
set of a three table Cartesian product will have x * y * z number of rows where x,
y, z correspond to the number of rows in each table involved in the join. It is
causes by specifying a table in the FROM clause without joining it to another
table. 2. What is an advantage to using a stored procedure as opposed to passing
an SQL query from an application. Expected answer: A stored procedure is pre-
loaded in memory for faster execution. It allows the DBMS control of permissions
for security purposes. It also eliminates the need to recompile components when
minor changes occur to the database. 3. What is the difference of a LEFT JOIN and
an INNER JOIN statement? Expected answer: A LEFT JOIN will take ALL values from
the first declared table and matching values from the second
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declared table based on the column the join has been declared on. An INNER JOIN
will take only matching values from both tables PL/SQL Questions: 1. Describe the
difference between a procedure, function and anonymous pl/sql block. Expected
answer : Candidate should mention use of DECLARE statement, a function must return
a value while a procedure doesn?t have to.

2. What is a mutating table error and how can you get around it? Expected answer:
This happens with triggers. It occurs because the trigger is trying to update a
row it is currently using. The usual fix involves either use of views or temporary
tables so the database is selecting from one while updating the other. 3. Describe
the use of %ROWTYPE and %TYPE in PL/SQL Expected answer: %ROWTYPE allows you to
associate a variable with an entire table row. The %TYPE associates a variable
with a single column type. 4. What packages (if any) has Oracle provided for use
by developers? Expected answer: Oracle provides the DBMS_ series of packages.
There are many which developers should be aware of such as DBMS_SQL, DBMS_PIPE,
DBMS_TRANSACTION, DBMS_LOCK, DBMS_ALERT, DBMS_OUTPUT, DBMS_JOB, DBMS_UTILITY,
DBMS_DDL, UTL_FILE. If they can mention a few of these and describe how they used
them, even better. If they include the SQL routines provided by Oracle, great, but
not really what was asked. 5. Describe the use of PL/SQL tables Expected answer:
PL/SQL tables are scalar arrays that can be referenced by a binary integer. They
can be used to hold values for use in later queries or calculations. In Oracle 8
they will be able to be of the %ROWTYPE designation, or RECORD. 6. When is a
declare statement needed ? The DECLARE statement is used in PL/SQL anonymous
blocks such as with stand alone, non-stored PL/SQL procedures. It must come first
in a PL/SQL stand alone file if it is used. 7. In what order should a
open/fetch/loop set of commands in a PL/SQL block be implemented if you use the
%NOTFOUND cursor variable in the exit when statement? Why? Level: Intermediate
Expected answer: OPEN then FETCH then LOOP followed by the exit when. If not
specified in this order will result in the final return being done twice because
of the way the %NOTFOUND is handled by PL/SQL. 8. What are SQLCODE and SQLERRM and
why are they important for PL/SQL developers? Level: Intermediate
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Expected answer: SQLCODE returns the value of the error number for the last error
encountered. The SQLERRM returns the actual error message for the last error
encountered. They can be used in exception handling to report, or, store in an
error log table, the error that occurred in the code. These are especially useful
for the WHEN OTHERS exception. 9. How can you find within a PL/SQL block, if a
cursor is open? Level: Low Expected answer: Use the %ISOPEN cursor status
variable. 10. How can you generate debugging output from PL/SQL?
Level:Intermediate to high Expected answer: Use the DBMS_OUTPUT package. Another
possible method is to just use the SHOW ERROR command, but this only shows errors.
The DBMS_OUTPUT package can be used to show intermediate results from loops and
the status of variables as the procedure is executed. The new package UTL_FILE can
also be used. 11. What are the types of triggers? Level:Intermediate to high
Expected Answer: There are 12 types of triggers in PL/SQL that consist of
combinations of the BEFORE, AFTER, ROW, TABLE, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE and ALL key
words: BEFORE ALL ROW INSERT AFTER ALL ROW INSERT BEFORE INSERT AFTER INSERT etc.
DBA: 1. Give one method for transferring a table from one schema to another:
Level:Intermediate Expected Answer: There are several possible methods, export-
import, CREATE TABLE... AS SELECT, or COPY. 2. What is the purpose of the IMPORT
option IGNORE? What is it?s default setting? Level: Low Expected Answer: The
IMPORT IGNORE option tells import to ignore "already exists" errors. If it is not
specified the tables that already exist will be skipped. If it is specified, the
error is ignored and the tables data will be inserted. The default value is N. 3.
You have a rollback segment in a version 7.2 database that has expanded beyond
optimal, how can it be restored to optimal?
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Level: Low Expected answer: Use the ALTER TABLESPACE ..... SHRINK command. 4. If
the DEFAULT and TEMPORARY tablespace clauses are left out of a CREATE USER command
what happens? Is this bad or good? Why? Level: Low Expected answer: The user is
assigned the SYSTEM tablespace as a default and temporary tablespace. This is bad
because it causes user objects and temporary segments to be placed into the SYSTEM
tablespace resulting in fragmentation and improper table placement (only data
dictionary objects and the system rollback segment should be in SYSTEM). 5. What
are some of the Oracle provided packages that DBAs should be aware of? Level:
Intermediate to High Expected answer: Oracle provides a number of packages in the
form of the DBMS_ packages owned by the SYS user. The packages used by DBAs may
include: DBMS_SHARED_POOL, DBMS_UTILITY, DBMS_SQL, DBMS_DDL, DBMS_SESSION,
DBMS_OUTPUT and DBMS_SNAPSHOT. They may also try to answer with the UTL*.SQL or
CAT*.SQL series of SQL procedures. These can be viewed as extra credit but aren?t
part of the answer. 6. What happens if the constraint name is left out of a
constraint clause? Level: Low Expected answer: The Oracle system will use the
default name of SYS_Cxxxx where xxxx is a system generated number. This is bad
since it makes tracking which table the constraint belongs to or what the
constraint does harder. 7. What happens if a tablespace clause is left off of a
primary key constraint clause? Level: Low Expected answer: This results in the
index that is automatically generated being placed in then users default
tablespace. Since this will usually be the same tablespace as the table is being
created in, this can cause serious performance problems. 8. What is the proper
method for disabling and re-enabling a primary key constraint? Level: Intermediate
Expected answer: You use the ALTER TABLE command for both. However, for the enable
clause you must specify the USING INDEX and TABLESPACE clause for primary keys. 9.
What happens if a primary key constraint is disabled and then enabled without
fully specifying the index clause? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: The index
is created in the user?s default tablespace and all sizing information is lost.
Oracle doesn?t store this information as a part of the constraint definition, but
only as part of the index definition, when the constraint was disabled the index
was dropped and the information is gone.
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10. (On UNIX) When should more than one DB writer process be used? How many should
be used? Level: High Expected answer: If the UNIX system being used is capable of
asynchronous IO then only one is required, if the system is not capable of
asynchronous IO then up to twice the number of disks used by Oracle number of DB
writers should be specified by use of the db_writers initialization parameter. 11.
You are using hot backup without being in archivelog mode, can you recover in the
event of a failure? Why or why not? Level: High Expected answer: You can?t use hot
backup without being in archivelog mode. So no, you couldn?t recover. 12. What
causes the "snapshot too old" error? How can this be prevented or mitigated?
Level: Intermediate Expected answer: This is caused by large or long running
transactions that have either wrapped onto their own rollback space or have had
another transaction write on part of their rollback space. This can be prevented
or mitigated by breaking the transaction into a set of smaller transactions or
increasing the size of the rollback segments and their extents. 13. How can you
tell if a database object is invalid? Level: Low Expected answer: By checking the
status column of the DBA_, ALL_ or USER_OBJECTS views, depending upon whether you
own or only have permission on the view or are using a DBA account. 14. A user is
getting an ORA-00942 error yet you know you have granted them permission on the
table, what else should you check? Level: Low Expected answer: You need to check
that the user has specified the full name of the object (select empid from
scott.emp; instead of select empid from emp;) or has a synonym that points to the
object (create synonym emp for scott.emp;) 15. A developer is trying to create a
view and the database won?t let him. He has the "DEVELOPER" role which has the
"CREATE VIEW" system privilege and SELECT grants on the tables he is using, what
is the problem? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: You need to verify the
developer has direct grants on all tables used in the view. You can?t create a
stored object with grants given through views. 16. If you have an example table,
what is the best way to get sizing data for the production table implementation?
Level: Intermediate
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Expected answer: The best way is to analyze the table and then use the data
provided in the DBA_TABLES view to get the average row length and other pertinent
data for the calculation. The quick and dirty way is to look at the number of
blocks the table is actually using and ratio the number of rows in the table to
its number of blocks against the number of expected rows. 17. How can you find out
how many users are currently logged into the database? How can you find their
operating system id? Level: high Expected answer: There are several ways. One is
to look at the v$session or v$process views. Another way is to check the
current_logins parameter in the v$sysstat view. Another if you are on UNIX is to
do a "ps -ef| grep oracle|wc -l? command, but this only works against a single
instance installation. 18. A user selects from a sequence and gets back two
values, his select is: SELECT pk_seq.nextval FROM dual; What is the problem?
Level: Intermediate Expected answer: Somehow two values have been inserted into
the dual table. This table is a single row, single column table that should only
have one value in it. 19. How can you determine if an index needs to be dropped
and rebuilt? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: Run the ANALYZE INDEX command on
the index to validate its structure and then calculate the ratio of
LF_BLK_LEN/LF_BLK_LEN+BR_BLK_LEN and if it isn?t near 1.0 (i.e. greater than 0.7
or so) then the index should be rebuilt. Or if the ratio BR_BLK_LEN/
LF_BLK_LEN+BR_BLK_LEN is nearing 0.3. SQL/ SQLPlus 1. How can variables be passed
to a SQL routine? Level: Low Expected answer: By use of the & symbol. For passing
in variables the numbers 1-8 can be used (&1, &2,...,&8) to pass the values after
the command into the SQLPLUS session. To be prompted for a specific variable,
place the ampersanded variable in the code itself: "select * from dba_tables where
owner=&owner_name;" . Use of double ampersands tells SQLPLUS to resubstitute the
value for each subsequent use of the variable, a single ampersand will cause a
reprompt for the value unless an ACCEPT statement is used to get the value from
the user. 2. You want to include a carriage return/linefeed in your output from a
SQL script, how can you do this? Level: Intermediate to high
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Expected answer: The best method is to use the CHR() function (CHR(10) is a
return/linefeed) and the concatenation function "||". Another method, although it
is hard to document and isn?t always portable is to use the return/linefeed as a
part of a quoted string. 3. How can you call a PL/SQL procedure from SQL? Level:
Intermediate Expected answer: By use of the EXECUTE (short form EXEC) command. 4.
How do you execute a host operating system command from within SQL? Level: Low
Expected answer: By use of the exclamation point "!" (in UNIX and some other OS)
or the HOST (HO) command. 5. You want to use SQL to build SQL, what is this called
and give an example Level: Intermediate to high Expected answer: This is called
dynamic SQL. An example would be: set lines 90 pages 0 termout off feedback off
verify off spool drop_all.sql select ?drop user ?||username||? cascade;? from
dba_users where username not in ("SYS?,?SYSTEM?); spool off Essentially you are
looking to see that they know to include a command (in this case DROP
USER...CASCADE;) and that you need to concatenate using the ?||? the values
selected from the database. 6. What SQLPlus command is used to format output from
a select? Level: low Expected answer: This is best done with the COLUMN command.
7. You want to group the following set of select returns, what can you group on?
Max(sum_of_cost), min(sum_of_cost), count(item_no), item_no Level: Intermediate
Expected answer: The only column that can be grouped on is the "item_no" column,
the rest have aggregate functions associated with them. 8. What special Oracle
feature allows you to specify how the cost based system treats a SQL statement?
Level: Intermediate to high
Page 131 of 259

Expected answer: The COST based system allows the use of HINTs to control the
optimizer path selection. If they can give some example hints such as FIRST ROWS,
ALL ROWS, USING INDEX, STAR, even better. 9. You want to determine the location of
identical rows in a table before attempting to place a unique index on the table,
how can this be done? Level: High Expected answer: Oracle tables always have one
guaranteed unique column, the rowid column. If you use a min/max function against
your rowid and then select against the proposed primary key you can squeeze out
the rowids of the duplicate rows pretty quick. For example: select rowid from emp
e where e.rowid > (select min(x.rowid) from emp x where x.emp_no = e.emp_no); In
the situation where multiple columns make up the proposed key, they must all be
used in the where clause. 10. What is a Cartesian product? Level: Low Expected
answer: A Cartesian product is the result of an unrestricted join of two or more
tables. The result set of a three table Cartesian product will have x * y * z
number of rows where x, y, z correspond to the number of rows in each table
involved in the join. 11. You are joining a local and a remote table, the network
manager complains about the traffic involved, how can you reduce the network
traffic? Level: High Expected answer: Push the processing of the remote data to
the remote instance by using a view to preselect the information for the join.
This will result in only the data required for the join being sent across. 12.
What is the default ordering of an ORDER BY clause in a SELECT statement? Level:
Low Expected answer: Ascending 13. What is tkprof and how is it used? Level:
Intermediate to high Expected answer: The tkprof tool is a tuning tool used to
determine cpu and execution times for SQL statements. You use it by first setting
timed_statistics to true in the initialization file and then turning on tracing
for either the entire database via the sql_trace parameter or for the session
using the ALTER SESSION command. Once the trace file is generated you run the
tkprof tool against the trace file and then look at the output from the tkprof
tool. This can also be used to generate explain plan output.
Page 132 of 259

14. What is explain plan and how is it used? Level: Intermediate to high Expected
answer: The EXPLAIN PLAN command is a tool to tune SQL statements. To use it you
must have an explain_table generated in the user you are running the explain plan
for. This is created using the utlxplan.sql script. Once the explain plan table
exists you run the explain plan command giving as its argument the SQL statement
to be explained. The explain_plan table is then queried to see the execution plan
of the statement. Explain plans can also be run using tkprof. 15. How do you set
the number of lines on a page of output? The width? Level: Low Expected answer:
The SET command in SQLPLUS is used to control the number of lines generated per
page and the width of those lines, for example SET PAGESIZE 60 LINESIZE 80 will
generate reports that are 60 lines long with a line width of 80 characters. The
PAGESIZE and LINESIZE options can be shortened to PAGES and LINES. 16. How do you
prevent output from coming to the screen? Level: Low Expected answer: The SET
option TERMOUT controls output to the screen. Setting TERMOUT OFF turns off screen
output. This option can be shortened to TERM. 17. How do you prevent Oracle from
giving you informational messages during and after a SQL statement execution?
Level: Low Expected answer: The SET options FEEDBACK and VERIFY can be set to OFF.
18. How do you generate file output from SQL? Level: Low Expected answer: By use
of the SPOOL command Tuning Questions: 1. A tablespace has a table with 30 extents
in it. Is this bad? Why or why not. Level: Intermediate Expected answer: Multiple
extents in and of themselves aren?t bad. However if you also have chained rows
this can hurt performance. 2. How do you set up tablespaces during an Oracle
installation? Level: Low Expected answer: You should always attempt to use the
Oracle Flexible Architecture standard or another partitioning scheme to ensure
proper separation of SYSTEM, ROLLBACK, REDO LOG, DATA, TEMPORARY and INDEX
segments.
Page 133 of 259

3. You see multiple fragments in the SYSTEM tablespace, what should you check
first? Level: Low Expected answer: Ensure that users don?t have the SYSTEM
tablespace as their TEMPORARY or DEFAULT tablespace assignment by checking the
DBA_USERS view. 4. What are some indications that you need to increase the
SHARED_POOL_SIZE parameter? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: Poor data
dictionary or library cache hit ratios, getting error ORA-04031. Another
indication is steadily decreasing performance with all other tuning parameters the
same. 5. What is the general guideline for sizing db_block_size and
db_multi_block_read for an application that does many full table scans? Level:
High Expected answer: Oracle almost always reads in 64k chunks. The two should
have a product equal to 64 or a multiple of 64. 6. What is the fastest query
method for a table? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: Fetch by rowid 7. Explain
the use of TKPROF? What initialization parameter should be turned on to get full
TKPROF output? Level: High Expected answer: The tkprof tool is a tuning tool used
to determine cpu and execution times for SQL statements. You use it by first
setting timed_statistics to true in the initialization file and then turning on
tracing for either the entire database via the sql_trace parameter or for the
session using the ALTER SESSION command. Once the trace file is generated you run
the tkprof tool against the trace file and then look at the output from the tkprof
tool. This can also be used to generate explain plan output. 8. When looking at
v$sysstat you see that sorts (disk) is high. Is this bad or good? If bad -How do
you correct it? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: If you get excessive disk
sorts this is bad. This indicates you need to tune the sort area parameters in the
initialization files. The major sort are parameter is the SORT_AREA_SIZe
parameter. 9. When should you increase copy latches? What parameters control copy
latches? Level: high Expected answer: When you get excessive contention for the
copy latches as shown by the "redo copy" latch hit ratio. You can increase copy
latches via the initialization parameter LOG_SIMULTANEOUS_COPIES to twice the
number of CPUs on your system.
Page 134 of 259

10. Where can you get a list of all initialization parameters for your instance?
How about an indication if they are default settings or have been changed? Level:
Low Expected answer: You can look in the init.ora file for an indication of
manually set parameters. For all parameters, their value and whether or not the
current value is the default value, look in the v$parameter view. 11. Describe hit
ratio as it pertains to the database buffers. What is the difference between
instantaneous and cumulative hit ratio and which should be used for tuning? Level:
Intermediate Expected answer: The hit ratio is a measure of how many times the
database was able to read a value from the buffers verses how many times it had to
re-read a data value from the disks. A value greater than 8090% is good, less
could indicate problems. If you simply take the ratio of existing parameters this
will be a cumulative value since the database started. If you do a comparison
between pairs of readings based on some arbitrary time span, this is the
instantaneous ratio for that time span. Generally speaking an instantaneous
reading gives more valuable data since it will tell you what your instance is
doing for the time it was generated over. 12. Discuss row chaining, how does it
happen? How can you reduce it? How do you correct it? Level: high Expected answer:
Row chaining occurs when a VARCHAR2 value is updated and the length of the new
value is longer than the old value and won?t fit in the remaining block space.
This results in the row chaining to another block. It can be reduced by setting
the storage parameters on the table to appropriate values. It can be corrected by
export and import of the effected table. 13. When looking at the estat events
report you see that you are getting busy buffer waits. Is this bad? How can you
find what is causing it? Level: high Expected answer: Buffer busy waits could
indicate contention in redo, rollback or data blocks. You need to check the
v$waitstat view to see what areas are causing the problem. The value of the
"count" column tells where the problem is, the "class" column tells you with what.
UNDO is rollback segments, DATA is data base buffers. 14. If you see contention
for library caches how can you fix it? Level: Intermediate Expected answer:
Increase the size of the shared pool. 15. If you see statistics that deal with
"undo" what are they really talking about? Level: Intermediate Expected answer:
Rollback segments and associated structures. 16. If a tablespace has a default
pctincrease of zero what will this cause (in relationship to the smon process)?
Page 135 of 259

Level: High Expected answer: The SMON process won?t automatically coalesce its
free space fragments. 17. If a tablespace shows excessive fragmentation what are
some methods to defragment the tablespace? (7.1,7.2 and 7.3 only) Level: High
Expected answer: In Oracle 7.0 to 7.2 The use of the 'alter session set events
'immediate trace name coalesce level ts#';? command is the easiest way to
defragment contiguous free space fragmentation. The ts# parameter corresponds to
the ts# value found in the ts$ SYS table. In version 7.3 the ?alter tablespace
coalesce;? is best. If the free space isn?t contiguous then export, drop and
import of the tablespace contents may be the only way to reclaim non-contiguous
free space. 18. How can you tell if a tablespace has excessive fragmentation?
Level: Intermediate If a select against the dba_free_space table shows that the
count of a tablespaces extents is greater than the count of its data files, then
it is fragmented. 19. You see the following on a status report: redo log space
requests 23 redo log space wait time 0 Is this something to worry about? What if
redo log space wait time is high? How can you fix this? Level: Intermediate
Expected answer: Since the wait time is zero, no. If the wait time was high it
might indicate a need for more or larger redo logs. 20. What can cause a high
value for recursive calls? How can this be fixed? Level: High Expected answer: A
high value for recursive calls is cause by improper cursor usage, excessive
dynamic space management actions, and or excessive statement re-parses. You need
to determine the cause and correct it By either relinking applications to hold
cursors, use proper space management techniques (proper storage and sizing) or
ensure repeat queries are placed in packages for proper reuse. 21. If you see a
pin hit ratio of less than 0.8 in the estat library cache report is this a
problem? If so, how do you fix it? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: This
indicate that the shared pool may be too small. Increase the shared pool size. 22.
If you see the value for reloads is high in the estat library cache report is this
a matter for concern? Level: Intermediate
Page 136 of 259

Expected answer: Yes, you should strive for zero reloads if possible. If you see
excessive reloads then increase the size of the shared pool. 23. You look at the
dba_rollback_segs view and see that there is a large number of shrinks and they
are of relatively small size, is this a problem? How can it be fixed if it is a
problem? Level: High Expected answer: A large number of small shrinks indicates a
need to increase the size of the rollback segment extents. Ideally you should have
no shrinks or a small number of large shrinks. To fix this just increase the size
of the extents and adjust optimal accordingly. 24. You look at the
dba_rollback_segs view and see that you have a large number of wraps is this a
problem? Level: High Expected answer: A large number of wraps indicates that your
extent size for your rollback segments are probably too small. Increase the size
of your extents to reduce the number of wraps. You can look at the average
transaction size in the same view to get the information on transaction size. 25.
In a system with an average of 40 concurrent users you get the following from a
query on rollback extents: ROLLBACK CUR EXTENTS ---------------------
-------------------------R01 11 R02 8 R03 12 R04 9 SYSTEM 4 You have room for each
to grow by 20 more extents each. Is there a problem? Should you take any action?
Level: Intermediate Expected answer: No there is not a problem. You have 40
extents showing and an average of 40 concurrent users. Since there is plenty of
room to grow no action is needed. 26. You see multiple extents in the temporary
tablespace. Is this a problem? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: As long as
they are all the same size this isn?t a problem. In fact, it can even improve
performance since Oracle won?t have to create a new extent when a user needs one.
Installation/Configuration
Page 137 of 259

1. Define OFA. Level: Low Expected answer: OFA stands for Optimal Flexible
Architecture. It is a method of placing directories and files in an Oracle system
so that you get the maximum flexibility for future tuning and file placement. 2.
How do you set up your tablespace on installation? Level: Low Expected answer: The
answer here should show an understanding of separation of redo and rollback, data
and indexes and isolation os SYSTEM tables from other tables. An example would be
to specify that at least 7 disks should be used for an Oracle installation so that
you can place SYSTEM tablespace on one, redo logs on two (mirrored redo logs) the
TEMPORARY tablespace on another, ROLLBACK tablespace on another and still have two
for DATA and INDEXES. They should indicate how they will handle archive logs and
exports as well. As long as they have a logical plan for combining or further
separation more or less disks can be specified. 3. What should be done prior to
installing Oracle (for the OS and the disks)? Level: Low Expected Answer: adjust
kernel parameters or OS tuning parameters in accordance with installation guide.
Be sure enough contiguous disk space is available. 4. You have installed Oracle
and you are now setting up the actual instance. You have been waiting an hour for
the initialization script to finish, what should you check first to determine if
there is a problem? Level: Intermediate to high Expected Answer: Check to make
sure that the archiver isn?t stuck. If archive logging is turned on during install
a large number of logs will be created. This can fill up your archive log
destination causing Oracle to stop to wait for more space. 5. When configuring
SQLNET on the server what files must be set up? Level: Intermediate Expected
answer: INITIALIZATION file, TNSNAMES.ORA file, SQLNET.ORA file 6. When
configuring SQLNET on the client what files need to be set up? Level: Intermediate
Expected answer: SQLNET.ORA, TNSNAMES.ORA 7. What must be installed with ODBC on
the client in order for it to work with Oracle? Level: Intermediate Expected
answer: SQLNET and PROTOCOL (for example: TCPIP adapter) layers of the transport
programs.
Page 138 of 259

8. You have just started a new instance with a large SGA on a busy existing
server. Performance is terrible, what should you check for? Level: Intermediate
Expected answer: The first thing to check with a large SGA is that it isn?t being
swapped out. 9. What OS user should be used for the first part of an Oracle
installation (on UNIX)? Level: low Expected answer: You must use root first. 10.
When should the default values for Oracle initialization parameters be used as is?
Level: Low Expected answer: Never 11. How many control files should you have?
Where should they be located? Level: Low Expected answer: At least 2 on separate
disk spindles. Be sure they say on separate disks, not just file systems. 12. How
many redo logs should you have and how should they be configured for maximum
recoverability? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: You should have at least
three groups of two redo logs with the two logs each on a separate disk spindle
(mirrored by Oracle). The redo logs should not be on raw devices on UNIX if it can
be avoided. 13. You have a simple application with no "hot" tables (i.e. uniform
IO and access requirements). How many disks should you have assuming standard
layout for SYSTEM, USER, TEMP and ROLLBACK tablespaces? Expected answer: At least
7, see disk configuration answer above. Data Modeler: 1. Describe third normal
form? Level: Low Expected answer: Something like: In third normal form all
attributes in an entity are related to the primary key and only to the primary key
2. Is the following statement true or false: "All relational databases must be in
third normal form" Why or why not?
Page 139 of 259

Level: Intermediate Expected answer: False. While 3NF is good for logical design
most databases, if they have more than just a few tables, will not perform well
using full 3NF. Usually some entities will be denormalized in the logical to
physical transfer process. 3. What is an ERD? Level: Low Expected answer: An ERD
is an Entity-Relationship-Diagram. It is used to show the entities and
relationships for a database logical model. 4. Why are recursive relationships
bad? How do you resolve them? Level: Intermediate A recursive relationship (one
where a table relates to itself) is bad when it is a hard relationship (i.e.
neither side is a "may" both are "must") as this can result in it not being
possible to put in a top or perhaps a bottom of the table (for example in the
EMPLOYEE table you couldn?t put in the PRESIDENT of the company because he has no
boss, or the junior janitor because he has no subordinates). These type of
relationships are usually resolved by adding a small intersection entity. 5. What
does a hard one-to-one relationship mean (one where the relationship on both ends
is "must")? Level: Low to intermediate Expected answer: This means the two
entities should probably be made into one entity. 6. How should a many-to-many
relationship be handled? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: By adding an
intersection entity table 7. What is an artificial (derived) primary key? When
should an artificial (or derived) primary key be used? Level: Intermediate
Expected answer: A derived key comes from a sequence. Usually it is used when a
concatenated key becomes too cumbersome to use as a foreign key. 8. When should
you consider denormalization? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: Whenever
performance analysis indicates it would be beneficial to do so without
compromising data integrity. UNIX: 1. How can you determine the space left in a
file system? Level: Low
Page 140 of 259

Expected answer: There are several commands to do this: du, df, or bdf 2. How can
you determine the number of SQLNET users logged in to the UNIX system? Level:
Intermediate Expected answer: SQLNET users will show up with a process unique name
that begins with oracle, if you do a ps -ef|grep oracle|wc -l you can get a count
of the number of users. 3. What command is used to type files to the screen?
Level: Low Expected answer: cat, more, pg 4. What command is used to remove a
file? Level: Low Expected answer: rm 5. Can you remove an open file under UNIX?
Level: Low Expected answer: yes 6. How do you create a decision tree in a shell
script? Level: intermediate Expected answer: depending on shell, usually a case-
esac or an if-endif or fi structure 7. What is the purpose of the grep command?
Level: Low Expected answer: grep is a string search command that parses the
specified string from the specified file or files 8. The system has a program that
always includes the word nocomp in its name, how can you determine the number of
processes that are using this program? Level: intermediate Expected answer: ps
-ef|grep *nocomp*|wc -l 9. What is an inode? Level: Intermediate Expected answer:
an inode is a file status indicator. It is stored in both disk and memory and
tracts file status. There is one inode for each file on the system.
Page 141 of 259

10. The system administrator tells you that the system hasn?t been rebooted in 6
months, should he be proud of this? Level: High Expected answer: Maybe. Some UNIX
systems don?t clean up well after themselves. Inode problems and dead user
processes can accumulate causing possible performance and corruption problems.
Most UNIX systems should have a scheduled periodic reboot so file systems can be
checked and cleaned and dead or zombie processes cleared out. 11. What is
redirection and how is it used? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: redirection
is the process by which input or output to or from a process is redirected to
another process. This can be done using the pipe symbol "|", the greater than
symbol ">" or the "tee" command. This is one of the strengths of UNIX allowing the
output from one command to be redirected directly into the input of another
command. 12. How can you find dead processes? Level: Intermediate Expected answer:
ps -ef|grep zombie -- or -- who -d depending on the system. 13. How can you find
all the processes on your system? Level: Low Expected answer: Use the ps command
14. How can you find your id on a system? Level: Low Expected answer: Use the "who
am i" command. 15. What is the finger command? Level: Low Expected answer: The
finger command uses data in the passwd file to give information on system users.
16. What is the easiest method to create a file on UNIX? Level: Low Expected
answer: Use the touch command 17. What does >> do? Level: Intermediate
Page 142 of 259

Expected answer: The ">>" redirection symbol appends the output from the command
specified into the file specified. The file must already have been created. 18. If
you aren?t sure what command does a particular UNIX function what is the best way
to determine the command? Expected answer: The UNIX man -k command will search the
man pages for the value specified. Review the results from the command to find the
command of interest. Oracle Troubleshooting: 1. How can you determine if an Oracle
instance is up from the operating system level? Level: Low Expected answer: There
are several base Oracle processes that will be running on multi-user operating
systems, these will be smon, pmon, dbwr and lgwr. Any answer that has them using
their operating system process showing feature to check for these is acceptable.
For example, on UNIX a ps -ef|grep dbwr will show what instances are up. 2. Users
from the PC clients are getting messages indicating : Level: Low ORA-06114: (Cnct
err, can't get err txt. See Servr Msgs & Codes Manual) What could the problem be?
Expected answer: The instance name is probably incorrect in their connection
string. 3. Users from the PC clients are getting the following error stack: Level:
Low ERROR: ORA-01034: ORACLE not available ORA-07318: smsget: open error when
opening sgadef.dbf file. HP-UX Error: 2: No such file or directory What is the
probable cause? Expected answer: The Oracle instance is shutdown that they are
trying to access, restart the instance. 4. How can you determine if the SQLNET
process is running for SQLNET V1? How about V2? Level: Low Expected answer: For
SQLNET V1 check for the existence of the orasrv process. You can use the command
"tcpctl status" to get a full status of the V1 TCPIP server, other protocols have
similar command formats. For SQLNET V2 check for the presence of the LISTENER
process(s) or you can issue the command "lsnrctl status". 5. What file will give
you Oracle instance status information? Where is it located?
Page 143 of 259

Level: Low Expected answer: The alert.ora log. It is located in the directory
specified by the background_dump_dest parameter in the v$parameter table. 6. Users
aren?t being allowed on the system. The following message is received: Level:
Intermediate ORA-00257 archiver is stuck. Connect internal only, until freed What
is the problem? Expected answer: The archive destination is probably full, backup
the archive logs and remove them and the archiver will re-start. 7. Where would
you look to find out if a redo log was corrupted assuming you are using Oracle
mirrored redo logs? Level: Intermediate Expected answer: There is no message that
comes to the SQLDBA or SRVMGR programs during startup in this situation, you must
check the alert.log file for this information. 8. You attempt to add a datafile
and get: Level: Intermediate ORA-01118: cannot add anymore datafiles: limit of 40
exceeded What is the problem and how can you fix it? Expected answer: When the
database was created the db_files parameter in the initialization file was set to
40. You can shutdown and reset this to a higher value, up to the value of
MAX_DATAFILES as specified at database creation. If the MAX_DATAFILES is set to
low, you will have to rebuild the control file to increase it before proceeding.
9. You look at your fragmentation report and see that smon hasn?t coalesced any of
you tablespaces, even though you know several have large chunks of contiguous free
extents. What is the problem? Level: High Expected answer: Check the
dba_tablespaces view for the value of pct_increase for the tablespaces. If
pct_increase is zero, smon will not coalesce their free space. 10. Your users get
the following error: Level: Intermediate ORA-00055 maximum number of DML locks
exceeded What is the problem and how do you fix it?
Page 144 of 259

Expected answer: The number of DML Locks is set by the initialization parameter
DML_LOCKS. If this value is set to low (which it is by default) you will get this
error. Increase the value of DML_LOCKS. If you are sure that this is just a
temporary problem, you can have them wait and then try again later and the error
should clear. 11. You get a call from you backup DBA while you are on vacation. He
has corrupted all of the control files while playing with the ALTER DATABASE
BACKUP CONTROLFILE command. What do you do? Level: High Expected answer: As long
as all datafiles are safe and he was successful with the BACKUP controlfile
command you can do the following: CONNECT INTERNAL STARTUP MOUNT (Take any read-
only tablespaces offline before next step ALTER DATABASE DATAFILE .... OFFLINE;)
RECOVER DATABASE USING BACKUP CONTROLFILE ALTER DATABASE OPEN RESETLOGS; (bring
read-only tablespaces back online) Shutdown and backup the system, then restart If
they have a recent output file from the ALTER DATABASE BACKUP CONTROL FILE TO
TRACE; command, they can use that to recover as well. If no backup of the control
file is available then the following will be required: CONNECT INTERNAL STARTUP
NOMOUNT CREATE CONTROL FILE .....; However, they will need to know all of the
datafiles, logfiles, and settings for MAXLOGFILES, MAXLOGMEMBERS, MAXLOGHISTORY,
MAXDATAFILES for the database to use the command.

DATABASE PACKAGES & THEIR USAGE

Page 145 of 259

Package Name Calendar

Description Provides calendar maintenance functions.

DBMS_ALERT

Provides support for the asynchronous notification of database events.

DBMS_APPLICATION_INFO

Lets you register an application name with the database for auditing or
performance tracking purposes.

DBMS_AQ

Lets you add a message (of a predefined object type) onto a queue or to dequeue a
message.

DBMS_AQADM

Lets you perform administrative functions on a queue or queue table for messages
of a predefined object type.

DBMS_DDL

Provides access to some SQL DDL statements from stored procedures, and provides
special administration operations not available as DDLs.

DBMS_DEBUG

A PL/SQL API to the PL/SQL debugger layer, Probe, in the Oracle server.

DBMS_DEFER

Provides the user interface to a replicated transactional deferred remote

procedure call facility. Requires the Distributed Option.

DBMS_DEFER_QUERY

Permits querying the deferred remote procedure calls (RPC) queue data that is not
exposed through views. Requires the Distributed Option.

DMBS_DEFER_SYS

Provides the system administrator interface to a replicated transactional deferred

remote procedure call facility. Requires the Distributed Option.

DBMS_DESCRIBE

Describes the arguments of a stored procedure with full name translation and
security checking.

DBMS_DISTRIBUTED_TRUST_ ADMIN

Maintains the Trusted Database List, which is used to determine if a privileged

database link from a particular server can be accepted.
DBMS_HS

Lets you create and modify objects in the Heterogeneous Services dictionary.

DBMS_HS_PASSTHROUGH

Lets you use Heterogeneous Services to send pass-through SQL statements to non-
Oracle systems.
Page 146 of 259

1. What is SQL and where does it come from? Structured Query Language (SQL) is a
language that provides an interface to relational database systems. SQL was
developed by IBM in the 1970s for use in System R, and is a de facto standard, as
well as an ISO and ANSI standard. SQL is often pronounced SEQUEL. In common usage
SQL also encompasses DML (Data Manipulation Language), for INSERTs, UPDATEs,
DELETEs and DDL (Data Definition Language), used for creating and modifying tables
and other database structures. The development of SQL is governed by standards. A
major revision to the SQL standard was completed in 1992, called SQL2. SQL3
support object extensions and will be (partially?) implemented in Oracle8. 2. What
are the difference between DDL, DML and DCL commands? DDL is Data Definition
Language statements. Some examples:

• • • • • • •

CREATE - to create objects in the database ALTER - alters the structure of the
database DROP - delete objects from the database TRUNCATE - remove all records
from a table, including all spaces allocated for the records are removed COMMENT -
add comments to the data dictionary GRANT - gives user's access privileges to
database REVOKE - withdraw access privileges given with the GRANT command

DML is Data Manipulation Language statements. Some examples:

• • • • • • •

SELECT - retrieve data from the a database INSERT - insert data into a table
UPDATE - updates existing data within a table DELETE - deletes all records from a
table, the space for the records remain CALL - call a PL/SQL or Java subprogram
EXPLAIN PLAN - explain access path to data LOCK TABLE - control concurrency

DCL is Data Control Language statements. Some examples:

• • • •

COMMIT - save work done SAVEPOINT - identify a point in a transaction to which you
can later roll back ROLLBACK - restore database to original since the last COMMIT
SET TRANSACTION - Change transaction options like what rollback segment to use

3. How does one escape special characters when building SQL queries? The LIKE
keyword allows for string searches. The '_' wild card character is used to match
exactly one character, '%' is used to match zero or more occurrences of any
characters. These characters can be escaped in SQL. Example: SELECT name FROM emp
WHERE id LIKE '%\_%' ESCAPE '\';
Page 147 of 259

Use two quotes for every one displayed. Example: SELECT 'Franks''s Oracle site'
FROM DUAL; SELECT 'A ''quoted'' word.' FROM DUAL; SELECT 'A ''''double quoted''''
word.' FROM DUAL; 4. How does one eliminate duplicates rows from a table? Choose
one of the following queries to identify or remove duplicate rows from a table
leaving unique records in the table: Method 1: SQL> DELETE FROM table_name A WHERE
ROWID > ( 2 3 SELECT min(rowid) FROM table_name B WHERE A.key_values =
B.key_values);

Method 2: SQL> create table table_name2 as select distinct * from table_name1;

SQL> drop table_name1; SQL> rename table_name2 to table_name1; Method 3: (thanks
to Kenneth R Vanluvanee) SQL> Delete from my_table where rowid not in( SQL> SQL>
select max(rowid) from my_table group by my_column_name );

Method 4: (thanks to Dennis Gurnick) SQL> delete from my_table t1 SQL> where
exists (select 'x' from my_table t2 SQL> SQL> SQL> where t2.key_value1 =
t1.key_value1 and t2.key_value2 = t1.key_value2 and t2.rowid > t1.rowid);

Note: If you create an index on the joined fields in the inner loop, you, for all
intents purposes, eliminate N^2 operations (no need to loop through the entire
table on each pass by a record). This will speed-up th Note 2: If you are
comparing NOT-NULL columns, use the NVL function. Remember that NULL is not equal
to NULL. This should not be a problem as all key columns should be NOT NULL. 5.
How can I generate primary key values for my table? Create your table with a NOT
NULL column (say SEQNO). This column can now be populated with unique values: SQL>
UPDATE table_name SET seqno = ROWNUM;
Page 148 of 259

or use a sequences generator: SQL> SQL> CREATE SEQUENCE sequence_name UPDATE

table_name SET START seqno WITH = 1 INCREMENT BY 1; sequence_name.NEXTVAL;

Finally, create a unique index on this column. 6. How can I get the time
difference between two date columns Look at this example query: select
floor(((date1-date2)*24*60*60)/3600) || ' HOURS ' || floor((((date1-
date2)*24*60*60) floor(((date1-date2)*24*60*60)/3600)*3600)/60) || ' MINUTES ' ||
round((((date1-date2)*24*60*60) floor(((date1-date2)*24*60*60)/3600)*3600
(floor((((date1-date2)*24*60*60) floor(((date1-
date2)*24*60*60)/3600)*3600)/60)*60))) || ' SECS ' time_difference from ... 7. How
does one add a day/hour/minute/second to a date value? The SYSDATE pseudo-column
shows the current system date and time. Adding 1 to SYSDATE will advance the date
by 1 day. Use fractions to add hours, minutes or seconds to the date. Look at
these examples: SQL> select sysdate, sysdate+1/24, sysdate +1/1440, sysdate +
1/86400 from dual;

SYSDATE

SYSDATE+1/24

SYSDATE+1/1440

SYSDATE+1/86400

-------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------

03-Jul-2002 08:32:12 03-Jul-2002 09:32:12 03-Jul-2002 08:33:12 03-Jul-2002
08:32:13 The following format is frequently used with Oracle Replication: select
sysdate NOW, sysdate+30/(24*60*60) NOW_PLUS_30_SECS from dual;

NOW

NOW_PLUS_30_SECS

-------------------- -------------------03-JUL-2002 16:47:23 03-JUL-2002 16:47:53

8. How does one count different data values in a column? select dept, sum(
decode(sex,'M',1,0)) MALE,
Page 149 of 259

sum( decode(sex,'F',1,0)) FEMALE, count(decode(sex,'M',1,'F',1)) TOTAL from

my_emp_table group by dept; 9. How does one count/sum RANGES of data values in a
column? A value x will be between values y and z if GREATEST(x, y) = LEAST(x, z).
Look at this example: select f2, sum(decode(greatest(f1,59), least(f1,100), 1, 0))
"Range 60-100", sum(decode(greatest(f1,30), least(f1, 59), 1, 0)) "Range 30-59",
sum(decode(greatest(f1, 0), least(f1, 29), 1, 0)) "Range 00-29" from my_table
group by f2; For equal size ranges it might be easier to calculate it with
DECODE(TRUNC(value/range), 0, rate_0, 1, rate_1, ...). Eg. select ename "Name",
sal "Salary", decode( trunc(f2/1000, 0), 0, 0.0, 1, 0.1, 2, 0.2, 3, 0.31) "Tax
rate" from my_table; 10. Can one retrieve only the Nth row from a table? this
solution to select the Nth row from a table: SELECT f1 FROM t1 WHERE rowid =
( SELECT rowid FROM t1 WHERE rownum <= 10 MINUS SELECT rowid FROM t1 WHERE rownum
< 10); Alternatively... SELECT * FROM emp WHERE rownum=1 AND rowid NOT IN (SELECT
rowid FROM emp WHERE rownum < 10); Please note, there is no explicit row order in
a relational database. However, this query is quite fun and may even help in the
odd situation. 11. Can one retrieve only rows X to Y from a table?
Page 150 of 259

To display rows 5 to 7, construct a query like this: SELECT * FROM tableX WHERE
rowid in ( SELECT rowid FROM tableX WHERE rownum <= 7 MINUS SELECT rowid FROM
tableX WHERE rownum < 5); Please note, there is no explicit row order in a
relational database. However, this query is quite fun and may even help in the odd
situation. 12. How does one select EVERY Nth row from a table? One can easily
select all even, odd, or Nth rows from a table using SQL queries like this: Method
1: Using a subquery SELECT * FROM emp WHERE (ROWID,0) IN (SELECT ROWID,
MOD(ROWNUM,4) FROM emp); Method 2: Use dynamic views (available from Oracle7.2):
SELECT * FROM ( SELECT rownum rn, empno, ename FROM emp ) temp WHERE
MOD(temp.ROWNUM,4) = 0; Please note, there is no explicit row order in a
relational database. However, these queries are quite fun and may even help in the
odd situation. 13. How does one select the TOP N rows from a table? Form Oracle8i
one can have an inner-query with an ORDER BY clause. Look at this example: SELECT
* FROM (SELECT * FROM my_table ORDER BY col_name_1 DESC) WHERE ROWNUM < 10; Use
this workaround with prior releases: SELECT * FROM my_table a
Page 151 of 259

WHERE 10 >= (SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT maxcol) FROM my_table b WHERE b.maxcol >=
a.maxcol) ORDER BY maxcol DESC; 14. How does one code a tree-structured query?
Tree-structured queries are definitely non-relational (enough to kill Codd and
make him roll in his grave). Also, this feature is not often found in other
database offerings. The SCOTT/TIGER database schema contains a table EMP with a
self-referencing relation (EMPNO and MGR columns). This table is perfect for
tesing and demonstrating tree-structured queries as the MGR column contains the
employee number of the "current" employee's boss. The LEVEL pseudo-column is an
indication of how deep in the tree one is. Oracle can handle queries with a depth
of up to 255 levels. Look at this example: select LEVEL, EMPNO, ENAME, MGR from
EMP connect by prior EMPNO = MGR start with MGR is NULL; One can produce an
indented report by using the level number to substring or lpad() a series of
spaces, and concatenate that to the string. Look at this example: select lpad(' ',
LEVEL * 2) || ENAME ........ One uses the "start with" clause to specify the start
of the tree. More than one record can match the starting condition. One
disadvantage of having a "connect by prior" clause is that you cannot perform a
join to other tables. The "connect by prior" clause is rarely implemented in the
other database offerings. Trying to do this programmatically is difficult as one
has to do the top level query first, then, for each of the records open a cursor
to look for child nodes. One way of working around this is to use PL/SQL, open the
driving cursor with the "connect by prior" statement, and the select matching
records from other tables on a row-by-row basis, inserting the results into a
temporary table for later retrieval. 15. How does one code a matrix report in SQL?
Look at this example query with sample output: SELECT * FROM (SELECT job,
sum(decode(deptno,10,sal)) DEPT10, sum(decode(deptno,20,sal)) DEPT20,
sum(decode(deptno,30,sal)) DEPT30, sum(decode(deptno,40,sal)) DEPT40 FROM
scott.emp GROUP BY job)
Page 152 of 259

ORDER BY 1;

JOB

DEPT10

DEPT20

DEPT30

DEPT40

--------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------ANALYST CLERK MANAGER

PRESIDENT SALESMAN 1300 2450 5000 5600 6000 1900 2975 950 2850

16. How does one implement IF-THEN-ELSE in a select statement? The Oracle decode
function acts like a procedural statement inside an SQL statement to return
different values or columns based on the values of other columns in the select
statement. Some examples: select decode(sex, 'M', 'Male', 'F', 'Female',
'Unknown') from employees;

select a, b, decode( abs(a-b), a-b, 'a > b', 0, 'a = b', 'a < b') from tableX;

select decode( GREATEST(A,B), A, 'A is greater than B', 'B is greater than A')...
Note: The decode function is not ANSI SQL and is rarely implemented in other RDBMS
offerings. It is one of the good things about Oracle, but use it sparingly if
portability is required. From Oracle 8i one can also use CASE statements in SQL.
Look at this example: SELECT ename, CASE WHEN sal>1000 THEN 'Over paid' ELSE
'Under paid' END FROM emp; 17. How can one dump/ examine the exact content of a
database column? SELECT DUMP(col1) FROM tab1 WHERE cond1 = val1;
Page 153 of 259

DUMP(COL1) ------------------------------------Typ=96 Len=4: 65,66,67,32 For this

example the type is 96, indicating CHAR, and the last byte in the column is 32,
which is the ASCII code for a space. This tells us that this column is blank-
padded. 18. Can one drop a column from a table? From Oracle8i one can DROP a
column from a table. Look at this sample script, demonstrating the ALTER TABLE
table_name DROP COLUMN column_name; command. Other workarounds: 1. SQL> update t1
set column_to_drop = NULL; SQL> rename t1 to t1_base; SQL> create view t1 as
select <specific columns> from t1_base;

2. SQL> create table t2 as select <specific columns> from t1; SQL> drop table t1;
SQL> rename t2 to t1; 19. Can one rename a column in a table? No, this is listed
as Enhancement Request 163519. Some workarounds: 1. -- Use a view with correct
column names... rename t1 to t1_base; create view t1 <column list with new name>
as select * from t1_base;

2. -- Recreate the table with correct column names... create table t2 <column list
with new name> as select * from t1; drop table t1; rename t2 to t1;

3. -- Add a column with a new name and drop an old column... alter table t1 add
( newcolame datatype ); update t1 set newcolname=oldcolname; alter table t1 drop
column oldcolname; 20. How can I change my Oracle password?
Page 154 of 259

Issue the following SQL command: ALTER USER <username> IDENTIFIED BY

<new_password> / From Oracle8 you can just type "password" from SQL*Plus, or if
you need to change another user's password, type "password user_name". 21. How
does one find the next value of a sequence? Perform an "ALTER SEQUENCE ...
NOCACHE" to unload the unused cached sequence numbers from the Oracle library
cache. This way, no cached numbers will be lost. If you then select from the
USER_SEQUENCES dictionary view, you will see the correct high water mark value
that would be returned for the next NEXTVALL call. Afterwards, perform an "ALTER
SEQUENCE ... CACHE" to restore caching. You can use the above technique to prevent
sequence number loss before a SHUTDOWN ABORT, or any other operation that would
cause gaps in sequence values.

22. Workaround for snapshots on tables with LONG columns You can use the SQL*Plus
COPY command instead of snapshots if you need to copy LONG and LONG RAW variables
from one location to another. Eg: COPY TO SCOTT/TIGER@REMOTE CREATE IMAGE_TABLE
USING SELECT IMAGE_NO, IMAGE FROM IMAGES; Note: If you run Oracle8, convert your
LONGs to LOBs, as it can be replicated. -

23. What is SQL? SQL, Structured Query Language, is a database query language that
was adopted as an industry standard in 1986.

24. What is SQL3? Among other enhancements, SQL3 supports objects. SQL3 probably
won't be complete until 1998; however, Illustra already implements many SQL3
features. More information about SQL3 is available via anonymous ftp to
speckle.ncsl.nist.gov:/isowg3.

25. What are the SQL reserved words? I grep'd the following list out of the sql
docs available via anonymous ftp to speckle.ncsl.nist.gov:/isowg3. SQL3 words are
not set in stone, but you'd do well to avoid them. From sql1992.txt:

AFTER, ALIAS, ASYNC, BEFORE, BOOLEAN, BREADTH, COMPLETION, CALL, CYCLE, DATA,
DEPTH, DICTIONARY, EACH, ELSEIF, EQUALS, GENERAL, IF, IGNORE, LEAVE, LESS, LIMIT,
LOOP, MODIFY, NEW, NONE, OBJECT, OFF, OID, OLD, OPERATION, OPERATORS, OTHERS,
PARAMETERS, PENDANT, PREORDER, PRIVATE, PROTECTED, RECURSIVE, REF, REFERENCING,
REPLACE, RESIGNAL, RETURN, RETURNS, ROLE, ROUTINE, ROW, SAVEPOINT, SEARCH,
SENSITIVE, SEQUENCE, SIGNAL, SIMILAR, SQLEXCEPTION, SQLWARNING,
Page 155 of 259

STRUCTURE, TEST, THERE, TRIGGER, TYPE, UNDER, VARIABLE, VIRTUAL, VISIBLE, WAIT,
WHILE, WITHOUT

From sql1992.txt (Annex E):

ABSOLUTE, ACTION, ADD, ALLOCATE, ALTER, ARE, ASSERTION, AT, BETWEEN, BIT,
BIT_LENGTH, BOTH, CASCADE, CASCADED, CASE, CAST, CATALOG, CHAR_LENGTH,
CHARACTER_LENGTH, COALESCE, COLLATE, COLLATION, COLUMN, CONNECT, CONNECTION,
CONSTRAINT, CONSTRAINTS, CONVERT, CORRESPONDING, CROSS, CURRENT_DATE,
CURRENT_TIME, CURRENT_TIMESTAMP, CURRENT_USER, DATE, DAY, DEALLOCATE, DEFERRABLE,
DEFERRED, DESCRIBE, DESCRIPTOR, DIAGNOSTICS, DISCONNECT, DOMAIN, DROP, ELSE, END-
EXEC, EXCEPT, EXCEPTION, EXECUTE, EXTERNAL, EXTRACT, FALSE, FIRST, FULL, GET,
GLOBAL, HOUR, IDENTITY, IMMEDIATE, INITIALLY, INNER, INPUT, INSENSITIVE,
INTERSECT, INTERVAL, ISOLATION, JOIN, LAST, LEADING, LEFT, LEVEL, LOCAL, LOWER,
MATCH, MINUTE, MONTH, NAMES, NATIONAL, NATURAL, NCHAR, NEXT, NO, NULLIF,
OCTET_LENGTH, ONLY, OUTER, OUTPUT, OVERLAPS, PAD, PARTIAL, POSITION, PREPARE,
PRESERVE, PRIOR, READ, RELATIVE, RESTRICT, REVOKE, RIGHT, ROWS, SCROLL, SECOND,
SESSION, SESSION_USER, SIZE, SPACE, SQLSTATE, SUBSTRING, SYSTEM_USER, TEMPORARY,
THEN, TIME, TIMESTAMP, TIMEZONE_HOUR, TIMEZONE_MINUTE, TRAILING, TRANSACTION,
TRANSLATE, TRANSLATION, TRIM, TRUE, UNKNOWN, UPPER, USAGE, USING, VALUE, VARCHAR,
VARYING, WHEN, WRITE, YEAR, ZONE

From sql3part2.txt (Annex E)

ACTION, ACTOR, AFTER, ALIAS, ASYNC, ATTRIBUTES, BEFORE, BOOLEAN, BREADTH,

COMPLETION, CURRENT_PATH, CYCLE, DATA, DEPTH, DESTROY, DICTIONARY, EACH, ELEMENT,
ELSEIF, EQUALS, FACTOR, GENERAL, HOLD, IGNORE, INSTEAD, LESS, LIMIT, LIST, MODIFY,
NEW, NEW_TABLE, NO, NONE, OFF, OID, OLD, OLD_TABLE, OPERATION, OPERATOR,
OPERATORS, PARAMETERS, PATH, PENDANT, POSTFIX, PREFIX, PREORDER, PRIVATE,
PROTECTED, RECURSIVE, REFERENCING, REPLACE, ROLE, ROUTINE, ROW, SAVEPOINT, SEARCH,
SENSITIVE, SEQUENCE, SESSION, SIMILAR, SPACE, SQLEXCEPTION, SQLWARNING, START,
STATE, STRUCTURE, SYMBOL, TERM, TEST, THERE, TRIGGER, TYPE, UNDER, VARIABLE,
VIRTUAL, VISIBLE, WAIT, WITHOUT

sql3part4.txt (ANNEX E): CALL, DO, ELSEIF, EXCEPTION, IF, LEAVE, LOOP, OTHERS,
RESIGNAL, RETURN, RETURNS, SIGNAL, TUPLE, WHILE
Page 156 of 259

SQL FAQ: How To's

26. How do you tell what other database objects exist? Information about
databases, users, and objects in a database are stored in the Illustra system
catalogs. Illustra provides DBA functions that make querying the system catalogs
easier; for example, ml_dbase() lists all databases on an Illustra server: *
select * from ml_dbase();
-----------------------------------------------------------|database_dba |
database_name|database_path|database_release|
-----------------------------------------------------------|jolly |miro |jolly |
jiangwu |jta |pbrown |jolly |jolly |2.0.9 |template1 | |2.0.9 | | |

|template1 |testsaif |jiangwu |jta |jta |pbrown

|testsaif

|2.0.9 |2.0.9 | |2.0.9

|jiangwu |2.0.9 |pbrown

-----------------------------------------------------------6 rows selected The

following error means the dba functions have not been installed: * select * from
ml_dbase(); XP0038:Cannot find a function named 'ml_dbase' taking no arguments As
the owner of a database, you can install the functions like this: % cd
$MI_HOME/examples/dba_funcs % make MI_DATABASE=your_dbname all The Illustra system
adminstrator can install these functions in the template1 database so a database
will automatically get them at the time it is created. The DBA functions are fully
documented in Chapter 6 of the Illustra System Administrator's Guide. Here is the
summary list from that reference: ml_aggs([owner]) ml_cstat(object_name)
ml_dbase([dba]) ml_dbase_dr(dbname) ml_finfo([owner [,language]])
ml_fsrc(func_name) ml_priv([grantee]) ml_process([user_name]) information about
aggregates column statistics for object current databases dump times and logging
status information about functions source of sql functions privileges server
processes
Page 157 of 259

ml_rules(owner [, table_name]) ml_stat_procs(pid) ml_tables([owner [,kind]])

ml_tcols(object_name) ml_tindex(table_name) ml_tstat(object_name)
ml_typecols(type_name) ml_types() ml_user()

information about rules

lock status for process tables, views and indices column information for object
indices for table statistics for objects column information for type user-defined
types user information

27. How do you extract just the month from an abstime? substring extracts just a
portion of a string: * return('now'::abstime) as Now;
------------------------------------|Now |

------------------------------------|Mon Apr 18 09:06:10.490753 1994 PDT|

------------------------------------one row selected

* return substring('now'::abstime::text from 5 for 3) as Month; --------------|

Month --------------|Apr | |

--------------one row selected For more examples, see section 3.5.7.2 in the
Illustra User's Guide.

28. How do you remove duplicate entries from a table? Table foo has duplicate
entries for Donald Duck: * select * from foo; ----------------------------|
first_name |last_name ----------------------------|Donald |Duck | |
Page 158 of 259

|Mighty |Donald

|Mouse |Duck

| |

----------------------------3 rows selected This note describes two approaches for

removing the duplicates: 1. 2. Using a temporary table to remove duplicates. Using
oid to remove duplicates.

1. Using a temporary table to remove duplicates. The steps for this method are:

1.
2.

select distinct into a temporary table. * create table foo2 as select distinct
first_name, last_name from foo;

3. Doublecheck the results. 4. * select * from foo2; 5.

----------------------------6. |first_name |last_name | 7.
----------------------------8. |Donald |Duck | 9. |Mighty |Mouse | 10.
----------------------------11. 2 rows selected

12. Drop the first table. 13. * drop table foo;

14. Rename the temporary table to the original table. 15. * alter table foo2
rename to foo; Don't forget to recreate any indexes and permissions that were on
the original table. 2. Using oid to remove duplicates. This method describes how
to remove duplicate entries from a table by using the oid. Syntax is for Illustra
Version 2. Here is the original state of table foo that has duplicate entries for
Donald Duck: * select oid, * from foo; ------------------------------------------|
oid |first_name |last_name |

-------------------------------------------
Page 159 of 259

|202f.2001 |202f.2002 |202f.2003

|Donald |Mighty |Donald

|Duck |Mouse |Duck

| | |

------------------------------------------3 rows selected The goal is to leave the

row with the lowest oid in place (202f.2001 in this example) and to delete all
rows with an oid higher than this one (202f.2003 in this example). The steps are
to: 1. Find all rows that have an oid greater than the min oid. 2. * select
f1.oid, f1.first_name, f1.last_name 3. from foo f1 4. where f1.oid::text > 5.
(select min(f2.oid::text) 6. from foo f2 7. where f1.first_name=f2.first_name 8.
and f1.last_name=f2.last_name); 9. ------------------------------------------10. |
oid |first_name |last_name | 11. ------------------------------------------12. |
202f.2003 |Donald |Duck | 13. ------------------------------------------14. one
row selected

15. Delete all rows that have an oid greater than the min oid. Change the select
query to actually delete the duplicate row. Do this inside a transaction; and
don't commit the change unless the results look correct. 16. * begin transaction;
17. * delete from foo f1 18. where f1.oid::text > 19. (select min(f2.oid::text)
20. from foo f2 21. where f1.first_name=f2.first_name 22. and
f1.last_name=f2.last_name); 23. one row deleted 24. 25. + select * from foo; 26.
----------------------------27. |first_name |last_name | 28.
----------------------------29. |Donald |Duck | 30. |Mighty |Mouse | 31.
----------------------------32. 2 rows selected 33. 34. + end transaction;

29. How does running vacuum make queries run faster? The query optimizer uses
statistics gathered on a table to determine the fastest way to execute a query.
You can look at some of this information with the ml_cstat() and ml_tstat()
functions. If statistics get out of date, for example if the distribution of
values in a column changes dramatically, the optimizer might choose a slower way
to execute the query. The vacuum command invoked with the statistics modifier
updates statistics. Creating an index automatically updates the statistics for the
column(s) being indexed.
Page 160 of 259

30. How can I tell what indices a table has? The ml_tindex() function lists all
indices on a table; for example, the following query list all indices on the
tables system catalog: * select * from ml_tindex('tables');
--------------------------------------------------------|table_name |index_name |
archived |keys |

--------------------------------------------------------|tables |tables |tables |

tablenameind |f |tableidind |f |tabletypeind |f | Column 19 | | Column -2 | |
Column 17 |

--------------------------------------------------------3 rows selected

31. How can I tell which index Illustra is using? Call the trace function with the
'Planner.1' argument. For more information, see Appendix E of the Illustra User's
Guide. 32. Can I tell Illustra which index to use? You can provide hints to the
Illustra optimizer, including which index to use, with the using clause. For more
information, see Appendix E of the Illustra User's Guide.

SQL FAQ: JOINS

• • •

I get too many rows when I join two tables. I don't get enough rows when I join
two tables. Doing joins with Illustra ref().

Cartesian Products When you join tables, make sure that the number of join
predicates in the search condition is one less than the number of tables in the
from list. Otherwise, you will get many more rows returned than you probably
intended. For example, table english and spanish look like this: * select * from
english; ----------------------------|tag |name | * select * from spanish;
----------------------------|tag |name |

----------------------------|1 |2 |3 |one |two |three | | |

----------------------------|2 |3 |4 |dos |tres |cuatro | | |

-----------------------------

-----------------------------
Page 161 of 259

3 rows selected

3 rows selected

If you select from both tables without joining them in the where clause, you get a
cartesian product, every possible combination of both: * select * from english,
spanish; --------------------------------------------------------|tag |name |tag |
name |

--------------------------------------------------------|2 |3 |4 |2 |3 |4 |2 |3 |4
|dos |tres |cuatro |dos |tres |cuatro |dos |tres |cuatro |1 |1 |1 |2 |2 |2 |3 |3 |
3 |one |one |one |two |two |two |three |three |three | | | | | | | | |

--------------------------------------------------------9 rows selected Most

likely, this is not what you had in mind. Since there are two tables in the
from_list, one join predicated is needed: * select * from english, spanish where
english.tag = spanish.tag;
--------------------------------------------------------|tag |name |tag |name |

--------------------------------------------------------|2 |3 |dos |tres |2 |3 |

two |three | |

--------------------------------------------------------2 rows selected

Inner and Outer Joins A join between two tables does not include any rows from
either table that have no matching rows in the other. This is called an inner join
and frequently causes confusion since fewer rows are returned than the user
expects. For example, tables english and spanish look like this: * select * from
english; ----------------------------|tag |name | * select * from spanish;
----------------------------|tag |name |
Page 162 of 259

----------------------------|1 |2 |3 |one |two |three | | |

----------------------------|2 |3 |4 |dos |tres |cuatro | | |

----------------------------3 rows selected

----------------------------3 rows selected

When you join these two tables, you get only the two rows that have the same tag:
* select e.name, e.tag, s.name from english e, spanish s where e.tag = s.tag;
------------------------------------------|name |tag |name |

------------------------------------------|two |three |2 |3 |dos |tres | |

------------------------------------------2 rows selected Row one in table english

and row cuatro in table spanish fall into the outer joins: Joins +--------------+
left outer ---> | one | 1|

+--------------+

+--> | two | 2 : dos | inner join | | | : |

+--> | three | 3 : tres | +--------|- - -+ |4 |

cuatro| <--- right outer

+--------------+ You can select outer join rows by using not exists. This query
fetches the row in english that is not in spanish (the left outer join): * select
e.name as English, e.tag, '--no row --' as Spanish from where english e not exists
(select * from spanish s where e.tag=s.tag);
-------------------------------------------
Page 163 of 259

|English

|tag

|Spanish

------------------------------------------|one |1 |--no row -- |

------------------------------------------one row selected This query fetches the

row in spanish that is not in english (the right outer join): * select '--no
entry--' as English, s.tag, s.name as Spanish from where spanish s not exists
(select * from english e where e.tag=s.tag);
------------------------------------------|English |tag |Spanish |

------------------------------------------|--no entry-- |4 |cuatro |

------------------------------------------one row selected You can string all

statements together with union: * select e.name::text as English, e.tag,
s.name::text as Spanish from where union select from where e.name::text, e.tag,
'--no entry--'::text english e not exists (select * from spanish s where
e.tag=s.tag) union select from where '--no entry--'::text, s.tag, s.name::text
spanish s not exists (select * from english e where e.tag=s.tag) order by 2;
english e, spanish s e.tag = s.tag

-------------------------------------------
Page 164 of 259

|English

|tag

|Spanish

------------------------------------------|one |two |three |1 |2 |3 |--no entry--

| |dos |tres |cuatro | | |

|--no entry-- |4

------------------------------------------4 rows selected If you think this is a

lot of trouble to retrieve outer join data, there's another way to handle known
joins in Illustra that will factor in outer join data. Keep reading.

Solving Outer Joins in Illustra with ref() Confusion with outer joins was
described above. This section looks at another way to resolve outer join
confusions in Illustra by using ref(). We start by creating the two tables like
this and inserting data: create table spanish of new type spanish_t (name
varchar(20), tag integer);

create table english of new type english_t (name varchar(20), tag integer, sname
ref(spanish_t));

insert into english (name, tag) values ('one', insert into english (name, tag)
values ('two',

1); 2);

insert into english (name, tag) values ('three', 3);

insert into spanish (name, tag) values ('dos',

2);

insert into spanish (name, tag) values ('tres', 3); insert into spanish (name,
tag) values ('cuatro', 4); Next we update the reference in english: * update
english set sname = (select unique ref(s1) from spanish s1 where english.tag =
s1.tag); 3 rows updated
Page 165 of 259

* select * from english; ------------------------------------------|name |tag |

sname |

------------------------------------------|one |two |three |1 |2 |3 |NULL |

202d.2001 |202d.2002 | | |

------------------------------------------3 rows selected Notice that the select

from english returned the oid reference to spanish. You can dereference that oid
as follows: * select name as english, tag, deref(sname).name as spanish from
english; ------------------------------------------|english |tag |spanish |

------------------------------------------|one |two |three |1 |2 |3 |NULL |dos |

tres | | |

------------------------------------------3 rows selected We can also take it the

opposite way by updating the spanish_t type and spanish table as follows: * alter
type spanish_t add column ename ref(english_t);

* update spanish set ename = (select unique ref(e1) from english e1 where
spanish.tag = e1.tag); 3 rows updated

* select name as spanish, tag, deref(ename).name as english from spanish;

------------------------------------------|spanish |tag |english |

------------------------------------------|dos |tres |2 |3 |two |three | |

Page 166 of 259

|cuatro

|4

|NULL

------------------------------------------3 rows selected Finally, we can use

union to select from both: * select name as english, tag, deref(sname).name as
spanish from english union select deref(ename).name as english, tag, name as
spanish from spanish order by 2; ------------------------------------------|
english |tag |spanish |

------------------------------------------|one |two |three |NULL |1 |2 |3 |4 |NULL

|dos |tres |cuatro | | | |

------------------------------------------4 rows selected Realize that if new rows

are inserted into either table, the reference must be set in the tables that
references it.

Oracle PL/SQL FAQ 33. What is PL/SQL and what is it used for? PL/SQL is Oracle's
Procedural Language extension to SQL. PL/SQL's language syntax, structure and data
types are similar to that of ADA. The PL/SQL language includes object oriented
programming techniques such as encapsulation, function overloading, information
hiding (all but inheritance). PL/SQL is commonly used to write data-centric
programs to manipulate data in an Oracle database. 34. Should one use PL/SQL or
Java to code procedures and triggers? Internally the Oracle database supports two
procedural languages, namely PL/SQL and Java. This leads to questions like "Which
of the two is the best?" and "Will Oracle ever desupport PL/SQL in favour of
Java?". Many Oracle applications are based on PL/SQL and it would be difficult of
Oracle to ever desupport PL/SQL. In fact, all indications are that PL/SQL still
has a bright future ahead of it. Many enhancements are still being made to PL/SQL.
For example, Oracle 9iDB supports native compilation of Pl/SQL code to binaries.
PL/SQL and Java appeal to different people in different job roles. The following
table briefly describes the difference between these two language environments:
PL/SQL: Data centric and tightly integrated into the database Proprietary to
Oracle and difficult to port to other database systems
Page 167 of 259

Data manipulation is slightly faster in PL/SQL than in Java Easier to use than
Java (depending on your background) Java: Open standard, not proprietary to Oracle
Incurs some data conversion overhead between the Database and Java type systems
Java is more difficult to use (depending on your background)

35. How can one see if somebody modified any code? Code for stored procedures,
functions and packages is stored in the Oracle Data Dictionary. One can detect
code changes by looking at the LAST_DDL_TIME column in the USER_OBJECTS dictionary
view. Example: SELECT OBJECT_NAME, TO_CHAR(CREATED, 'DD-Mon-RR HH24:MI')
CREATE_TIME,

TO_CHAR(LAST_DDL_TIME, 'DD-Mon-RR HH24:MI') MOD_TIME, STATUS FROM USER_OBJECTS

WHERE LAST_DDL_TIME > '&CHECK_FROM_DATE'; 36. How can one search PL/SQL code for a
string/ key value? The following query is handy if you want to know where a
certain table, field or expression is referenced in your PL/SQL source code.
SELECT TYPE, NAME, LINE FROM USER_SOURCE WHERE UPPER(TEXT) LIKE '%&KEYWORD%'; 37.
How can one keep a history of PL/SQL code changes? One can build a history of
PL/SQL code changes by setting up an AFTER CREATE schema (or database) level
trigger (available from Oracle 8.1.7). This way one can easily revert to previous
code should someone make any catastrophic changes. Look at this example: CREATE
TABLE SOURCE_HIST -- Create history table

AS SELECT SYSDATE CHANGE_DATE, USER_SOURCE.* FROM USER_SOURCE WHERE 1=2;

CREATE OR REPLACE TRIGGER change_hist -- Store code in hist table AFTER CREATE ON
SCOTT.SCHEMA -- Change SCOTT to your schema name DECLARE BEGIN if
DICTIONARY_OBJ_TYPE in ('PROCEDURE', 'FUNCTION',
Page 168 of 259

'PACKAGE', 'PACKAGE BODY', 'TYPE') then -- Store old code in SOURCE_HIST table
INSERT INTO SOURCE_HIST SELECT sysdate, user_source.* FROM USER_SOURCE WHERE TYPE
= DICTIONARY_OBJ_TYPE AND NAME = DICTIONARY_OBJ_NAME; end if; EXCEPTION WHEN
OTHERS THEN raise_application_error(-20000, SQLERRM); END; / show errors 38. How
can I protect my PL/SQL source code? PL/SQL V2.2, available with Oracle7.2,
implements a binary wrapper for PL/SQL programs to protect the source code. This
is done via a standalone utility that transforms the PL/SQL source code into
portable binary object code (somewhat larger than the original). This way you can
distribute software without having to worry about exposing your proprietary
algorithms and methods. SQL*Plus and SQL*DBA will still understand and know how to
execute such scripts. Just be careful, there is no "decode" command available. The
syntax is: wrap iname=myscript.sql oname=xxxx.plb

39. Can one print to the screen from PL/SQL? One can use the DBMS_OUTPUT package
to write information to an output buffer. This buffer can be displayed on the
screen from SQL*Plus if you issue the SET SERVEROUTPUT ON; command. For example:
set serveroutput on begin dbms_output.put_line('Look Ma, I can print from
PL/SQL!!!'); end; / DBMS_OUTPUT is useful for debugging PL/SQL programs. However,
if you print too much, the output buffer will overflow. In that case, set the
buffer size to a larger value, eg.: set serveroutput on size 200000 If you forget
to set serveroutput on type SET SERVEROUTPUT ON once you remember, and then EXEC
NULL;. If you haven't cleared the DBMS_OUTPUT buffer with the disable or enable
procedure, SQL*Plus will display the entire contents of the buffer when it
executes this dummy PL/SQL block.
Page 169 of 259

40. Can one read/write files from PL/SQL? Included in Oracle 7.3 is an UTL_FILE
package that can read and write operating system files. The directory you intend
writing to has to be in your INIT.ORA file (see UTL_FILE_DIR=... parameter).
Before Oracle 7.3 the only means of writing a file was to use DBMS_OUTPUT with the
SQL*Plus SPOOL command. Copy this example to get started: DECLARE fileHandler
UTL_FILE.FILE_TYPE; BEGIN fileHandler := UTL_FILE.FOPEN('/tmp', 'myfile', 'w');
UTL_FILE.PUTF(fileHandler, 'Look ma, I''m writing to a file!!!\n');
UTL_FILE.FCLOSE(fileHandler); EXCEPTION WHEN utl_file.invalid_path THEN
raise_application_error(-20000, 'ERROR: Invalid path for file or path not in
INIT.ORA.'); END; / 41. Can one call DDL statements from PL/SQL? One can call DDL
statements like CREATE, DROP, TRUNCATE, etc. from PL/SQL by using the "EXECUTE
IMMEDATE" statement. Users running Oracle versions below 8i can look at the
DBMS_SQL package (see FAQ about Dynamic SQL). begin EXECUTE IMMEDIATE 'CREATE
TABLE X(A DATE)'; end; NOTE: The DDL statement in quotes should not be terminated
with a semicolon. 42. Can one use dynamic SQL statements from PL/SQL? Starting
from Oracle8i one can use the "EXECUTE IMMEDIATE" statement to execute dynamic SQL
and PL/SQL statements (statements created at run-time). Look at these examples.
Note that statements are NOT terminated by semicolons: EXECUTE IMMEDIATE 'CREATE
TABLE x (a NUMBER)';

-- Using bind variables... sql_stmt := 'INSERT INTO dept VALUES (:1, :2, :3)';
EXECUTE IMMEDIATE sql_stmt USING dept_id, dept_name, location;
Page 170 of 259

-- Returning a cursor... sql_stmt := 'SELECT * FROM emp WHERE empno = :id';

EXECUTE IMMEDIATE sql_stmt INTO emp_rec USING emp_id; One can also use the older
DBMS_SQL package (V2.1 and above) to execute dynamic statements. Look at these
examples: CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE DYNSQL AS cur integer; rc integer; BEGIN cur
:= DBMS_SQL.OPEN_CURSOR; DBMS_SQL.PARSE(cur, 'CREATE TABLE X (Y DATE)',
DBMS_SQL.NATIVE); rc := DBMS_SQL.EXECUTE(cur); DBMS_SQL.CLOSE_CURSOR(cur); END; /
More complex DBMS_SQL example using bind variables: CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE
DEPARTMENTS(NO IN DEPT.DEPTNO%TYPE) AS v_cursor integer; v_dname char(20); v_rows
integer; BEGIN v_cursor := DBMS_SQL.OPEN_CURSOR; DBMS_SQL.PARSE(v_cursor, 'select
dname from dept where deptno > :x', DBMS_SQL.V7); DBMS_SQL.BIND_VARIABLE(v_cursor,
':x', no); DBMS_SQL.DEFINE_COLUMN_CHAR(v_cursor, 1, v_dname, 20); v_rows :=
DBMS_SQL.EXECUTE(v_cursor); loop if DBMS_SQL.FETCH_ROWS(v_cursor) = 0 then exit;
end if; DBMS_SQL.COLUMN_VALUE_CHAR(v_cursor, 1, v_dname);
DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE('Deptartment name: '||v_dname); end loop;
Page 171 of 259

DBMS_SQL.CLOSE_CURSOR(v_cursor); EXCEPTION when others then

DBMS_SQL.CLOSE_CURSOR(v_cursor); raise_application_error(-20000, 'Unknown
Exception Raised: '||sqlcode||' '||sqlerrm); END; / 43. What is the difference
between %TYPE and %ROWTYPE? The %TYPE and %ROWTYPE constructs provide data
independence, reduces maintenance costs, and allows programs to adapt as the
database changes to meet new business needs. %ROWTYPE is used to declare a record
with the same types as found in the specified database table, view or cursor.
Example: DECLARE v_EmpRecord emp%ROWTYPE; %TYPE is used to declare a field with
the same type as that of a specified table's column. Example: DECLARE v_EmpNo
emp.empno%TYPE; 44. What is the result of comparing NULL with NULL? NULL is
neither equal to NULL, nor it is not equal to NULL. Any comparison to NULL is
evaluated to NULL. Look at this code example to convince yourself. declare a
number := NULL; b number := NULL; begin if a=b then dbms_output.put_line('True,
NULL = NULL'); elsif a<>b then dbms_output.put_line('False, NULL <> NULL'); else
dbms_output.put_line('Undefined NULL is neither = nor <> to NULL'); end if;
Page 172 of 259

end; 45. How does one get the value of a sequence into a PL/SQL variable? As you
might know, one cannot use sequences directly from PL/SQL. Oracle (for some silly
reason) prohibits this: i := sq_sequence.NEXTVAL; However, one can use embedded
SQL statements to obtain sequence values: select sq_sequence.NEXTVAL into :i from
dual; 46. Can one execute an operating system command from PL/SQL? There is no
direct way to execute operating system commands from PL/SQL in Oracle7. However,
one can write an external program (using one of the precompiler languages, OCI or
Perl with Oracle access modules) to act as a listener on a database pipe
(SYS.DBMS_PIPE). Your PL/SQL program then put requests to run commands in the
pipe, the listener picks it up and run the requests. Results are passed back on a
different database pipe. For an Pro*C example, see chapter 8 of the Oracle
Application Developers Guide. In Oracle8 one can call external 3GL code in a
dynamically linked library (DLL or shared object). One just write a library in C/
C++ to do whatever is required. Defining this C/C++ function to PL/SQL makes it
executable. Look at this External Procedure example. 47. How does one loop through
tables in PL/SQL? Look at the following nested loop code example. DECLARE CURSOR
dept_cur IS SELECT deptno FROM dept ORDER BY deptno; -- Employee cursor all
employees for a dept number CURSOR emp_cur (v_dept_no DEPT.DEPTNO%TYPE) IS SELECT
ename FROM emp WHERE deptno = v_dept_no; BEGIN FOR dept_rec IN dept_cur LOOP
dbms_output.put_line('Employees in Department '||TO_CHAR(dept_rec.deptno)); FOR
emp_rec in emp_cur(dept_rec.deptno) LOOP dbms_output.put_line('...Employee is '||
emp_rec.ename); END LOOP;
Page 173 of 259

END LOOP; END; / 48. How often should one COMMIT in a PL/SQL loop? / What is the
best commit strategy? Contrary to popular believe, one should COMMIT less
frequently within a PL/SQL loop to prevent ORA-1555 (Snapshot too old) errors. The
higher the frequency of commit, the sooner the extents in the rollback segments
will be cleared for new transactions, causing ORA-1555 errors. To fix this problem
one can easily rewrite code like this: FOR records IN my_cursor LOOP ...do some
stuff... COMMIT; END LOOP; ... to ... FOR records IN my_cursor LOOP ...do some
stuff... i := i+1; IF mod(i, 10000) THEN COMMIT; END IF; END LOOP; If you still
get ORA-1555 errors, contact your DBA to increase the rollback segments. NOTE:
Although fetching across COMMITs work with Oracle, is not supported by the ANSI
standard. 49. I can SELECT from SQL*Plus but not from PL/SQL. What is wrong?
PL/SQL respect object privileges given directly to the user, but does not observe
privileges given through roles. The consequence is that a SQL statement can work
in SQL*Plus, but will give an error in PL/SQL. Choose one of the following
solutions: -- Commit every 10000 records

• • • •

Grant direct access on the tables to your user. Do not use roles! GRANT select ON
scott.emp TO my_user; Define your procedures with invoker rights (Oracle 8i and
higher); Move all the tables to one user/schema.

50. What is a mutating and constraining table? "Mutating" means "changing". A

mutating table is a table that is currently being modified by an update, delete,
or insert statement. When a trigger tries to reference a table that is in state of
flux (being changed), it is considered "mutating" and raises an error since Oracle
should not return data that has not yet reached its final state.
Page 174 of 259

Another way this error can occur is if the trigger has statements to change the
primary, foreign or unique key columns of the table off which it fires. If you
must have triggers on tables that have referential constraints, the workaround is
to enforce the referential integrity through triggers as well. There are several
restrictions in Oracle regarding triggers:

• •

A row-level trigger cannot query or modify a mutating table. (Of course, NEW and
OLD still can be accessed by the trigger) . A statement-level trigger cannot query
or modify a mutating table if the trigger is fired as the result of a CASCADE
delete.

51. Can one pass an object/table as an argument to a remote procedure? The only
way the same object type can be referenced between two databases is via a database
link. Note that it is not enough to just use the same type definitions. Look at
this example: -- Database A: receives a PL/SQL table from database B CREATE OR
REPLACE PROCEDURE pcalled(TabX DBMS_SQL.VARCHAR2S) IS BEGIN -- do something with
TabX from database B null; END; /

-- Database B: sends a PL/SQL table to database A CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE

pcalling IS TabX DBMS_SQL.VARCHAR2S@DBLINK2; BEGIN pcalled@DBLINK2(TabX); END; /
52. Is it better to put code in triggers or procedures? What is the difference? In
earlier releases of Oracle it was better to put as much code as possible in
procedures rather than triggers. At that stage procedures executed faster than
triggers as triggers had to be re-compiled every time before executed (unless
cached). In more recent releases both triggers and procedures are compiled when
created (stored p-code) and one can add as much code as one likes in either
procedures or triggers. 53. Is there a PL/SQL Engine in SQL*Plus? No. Unlike
Oracle Forms, SQL*Plus does not have an embedded PL/SQL engine. Thus, all your
PL/SQL code is sent directly to the database engine for execution. This makes it
much more efficient as SQL statements are not stripped off and sent to the
database individually.

Oracle SQL*Loader FAQ 54. What is SQL*Loader and what is it used for?
Page 175 of 259

SQL*Loader is a bulk loader utility used for moving data from external files into
the Oracle database. Its syntax is similar to that of the DB2 Load utility, but
comes with more options. SQL*Loader supports various load formats, selective
loading, and multi-table loads. 55. Can one load variable and fix length data
records? Yes, look at the following control file examples. In the first we will
load delimited data (variable length): LOAD DATA INFILE * INTO TABLE
load_delimited_data FIELDS TERMINATED BY "," OPTIONALLY ENCLOSED BY '"' TRAILING
NULLCOLS ( data1, data2 ) BEGINDATA 11111,AAAAAAAAAA 22222,"A,B,C,D," If you need
to load positional data (fixed length), look at the following control file
example: LOAD DATA INFILE * INTO TABLE load_positional_data ( data1 POSITION(1:5),
data2 POSITION(6:15) ) BEGINDATA 11111AAAAAAAAAA 22222BBBBBBBBBB 56. Can one skip
header records load while loading? Use the "SKIP n" keyword, where n = number of
logical rows to skip. Look at this example: LOAD DATA INFILE * INTO TABLE
load_positional_data SKIP 5 ( data1 POSITION(1:5), data2 POSITION(6:15) )
Page 176 of 259

BEGINDATA 11111AAAAAAAAAA 22222BBBBBBBBBB 57. Can one modify data as it loads into
the database? Data can be modified as it loads into the Oracle Database. Note that
this only applies for the conventional load path and not for direct path loads.
LOAD DATA INFILE * INTO TABLE modified_data ( rec_no region time_loaded data1
data2 data3 ) BEGINDATA 11111AAAAAAAAAA991201 22222BBBBBBBBBB990112 LOAD DATA
INFILE 'mail_orders.txt' BADFILE 'bad_orders.txt' APPEND INTO TABLE mailing_list
FIELDS TERMINATED BY "," ( addr, city, state, zipcode, mailing_addr
"decode(:mailing_addr, null, :addr, :mailing_addr)", mailing_city
"decode(:mailing_city, null, :city, :mailing_city)", mailing_state )
"my_db_sequence.nextval", CONSTANT '31', "to_char(SYSDATE, 'HH24:MI')",

POSITION(1:5) ":data1/100", POSITION(6:15) "upper(:data2)",

POSITION(16:22)"to_date(:data3, 'YYMMDD')"
Page 177 of 259

58. Can one load data into multiple tables at once? Look at the following control
file: LOAD DATA INFILE * REPLACE INTO TABLE emp WHEN empno != ' ' ( empno
POSITION(1:4) INTEGER EXTERNAL, ename POSITION(6:15) CHAR, deptno POSITION(17:18)
CHAR, mgr ) INTO TABLE proj WHEN projno != ' ' ( projno POSITION(25:27) INTEGER
EXTERNAL, empno POSITION(1:4) INTEGER EXTERNAL ) 59. Can one selectively load only
the records that one need? Look at this example, (01) is the first character,
(30:37) are characters 30 to 37: LOAD DATA INFILE 'mydata.dat' BADFILE
'mydata.bad' DISCARDFILE 'mydata.dis' APPEND INTO TABLE my_selective_table WHEN
(01) <> 'H' and (01) <> 'T' and (30:37) = '19991217' ( region service_key
call_b_no ) 60. Can one skip certain columns while loading data? One cannot use
POSTION(x:y) with delimited data. Luckily, from Oracle 8i one can specify FILLER
columns. FILLER columns are used to skip columns/fields in the load file, ignoring
fields that one does not want. Look at this example: LOAD DATA TRUNCATE INTO TABLE
T1 CONSTANT '31', POSITION(01:11) INTEGER EXTERNAL, POSITION(12:29) CHAR
POSITION(20:23) INTEGER EXTERNAL
Page 178 of 259

FIELDS TERMINATED BY ',' ( field1, field2 FILLER, field3 ) 61. How does one load
multi-line records? One can create one logical record from multiple physical
records using one of the following two clauses:

• •

CONCATENATE: - use when SQL*Loader should combine the same number of physical
records together to form one logical record. CONTINUEIF - use if a condition
indicates that multiple records should be treated as one. Eg. by having a '#'
character in column 1.

62. How can get SQL*Loader to COMMIT only at the end of the load file? One cannot,
but by setting the ROWS= parameter to a large value, committing can be reduced.
Make sure you have big rollback segments ready when you use a high value for
ROWS=.

63. What is SQL*Plus and where does it come from? SQL*Plus is a command line SQL
and PL/SQL language interface and reporting tool that ships with the Oracle
Database Client and Server. It can be used interactively or driven from scripts.
SQL*Plus is frequently used by DBAs and Developers to interact with the Oracle
database. SQL*Plus's predecessor was called UFI (User Friendly Interface). UFI was
included in the first releases of Oracle, its interface was extremely primitive
and anything but user friendly. 64. What are the basic SQL*Plus commands? The
following SQL*Plus commands are available: ACCEPT Get input from the user DEFINE
Declare a variable (short: DEF) DESCRIBE Lists the attributes of tables and other
objects (short: DESC) EDIT Places you in an editor so you can edit a SQL command
(short: ED) EXIT or QUIT Disconnect from the database and terminate SQL*Plus GET
Retrieves a SQL file and places it into the SQL buffer HOST Issue an operating
system command (short: !) LIST Displays the last command executed/ command in the
SQL buffer (short: L) PROMPT Display a text string on the screen. Eg prompt Hello
World!!! RUN List and Run the command stored in the SQL buffer (short: /) Saves
command in the SQL buffer to a file. Eg "save x" will create a script file called
SAVE x.sql SET Modify the SQL*Plus environment eg. SET PAGESIZE 23 SHOW Show
environment settings (short: SHO). Eg SHOW ALL, SHO PAGESIZE etc. SPOOL Send
output to a file. Eg "spool x" will save STDOUT to a file called x.lst START Run a
SQL script file (short: @)
Page 179 of 259

65. What is AFIEDT.BUF? AFIEDT.BUF is the SQL*Plus default edit save file. When
you issue the command "ed" or "edit" without arguments, the last SQL or PL/SQL
command will be saved to a file called AFIEDT.BUF and opened in the default
editor. In the prehistoric days when SQL*Plus was called UFI, the file name was
"ufiedt.buf", short for UFI editing buffer. When new features were added to UFI,
it was the initially named Advanced UFI and the filename was changed to
"aufiedt.buf" and then to "afiedt.buf". They presumably needed to keep the name
short for compatibility with some of the odd operating systems that Oracle
supported in those days. The name "Advanced UFI" was never used officially, as the
name was changed to SQL*Plus before this version was released. You can overwrite
the default edit save file name like this: SET EDITFILE "afiedt.buf" 65. What is
the difference between @ and @@? The @ (at symbol) is equivalent to the START
command and is used to run SQL*Plus command scripts. A single @ symbol runs the
script in your current directory, or one specified with a full or relative path,
or one that is found in you SQLPATH or ORACLE_PATH. @@ will start a sqlplus script
that is in the same directory as the script that called it (relative to the
directory of the current script). This is normally used for nested command files.
66. What is the difference between & and &&? "&" is used to create a temporary
substitution variable and will prompt you for a value every time it is referenced.
"&&" is used to create a permanent substitution variable as with the DEFINE
command and the OLD_VALUE or NEW_VALUE clauses of a COLUMN statement. Once you
have entered a value it will use that value every time the variable is referenced.
Eg: SQL> SELECT * FROM TAB WHERE TNAME LIKE '%&TABLE_NAME.%'; 67. How can one
disable SQL*Plus formatting? Issue the following SET commands to disable all
SQL*Plus formatting: SET ECHO OFF SET NEWPAGE 0 SET SPACE 0 SET PAGESIZE 0 SET
FEEDBACK OFF SET HEADING OFF SET TRIMSPOOL ON
Page 180 of 259

These settings can also be entered on one line, eg.: SET ECHO OFF NEWPAGE 0 SPACE
0 PAGESIZE 0 FEED OFF HEAD OFF TRIMSPOOL ON 68. Can one send operating system
parameters to SQL*Plus? One can pass operating system variables to sqlplus using
this syntax: sqlplus username/password @cmdfile.sql var1 var2 var3 Parameter var1
will be mapped to SQL*Plus variable &1, var2 to &2, etc. Look at this example:
sqlplus scott/tiger @x.sql '"test parameter"' dual

Where x.sql consists of:

select '&1' from &2; exit 5; 69. Can one copy tables with LONG columns from one
database to another? About the fastest way of copying data between databases and
schemas are by using the SQL*Plus COPY statement. Look at this example: COPY FROM
SCOTT/TIGER@LOCAL_DB TO SCOTT/TIGER@REMOTE_DB CREATE IMAGE_TABLE USING SELECT
IMAGE_NO, IMAGE FROM IMAGES; -

70. What is a mutating table error and how can you get around it? This happens
with triggers. It occurs because the trigger is trying to update a row it is
currently using. The usual fix involves either use of views or temporary tables so
the database is selecting from one while updating the other. 71. What packages (if
any) has Oracle provided for use by developers? Oracle provides the DBMS_ series
of packages. There are many which developers should be aware of such as DBMS_SQL,
DBMS_PIPE, DBMS_TRANSACTION, DBMS_LOCK, DBMS_ALERT, DBMS_OUTPUT, DBMS_JOB,
DBMS_UTILITY, DBMS_DDL, UTL_FILE. If they can mention a few of these and describe
how they used them, even better. If they include the SQL routines provided by
Oracle, great, but not really what was asked. 72. Describe the use of PL/SQL
tables Expected answer: PL/SQL tables are scalar arrays that can be referenced by
a binary integer. They can be used to hold values for use in later queries or
calculations. In Oracle 8 they will be able to be of the %ROWTYPE designation, or
RECORD. 73. When is a declare statement needed ?
Page 181 of 259

The DECLARE statement is used in PL/SQL anonymous blocks such as with stand alone,
non-stored PL/SQL procedures. It must come first in a PL/SQL stand alone file if
it is used. 74. In what order should a open/fetch/loop set of commands in a PL/SQL
block be implemented if you use the %NOTFOUND cursor variable in the exit when
statement? Why? OPEN then FETCH then LOOP followed by the exit when. If not
specified in this order will result in the final return being done twice because
of the way the %NOTFOUND is handled by PL/SQL. 75. What are SQLCODE and SQLERRM
and why are they important for PL/SQL developers? SQLCODE returns the value of the
error number for the last error encountered. The SQLERRM returns the actual error
message for the last error encountered. They can be used in exception handling to
report, or, store in an error log table, the error that occurred in the code.
These are especially useful for the WHEN OTHERS exception. 76. How can you find
within a PL/SQL block, if a cursor is open? Use the %ISOPEN cursor status
variable. 77. How can you generate debugging output from PL/SQL? Use the
DBMS_OUTPUT package. Another possible method is to just use the SHOW ERROR
command, but this only shows errors. The DBMS_OUTPUT package can be used to show
intermediate results from loops and the status of variables as the procedure is
executed. The new package UTL_FILE can also be used. 78. What are the types of
triggers? There are 12 types of triggers in PL/SQL that consist of combinations of
the BEFORE, AFTER, ROW, TABLE, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE and ALL key words: BEFORE
ALL ROW INSERT AFTER ALL ROW INSERT BEFORE INSERT AFTER INSERT etc. 79. How can
variables be passed to a SQL routine? By use of the & symbol. For passing in
variables the numbers 1-8 can be used (&1, &2,...,&8) to pass the values after the
command into the SQLPLUS session. To be prompted for a specific variable, place
the ampersanded variable in the code itself: “select * from dba_tables where
owner=&owner_name;” . Use of double ampersands tells SQLPLUS to resubstitute the
value for each subsequent use of the variable, a single ampersand will cause a
reprompt for the value unless an ACCEPT statement is used to get the value from
the user. 80. You want to include a carriage return/linefeed in your output from a
SQL script, how can you do this? The best method is to use the CHR() function
(CHR(10) is a return/linefeed) and the concatenation function “||”. Another
method, although it is hard to document and isn’t always portable is to use the
return/linefeed as a part of a quoted string. 81. How can you call a PL/SQL
procedure from SQL? By use of the EXECUTE (short form EXEC) command. 82. How do
you execute a host operating system command from within SQL? By use of the
exclamation point “!” (in UNIX and some other OS) or the HOST (HO) command. 83.
You want to use SQL to build SQL, what is this called and give an example This is
called dynamic SQL. An example would be: set lines 90 pages 0 termout off feedback
off verify off spool drop_all.sql
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select ‘drop user ‘||username||’ cascade;’ from dba_users where username not in
(“SYS’,’SYSTEM’); spool off Essentially you are looking to see that they know to
include a command (in this case DROP USER...CASCADE;) and that you need to
concatenate using the ‘||’ the values selected from the database. 84. What SQLPlus
command is used to format output from a select? This is best done with the COLUMN
command. 85. You want to group the following set of select returns, what can you
group on? Max(sum_of_cost), min(sum_of_cost), count(item_no), item_no Expected
answer: The only column that can be grouped on is the “item_no” column, the rest
have aggregate functions associated with them. 86. What special Oracle feature
allows you to specify how the cost based system treats a SQL statement? The COST
based system allows the use of HINTs to control the optimizer path selection. If
they can give some example hints such as FIRST ROWS, ALL ROWS, USING INDEX, STAR,
even better. 87. You want to determine the location of identical rows in a table
before attempting to place a unique index on the table, how can this be done?
Oracle tables always have one guaranteed unique column, the rowid column. If you
use a min/max function against your rowid and then select against the proposed
primary key you can squeeze out the rowids of the duplicate rows pretty quick. For
example: select rowid from emp e where e.rowid > (select min(x.rowid) from emp x
where x.emp_no = e.emp_no); In the situation where multiple columns make up the
proposed key, they must all be used in the where clause. 88. What is a Cartesian
product? A Cartesian product is the result of an unrestricted join of two or more
tables. The result set of a three table Cartesian product will have x * y * z
number of rows where x, y, z correspond to the number of rows in each table
involved in the join. 89. You are joining a local and a remote table, the network
manager complains about the traffic involved, how can you reduce the network
traffic? Push the processing of the remote data to the remote instance by using a
view to pre-select the information for the join. This will result in only the data
required for the join being sent across. 90. What is the default ordering of an
ORDER BY clause in a SELECT statement? Expected answer: Ascending 91. What is
explain plan and how is it used? The EXPLAIN PLAN command is a tool to tune SQL
statements. To use it you must have an explain_table generated in the user you are
running the explain plan for. This is created using the utlxplan.sql script. Once
the explain plan table exists you run the explain plan command giving as its
argument the SQL statement to be explained. The explain_plan table is then queried
to see the execution plan of the statement. Explain plans can also be run using
tkprof. 92. How do you set the number of lines on a page of output? The width? The
SET command in SQLPLUS is used to control the number of lines generated per page
and the width of those lines, for example SET PAGESIZE 60 LINESIZE 80 will
generate reports that are 60 lines long with a line width of 80 characters. The
PAGESIZE and LINESIZE options can be shortened to PAGES and LINES.
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93. How do you prevent output from coming to the screen? The SET option TERMOUT
controls output to the screen. Setting TERMOUT OFF turns off screen output. This
option can be shortened to TERM. 94. How do you prevent Oracle from giving you
informational messages during and after a SQL statement execution? The SET options
FEEDBACK and VERIFY can be set to OFF. 95. How do you generate file output from
SQL? Expected answer: By use of the SPOOL command 96. What are Background
processes in Oracle and what are they. There are basically 9 Processes but in a
general system we need to mention the first five background processes. They do the
house keeping activities for the Oracle and are common in any system. The various
background processes in oracle are a) Data Base Writer (DBWR): Data Base Writer
Writes Modified blocks from Database buffer cache to Data Files. This is required
since the data is not written whenever a transaction is committed.

b) LogWriter (LGWR): LogWriter writes the redo log entries to disk. Redo Log data
is generated in redo log buffer of SGA. As transactions commit and log buffer
fills, LGWR writes log entries into a online redo log file.

c) System Monitor (SMON): The System Monitor performs instance recovery at

instance startup. This is useful for recovery from system failure

d) Process Monitor (PMON): The Process Monitor performs process recovery when user
Process fails. Pmon Clears and Frees resources that process was using.

e) Checkpoint (CKPT): At Specified times, all modified database buffers in SGA are
written to data files by DBWR at Checkpoints and Updating all data files and
control files of database to indicate the most recent checkpoint f) Archieves
(ARCH) :: The Archiver copies online redo log files to archival storal when they
are busy. g) Recoveror (RECO) :: The Recoveror is used to resolve the distributed
transaction in network h) Dispatcher (Dnnn) :: The Dispatcher is useful in Multi
Threaded Architecture i) Lckn ::
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We can have upto 10 lock processes for inter instance locking in parallel sql. 97.
How many types of Sql Statements are there in Oracle There are basically 6 types
of sql statments. They are a) Data Defination Language(DDL) : The DDL statments
define and maintain objects and drop objects.

b) Data Manipulation Language(DML) : The DML statments manipulate database data.

c) Transaction Control Statements: Manage change by DML c) Session Control Used to
control the properties of current session enabling and disabling roles and
changing .e.g :: Alter Statements, Set Role

d) System Control Statements Change Properties of Oracle Instance .e.g:: Alter

System e) Embedded Sql Incorporate DDL,DML and T.C.S in Programming Language.e.g::
Using the Sql Statements in languages such as 'C', Open,Fetch, execute and close
98. What is a Transaction in Oracle A transaction is a Logical unit of work that
compromises one or more SQL Statements executed by a single User. According to
ANSI, a transaction begins with first executable statment and ends when it is
explicitly commited or rolled back. 99. Key Words Used in Oracle The Key words
that are used in Oracle are: a. Committing A transaction is said to be commited
when the transaction makes permanent changes resulting from the SQL statements. b.
Rollback A transaction that retracts any of the changes resulting from SQL
statements in Transaction. c. SavePoint For long transactions that contain many
SQL statements, intermediate markers or savepoints are declared. Savepoints can be
used to divide a transaction into smaller points. Rolling Forward :: Process of
applying redo log during recovery is called rolling forward. Cursor A cursor is a
handle (name or a pointer) for the memory associated with a specific statement. A
cursor is basically an area allocated by Oracle for executing the Sql Statement.
Oracle uses an implicit cursor statement for Single row query and Uses Explicit
cursor for a multi row query. System Global Area(SGA) ::

d. e.

f.
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The SGA is a shared memory region allocated by the Oracle that contains Data and
control information for one Oracle Instance.It consists of Database Buffer Cache
and Redo log Buffer. g. h. i. j. k. Program Global Area (PGA) :: The PGA is a
memory buffer that contains data and control information for server process.
Database Buffer Cache :: Database Buffer of SGA stores the most recently used
blocks of database data. The set of database buffers in an instance is called
Database Buffer Cache. Redo log Buffer Redo log Buffer of SGA stores all the redo
log entries. Redo Log Files Redo log files are set of files that protect altered
database data in memory that has not been written to Data Files. They are
basically used for backup when a database crashes. Process A Process is a 'thread
of control' or mechansim in Operating System that executes series of steps.

100. What are Procedure, functions and Packages Procedures and functions consist
of set of PL/SQL statements that are grouped together as a unit to solve a
specific problem or perform set of related tasks. Procedures do not Return values
while Functions return one One Value Packages Packages Provide a method of
encapsulating and storing related procedures, functions, variables and other
Package Contents

101. What are Database Triggers and Stored Procedures Database Triggers ::
Database Triggers are Procedures that are automatically executed as a result of
insert in, update to, or delete from table. Database triggers have the values old
and new to denote the old value in the table before it is deleted and the new
indicated the new value that will be used. DT are useful for implementing complex
business rules which cannot be enforced using the integrity rules. We can have the
trigger as Before trigger or After Trigger and at Statement or Row level. e.g.
operations insert, update ,delete 3 before ,after 3*2.A total of 6 combinations At
statement level(once for the trigger) or row level( for every execution ) 6 * 2 A
total of 12. Thus a total of 12 combinations are there and the restriction of
usage of 12 triggers has been lifted from Oracle 7.3 Onwards.

Stored Procedures Stored Procedures are Procedures that are stored in Compiled
form in the database. The advantage of using the stored procedures is that many
users can use the same procedure in compiled and ready to use format. 102. How
many Integrity Rules are there and what are they There are Three Integrity Rules.
They are as follows :: a) Entity Integrity Rule :: The Entity Integrity Rule
enforces that the Primary key cannot be Null. b) Foreign Key Integrity Rule :: The
FKIR denotes that the relationship between the foreign key and the primary key has
to be enforced.When there is data in Child Tables the Master tables cannot be
deleted. c) Business Integrity Rules ::
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The Third Intigrity rule is about the complex business processes which cannot be
implemented by the above 2 rules. 103. What are the Various Master and Detail
Relation ships. The various Master and Detail Relationship are a) NonIsolated ::
The Master cannot be deleted when a child is exisiting b) Isolated :: The Master
can be deleted when the child is exisiting c) Cascading :: The child gets deleted
when the Master is deleted. 104. What are the Various Block Coordination
Properties The various Block Coordination Properties are a) Immediate Default
Setting. The Detail records are shown when the Master Record are shown. b)
Deferred with Auto Query Oracle Forms defer fetching the detail records until the
operator navigates to the detail block. c) Deferred with No Auto Query The
operator must navigate to the detail block and explicitly execute a query 105.
What are the Different Optimisation Techniques The Various Optimization techniques
are a) Execute Plan :: we can see the plan of the query and change it accordingly
based on the indexes b) Optimizer_hint ::
set_item_property('DeptBlock',OPTIMIZER_HINT,'FIRST_ROWS'); Select /*+ First_Rows
*/ Deptno,Dname,Loc,Rowid from dept where (Deptno > 25) c) Optimize_Sql :: By
setting the Optimize_Sql = No, Oracle Forms assigns a single cursor for all SQL
statements.This slow downs the processing because for evertime the SQL must be
parsed whenver they are executed. f45run module = my_firstform userid =
scott/tiger optimize_sql = No d) Optimize_Tp :: By setting the Optimize_Tp= No,
Oracle Forms assigns seperate cursor only for each query SELECT statement. All
other SQL statements reuse the cursor. f45run module = my_firstform userid =
scott/tiger optimize_Tp = No 106. How do u implement the If statement in the
Select Statement We can implement the if statement in the select statement by
using the Decode statement.e.g select DECODE
(EMP_CAT,'1','First','2','Second'Null); Here the Null is the else statement where
null is done . 107.How many types of Exceptions are there There are 2 types of
exceptions. They are a) System Exceptions e.g. When no_data_found, When
too_many_rows b) User Defined Exceptions e.g. My_exception exception When
My_exception then 108. How do you use the same lov for 2 columns We can use the
same lov for 2 columns by passing the return values in global values and using the
global values in the code

109. How many minimum groups are required for a matrix report The minimum number
of groups in matrix report are 4 110. What is the difference between static and
dynamic lov The static lov contains the predetermined values while the dynamic lov
contains values that come at run time
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111. What are snap shots and views Snapshots are mirror or replicas of tables.
Views are built using the columns from one or more tables. The Single Table View
can be updated but the view with multi table cannot be updated

112. What are the OOPS concepts in Oracle. Oracle does implement the OOPS
concepts. The best example is the Property Classes. We can categorise the
properties by setting the visual attributes and then attach the property classes
for the objects. OOPS supports the concepts of objects and classes and we can
consider the peroperty classes as classes and the items as objects 113. What is
the difference between candidate key, unique key and primary key Candidate keys
are the columns in the table that could be the primary keys and the primary key is
the key that has been selected to identify the rows. Unique key is also useful for
identifying the distinct rows in the table. 114. What is concurrency Cuncurrency
is allowing simultaneous access of same data by different users. Locks useful for
accesing the database are a) Exclusive The exclusive lock is useful for locking
the row when an insert,update or delete is being done.This lock should not be
applied when we do only select from the row. b) Share lock We can do the table as
Share_Lock as many share_locks can be put on the same resource. 115. Previleges
and Grants Privileges are the right to execute a particulare type of SQL
statements. e.g :: Right to Connect, Right to create, Right to resource Grants are
given to the objects so that the object might be accessed accordingly.The grant
has to be given by the owner of the object. 116. Table Space,Data Files,Parameter
File, Control Files Table Space :: The table space is useful for storing the data
in the database. When a database is created two table spaces are created. a)
System Table space :: This data file stores all the tables related to the system
and dba tables b) User Table space This data file stores all the user related
tables We should have seperate table spaces for storing the tables and indexes so
that the access is fast. Data Files Every Oracle Data Base has one or more
physical data files. They store the data for the database. Every data file is
associated with only one database. Once the Data file is created the size cannot
change. To increase the size of the database to store more data we have to add
data file. Parameter Files
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Parameter file is needed to start an instance. A parameter file contains the list
of instance configuration parameters e.g.:: db_block_buffers = 500 db_name = ORA7
db_domain = u.s.acme lang Control Files Control files record the physical
structure of the data files and redo log files They contain the Db name, name and
location of dbs, data files ,redo log files and time stamp. 117. Physical Storage
of the Data The finest level of granularity of the data base are the data blocks.
Data Block One Data Block correspond to specific number of physical database space
Extent Extent is the number of specific number of contigious data blocks. Segments
Set of Extents allocated for Extents. There are three types of Segments Data
Segment Non Clustered Table has data segment data of every table is stored in
cluster data segment Index Segment Each Index has index segment that stores data
Roll Back Segment Temporarily store 'undo' information 118. What are the Pct Free
and Pct Used Pct Free is used to denote the percentage of the free space that is
to be left when creating a table. Similarly Pct Used is used to denote the
percentage of the used space that is to be used when creating a table eg.::
Pctfree 20, Pctused 40 119. What is Row Chaining The data of a row in a table may
not be able to fit the same data block. Data for row is stored in a chain of data
blocks . 120. What is a 2 Phase Commit Two Phase commit is used in distributed
data base systems. This is useful to maintain the integrity of the database so
that all the users see the same values. It contains DML statements or Remote
Procedural calls that reference a remote object. There are basically 2 phases in a
2 phase commit. a) Prepare Phase :: Global coordinator asks participants to
prepare b) Commit Phase :: Commit all participants to coordinator to Prepared,
Read only or abort Reply 121. What is the difference between deleting and
truncating of tables Deleting a table will not remove the rows from the table but
entry is there in the database dictionary and it can be retrieved But truncating a
table deletes it completely and it cannot be retrieved. 122. What are mutating
tables When a table is in state of transition it is said to be mutating. eg :: If
a row has been deleted then the table is said to be mutating and no operations can
be done on the table except select. 123. What are Codd Rules Codd Rules describe
the ideal nature of a RDBMS. No RDBMS satisfies all the 12 codd rules and Oracle
Satisfies 11 of the 12 rules and is the only Rdbms to satisfy the maximum number
of rules.
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124. What is Normalisation Normalisation is the process of organising the tables

to remove the redundancy.There are mainly 5 Normalisation rules. a) 1 Normal Form
A table is said to be in 1st Normal Form when the attributes are atomic b) 2
Normal Form A table is said to be in 2nd Normal Form when all the candidate keys
are dependant on the primary key

c) 3rd Normal Form A table is said to be third Normal form when it is not
dependant transitively 125. What is the Difference between a post query and a pre
query A post query will fire for every row that is fetched but the pre query will
fire only once. 126. Deleting the Duplicate rows in the table We can delete the
duplicate rows in the table by using the Rowid 127. Can U disable database
trigger? How? Yes. With respect to table ALTER TABLE TABLE [ DISABLE all_trigger ]
128. What is pseudo columns ? Name them? A pseudocolumn behaves like a table
column, but is not actually stored in the table. You can select from
pseudocolumns, but you cannot insert, update, or delete their values. This section
describes these pseudocolumns: * CURRVAL * NEXTVAL * LEVEL * ROWID * ROWNUM 129.
How many columns can table have? The number of columns in a table can range from 1
to 254. 130. Is space acquired in blocks or extents ? In extents . 131. what is
clustered index? In an indexed cluster, rows are stored together based on their
cluster key values . Can not applied for HASH. 132. what are the data types
supported By oracle (INTERNAL)? Varchar2, Number, Char, MLSLABEL. 133. What are
attributes of cursor? %FOUND , %NOTFOUND , %ISOPEN,%ROWCOUNT 134. Can you use
select in FROM clause of SQL select ? Yes. 135. Where do u decalare Global
Variable in Package? Ans: Package Specification

136. Can u create procedure or function without declaring it in Package specs?

Page 190 of 259

Ans: YES, It is called private procedure.

137. what is private function and public functions in package? Ans: If the
function is declared in Package Specification then it is called Public Function.
Public function can be called outside of Package. If the function is not declared
in Package Specification then it is called Private Function. Private function can
not be called outside of Package.

138. how do u call private functions in package? Ans: pack spcs p1... func f1();
-- Public function func f2(); -- Public function end;

pack body p1... func f1(){}; -- public func f2(){}; -- public func f3(){}; --
Private func f4(){}; -- Private end; to call private call it in public function
and public fun can be called from outside.

139. create a syquence, open a new session and execute first statement as select
sequence. currval from dual; what will happene? Ans:It will give an error. First
time we have to fire next val & then only we can use currval.

140. I have t1 table in scott .. and same i have scott1 schema with same name... i
grant select on scott1.t1 to scott, now i create a synonym for scott1.t1, what
happenes when it is created. will it give runtime error or error while creating
synonym? Ans: This will give an error, Same name can not be used

141. How many types of Triggers... (24)

142. tell me diff between .. 7.x, 8, 8i, 9i ( undo tablespace) Ans: 9i New
Features-------------1. Rollback Segment is being replaced by Undo Tablespace. (We
can use either) 2. Flashback Query - It is used to retrack wrongly committed
transaction
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3. Online Table Creation (e.g. Create table as select * from ....... will generate
updated table) 4. List Partition - Table can be partitioned on a list 5. Buffer
catche size is now dynamic (upto 4 different sizes can be specified for buffers)

143. what is view? Ans: View is a virtual table (or logical container of data),
which does not physically store data.

144. Why instade of trigger is created? Ans: To Insert/Update/Delete record from

base table for any view operation

145. Are views updatable? Ans: Yes (Only if the view is based on one table, but it
is NOT if more than one tables)

146. types of tuning? Ans: Application Tuning, Database Tuning, Memory Tuning, O/S
Tuning

147. locking mode property of block(Immediate/Automatic/Delayed)

Automatic (default):- Identical to Immediate if the datasource is an Oracle

database. For other datasources, Form Builder determines the available locking
facilities and behaves as much like Immediate as possible.

Immediate:- Form Builder locks the corresponding row as soon as the end user
presses a key to enter or edit the value in a text item.

Delayed:- Form Builder locks the row only while it posts the transaction to the
database, not while the end user is editing the record. Form Builder prevents the
commit action from processing if values of the fields in the block have changed
when the user causes a commit action.

148. What is Function Over loading?

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Function Overloading means we can use the same procedure name more than one time
in a package but the no of parameters should be different or their data type
should be different.

149. How can we return a value in procedures?

By using in, out parameters we can return the values in procedures

150. What are the features of OOPS used in PL/SQL ? Ans: Inheritance – Reusability
Abstract Datatype Method Overloading 151. Can we use label for anonymous PL/SQL
block? Ans: Yes, use it in “<<label name>>” structure 152. What are the exceptions
in PL/SQL Block? Ans: CURSOR_ALREADY_OPEN, DUP_VAL_ON_INDEX, INVALID_CURSOR,
INVALID_NUMBER, NO_DATA_FOUND, PROGRAM_ERROR, VALUE_ERROR, ZERO_DIVIDE 153. What
are the types of Variable binding? Ans: Two types of binding Early Binding (at
compile time) Late Binding (Runtime) 154. What are the user defined data types ?
Ans: 1. Structured Types Object Types Collection Types Varray Nested Tables REFS
(To object Types) 155. How can we know that proc has passed a value ? Ans: We can
check it using “IN” or “OUT” or “INOUT” parameter. 156. What is the difference
between REF Cursor & PL/SQL Table. Ans: REF Cursor is like Pointer whereas PL/SQL
Table is like ARRAY. REF Cursor can pass to a procedure/function as a parameter
directly whereas in PL/SQL table one record has to be passed each time. 157. What
Is a Collection? A collection is an ordered group of elements, all of the same
type (for example, the grades for a class of students). Each element has a unique
subscript that determines its position in the collection. PL/SQL offers two
collection types. Items of type TABLE are either index-by tables (Version 2 PL/SQL
tables) or nested tables (which extend the functionality of index-by tables).
Items of type VARRAY are varrays (short for variable-size arrays). Collections
work like the arrays found in most third-generation programming languages.
However, collections can have only one dimension and must be indexed by integers.
You can define collection types in a package, then use them programmatically in
your applications. Also, you can pass collections as parameters. So, you can use
them to move columns of data into and out of database tables or between client-
side applications and stored subprograms. In addition, collections can store
instances of an object type and (except for index-by tables) can be attributes of
an object type.
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Oracle Forms 4.5/ 5.0/ 6.0/ 6i and 9i FAQ 1. What is Oracle Forms and what is it
used for? Oracle Forms is a 4GL Rapid Application Development (RAD) environment.
Forms Builder is used to create applications to enter, access, change, or delete
data from Oracle (and other) databases. The Forms Runtime environment is required
to execute compiled Forms modules. Forms can also be deployed across the Web using
the Oracle Internet Application Server (iAS) Forms Services. Oracle Forms is part
of the Oracle Internet Developer Suite (iDS). It was previously called SQL*Forms.
2. Can an Forms FMX be moved from one operating system to another? FMX files are
operating system dependent. On the other hand, FMB's are not. So, you have to
regenerate them when ever you change the operating system or the Forms version. 3.
How does one iterate through items and records in a specified block? One can use
NEXT_FIELD to iterate (loop) through items in a specific block and NEXT_RECORD to
iterate through records in a block. Code example: OriPos :=
TO_NUMBER(:System.Trigger_Record); First_Record; LOOP -- do processing IF
(:System.Last_Record = 'TRUE') THEN Go_Record(OriPos); EXIT; ELSE Next_Record; END
IF; END LOOP 4. Can on bypass the Oracle login screen? The first thing that the
user sees when using runform is the Oracle logon prompt asking them for their
username, password, and database to connect to. You can bypass this screen or
customise it by displaying your own logon screen. Eg: ON-LOGIN

declare uname varchar2(10); pass varchar2(10);

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begin uname := 'username'; pass :='password'; logon(uname,

pass||'@connect_database'); end; 5. Can one Maximize/ Minimize a Window in Forms?
On MS-Windows, Forms run inside a Windows Multiple-Document Interface (MDI)
window. You can use SET_WINDOW_PROPERTY on the window called FORMS_MDI_WINDOW to
resize this MDI (or any other named) window. Examples:
set_window_property(FORMS_MDI_WINDOW,WINDOW_STATE, MINIMIZE);
set_window_property(FORMS_MDI_WINDOW, POSITION, 7, 15);
set_window_property('my_window_name', WINDOW_STATE, MAXIMIZE); 6. How does one
suppress or customize error messages in Forms? One can either set the message
level using the system variable SYSTEM.MESSAGE_LEVEL or trap the errors using the
ON-ERROR or ON-MESSAGE triggers. 7. Can one issue DDL statements from Forms? DDL
(Data Definition Language) commands like CREATE, DROP and ALTER are not directly
supported from Forms because your Forms are not suppose to manipulate the database
structure. A statement like CREATE TABLE X (A DATE); will result in error:
Encountered the symbol "CREATE" which is a reserved word. However, you can use the
FORMS_DDL built-in to execute DDL statements. Eg: FORMS_DDL('CREATE TABLE X (A
DATE)'); FORMS_DDL can also be used to create dynamic SQL statements at runtime.
The FORMS_SUCCESS built-in can be used to determine if the last executed built-in
was successful. 8. Can one execute dynamic SQL from Forms? Yes, use the FORMS_DDL
built-in or call the DBMS_SQL database package from Forms. Eg: FORMS_DDL('INSERT
INTO X VALUES (' || col_list || ')'); Just note that FORMS_DDL will force an
implicit COMMIT and may de-synchronize the Oracle Forms COMMIT mechanism. 9. Forms
won't allow me to use restricted built-in's. What should I do? How to get around
the "can't use a restricted built-in in built-in XXX" message: 1. Create a TIMER
at the point where you want the navigation to occur.
Page 195 of 259

Eg. create_timer('TIMER_X', 5, NO_REPEAT); 2. Code a WHEN-TIMER-EXPIRED trigger to

handle the navigation DECLARE tm_name VARCHAR2(20); BEGIN tm_name :=
Get_Application_Property(TIMER_NAME); IF tm_name = 'TIMER_X' THEN
Go_Item('ITEM_X'); END IF; END; Dirty but effective (didn't Oracle promise to fix
this feature?). 10. Can one change the mouse pointer in Forms? The
SET_APPLICATION_PROPERTY build-in in Oracle Forms allow one to change the mouse
pointer. The following cursor styles are supported: DEFAULT, BUSY, HELP, INSERTION
and CROSSHAIR. Eg: SET_APPLICATION_PROPERTY(CURSOR_STYLE, BUSY); 11. Why doesn't
my messages show on the screen? Regardless of whether you call the MESSAGE()
built-in with ACKNOWLEDGE, NO_ACKNOWLEDGE, or with no mode specification at all,
your message may or may not be displayed. This is because messages are displayed
asynchronously. To display messages immediately, use the SYNCHRONIZE build-in:
message('...'); synchronize; This can also be used to execute a query while the
user is looking at the results of a previous query. 12. What happened to SQL*Menu?
From Forms V4.5, SQL*Menu is fully integrated into Oracle Forms. Application menus
can be added to your application by creating Menu Modules (*.MMB) and generate it
to Menu Module Executables (*.MMX). 13. How does one create a custom toolbar?
Create a new block, let's name it "TOOLBAR" and a canvas named "C_TOOLBAR" (for
ilustration purposes). Put some iconic buttons on your canvas. Use the following
properties for these buttons: Enabled: True Navigable: False Mouse Navigate: False
Now set the "Canvas Type" in the canvas property palette to "Horizontal Toolbar"
and the "Form Horizontal Toolbar Canvas" in the module property palette to your
canvas name (C_TOOLBAR in our case). 14. How does one compile MS Help files? The
Microsoft Help Compiler does not ship with Designer/2000 or Developer/2000, but
you can download it from here:
Page 196 of 259

Help Compiler - FTP Sites Note: Designer/2000 includes a Help Generator that can
generate source files for the Help Compiler. 15. How can I read/write OS Files
from Forms? OS files can be read/written from Forms using the TEXT_IO package in
Forms. The TEXT_IO package has a datatype FILE_HANDLE. It also has procedures
FCLOSE, GET_LINE, NEW_LINE, PUT, PUT_LINE & PUTF and a function FOPEN. Example:
DECLARE file1 TEXT_IO.FILE_TYPE; file2 TEXT_IO.FILE_TYPE; str VARCHAR2(80);

BEGIN= file1 := TEXT_IO.FOPEN( 'input.txt','r' ); file2 := TEXT_IO.FOPEN(

'output.txt', 'w' ); TEXT_IO.GET_LINE( file1, str ); TEXT_IO.PUT_LINE( file2,
str ); TEXT_IO.FCLOSE( file1 ); TEXT_IO.FCLOSE( file2 ); END; 16. How can I
generate all my forms in a batch? Look at this DOS Batch file example: @echo off
@echo. +---------------------------------------------------------@echo. |
FMXGNALL.BAT @echo. +---------------------------------------------------------
@echo. | @echo. | Create runtime FMXs from source FMBs @echo. | Will convert ALL
of the fmbs in the current direcotry @echo. | Usage : FMXALL.BAT
username/password@connect string @echo. | @echo.
+---------------------------------------------------------@echo. @echo.
Username/Password@connect_string = %1 @echo.

IF %1 == "" GOTO END

Page 197 of 259

@echo Removing old FMX files del *.fmx

@echo Creating the new FMX files rem Change f45gen32 to f45gen if in 16 bit
environment. FOR %%F in (*.fmb) DO start /w f45gen32 userid=%1 batch=y module=%%F

@echo. @echo Done!!! Remember to move the FMX files into your runtime directory.
@echo.

:END 17. How does one get a form to run on Unix? You need to design your form on
your workstation. FTP or copy the Forms's FMB file to the Unix box. If you
generate for a terminal environment (character based), the syntax is: f45gen
USERID=userid/passwd@db_name MODULE_TYPE=FORM MODULE=module_name If you want to
generate a Library file, replace FORM with LIBRARY. Use f45genm to generate your
form in a Motif environment. Use the "f45run" command to run your form. Why do
terminal users hate Forms? Most Unix, MVS and VMS users do not like Forms 4.5/
5.0/ 6.0 for a couple of reasons:

• • • •

You need to design on a PC and frequently get compatibility problems (font

scaling, etc); Forms 4.5 is no improvement for Forms 3.0 terminal users at all,
rather it is a step backwards; Forms 4.5 uses too much memory and executables are
about 400% larger than for its 3.0 counter part; The largest Oracle Forms
customers still runs on Forms V3.0 and will rather throw out Oracle than to
convert to Forms 4.5.

I think Oracle should bring SQL*Forms v3.0 back for terminal users. They could
rename the product to Oracle Forms for Terminals, or something.

Oracle Forms and Reports Services FAQ 1. What is Forms and Reports Services?
Page 198 of 259

Oracle Forms and Reports Services is a component of the Oracle Internet

Application Server (9iAS) that enables programmers to deploy Oracle Forms and
Oracle Reports across the Web. Forms and Reports services as previously known as
WebForms and WebReports. Some people also refer to it as the Forms and Reports
Server. With Oracle's Forms and Reports Services one can web-enable existing
Oracle Developer (Forms and Reports) applications without changing any application
code. WebForms consist of a Forms client (downloadable Java applet) and
FormsServer (Java NCA Cartridge). WebForms can be centrally deployed and managed
and provides a nice thin client implementation. 2. What Web Servers can be used
with the Forms and Reports Services? The Oracle HTTP Server (Apache Web server) is
installed with the Forms and Reports Services. However, any web server that
supports CGI (Common Gateway Interfaces) can be used. 3. How does one start and
stop the Forms and Reports Services? Please note that the Forms Services will be
running directly after installing the product. Use the following command to start
and stop the Forms Services: $ORACLE_HOME/6iserver/forms60_server start
$ORACLE_HOME/6iserver/forms60_server stop Test if the Forms server is running by
navigating to the following URL: http://host_name:port/dev60html/runform.htm.
Change host_name and port to the server where you HTTP server is running. the 4.
How does one deploy a Form on the Web? Follow these steps to deploy a Form on the
Web: 1. 2. 3. Copy or FTP the Form's FMB file to the server where the Forms
Services are running. Re-compile the Form to a FMX Etc...

Forms 4.5 Questions 1) which system variables can be set by users? 1)

SYSTEM.MESSAGE_LEVEL SYSTEM.DATE_THRESHOLD SYSTEM.EFFECTIVE_DATE
SYSTEM.SUPPRESS_WORKING

2) Can you store objects in library? 2) Referencing allows you to create objects
that inherit their functionality and appearance from other objects. Referencing an
object is similar to copying an object, except that the resulting reference object
maintains a link to its source object. A reference object automatically inherits
any changes that have been made to the source object when you open or regenerate
the module that contains the reference object. 3) Is forms 4.5 object oriented
tool and why? 3) Yes, partially. 1) PROPERTY CLASS - inheritance property 2)
OVERLOADING : procedures and functions. 4) Can you issue DDL in forms? 4) Yes, but
you have to use FORMS_DDL.
Page 199 of 259

Any string expression up to 32K:

a literal an expression or a variable representing the text of a block of

dynamically created PL/SQL code a DML statement or a DDL statement

Restrictions: The statement you pass to FORMS_DDL may not contain bind variable
references in the string, but the values of bind variables can be concatenated
into the string before passing the result to FORMS_DDL. 5) What is SECURE
property? 5) Hides characters that the operator types into the text item. This
setting is typically used for password protection. 6) What are the types of
triggers and how the sequence of firing in text item 6) Triggers can be classified
as Key Triggers, Mouse Triggers, Navigational Triggers. Key Triggers: Key Triggers
are fired as a result of Key action. e.g :: Key-next-field, Key-up, Key-Down Mouse
Triggers: Mouse Triggers are fired as a result of the mouse navigation. e.g. When-
mouse-button-pressed, when-mouse-doubleclicked, etc Navigational Triggers: These
Triggers are fired as a result of Navigation. E.g : Pre-text-item, Post-Text-item.
We also have event triggers like when –new-form-instance and when-new-block-
instance. We cannot call restricted procedures like go_to(‘my_block.first_item’)
in the Navigational triggers But can use them in the Key-next-item. The Difference
between Key-next and Post-Text is an very important question. The key-next is
fired as a result of the key action while the post text is fired as a result of
the mouse movement. Key next will not fire unless there is a key event. The
sequence of firing in a text item are as follows :: a) pre - text b) when new item
c) key-next d) when validate e) post text 7) Can you store pictures in database?
How? 7) Yes, in long Raw datatype or BLOB datatype. 8) What are property classes ?
Can property classes have trigger? 8) Property class inheritance is a powerful
feature that allows you to quickly define objects that conform to your own
interface and functionality standards. Property classes also allow you to make
global changes to applications quickly. By simply changing the definition of a
property class, you can change the definition of all objects that inherit
properties from that class. Yes . All type of triggers . 9) If you have property
class attached to an item and you have same trigger written for the item * Which
will fire first? 9) Item level trigger fires, If item level trigger fires,
property level trigger won't fire. Triggers at the lowest level are always given
the first preference. The item level trigger fires first and then the block and
then the Form level trigger. 10) What are record groups? * Can record groups
created at run-time? 10) A record group is an internal Oracle Forms data structure
that has a column/row framework similar to a database table. However, unlike
database tables, record groups are separate objects that belong to the form module
in which they are defined. A record group can have an unlimited number of columns
of type CHAR, LONG, NUMBER, or DATE provided that the total number of columns does
not exceed 64K. Record group column names cannot exceed
Page 200 of 259

30 characters. Programmatically, record groups can be used whenever the

functionality offered by a two-dimensional array of multiple data types is
desirable. TYPES OF RECORD GROUP: Query Record Group A query record group is a
record group that has an associated SELECT statement. The columns in a query
record group derive their default names, data types, and lengths from the database
columns referenced in the SELECT statement. The records in a query record group
are the rows retrieved by the query associated with that record group. Non-query
Record Group A non-query record group is a group that does not have an associated
query, but whose structure and values can be modified programmatically at runtime.
Static Record Group A static record group is not associated with a query; rather,
you define its Structure and row values at design time, and they remain fixed at
runtime. 11) What are ALERT? 11) An ALERT is a modal window that displays a
message notifying operator of some application condition. 12) Can a button have
icon and label at the same time? 12) -NO

13) What is mouse navigate property of button? 13) When Mouse Navigate is True
(the default), Oracle Forms performs standard navigation to move the focus to the
item when the operator activates the item with the mouse. When Mouse Navigate is
set to False, Oracle Forms does not perform navigation (and the resulting
validation) to move to the item when an operator activates the item with the
mouse. 14) What is FORMS_MDI_WINDOW? 14) Forms run inside the MDI application
window. This property is useful for calling a form from another one. 15) What are
timers? When, when-timer-expired does not fire? 15) The When-Timer-Expired trigger
can not fire during trigger, navigation, or transaction processing. 16) Can object
group have a block? 16) Yes, object group can have block as well as program units.
17) How many types of canvases are there? 17) There are 2 types of canvases called
as Content and Stack Canvas. Content canvas is the default and the one that is
used mostly for giving the base effect. It’s like a plate on which we add items
and stacked canvas is used for giving 3 dimensional effects. 18) What are user-
exits? 18) It invokes 3GL programs. 19) Can you pass values to-and-fro from
foreign function? how? 19) Yes, You obtain a return value from a foreign function
by assigning the return value to an Oracle Forms variable or item. Make sure that
the Oracle Forms variable or item is the same data type as the return value from
the foreign function. After assigning an Oracle Forms variable or item value to a
PL/SQL variable, pass the PL/SQL variable as a parameter value in the PL/SQL
interface of the foreign function. The PL/SQL variable that is passed as a
parameter must be a valid PL/SQL data type; it must also be the appropriate
parameter type as defined in the PL/SQL interface. 20) What is IAPXTB structure?
20) The entries of Pro*C and user exits and the form which simulate the Pro*c or
user_exit are stored in IAPXTB table in d/b.
Page 201 of 259

21) Can you call WIN-SDK thruo' user exits? 21) YES. 22) Does, user exits support
DLL on MS-WINDOWS? 22) YES. 23) What is path setting for DLL? 23) Make sure you
include the name of the DLL in the FORMS45_USEREXIT variable of the ORACLE.INI
file, or rename the DLL to F45XTB.DLL. If you rename the DLL to F45XTB.DLL,
replace the existing F45XTB.DLL in the \ORAWIN\BIN directory with the new
F45XTB.DLL. 24) How is mapping of name of DLL and function done? 24) The DLL can
be created using the Visual C++ / Visual Basic Tools and then the DLL is put in
the path that is defined the registry. 25) What is pre-compiler? 25) It is similar
to C pre-compiler directives. 26) Can you connect to non - oracle data source ?
How? 26) Yes. 27) What are key-mode and locking mode properties? level? 27) Key
Mode: Specifies how oracle forms uniquely identifies rows in the database. This is
property includes for application that will run against NON-ORACLE data sources.
Key setting unique (default.) updateable n-updateable. Locking mode: Specifies
when Oracle Forms should attempt to obtain database locks on rows that correspond
to queried records in the form. a) immediate b) delayed 28) What are savepoint
mode and cursor mode properties ? level? 28) Specifies whether Oracle Forms should
issue savepoints during a session. This property is included primarily for
applications that will run against non-ORACLE data sources. For applications that
will run against ORACLE, use the default setting. Cursor mode - define cursor
state across transaction Open/close. 29) Can you replace default form processing?
How? 30) What is transactional trigger property? 30) Identifies a block as
transactional control block. i.e. non - database block that oracle forms should
manage as transactional block.(NON-ORACLE datasource) default - FALSE. 31) What is
OLE automation? 31) OLE automation allows an OLE server application to expose a
set of commands and functions that can be invoked from an OLE container
application. OLE automation provides a way for an OLE container application to use
the features of an OLE server application to manipulate an OLE object from the OLE
container environment. (FORMS_OLE) 34) What does invoke built-in do? 34) This
procedure invokes a method. Syntax: PROCEDURE OLE2.INVOKE (object obj_type, method
VARCHAR2, list list_type:= 0); Parameters: Object Is an OLE2 Automation Object.
Method Is a method (procedure) of the OLE2 object.
Page 202 of 259

List Is the name of an argument list assigned to the OLE2.CREATE_ARGLIST function.

36) What is call form stack? 36) When successive forms are loaded via the
CALL_FORM procedure, the resulting module hierarchy is known as the call form
stack. 37) Can u port applications across the platforms? how? 37) Yes we can port
applications across platforms. Consider the form developed in a windows system.
The form would be generated in unix system by using f45gen my_form.fmb scott/tiger
GUI 1) What is a visual attribute? 1) Visual attributes are the font, color, and
pattern properties that you set for form and menu objects that appear in your
application's interface. 2) Diff. between VAT and Property Class? imp 2) Named
visual attributes define only font, color, and pattern attributes; property
classes can contain these and any other properties. You can change the appearance
of objects at runtime by changing the named visual attribute programmatically;
property class assignment cannot be changed programmatically. When an object is
inheriting from both a property class and a named visual attribute, the named
visual attribute settings take precedence, and any visual attribute properties in
the class are ignored. 3) Which trigger related to mouse? 3) When-Mouse-Click
When-Mouse-DoubleClick When-Mouse-Down When-Mouse-Enter When-Mouse-Leave When-
Mouse-Move When-Mouse-Up 4) What is Current record attribute property? 4)
Specifies the named visual attribute used when an item is part of the current
record. Current Record Attribute is frequently used at the block level to display
the current row in a multi-record If you define an item-level Current Record
Attribute, you can display a pre-determined item in a special color when it is
part of the current record, but you cannot dynamically highlight the current item,
as the input focus changes. 5) Can u change VAT at run time? 5) Yes. You can
programmatically change an object's named visual attribute setting to change the
font, color, and pattern of the object at runtime. 6) Can u set default font in
forms? 6) Yes. Change windows registry(regedit). Set form45_font to the desired
font. 7) Can u have OLE objects in forms? 7) Yes. 8) Can u have VBX and OCX
controls in forms? 8) Yes. 9) What r the types of windows (Window style)? 9)
Specifies whether the window is a Document window or a Dialog window. 10) What is
OLE Activation style property? 10) Specifies the event that will activate the OLE
containing item. 11) Can u change the mouse pointer? How? 11) Yes, Specifies the
mouse cursor style. Use this property to dynamically change the shape of the
cursor.
Page 203 of 259

Reports 2.5 13) How many types of columns are there and what are they 5) Formula
columns: For doing mathematical calculations and returning one value Summary
Columns: For doing summary calculations such as summations etc. Place holder
Columns: These columns are useful for storing the value in a variable 6) Can u
have more than one layout in report 14) It is possible to have more than one
layout in a report by using the additional layout option in the layout editor. 3)
Can u run the report with out a parameter form 15) Yes it is possible to run the
report without parameter form by setting the PARAM value to Null 4) What is the
lock option in reports layout 16) By using the lock option we cannot move the
fields in the layout editor outside the frame. This is useful for maintaining the
fields. 17) What is Flex 5) Flex is the property of moving the related fields
together by setting the flex property on 18) What are the minimum number of groups
required for a matrix report 8) The minimum of groups required for a matrix report
are 4 7. I switched the page size to 11x8.5, but the printer still prints in
portrait. Even though you set the page size in the report properties, there is a
another variable in the system parameters section under the data model in the
object navigator called orientation. This sets the printer orientation. Oracle
starts by setting it to "default" which means that no matter how you set the page
size, the user's default printer setup will be used. You can also set it to either
"Landscape" or "Portrait" to force the printer orientation no matter what the user
has set as default. These sorts of picky, minor details are the ones which are
invariably forgotten when you are designing your report and are the reason I
created our two report templates, reptmp_p and reptmp_l (portrait and landscape).
For anyone who wants a consistent look in their reports I strongly recommend
building a similar pair to save yourself an ulcer, unless you actually like
starting from scratch every time!?! 8. I moved this field into that repeating
frame, but I'm still getting a "frequency below it's group" error. Moving fields
around does not change what enclosing object is considered it's parent group.
Oracle carefully remembers what repeating frame a field was originally placed in
and assigns that as it's parent. If you then reference a column further down the
line of the query structure it will return that error. If you are not exactly sure
which repeating frame a field belongs to, try dragging it out of all of them.
Whichever frame will not allow it to escape is it's parent. To change a field's
parent, first click on the lock button on the speed button bar. It should now look
like an unlocked padlock. Now all of the fields on the layout can be repositioned
regardless of their original parent items. When you are satisfied with the
repositioning click the lock button again to lock the layout. Oracle will parse
the layout and assumes that any item fully enclosed in a repeating frame is a
child object of that frame. This can be confirmed again by trying to drag an
object out of it's parent. (Cntrl - Z or edit..undo will put it back where it came
from) Sometimes, for unknown and mysterious reasons, this method does not work.
The alternative in this case is to highlight the field (or fields), cut it (cntrl-
x), and then paste it into the desired frame. The paste does not initially set it
into the right frame, but if you drag and drop it there before clicking on any
other objects, and then click on something else, Oracle will usually figure what
your intent was and assign the object(s) as a child of that frame. This is my
preferred method of changing a field's parent as it works much more consistently
then the unlock/lock method. One note though, if you are reassigning a group of
fields, make sure the frame you are going to move them into is large enough to
accept the whole group at once before
Page 204 of 259

you do the cut/paste. If you do the paste and then try to grow the frame to fit,
you will have to cut and paste again. Once you de-select an object that has just
been pasted, Oracle will assign it as a child of whatever it is in at the time. If
this technique also fails, you are probably going to have to delete and then
recreate the objects within the desired frame. If the object has triggers
attached, save yourself some typing by creating the new object in the right frame,
copying over the trigger code, and then deleting the old object 9. I must put a
repeating frame around these fields. How do I do this easily? Well
congratulations, you have just discovered one of the main reasons why good
planning goes a long way. Oracle looks at the layout as a sort of layered
inheritance model such that anything created on top of and completely inside
another object is by definition a child of that object. Creation order is there
for critical to the layout process. This means that placing a repeating frame on
top of a field but larger than that field fails the ownership criteria. At best,
if the new frame is fully enclosed within the same higher level frame as the field
then the two will be considered sibling children of the higher level frame. From
this point you have two options. First, you can place the new repeating frame in
the correct place and then use the techniques shown above in the "I moved this
field but am still getting a frequency error" to reassign the fields into the new
frame. There is also a second choice (which can also be used as a solution to the
above). Go ahead and draw the new frame around the fields you want to have placed
in it. Now if you try to click on one of the fields you will not be able to as
they are fully covered by the new frame. Now go to the "Arrange" menu. You will
find the options Send to back, bring to front, move forwards, move backwards.
These are used to alter an object position in the Reports layer ordering. You use
the "send backwards" option to move the frame backwards until all of the fields
have popped to the front and are now enclosed in it. Oracle reassigns the new
repeating frame as each object's parent as they pop to the front. Note that you
can only move an object back and forth amongst it's siblings. You cannot set it
back below it's parent, nor in front of it's children. This means that once an
object has popped to the front and had a reassignment of parent, you cannot move
it back using these tools. 10. Why does part of a row sometimes get shifted to the
next page, but not all of it? This is due to the way the scan works when Oracle is
parsing the layout. If the tops of all the fields in a row are aligned and the
fields are all of the same height and font, they should all stay together. I
suspect, however, that Reports bases it's decision on the printed size rather than
the field size you define to determine which objects are too large and must be
shifted to the next page. This means that even if you set two fields top-aligned
with the same height and font but one of them is bolded, the bolded field could
get shifted to the next page due to it's bigger footprint. The solution is to put
the whole row into a regular frame which is page protected. 11. What exactly does
the "Print Condition" do? The print condition type First, All, All but first,
Last, All but last refer to the frequency with which you want to appear based upon
the setting of the print condition object. A print condition object of Enclosing
Object is whichever object encloses the current object (could be the parent or a
frame within the parent), while Anchoring Object is the parent object (unless you
have explicitly anchored the object in which case it is the object to which it is
anchored). The key here is that this is about the pages on which the Print
Condition Object appears, not the current object. Oracle views First as the first
page on which any part of the Print Condition Object is printed, likewise Last is
the last page on which any part of the Print Condition Object is printed. For
objects inside a repeating frame, this condition is re-evaluated for each instance
of the frame. As an example, assume we have created a field inside a repeating
frame with Print Condition Object set to 'anchoring object', and Print Condition
Type set to 'All But First'. On every instance of that repeating frame which is
printed entirely within a single page, our object will not print. However, if an
instance of that frame spans more than one page then our object will print on the
second and every subsequent page that this instance of the repeating frame spans.
Page 205 of 259

For most objects you will not have to play with this print condition setting as
the default setting is pretty good at determining what pages to print on, even
though it only chooses between 'first' and 'last'. Only such things as heading
objects you want reprinted on multiple pages are normally candidates for fooling
around with this setting. How do I create a truly dynamic 'where' condition which
the user can input on the parameter form for my select statement? While setting a
simple parameter for use in defining the select statement, such as a date,
bill_period_id etc. is simple, there are times when you may wish to allow a user
to add any "where" statement they wish. However, if you create a varchar user
variable and try to reference it as an SQL condition ( e.g. Select * from account
where :usercondition) you will get an error. The secret is that the variable must
be initialized to a valid SQL condition before the Data Model will accept it. This
is done in the "Initial Value" spot on the variable's properties form. The usual
default is "1 = 1" which simply means all rows meeting whatever other conditions
are included in the select statement will pass this condition if the user does not
change it in the parameter form. 12. How do I change a user parameter at runtime
from a layout object trigger? Quite simply, you can't. Once the Before Report
trigger has fired, Reports locks down the user parameters until the report is
finished. Oh, I know you can put a statement into a layout trigger at design time
and the compiler will accept it, but the moment you run the report you will get a
nasty error and the report will die. Why they couldn't catch those problems at
compile time I have no idea, except that it probably uses the same PL/SQL compiler
as Forms which uses that same syntax for the perfectly acceptable function of
changing field values. That being said, there is valid technique to mimic having a
user variable which can be changed over the course of the report execution. What
you have to do is create a PL/SQL package that contains a variable as well as the
functions to read and write to that variable. Since variables inside a package are
both local to that package and persistent over the duration of the run, you use
this to save and change your variable value. I know that this seems like overkill,
but it is the most efficient way of handling an issue that is very rarely
encountered. As you can probably guess, this technique is a last resort to finding
an SQL work around if one exists. 13. How do I set the initial values of
parameters for the parameter form at runtime? This is what the Before Form trigger
is primarily used for. Even if you have used a select statement to create a lookup
list for the parameter, this statement is fully parsed before the parameter form
is opened. Simply setting the parameter to a given value in the Before Form
trigger will select that option as the default value displayed to the user. For
example, assume you have a parameter called p_input_date which is intended to hold
an invoice date. The following example will select the most recent invoice date as
the default, and note that it properly handles exceptions to ensure that the
report does not arbitrarily die if this default setting fails. Note also that like
all report triggers, it must return a true or false value. function BeforePForm
return boolean is begin select max(bill_period_end_date + 1) into :p_input_date
from billing_period where bill_period_end_date <= (select trunc(sysdate) from
dual); return (TRUE); exception when others then :p_input_date := null; 1.
Page 206 of 259

return true; end; 14. Why can't I highlight a bunch of fields and change all their
format masks or print conditions at once? You can. If you highlight a bunch of
objects and then right click and select "properties..", Oracle gives you a stacked
set of the individual properties forms for each of the selected objects. While
this may be useful for some things, it requires changing values individually for
each object. However, instead you can select the group of fields and then select
"Common properties" from the "Tools" menu which will allow you to set the format
mask , print conditions etc. for the whole set of objects at once. 15. How do I
change the printed value of a field at runtime? Triggers are intended to simply
provide a true or false return value to determine whether an object should be
printed. It is generally not allowed to change any values held in the cursor, make
changes to the database, or change the value of it's objects value. That being
said, there is a highly unpublicized method of doing just that using the
SRW.Set_Field_Char procedure. The syntax is SRW.Set_Field_char(0,) and the output
of the object that the current trigger is attached to will be replaced by . There
are also SRW.set_fileld_num, and SRW.set_field_date for numeric or date fields.
While these options do work, they should only be used if a suitable NVL or DECODE
statement in the original query is not possible as they are much, much slower to
run. Also, note that this change of value only applies to the formatted output. It
does not change the value held in the cursor and so can not be used for evaluating
summary totals. Record group types There are three types of record groups: query
record groups, non-query record groups, and static record groups. Query record
group A query record group is a record group that has an associated SELECT
statement. The columns in a query record group derive their default names, data
types, and lengths from the database columns referenced in the SELECT statement.
The records in a query record group are the rows retrieved by the query associated
with that record group. Query record groups can be created and modified at design
time or at runtime. Non-query record group A non-query record group is a group
that does not have an associated query, but whose structure and values can be
modified programmatically at runtime. Non-query record groups can be created and
modified only at runtime. Static record group A static record group is not
associated with a query; instead, you define its structure and row values at
design time, and they remain fixed at runtime. Static record groups can be created
and modified only at design time. You do not specify the record group type
explicitly. The type is implied by when the record group is created (at design
time or at runtime) and by how the group is defined. Table Type nodes Table types
appear within the Types node in the Object Navigator. A table type node represents
a type created by the SQL statement, CREATE TYPE AS TABLE. The table type is
displayed in the Object Navigator as: table-type-name (TABLE OF table-subtype-
name) The table type node is not expandable if the subtype is a built-in type. If
the subtype is an object type or REF object, the attributes of the object appear
as subnodes. The following SQL statements create the object type emp_typ and the
table type emp_tbl. CREATE TYPE emp_typ AS OBJECT (ename VARCHAR2(30), esalary
NUMBER(5,2), MEMBER PROCEDURE raise(amount NUMBER), MEMBER FUNCTION get_salary
RETURN NUMBER, MAP MEMBER FUNCTION compare RETURN NUMBER); CREATE TYPE emp_tbl AS
TABLE OF emp_typ;
Page 207 of 259

Oracle8 is an object-relational database management system, which means you can

define additional kinds of data-specifying both the data and the ways of operating
on it-and use these types within the relational model. There are two categories of
user-defined datatypes: object types and collection types. User-defined datatypes
use the built-in datatypes (such as CHAR, VARCHAR2, and NUMBER) and other user-
defined datatypes as the building blocks for datatypes that model the structure
and behavior of data in applications. An object type serves as a template for
objects. An object type specifies the elements (or attributes) that make up a
structured data unit like a purchase order. Some attributes, such as the list of
line items, may be other structured data units. An object type also specifies the
operations (or methods) you can perform on the data unit, such as determining the
total value of a purchase order. Collection types describe data units that are
made up of an indefinite number of elements, all of the same datatype. The
collection types are varying array types and table types. A varying array type
specifies a data unit called VARRAY, which is an ordered set of data elements all
of the same datatype. The number of elements in a VARRAY (or its size) is
variable. However, you must specify a maximum size when you declare the varying
array type. A table type specifies a data unit called a nested table, which is an
unordered set of data elements all of the same datatype. A nested table has a
single column, and the type of that column is a built-in type or an object type.
Matrix reports A matrix (crosstab) report contains one row of labels, one column
of labels, and information in a grid format that is related to the row and column
labels. A distinguishing feature of matrix reports is that the number of columns
is not known until the data is fetched from the database. To create a matrix
report, you need at least four groups: one group must be a cross-product group,
two of the groups must be within the cross-product group to furnish the "labels,"
and at least one group must provide the information to fill the cells. The groups
can belong to a single query or to multiple queries.

What are the Delimiters we are using in the SQL* Loader? Delimiters are used to
separate the column values in control file. In SQL * Loader we commonly using
delimiters is ‘camas’. Bookmark Go to End Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Oracle
Payables Invoice Processing Release 10.7, 11.0 and 11.5(11i) The information in
this document has been reviewed and is current as of 22-Nov-2002. Instructions for
the reader: This FAQ document identifies the most frequently reported how-to
questions relating to the Oracle Payables Invoice Processing. The articles below
do not include bugs/patches or troubleshooting as these are addressed in great
detail in the notes referenced at the bottom of this document. FAQ Summary 1.
iSupplier Invoices: How do I use iSupplier Portal Invoice Entry?

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Match/Hold: How do I remove a Final Matching hold so that I can pay the invoice?
Match: What do the codes in the Final Match flag mean and what does Final Match
do? Invoice Type: What is a "Mixed" invoice and how do I enter one? Tax: How do I
create a Withholding Tax Invoice? Interest: How do I create Interest Invoices?
Match: How to Match Invoices to Purchase Orders?
Page 208 of 259

8.

9. 10. Supplier Import: Is it possible to import suppliers from my legacy system

into Oracle Payables? 11. Requester: In 11i, what is the "Requestor" field used
for on the Invoice Workbench? 12. Setup: What articles, white papers, or manuals
should I read for more information on Expense 13. 14.
Report Import (Invoice Import in 10.7 and 11.0)? Keywords: What are the MetaLink
keywords I should use when searching for Invoice Processing Issues? Patches: List
of One-Off Patch available for Invoice Processing

New Features: What new Invoice Processing features have been introduced since 11i
was released? Approval/Validation: What happened to the Invoice Approval option
after applying 11i.AP.I?

FAQ Details The Invoice document is used to bill the Buyer for services and/or
products delivered by the Seller. Credit is the means by which we are able to
obtain immediate benefit of goods or services upon the promise of payment at a
future date.

Credit memo: When you want to adjust an invoice, document issued by the vendor to
record an adjustment against an invoice. Description The supplier presents to the
customer for the ordered or delivered, received or consumed goods or services a
detailed invoice. The customer disputes the invoice and works with supplier to
resolve issue. If any discrepancy is found, the customer shall start the process
to treat incorrect invoices. Once Supplier and Customer agree upon the nature of
the dispute, Supplier issues a credit memo to correct the problem. Buyer receives
credit memo, reconciles with order and contract information and issues payment.
Negative = Credit Positive = Debit

Verify its correctness.

o o o o o

Note the reason for the credit if it is not clear on the credit memo itself
Indicate the account and center where the credit should be applied. Forward all
credits to Accounts Payable immediately so that the credit can be applied to your
cost center and deducted from the next payment to the vendor. DO NOT HOLD CREDITS
IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR ANY REASON. Accounts Payable will apply the credit against
any open invoices in the system. Make a copy for your records.

Debit memo: Negative amount invoice created by us and sent to supplier to

notifying him about the credit we are recording. AP is divided in to 2
workbenches. Invoice workbench Payable workbench We usually enter supplier invoice
either in Invoice workbench or quick invoice window. Invoice workbench: Contains:
• Invoice Batch window • Invoice window
Page 209 of 259

• Distribution window • Other associated windows When to use: • Incase of complex

invoices or invoices that requires online validation. • When an invoice requires
immediate action. Quick invoice window: • Used for quick high volume invoice entry
for invoices that don’t requires extensive validation. After entry just import
into payable system, validation and defaulting will occur during import. For more
see page 342 of Oracle payables.pdf Invoice distribution: It allocates total
invoice allowance to various expense or asset accounts. Expanse Reports: Invoice
Creation: Invoice Distributions: Account: Company have different COA so follow
that hierarchy for each set of item. Accounting Date: Date when we are planning to
post it to GL ie. GL Date. Payments: Record: Manual payments (checks,wire) which
are made out of OP and they will be recorded in Op and update the invoice for
which you have paid. Computer Generated: Combined:
Page 210 of 259

Payment: Lookup: It is a predefined values used as a LOV. In some fields we select

a value from a predefined set of values, In some cases we have defined them in the
setup windows such as supplier name,payment terms or tax codes. Other predefined
set of values are Lookup codes. Lookup Category Lookup type ex. Invoice type
Allowed values are called Lookup names. Ex. Standard, Debit memo, Credit ,memo,
Prepayment. For a lookup type we can define upto 250 Lookup names. Navigation:
Setup Lookups For more details see Developer’s Guide pg. 58. Distribution Sets:
It is a predefined set of distribution for a repeated or a same set of
distribution form a supplier. We can either link it to supplier site or we can
link it to the invoice. There are 2 types of distribution sets. Full Distribution
Sets: We will define % amount of the invoice to each distribution line and sum of
all lines must be either 0 or 100. We can enter –ve % values. Skeleton
Distribution Sets: Leave the % field as 0 so that at the time of invoice creation
you ca enter amount in different distribution lines. For more details see
Developer’s Guide pg. 63. Purchase document: Use Bank window to define internal
bank branch from which you disburse payments. For each bank account we can define
payment document for check, EFT, EDI or wire transfer and other payment methods.

Q1. iSupplier Invoices: How do I use iSupplier Portal Invoice Entry? A: iSupplier
Invoice entry is a new feature released with one-off patch 2234922, Procurement
Family Pack H and Financials Family Pack C (same as 11i.AP.J). Using this new
feature your suppliers can enter their invoices on-line directly into AP through
the iSupplier module. For a complete overview of this new feature including
implementation steps and usage instructions, please refer to the 11i Payables User
Guide (pages 4-171 through 4-174) available via Metalink. This users guide is
current as of Family Pack C (11i.AP.J) and contains installation instructions for
all new features released in 11i. [top] Q2. Match/Hold: How do I remove a Final
Matching hold so that I can pay the invoice? A:This hold is in effect because the
invoice was matched to a PO line that has a status of Final Closed. There is no
way to manually remove the hold; the system must remove the hold. There are two
workarounds for this situation: Workaround #1: You need to reverse the
distribution line that has the final match hold. You can then create a new PO
line, and match to that line. Workaround #2: You can manually create a
distribution line on the invoice that is not matched to the PO, but is charged to
the correct GL account. For More information on Final Match Holds see Note
1026090.6. [top] Q3. Match:What do the codes in the Final Match flag mean and what
does Final Match do?
Page 211 of 259

A:After you match an invoice to a Purchase Order, you can look at the
AP_INVOICE_DISTRIBUTIONS_ALL table and observe different codes in the FINAL_MATCH
FLAG column. The FINAL_MATCH_FLAG has the following QuickCodes: N No The PO
shipment line has not been matched. Y Yes The PO shipment line has been matched,
AND one of the invoices for this PO has been final matched. When a PO is final
matched to an invoice, all other invoices for that PO are updated, too. So you
cannot tell from this flag, which invoice was final matched. D Done The PO
shipment line is closed. You cannot invoice this distribution line. Note: When you
match an invoice to a PO, nothing special happens. But when you final match an
invoice to a PO, that means you can never match another invoice to that PO. The PO
lines that have been matched are closed. [top] Q4. Invoice Type: What is a "Mixed"
Invoice and how do I enter one? A:Mixed Invoices are invoices or credit/debit
memos for which you can perform both positive and negative matching to purchase
orders and to other invoices. For example, you can enter an invoice for -$100 with
Invoice Type Mixed. You can match to an invoice for $-200, and match to a purchase
order for $100. To enter a Mixed invoice: 1. Enter the invoice or credit/debit
memo in the Invoices Summary, and enter Mixed as the invoice Type. You can enter
either a positive or negative invoice amount. 2. Match to purchase orders, and/or
invoices. [top] Q5. How do I create a Withholding Tax invoice? A:After you apply
withholding tax to an invoice, you can optionally create invoices to remit
withheld tax to the tax authority. Payables can automatically create withholding
tax invoices, or you can perform this task manually. If you chose to automatically
create withholding tax invoices, you must choose whether to do this during
Approval or during payment processing. Indicate this choice in the Withholding Tax
region of the Payables Options window. See: Withholding Tax Payables Options. If
you choose to create withholding tax invoice manually, create an invoice for each
Withholding Tax type invoice distribution on an invoice. Create the invoice for
the tax authority supplier and site assigned to the Withholding Tax type tax name
and for the amount of the Withholding Tax type invoice distribution. Please see
Note 198307.1 and the 11i Payables User Guide (pages 10-26 through 10-55), for
more information on Withholding Tax invoice creation. [top] Q6. Interest: How do I
create Interest Invoices? A:Chapter 10 of the 11i Payables User Guide discusses
setting up and using Interest Invoices. Also see Note 198308.1 for more
information on creating Interest Invoices including coverage of the following
Interest Invoice sub-topics: 1) Setting steps that must be completed 2) Minimum
Interest amounts 3) Expense GL Account to be charged for interest expense 4)
Liability GL Account to be charged for interest expense 5) Automatic Interest 6)
Invoice Due Date calculations 7) Interest amount calculations [top] Q7. Match: How
do I Match Invoices to Purchase Orders?
Page 212 of 259

A: Note 198535.1 provides detailed instructions for matching purchase orders to

Invoices. This content is presented in the form of a white paper in PDF format.
The 11i Payables User Guide (pages 4-68 through 4-82) also provides a thorough
overview of the Invoice Matching process. [top] Q8. New Features: What new Invoice
Processing features have been introduced since 11i was released? A: For a complete
description of new features released in Mini-Packs "A" through "I" please review
Note 166537.1. Beginning with 11i.AP.J and continuing with Family Packs C+,
Payables will deliver new feature descriptions in the "About" document for each
Mini/Family Pack. Please see the 11i.AP.J About document for more details. AP
support strongly recommends that you install the corresponding documentation patch
for Mini/Family Packs that you apply. These documentation patches contain the most
up to date OnLine Help files with instructions on how to use or implement the new
functionality introduced by the patch. Note: 11i.AP.J was the last Payables Mini-
Pack for 11i. After Mini-Pack J, Payables will deliver all 11i consolidated
patches in Family Packs. 11i.AP.J will contain the same code release as Financials
Family Pack C. New Invoice Processing Features by Mini/Family Pack: AP.J / Family
Pack C: Interest Expense Proration, Enhanced Matching Controls for Finally Closed
Purchase Orders, Payment Batch Enhancements, Invoice Approval Workflow
Enhancements, iSupplier Portal Invoices. AP.I: View Currency Details, Primary Pay
Site, Invoice Approval Workflow AP.E: Negative Supplier Balance Report, Employee
Update Program AP.A: Automatic Creation of Debit Memo from RTS, Input Tax Groups
[top] Q9. Approval/Validation: What happened to the Invoice Approval option after
applying 11i.AP.I? A: In Mini-pack I, Payables is adding a new workflow named
Invoice Approval Workflow that asks approvers to review invoice details, and
confirm online whether the invoice is accurate and should be paid. The Payables
Approval program has been renamed to prevent confusion with the new workflow and
to more accurately reflect its function. For a complete list of the renamed
programs see Note: 179837.1. [top] Q10. Supplier Import: Is it possible to import
suppliers from my legacy system into Oracle Payables? A: This functionality does
not currently exist however enhancement an enhancement request has been logged.
Please follow bug 94383 for up to date status on this request. [top] Q11.
Requestor: In 11i, what is the "Requestor" field used for on the Invoice
Workbench? A: This field represents the person who requested the goods or services
that are on the invoice. If you use Invoice Approval Workflow, then you can define
rules that use this value to generate a hierarchical list of approvers for the
invoice. [top] Q12. Setup: What articles, white papers, or manuals should I read
for more information on Invoice Processing? A: Please see the Metalink Note
207154.1 for the most current version of the 11i Payables Users Guide. [top] Q13.
What are the MetaLink keywords I should use when searching for Invoice Processing
Issues on MetaLink? A: PAYABLES; APXINWKB; INVOICE [top]
Page 213 of 259

Q14. Patches: List off One-Off Patch available for Invoice Processing A: A listing
of the most frequently requested one-off patches for Invoice processing can be
found in Note 202259.1. [top] IMPORTANT: If you did not find the information you
were searching for, please review the following Payables Invoice Processing
information: Payables Invoice Processing Current Issues Payables Invoice
Processing One-Off Patches Payables Invoice Processing Setup and Usage
Instructions Payables Invoice Processing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Payables Invoice Processing Troubleshooting Guide Copyright © 2002 Oracle
Corporation. All rights reserved. Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle
Corporation. Various product and service names referenced herein may be trademarks
of Oracle Corporation. All other product and service names mentioned may be
trademarks of their respective owners. Disclaimer: This document is provided for
information purposes only and the contents hereof are subject to change without
notice. Oracle Corporation does not warrant that this document is error-free, nor
does it provide any other warranties or conditions, whether expressed orally or
implied in law, including implied warranties and conditions of merchantability or
fitness for a particular purpose. Oracle Corporation specifically disclaims any
liability with respect to this document and no contractual obligations are formed
either directly or indirectly by this document. This document may not be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
for any purpose, without the prior written permission of Oracle Corporation. .
Bookmark Go to End Patches Guide Oracle Payables Payables Open Interface and
Expense Report Import (formerly Invoice Import) Versions 10.7, 11.0 and 11.5(11i)
The information in this document has been reviewed and is current as of 26-Nov-
2002

Instructions for the reader: This Patches Guide provides information for one-off
patches, which may or may not be included in recent Mini-Packs or Family Packs.
Click on the patch number to view specific details about the patch. Before
application of the patches listed in this document, please be sure you have
reviewed the information provided in the Payables Critical Patch Note. Patch list
Summary APXXTR: Expense Report Import (Invoice Import in 10.7 and 11.0) For more
information click on the patch number listed below 1) Patch 2385900 11i Import
fails with APP-SQLAP-10916: APIDBI/1:ORA-01458:invalid length inside variable
character string. ONE-OFF FOR BASE BUG 2385900. 2) Patch 2222486 11i Import errors
with Signal 11 when Prepayment is applied to expense report. ONE-OFF FOR BASE BUG
2222486. 3) Patch 2277148 11i Import fails with APP-SQLAP-10916: apiisp/01:ORA-
1458:invalid length inside variable character string. ONE-OFF FOR BASE BUG
2277148. 4) Patch 1858968 11i Imported Expense Reports Created with site of Office
Instead of Home. ONE-OFF FOR BASE BUG 1858968. 5) Patch 2199740 11i Import Fails
with APP-SQLAP-10916: APIICB/1:ORA 01722:Invalid Number. ONEOFF FOR BASE BUG
1960350. 6) Patch 2606164 11i Expense Report Import truncates invoice amount in
the Payment Schedules for expense reports. ONE-OFF FOR BASE BUG 2606164. 7) Patch
1135567 10.7 Import Allows Invoices to be imported into closed period. ONE-OFF FOR
BASE BUG 1135567. 8) Patch 2425909 11i Import fails with Signal 11 after applying
patch 2244869. ONE-OFF FOR BASE BUG 2425909.
Page 214 of 259

9) Patch 2478471 11i Import fails with APP-SQLAP-10916: apiicv/5:ORA-01426:

numeric overflow. ONEOFF FOR BASE BUG 2478471. APXIIMPT: Open Interface Import 1)
Patch 2227273 11i Open Interface Import report shows duplicate invoices with the
same invoice number. ONE-OFF FOR BASE BUG 2204291. 2) Patch 2361634 11i APXIIMPT
report truncates report header information. ONE-OFF FOR BASE BUG 2303767. 3) Patch
2017593 11i APXIIMPT does not reject invoices matched to PO�s with wrong PO lines.
ONE-OFF FOR BASE BUG 1927155. 4) Patch 2538037 11i Open Interface gives IPV line
on invs uploaded w/o unit. ONE-OFF FOR BASE BUG 2531058. 5) Patch 2442692 11i
Invoices not imported even if the dist code concat is valid. ONE-OFF FOR BASE BUG
2429210. Patch Details APXXTR: Expense Report Import (Invoice Import in 10.7 and
11.0) 1) 2385900 Import fails with APP-SQLAP-10916: APIDBI/1:ORA-01458: invalid
length inside variable character string Download Patch 2385900 Problems fixed by
this patch: Import fails with: Getting invoice id � Validating holds � Inserting
invoice records � APP-SQLAP-10916: apidbi/1:ORA-01458: invalid length inside
variable character string � Cleaning allocated memory See Alert 201119.1 for more
details on this bug Files fixed and version: apidib.lpc 115.10.1156.5 Prerequisite
Patch Level: 11i.AP.I Fixed in Mini-Pack or Family Pack:N/A [top] 2) 2222486
Import Errors with Signal 11 Download Patch 2222486 Problems fixed by this patch
When a prepayment is applied to an expense report and the expense report is
imported, the import program fails with signal 11 error.This is bug 2021385
Prerequisite Patch Level: 11i.AP.F Fixed in Mini-Pack or Family Pack:11i.AP.I
[top] 3) 2277148 Import fails with APP-SQLAP-10916: apiisp/01:ORA-01458: invalid
length inside variable character string Download Patch 2277148 Problems fixed by
this patch After applying 11i.AP.H, the following errors were reported:Import
fails with APP-SQLAP-10916: apiisp/01:ORA-1458: invalid length inside variable
character string. Program was terminated by signal 11. Files fixed and version:
apiisp.lpc 115.11 Prerequisite Patch Level: 11i.AP.H Fixed in Mini-Pack or Family
Pack: N/A [top] 4) 1858968 Imported Expense Reports Created with site of Office
instead of Home Download Patch 1858968 Problems fixed by this patch: Imported
Expense Reports Created with site of Office Instead of Home.More information can
be found in Note 156780.1 Files fixed and version: apxgii.lpc 115.16 Prerequisite
Patch Level: 11i.AP.E Fixed in Mini-Pack or Family Pack: 11i.AP.G [top] 5) 2199740
Import Fails with APP-SQLAP-10916: APIICB/1:ORA 01722: Invalid Number Download
Patch 2199740 Problems fixed by this patch: Payables Invoice Import fails with the
error APP-SQLAP-10916: APIICB/1:ORA 01722: Invalid Number. Files fixed and
version: apiicb.lpc 115.8 Prerequisite Patch Level:N/A Fixed in Mini-Pack or
Family Pack:11i.AP.I [top] 6) 2606164 Expense Report Import truncates invoice
amount in the Payment Schedules for expense reports
Page 215 of 259

Download Patch 2606164 Problems fixed by this patch: Expense report import program
was removing the decimal points of payment currency invoice amount. e.g. If the
invoice amount is 9.99 and the invoice currency and payment currencies are same,
then it was calculating the payment currency invoice amount as 9 instead of 9.99.
Files fixed and version: apidbi.lpc-115.17 Prerequisite Patch Level: There are no
Prereq patches included or required for/with this patch Fixed in Mini-Pack or
Family Pack: 11i.FIN_PF.D (Not yet released) [top] 7) 1135567 Import Allows
Invoices to be imported into closed period Download Patch 1135567 Problems fixed
by this patch: Import Allows Invoices to be imported into closed period Files
fixed and version: N/A Prerequisite Patch Level: 10.7.AP.N Fixed in Mini-Pack or
Family Pack: 10.7.AP.U (11.0 bug fix is included in 11.0.AP.D) [top] 8) 2425909
Import fails with Signal 11 after applying patch 2244869 Download Patch 2425909
Problems fixed by this patch: Import provides correct matching files Files fixed
and version: N/A Prerequisite Patch Level: Patch must be applied over patchset
11i.AP.G and oneoffs 2222486, 2244869 and 2214599. Fixed in Mini-Pack or Family
Pack: N/A [top] 9) 2478471 Import fails with APP-SQLAP-10916: apiicv/5:ORA-01426:
numeric overflow Download Patch 2478471 Problems fixed by this patch: The Expense
Report Import creates new vendors with numeric overflow without errors. Files
fixed and version: N/A Prerequisite Patch Level: 11i AP.J Fixed in Mini-Pack or
Family Pack: 11i.FIN_PF.D (Family Pack D) and higher [top] APXIIMPT: Open
Interface Import 1) 2227273 Open Interface Import report shows duplicate invoices
with the same invoice number Download Patch 2227273 Problems fixed by this patch:
Open Interface Import report shows duplicate invoices with the same invoice
number. Files fixed and version: APXIIMPT.rdf 115.118 Prerequisite Patch Level:
11i.AP.F Fixed in Mini-Pack or Family Pack: 11i.AP.I [top] 2) 2361634 APXIIMPT
report truncates report header information Download Patch 2361634 Problems fixed
by this patch: Open Interface Import Truncating Report Header Information. Files
fixed and version: APXIIMPT.rdf 115.120 Prerequisite Patch Level: 11i.AP.G Fixed
in Mini-Pack or Family Pack:11i.AP.J [top] 3) 2017593 APXIIMPT does not reject
invoices matched to PO�s with wrong PO lines Download Patch 2017593 Problems fixed
by this patch: APXIIMPT does not reject invoices matched to PO�s with wrong PO
lines Files fixed and version: apiimptb.pls Prerequisite Patch Level: No Mini-Pack
pre-requisite however must apply one-off 1952655 Fixed in Mini-Pack or Family
Pack: 11i.AP.G [top] 4)2538037 Open Interface gives IPV line on invs uploaded w/o
unit Download Patch 2538037 Problems fixed by this patch: If the line and quantity
invoiced is provided in the Open Interface Form withhout any unit price then the
Payables Open Interface imports the invoice will null unit price resulting in
creation of IPV Lines when the Invoice is accounted. Files fixed and version:
apiimptb.pls 115.7.1157.8
Page 216 of 259

Prerequisite Patch Level: 11i.AP.G Fixed in Mini-Pack or Family Pack: 11i.FIN_PF.D

[top] 5)2442692 Invoices not imported even if the dist code concat is valid
Download Patch 2442692 Problems fixed by this patch: Invoices are getting rejected
when the Dynamic Insertion is ON even if the Dist Code Concatenated is valid.
Files fixed and version: apiimptb.pls 115.7.115.7 Prerequisite Patch Level:
11i.AP.G Fixed in Mini-Pack or Family Pack: 11I.FIN_PF.D [top]

IMPORTANT:If you did not find the information you were searching for, please
review the following Payables Import documents Payables Invoice Import Current
Issues Payables Invoice Import One-Off Patches Payables Invoice Import Setup and
Usage Instructions Payables Expense Report Import Troubleshooting Guide Payables
Open Interface Import Troubleshooting Guide Payables Expense Report Import
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ�s) Payables Open Interface Import Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ�s) Copyright © 2002 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved. Oracle
is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation. Various product and service names
referenced herein may be trademarks of Oracle Corporation. All other product and
service names mentioned may be trademarks of their respective owners. Disclaimer:
This document is provided for information purposes only and the contents hereof
are subject to change without notice. Oracle Corporation does not warrant that
this document is error-free, nor does it provide any other warranties or
conditions, whether expressed orally or implied in law, including implied
warranties and conditions of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Oracle Corporation specifically disclaims any liability with respect to this
document and no contractual obligations are formed either directly or indirectly
by this document. This document may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior
written permission of Oracle Corporation.. . Bookmark BookmarkGo to End
Troubleshooting Guide Oracle Payables Payables Transfer to GL (Posting) Versions
10.7, 11.0, 11.5 (11i) The information in this document has been reviewed and is
current as of 25-Nov-2002. Go to End

Instructions for the reader: This Troubleshooting document identifies the most
frequently reported setup and usage problems/errors relating to Payables Transfer
to General Ledger. The articles below do not include bugs/patches or FAQ's, as
these are addressed in great detail in the notes referenced at the bottom of this
document. Troubleshooting Summary 15. Script: Diagnostic Script that identifies
transactions that are not transferred to GL (Release 11.5).

16. Script: Diagnostic Script that identifies problems with the transfer to GL
process for one transaction
or and entire Payables Transfer to GL run (Release 11.5).

17. Script: Diagnostic Script that identifies problems posting a transaction

(Release 10.7 and 11.0).
Page 217 of 259

18. Script: Diagnostice Script that provides table level details of invoices and
payments. 19. Prob: There are payments and/or invoices that are not posting to GL,
and you believe they should
post.

20. Prob: Payables Transfer to GL was successful, but the Journal Import is not
importing the data into
GL

21. Error: UNDIST error on some payments when using Automatic Offsets (Release
10.7 and 11.0). 22. Prob: RATE exception when running Payables Transfer to GL. 23.
Prob: PERIOD exception when transferring tax lines created from Multiple Tax
Distributions (MTD)
to GL (Release 10.7 and 11.0).

24. Error: Payables Transfer to GL errors with APP-10962 APJEL/35 ORA-1458

(Release 10.7 and
11.0).

25. Prob: Payables Transfer to GL program / Accounts Payable Journal Entry Audit
Report shows No
data found (Release 10.7 and 11.0).

26. Prob: Payables Transfer to General Ledger Report shows No Data Exists (Release
11i) 27. Prob: The Journal Import process fails when kicked off by the Payables
Transfer to GL process
(Release 10.7 and 11.0).

28. Error: Closing the AP Accounting Period errors with APP-SQLAP-10741 (Release
11.5). 29. Error: Payables Transfer to General Ledger Report lists some of the
transactions as "Accounting
entries have accounting entry creation errors" (Release 115).

30. Error: Payables Transfer to GL exits with Status 1 ORA-20100 File o0000004.tmp
creation for
FND_FILE failed ORA-06512 (Release 11.5).

31. Prob: What articles, white papers, or manuals should I read for more
information on Payables
Transfer to GL?

32. Prob: What are the MetaLink keywords I should use when searching for Payables
Transfer to GL
on MetaLink?

33. Prob: The problems and solutions listed in this guide do not answer my
question.
Note: Create Accounting issues are listed separately in Note 131225.1
Troubleshooting Details 1. Script: Diagnostic Script that helps to identify
transactions that are not transferred to GL for Release 11.5. Sol: The Closing
script is available for download in Note 180165.1. This script lists any
transactions that are not accounted or transferred to GL in an html file in
portrait format. [top] 2. Script: Diagnostic Script that identifies problems with
the Transfer to GL process for one transaction or an entire Payables Transfer to
GL run for Release 11.5. Sol: The Posting Diagnostic script is available for
download in Note 185935.1. This script lists any problems when running the
Payables Transfer to GL process in an html file in portrait format. [top] 3.
Script: Diagnostic Script that identifies problems posting a transaction for
Release 10.7 and 11.0. Sol: The scripts found in Note 105929.1 help identify
problems when posting a transaction. [top] 4. Script: Diagnostice Script that
provides table level details of invoices and payments. Sol: Please download and
run the APLIST script from Note 148388.1 to see detailed data information on an
invoice or payment. [top]
Page 218 of 259

5. Prob: There are payments and/or invoices that are not posting to GL and you
believe they should post. Sol: Ensure invoices are ready to post. An invoice must
be approved and/or have no posting holds in order to be selected for posting. To
ensure that your invoices are ready to post, you should run autoapproval and
review the hold reports. Invoice Hold Report - displays all held invoices. Posting
Hold Report - only displays invoices with holds that prevent posting. Matching
Hold Report - only displays invoices with matching holds. Ensure payments are
made. You must insure that all your payment batches have been completed (either
confirmed or canceled). A period will not close if there are payment batches in a
status other than confirmed or canceled. If an invoice is approved but will not
pay, you should insure that the invoice is due to be paid and that the payment
schedule is not on hold. [top] 6. Prob: Payables Transfer to GL was successful,
but the Journal Import is not importing the data into GL Sol: Examine AP Reports
for Exceptions and Correct. Transactions that were selected but encountered some
exception are not inserted into the GL_INTERFACE table nor are they updated to
�Posted�. (Exceptions can be an inactive accounting flexfield value, a GL_DATE in
an un-opened GL period, exchange rate missing, etc.) After the process is
complete, the AP Journal reports are generated to display the results of the
posting selection. These reports are very important and should be saved. They are
generated directly from the posting process and can not be rerun at a later date.
Accounts Payable Journal Entry Audit Report This report lists the details of the
accounting transactions that have been inserted into the GL_INTERFACE table. It
displays the AP transaction, its corresponding debits and credits, the GL accounts
affected, and more. Accounts Payable Journal Entry Exception Report This report
displays the transactions that encountered an exception during the posting
process. Each transaction includes an exception code that explains why it was
prevented from posting. All transactions appearing on this report will require
some change in order to be selected for posting the next time you run the AP
transfer process. [top] 7. Error: In Release 10.7 or 11.0, you are using Automatic
Offsets, and you get an "undist" error on some of the payments. Sol: Navigate to
Payments -> Invalid GL Accounts. Query in this form to show the accounts that are
causing the "undist" error. You can correct the invalid accounts in this form.
[top] 8. Prob: You get a RATE exception when running Payables Transfer to GL. Sol:
Populate the Daily Rates table for the exchange date, run Autorate, if needed, and
rerun the Payables Transfer to General Ledger program. [top] 9. Prob: You get a
PERIOD exception when transferring tax lines created from Multiple Tax
Distributions (MTD) to GL in Release 10.7 and 11.0. Sol: Please see Note 94351.1
[top] 10. Error: In Release 10.7 and 11.0, Payables Transfer to General Ledger
process errors with APP10962 APJEL/35 ORA-1458 value larger than specified
precision allows for this column. Sol: Please review Note 96119.1
Page 219 of 259

[top] 11. Prob: In Release 10.7 and 11.0, Payables Transfer to GL program shows
'No data found'. Sol: Please review Note 1067036.6 and Note 1012060.7 [top] 12.
Prob: In Release11.5, the Payables Transfer to General Ledger Report shows No Data
Exists. Sol: Please review Note 188354.1 [top] 13. Prob: In Release 10.7 and 11.0,
the Journal Import process fails when kicked off by the Payables Transfer to GL
process. Sol: Please review Note 107272.1 [top] 14. Prob: Closing the AP
Accounting Period in Release 11.5 errors with APP-SQLAP-10741: This period cannot
be closed because there are accounting entries that have not been transferred to
GL. Sol: Please review Note 174638.1 [top] 15. Error: In Release 11.5, Payables
Transfer to General Ledger Report lists some of the transactions as "Accounting
entries have accounting entry creation errors". Sol: There is a problem with the
accounting for your transactions. Please either review Payables Accounting Process
Report, which is created when the Payables Accounting Process is run, or the run
the Payables Accounting Entries Report to determine which transactions are
accounted incorrectly. For additional help troubleshooting accounting problems,
please review Note 131225.1 [top] top 16. Error: In Release 11.5, Payables
Transfer to GL exits with Status 1 ORA-20100 File o0000004.tmp creation for
FND_FILE failed ORA-06512. Sol: Please review Note 141706.1 [top] 17. What
articles, white papers, or manuals should I read for more information on Payables
Transfer to GL? Sol: Please review the Transfer to GL (Posting) Setup and Usage
Guide for a complete list of available documents. [top] 18. Prob: What are the
MetaLink keywords I should use when searching for Payables transfer to GL on
MetaLink? Sol: APPPST, APGLTRANS, APXGLTRN, POST, POSTING, GLLEZL, GENERAL LEDGER,
GL [top] 19. Prob: The problems and solutions listed in this guide do not answer
my question. Sol: If the Troubleshooting list for Payables Transfer to GL does not
answer your question, please click here to log an iTar.
Page 220 of 259

[top] IMPORTANT: If you did not find the information you were searching for,
please review the following Payables Transfer to GL (Posting) documents Payables
Transfer to GL (Posting) Current Issues Payables Transfer to GL (Posting) One-Off
Patches Payables Transfer to GL (Posting) Setup and Usage Instructions Payables
Transfer to GL (Posting) Troubleshooting Guide Payables Transfer to GL (Posting)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ�s) 10.7 and 11.0 Payables Transfer to GL (Posting)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) 11i Oracle Payables One-Off Patch Directory
http://metalink.oracle.com/metalink/plsql/showdoc?db=NOT&id=177591.1
http://metalink.oracle.com/metalink/plsql/showdoc?db=NOT&id=177591.1Copyright ©
2002 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved. Oracle is a registered trademark of
Oracle Corporation. Various product and service names referenced herein may be
trademarks of Oracle Corporation. All other product and service names mentioned
may be trademarks of their respective owners. Disclaimer: This document is
provided for information purposes only and the contents hereof are subject to
change without notice. Oracle Corporation does not warrant that this document is
error-free, nor does it provide any other warranties or conditions, whether
expressed orally or implied in law, including implied warranties and conditions of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Oracle Corporation
specifically disclaims any liability with respect to this document and no
contractual obligations are formed either directly or indirectly by this document.
This document may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior written permission of
Oracle Corporation. .. Bookmark Go to End BookmarkGo to End Troubleshooting Guide
Oracle Payables Payables Transfer to GL (Posting) Versions 10.7, 11.0, 11.5 (11i)
The information in this document has been reviewed and is current as of 25-Nov-
2002.

Instructions for the reader: This Troubleshooting document identifies the most
frequently reported setup and usage problems/errors relating to Payables Transfer
to General Ledger. The articles below do not include bugs/patches or FAQ's, as
these are addressed in great detail in the notes referenced at the bottom of this
document. Troubleshooting Summary 34. Script: Diagnostic Script that identifies
transactions that are not transferred to GL (Release 11.5).

35. Script: Diagnostic Script that identifies problems with the transfer to GL
process for one transaction
or and entire Payables Transfer to GL run (Release 11.5).

36. Script: Diagnostic Script that identifies problems posting a transaction

(Release 10.7 and 11.0). 37. Script: Diagnostice Script that provides table level
details of invoices and payments. 38. Prob: There are payments and/or invoices
that are not posting to GL, and you believe they should
post.

39. Prob: Payables Transfer to GL was successful, but the Journal Import is not
importing the data into
GL

40. Error: UNDIST error on some payments when using Automatic Offsets (Release
10.7 and 11.0). 41. Prob: RATE exception when running Payables Transfer to GL. 42.
Prob: PERIOD exception when transferring tax lines created from Multiple Tax
Distributions (MTD)
to GL (Release 10.7 and 11.0).

43. Error: Payables Transfer to GL errors with APP-10962 APJEL/35 ORA-1458

(Release 10.7 and
11.0).
Page 221 of 259

44. Prob: Payables Transfer to GL program / Accounts Payable Journal Entry Audit
Report shows No
data found (Release 10.7 and 11.0).

45. Prob: Payables Transfer to General Ledger Report shows No Data Exists (Release
11i) 46. Prob: The Journal Import process fails when kicked off by the Payables
Transfer to GL process
(Release 10.7 and 11.0).

47. Error: Closing the AP Accounting Period errors with APP-SQLAP-10741 (Release
11.5). 48. Error: Payables Transfer to General Ledger Report lists some of the
transactions as "Accounting
entries have accounting entry creation errors" (Release 115).

49. Error: Payables Transfer to GL exits with Status 1 ORA-20100 File o0000004.tmp
creation for
FND_FILE failed ORA-06512 (Release 11.5).

50. Prob: What articles, white papers, or manuals should I read for more
information on Payables
Transfer to GL?

51. Prob: What are the MetaLink keywords I should use when searching for Payables
Transfer to GL
on MetaLink?

52. Prob: The problems and solutions listed in this guide do not answer my
question.
Note: Create Accounting issues are listed separately in Note 131225.1
Troubleshooting Details 1. Script: Diagnostic Script that helps to identify
transactions that are not transferred to GL for Release 11.5. Sol: The Closing
script is available for download in Note 180165.1. This script lists any
transactions that are not accounted or transferred to GL in an html file in
portrait format. [top] 2. Script: Diagnostic Script that identifies problems with
the Transfer to GL process for one transaction or an entire Payables Transfer to
GL run for Release 11.5. Sol: The Posting Diagnostic script is available for
download in Note 185935.1. This script lists any problems when running the
Payables Transfer to GL process in an html file in portrait format. [top] 3.
Script: Diagnostic Script that identifies problems posting a transaction for
Release 10.7 and 11.0. Sol: The scripts found in Note 105929.1 help identify
problems when posting a transaction. [top] 4. Script: Diagnostice Script that
provides table level details of invoices and payments. Sol: Please download and
run the APLIST script from Note 148388.1 to see detailed data information on an
invoice or payment. [top] 5. Prob: There are payments and/or invoices that are not
posting to GL and you believe they should post. Sol: Ensure invoices are ready to
post. An invoice must be approved and/or have no posting holds in order to be
selected for posting. To ensure that your invoices are ready to post, you should
run autoapproval and review the hold reports. Invoice Hold Report - displays all
held invoices. Posting Hold Report - only displays invoices with holds that
prevent posting. Matching Hold Report - only displays invoices with matching
holds. Ensure payments are made. You must insure that all your payment batches
have been completed (either confirmed or canceled). A period will not close if
there are payment batches in a status other than confirmed or canceled. If an
invoice is approved but will not pay, you should insure that the invoice is due to
be paid and that the payment schedule is not on hold.
Page 222 of 259

[top] 6. Prob: Payables Transfer to GL was successful, but the Journal Import is
not importing the data into GL Sol: Examine AP Reports for Exceptions and Correct.
Transactions that were selected but encountered some exception are not inserted
into the GL_INTERFACE table nor are they updated to �Posted�. (Exceptions can be
an inactive accounting flexfield value, a GL_DATE in an un-opened GL period,
exchange rate missing, etc.) After the process is complete, the AP Journal reports
are generated to display the results of the posting selection. These reports are
very important and should be saved. They are generated directly from the posting
process and can not be rerun at a later date. Accounts Payable Journal Entry Audit
Report This report lists the details of the accounting transactions that have been
inserted into the GL_INTERFACE table. It displays the AP transaction, its
corresponding debits and credits, the GL accounts affected, and more. Accounts
Payable Journal Entry Exception Report This report displays the transactions that
encountered an exception during the posting process. Each transaction includes an
exception code that explains why it was prevented from posting. All transactions
appearing on this report will require some change in order to be selected for
posting the next time you run the AP transfer process. [top] 7. Error: In Release
10.7 or 11.0, you are using Automatic Offsets, and you get an "undist" error on
some of the payments. Sol: Navigate to Payments -> Invalid GL Accounts. Query in
this form to show the accounts that are causing the "undist" error. You can
correct the invalid accounts in this form. [top] 8. Prob: You get a RATE exception
when running Payables Transfer to GL. Sol: Populate the Daily Rates table for the
exchange date, run Autorate, if needed, and rerun the Payables Transfer to General
Ledger program. [top] 9. Prob: You get a PERIOD exception when transferring tax
lines created from Multiple Tax Distributions (MTD) to GL in Release 10.7 and
11.0. Sol: Please see Note 94351.1 [top] 10. Error: In Release 10.7 and 11.0,
Payables Transfer to General Ledger process errors with APP10962 APJEL/35 ORA-1458
value larger than specified precision allows for this column. Sol: Please review
Note 96119.1 [top] 11. Prob: In Release 10.7 and 11.0, Payables Transfer to GL
program shows 'No data found'. Sol: Please review Note 1067036.6 and Note
1012060.7 [top] 12. Prob: In Release11.5, the Payables Transfer to General Ledger
Report shows No Data Exists. Sol: Please review Note 188354.1 [top]
Page 223 of 259

13. Prob: In Release 10.7 and 11.0, the Journal Import process fails when kicked
off by the Payables Transfer to GL process. Sol: Please review Note 107272.1 [top]
14. Prob: Closing the AP Accounting Period in Release 11.5 errors with APP-SQLAP-
10741: This period cannot be closed because there are accounting entries that have
not been transferred to GL. Sol: Please review Note 174638.1 [top] 15. Error: In
Release 11.5, Payables Transfer to General Ledger Report lists some of the
transactions as "Accounting entries have accounting entry creation errors". Sol:
There is a problem with the accounting for your transactions. Please either review
Payables Accounting Process Report, which is created when the Payables Accounting
Process is run, or the run the Payables Accounting Entries Report to determine
which transactions are accounted incorrectly. For additional help troubleshooting
accounting problems, please review Note 131225.1 [top] top 16. Error: In Release
11.5, Payables Transfer to GL exits with Status 1 ORA-20100 File o0000004.tmp
creation for FND_FILE failed ORA-06512. Sol: Please review Note 141706.1 [top] 17.
What articles, white papers, or manuals should I read for more information on
Payables Transfer to GL? Sol: Please review the Transfer to GL (Posting) Setup and
Usage Guide for a complete list of available documents. [top] 18. Prob: What are
the MetaLink keywords I should use when searching for Payables transfer to GL on
MetaLink? Sol: APPPST, APGLTRANS, APXGLTRN, POST, POSTING, GLLEZL, GENERAL LEDGER,
GL [top] 19. Prob: The problems and solutions listed in this guide do not answer
my question. Sol: If the Troubleshooting list for Payables Transfer to GL does not
answer your question, please click here to log an iTar. [top] IMPORTANT: If you
did not find the information you were searching for, please review the following
Payables Transfer to GL (Posting) documents Payables Transfer to GL (Posting)
Current Issues Payables Transfer to GL (Posting) One-Off Patches Payables Transfer
to GL (Posting) Setup and Usage Instructions Payables Transfer to GL (Posting)
Troubleshooting Guide Payables Transfer to GL (Posting) Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ�s) 10.7 and 11.0 Payables Transfer to GL (Posting) Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ's) 11i Oracle Payables One-Off Patch Directory
http://metalink.oracle.com/metalink/plsql/showdoc?db=NOT&id=177591.1
http://metalink.oracle.com/metalink/plsql/showdoc?db=NOT&id=177591.1Copyright ©
2002 Oracle
Page 224 of 259

Corporation. All rights reserved. Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle

Corporation. Various product and service names referenced herein may be trademarks
of Oracle Corporation. All other product and service names mentioned may be
trademarks of their respective owners. Disclaimer: This document is provided for
information purposes only and the contents hereof are subject to change without
notice. Oracle Corporation does not warrant that this document is error-free, nor
does it provide any other warranties or conditions, whether expressed orally or
implied in law, including implied warranties and conditions of merchantability or
fitness for a particular purpose. Oracle Corporation specifically disclaims any
liability with respect to this document and no contractual obligations are formed
either directly or indirectly by this document. This document may not be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
for any purpose, without the prior written permission of Oracle Corporation. ..
Bookmark Go to End Current Issues Oracle Payables Trial Balance Version 10.7, 11.0
and 11.5 (11i) The information in this document has been reviewed and is current
as of 21-Jun-2002. Instructions for the reader: This Current Issues Guide provides
a list of recently uncovered issues. These are typically issues arising from
recent Mini-Packs/Family Packs or new features. The issues may or may not be
fixed. This document also includes the most frequently encountered bugs that do
not currently have one-off patches available. Current Issues Summary 53. ALERT:
Pre-Upgrade Data Issue that will impact AP Trial Balance in R11i

54. One-Off patches available for Payable Trial Balance (APXTRBAL and APXTRB) 55.
10.7 and 11.0 Trial Balance Does Not Match GL 56. 11i Trial Balance Does Not Match
GL 57. 11i Trial Balance Fails after applying AP.H
Current Issues Details 1. ALERT: Pre-Upgrade Data Issue That Will Impact AP Trial
Balance in R11i (Note 157917.1) Summary: During the upgrade to R11i, the
accounting entries for existing payments are built using, in part, the �Payments
Distribution� tables. When certain fields are NULL, the accounting upgrade script
will not pick up those records. This causes all related invoice records to appear
as UNPAID on the Accounts Payable Trial Balance Report (APXTRBAL). [top] 2. One-
Off patches available for Payables Trial Balance (APXTRBAL and APXTRB) (Note
200363.1) Summary: This note provides a listing of current one-off patches that
are available for Trial Balance issues. The note lists the release effected (10.7,
11.0 or 11i), the pre-requisite patches required, a description of the problem and
contains links to download the patch. [top] 3. 10.7 and 11.0 Trial Balance Does
Not Match GL (Note 1021413.6) Summary: In release 10.7 and 11.0 the AP Trial
Balance report occasionally displays incorrect balances. This can be due to
numerous causes including duplicate invoices, duplicate payments, zero dollar
invoices, voided payment/invoice, canceled invoice, etc.. This note contains
instructions on how to rebuild the trial balance tables to resolve out of balance
issues. [top] 4. 11i Trial Balance Does Not Match GL Summary: Customers that have
upgraded to 11i have reported a variety of problems with the Trial Balance not
tying GL. The following notes provide possible fixes for these issues: Note
180167.1 Diagnostic Script for trial balance that often identifies the root cause
of out of balance issues. Note 189322.1 Invoices from merged vendors are
duplicated in Trial Balance
Page 225 of 259

Note 187118.1 Trial Balance shows upgraded paid invoices Note 197446.1 Upgraded
fully paid invoices with pre-payment applications incorrectly showing on trial
balance The following Trial Balance notes are unpublished. If you think you are
experiencing one of these issues you should log an iTAR, reference the note number
listed below in your TAR and upload the results of the aplist11i.sql script. These
notes can�t be published externally as they contain data fix scripts.
Note:166693.1 Upgraded invoices that had been voided and reissued on same day
showing on trial balance. Note:197629.1 Foreign currency invoices show balance of
$0.01 after upgrade. Note: 198412.1 The Liability Account CCID for the payment and
the invoice in ap_ae_lines_all are different. [top] 5. 11i Trial Balance
(APXTRBAL) fails after applying AP.H (Note 200022.1) Summary: The Trial Balance
report released with AP.H and higher fails with REP-1419: 'beforereport': PL/SQL
program aborted (Error in GET_AP_AX_TRIAL_BAL_DATA). This occurs when the report
is run on an 8.1.6 version of the database (error caused a hint in the select
statement). [top] IMPORTANT: If you did not find the information you were
searching for, please review the following Payables Trial Balance information:
Payables Trial Balance Interim Patches [Note:200363.1] Payables Trial Balance
Setup and Usage Instructions [Note:200512.1] Payables Trial Balance Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ's) [Note:106740.1] Payables Trial Balance Troubleshooting
Guide [Note:106744.1] Copyright © 2003 Oracle Corporation. All rights reserved.
Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation. Various product and
service names referenced herein may be trademarks of Oracle Corporation. All other
product and service names mentioned may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Disclaimer: This document is provided for information purposes only and the
contents hereof are subject to change without notice. Oracle Corporation does not
warrant that this document is error-free, nor does it provide any other warranties
or conditions, whether expressed orally or implied in law, including implied
warranties and conditions of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Oracle Corporation specifically disclaims any liability with respect to this
document and no contractual obligations are formed either directly or indirectly
by this document. This document may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior
written permission of Oracle Corporation. . Bookmark Fixed font Go to End Doc ID:
Note:1068665.6 Subject: Invoice Entry Batch Form Does Not Return All The Invoices
For The Batch Type: PROBLEM Status: PUBLISHED Content Type: TEXT/PLAIN Creation
Date: 13-APR-1999 Last Revision Date: 24-SEP-2001 Problem Description
------------------- You are in Payables and are trying to retrieve all of the
invoices for an invoice batch. You are familiar with the invoice batch and know
that not all of the invoices have been returned. The Invoice Payables Option has
been set to use Batch Control. The GL Date Basis has been defined as System Date.
Navigation Path: Invoices -> Entry -> Invoices -> Query Invoice Batches -> press
the Invoices button -> some invoice records are missing However, all of the
invoices are displayed if you inquire on the invoice batch via Invoices -> Inquiry
-> Invoice Batches. Soultion Description --------------------You will need to open
the AP Accounting Period for the period(s) associated with the invoices which were
not displayed in the invoice batch. Use the navigation path below to open the AP
Accounting Period: (N)Setup -> Calendar -> Accounting -> AP Accounting Period ->
set the period to Open or Future Open The AP Accounting Period may not be set to
OPEN for the missing invoices. .
Page 226 of 259

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 1995,2000 Oracle Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Legal Notices and
Terms of Use.

Bookmark Fixed font Go to End Doc ID: Note:112803.1 Subject: Intercompany

Invoicing: Troubleshooting Type: BULLETIN Status: PUBLISHED Content Type:
TEXT/PLAIN Creation Date: 16-JUN-2000 Last Revision Date: 13-DEC-2000 PURPOSE This
document is intended to help users successfully troubleshoot problems when
creating intercompany invoices. SCOPE & APPLICATION This document is intended to
supplement the documentation provided with the application. Intercompany Invoicing
Troubleshooting the Interfaces To actually set up and test intercompany invoicing
features, you will need to run a sales order fully through its cycle and then
follow the steps for generating the intercompany AR and AP invoices. This can
become tricky during integration testing, when both setups and raw data are in a
state of flux. Listed below are common issues that you may want to consider when
troubleshooting records in the interface tables. From OE into INV interface tables
(running OE's Inventory Interface program) 1. FlexBuilder or the Account Generator
is looking to a source (order type, item, organization) for the COGS account, but
the account has not yet been assigned to its source. 2. One of the segments of the
COGS account has been disabled in GL, and is no longer available. 3. COGS segments
exist on the source and are valid, but the desired code combination is no longer
valid. 4. Item Status is changed to prevent transactions in Inventory. 5. Item
control information is missing (lot, serial, revision). From INV interface tables
into INV (running the Inventory manager) 1. OE features are set up to allow
shipment even without onhand quantities, but Inventory features do not allow
negative inventory. 2. Subinventory and/or locator are wrong. 3. Item/subinventory
restriction is changed while the record is in the interface. 4. Inventory period
is not yet open. Between OE and INV for return processing (running OE's RMA
Interface program) 1. Depending on the order cycle requirements, the RMA interface
(if not already scheduled with automatic resubmission) may need to be run twice:
once for the return information to be communicated to Inventory, and once for the
item's acceptance in Inventory to be communicate back to OE. If this is not done,
then the order line cycle status will show as being interfaced, but not yet
accepted. 2. OE: Source Code is not set; should be ORDER ENTRY. 3. Inspection is
required and was not performed. 4. Same COGS issues as with the original sales
order. From OE into AR interface tables (running OE's Receivables Interface
program) 1. Order is on hold. 2. Order line is on hold. 3. Receivables Interface
is not running. 4. Invoice Source is not set up correctly (OE Import Standard or
Intercompany). It will not even show in the list of values when you run the
Receivables interface program. From AR interface tables into AR (running AR's
AutoInvoice programs) 1. AutoAccounting is looking to a source (item, salesrep,
transaction type� ) for the necessary accounts, but the account is not yet
assigned to its source. 2. The account segments or the resulting code combination
are not valid. 3. Salesperson's accounts or territory are incorrect. 4. The tax
code or tax authority has not been set up yet. 5. The appropriate Remittance
Address assignment does not exist, corresponding to your invoice's bill-to address
requirements. Into AR interface tables (running INV's Create Intercompany AR
Invoices program) 1. Ensure that the Transaction Manager is running before you run
"Create Intercompany AR Invoices". One user found that while they were able to
complete this program and produce a record in the AR interface tables, they could
not import the record (using AR's AutoInvoice Import) into AR. With the manager
down, a record had been created in INV's pending transactions interface. By
clearing the record from the pending transactions interface, they could
successfully import into AR. 2. TIP: The ID of the record in the "Create
Intercompany AR Invoices" request log equals the material transaction ID (helpful
for researching issues). Into AP interface tables (running INV's Create
Intercompany AP Invoices program) 1. Payment Term in AP does not exist or does not
match the spelling/case of the payment term in AR on the intercompany AR invoice.
2. Same issue for the Tax Name in AP / Tax Code in AR. 3. Missing or invalid
supplier accounts. 4. Missing or invalid freight accounts. 5. Inconsistent profile
option settings amongst multiorg responsibilities (especially INV: Intercompany
Currency Conversion - the conversion type of the intercompany invoice. Cannot be
'User'.)
Page 227 of 259

. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 1995,2000 Oracle Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Legal Notices and
Terms of Use.

Bookmark Fixed font Go to End Doc ID: Note:1020292.102 Subject: INVOICES IMPORTED
INTO CLOSED PERIOD Type: PROBLEM Status: PUBLISHED Content Type: TEXT/PLAIN
Creation Date: 18-NOV-1999 Last Revision Date: 10-FEB-2000 Problem Description:
==================== You find that you could import invoices from legacy system
into an AP period which is already closed, but the corresponding GL period is
still open. You have entered an open period date as GL date in the Parameter while
importing the invoices, and expected this date to be GL date in the AP
invoice,after importing. However, the result was the closed period date in the GL
date column of the AP invoices imported (Invoices/Entry/Invoices). GL Date for the
closed period will cause problem in AP transfer process to GL. Navigation Path:
---------------- (N)->Other->Requests->Run. Solution Description:
===================== Workaround: Import invoices on timely basis: Make sure GL
dates in importing invoices are falling into Open AP period. Permanent Solutions
for Rel. 10.7 and 11: ----------------------------------------- Option A.
--------- 1. Apply patches,999563(available for both Rel. 10.7 and 11). 2. Also,
additional patch 1040780--"May" need. After applying patch 999563, if getting ORA-
01830 error, after populating expenditure_item_date field of the
ap_expense_report_lines_all table, then apply patch 1040780. (Currently, only
avaible for Rel. 10.7. For rel.11, you need to request for one-off patch. Per
developer, Rel. 11 patch was not made, since nobody asked for it ) Option B.
--------- Apply Recent Patchset, Currently "U" (Rel. 10.7). Apply Recent Patchset,
Currently "D" (Rel. 11) and one-off patch 1040780. See Option A.2 above for
1040780. [BUG:999563] is included in both patchsets [BUG:1040780] is included in
"U" only. Solution Explanation: ===================== Per original patch 892224
(replaced by patch 999563), the fix solves the problem by ensuring that the GL
date at the distribution level rolls forward to the first day of the next open
period, if the weekend/accounting date for the source entity lies in a closed
period. To achieve this end, code has been commented out in the apicdl.lpc file. .
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 1995,2000 Oracle Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Legal Notices and
Terms of Use. Bookmark Go to End

• • •

goal: How To Enter Invoices After Receipt Accrual-Period End Report Is Run fact:
Oracle Payables 11 fact: Oracle Purchasing 11

fix: Note Role: ==========

Page 228 of 259

1- AP Period has been closed. 2- Receipt Accrual - Period End report has been
completed Steps to enter Invoices / Payments: 1. Close the AP Period for which the
report ¿Receipts Accrual - Period End¿ needs to be run. 2. Run the report
¿Receipts Accrual - Period End¿ from PO Responsibility 3. Swith to AP
Responsibility 4. Open (re-open) the period that was closed in Step 1 5. Enter the
invoices and if required, corresponding payments. 6. After completing the
approvals, DO NOT run the online ¿Create Accounting¿ 7. Submit the request
¿Payables Accounting Process¿ 8. After successful completion of the aforesaid
report, submit the request ¿Payables Transfer to General Ledger¿ with ¿Submit
Journal Import¿ to NO 9. Run the "Journal Import" from GL Responsibility and post
the entries. 9. Close the AP period Cautions: · Oracle does not recommend to re-
open the AP periods after the Receipts Accrual - Period End report is completed. ·
If an invoice is created for the same item already accrued in General Ledger
through Receipts Accrual - Period End report, a double charge for the expense and
a double accrual of liability is created. . Bookmark Go to End

Can a user send payments or invoices to AP and AR in any currency that has been
activated in the reporting currencies table?

Yes, a user can handle payments in Euro, and can change the currency before
sending invoices to AP or AR. It is also possible to convert a lease contract from
NCU's to Euro. Because the conversion is made at the time the currency is changed
prior to being sent to AP/AR and then stored, you are able to send payments in one
currency for a certain time period, and then switch to another currency at a later
time.

. Oracle Payables Technical Forum

Displayed below are the messages of the selected thread. Thread Status: Active
From: Sam Paper 12-Aug-99 03:57 Subject: AP Invoices/AP Payments AP Invoices/AP
Payments
Page 229 of 259

Hi, All! 1. I?m trying to convert historical AP invoices into Oracle (Apps.
11.03). Is there?s any way I can bring them over (by utilizing
AP_INVOICES_INTERFACE and AP_INVOICE_LINES_INTERFACE tables) with the status of
been paid and closed? 2. Is there?s a safe (and not time consuming) programmatic
way to load historical AP payments. Thanks in advance Sam

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Oracle, Carol Erickson 12-Aug-99 04:55 Subject: Re : AP Invoices/AP Payments
You can import historical invoices into AP, but they cannot be imported as paid
and posted. What you can do once they are imported, though, is to create a payment
batch that selects these historical invoices and pays to a "dummy" bank. There is
no need to print checks. Then they will be marked paid. To post, run "AP Transfer
to GL", and AP will mark the invoices and payments as posted. Assuming the
information is already in GL, there in no need to run Journal Import to get them
to GL. Simply delete the posting batch. Make sure that these historical invoices
are the only ones selected for the posting, though.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Filip Sillis 13-Aug-99 09:35 Subject: Re : AP Invoices/AP Payments You can
upload them with a 'fictive' payment group and select the whole payment group
afterwards for payment. This doesn't work for partial payments and should be
tested first - I have no experience with it. We are about to do the same exercise-
so thanks for letting me know if you succeedded or took another way. Regards Filip
Sillis PriceWaterhouseCoopers - Brussels - Belgium filip.sillis@be.pwcglobal.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Mohammad Tauseef 04-Dec-99 12:40
Page 230 of 259

Subject: Re : AP Invoices/AP Payments Hi, I'm in the same boat as you people. Have
you found any solution to the problem yet?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Oracle, Philip Merlano 14-Dec-99 02:16 Subject: Re : Re : AP Invoices/AP
Payments Read response by Carol Erickson for proposed solution.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bookmark Go to End

v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:*

{behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} Frequently
Asked Questions Oracle Payables Trial Balance 10.7, 11.0 and 11.5 (11i) The
information in this document has been reviewed and is current as of 21-Jun-2002 1.
Q: What formula should I use to balance AP to GL? 2. Q: How is the as-of-date used
in the "Accounts Payable Trial Balance" report? 3. Q: What articles, white papers,
or manuals should I read for more information on Trial Balance? 4. Q: What are the
MetaLink keywords I should use when searching for Trial Balance on MetaLink? 5. Q.
How is the 11i Trial Balance Different from 10.7 and 11.0? 1. Q: What formula
should I use to balance AP to GL? A: Use the following as an example of how to
balance: "Accounts Payable Trial Balance" as of March 31 + "Posted Invoice
Register" for the period between April 1 and April 30 - "Posted Payment Register"
for the period between April 1 and April 30 = "Accounts Payable Trial Balance" as
of April 30 Reconciling AP to GL is accomplished with the use of the following
reports. "Posted Invoice Register" "Posted Payment Register" "Accounts Payable
Trial Balance" (current and last period) These reports ensure that your Trial
Balance accurately reflects your accounts payable liability by matching the Posted
invoices and payments with the AP liability account. Additional Information on
Reconciling AP to GL: Note 160267.1 “How to Reconcile Between Accounts Payable and
General Ledger” Note 175057.1 “AP Does Not Tie to GL- Checking the Interface
Tables” [top] 2. Q: How is the as-of-date used in the "Accounts Payable Trial
Balance" report? A: The as-of-date is used to determine which invoices and
payments should be included on the report. Any invoices or payments with an
accounting date AFTER the entered as-of-date will not be displayed on this report.
Page 231 of 259

[top] 3. Q: What articles, white papers, or manuals should I read for more
information on Trial Balance? A: Please see the Trial Balance Setup and Usage
Guide for a complete list of available documents. [top] 4. Q: What are the
keywords I should use when searching for Trial Balance on MetaLink? A: Use the ORA
and APP error codes that appear in the log file, if relevant. For 10.7 and 11.0:
Trial Balance, APXRTB For 11.5 (11i): Trial Balance, APXTRBAL [top] 5. Q: How is
the 11i Trial Balance Different from 10.7 and 11.0 ? A: The Accounts Payable Trial
Balance is actually a new report but since the name is the same it is included in
the changed reports section. The new accounting model made it necessary to rewrite
the trial balance report. All of the enhancements that had been outstanding
against the report were reviewed and incorporated into the new report. For
example, there is now an option to run the report for a single supplier. There is
also an option to run the report for a single liability account. For More
information and a list of reports changed in 11i see AP News Vol. 20. [top]
IMPORTANT: If you did not find the information you were searching for, please
review the following Payables Trial Balance documents Payables Trial Balance
Current Issues Payables Trial Balance One-Off Patches Payables Trial Balance Setup
and Usage Instructions Payables Trial Balance Troubleshooting Guide Payables Trial
Balance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) . Bookmark Fixed font Go to End Doc ID:
Note:1078501.6 Subject: Unable To Transfer Paid Supplier Invoices Type: PROBLEM
Status: PUBLISHED Content Type: TEXT/PLAIN Creation Date: 23-OCT-1999 Last
Revision Date: 07-JAN-2002 Problem Description ------------------- In Grants
Management Sytem, unable to transfer paid and posted(to GL) Supplier Invoices
against POETA and also to adjust it from Project Expenditure Inquiry/ Special menu
for split, recalculate burden costs. Gives the following error messages:
PA_INV_AUTO_OFFSETS_PAID "You cannot make adjustments to this expenditure item
because the supplier invoice associated with this item has been paid and the
automatic offset method is used to adjust it". Steps involved: 1) Create an
invoice from Payables Manager GUI. 2) Approve the Invoice. 3) Pay the Invoice from
Accounts Payable(AP). 4) Interface the invoice to General Ledger(GL) from AP. 5)
From GMS, run the PRC:Interface Supplier Invoice from Payables. 6) From
Expenditure Inquiry/Actuals screen bring up the expenditure item and try to
perform a Transfer/Split/Recalculate Burden Cost. It gives the following error:
PA_INV_AUTO_OFFSETS_PAID. Solution Description ------------------- You need to
have the following setup in Payables -> Setup -> Options -> Payables. Set auto
offset method to None and choose Invoice from the drop down box and check the
Allow Adjustments on Paid Invoices check box. Besides this you need to apply an AP
one-off server side patch 887905. This patch is included in AP patchset T but
Grants patchset 1.1D allows up to Q level for AP. 887905 can be applied on top of
AP patchset Q(when grants is installed) which will fix the problem of adjusting a
paid supplier invoice. *** Warnings: Before applying the patch take a back up of
the database. .
Page 232 of 259

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 1995,2000 Oracle Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Legal Notices and
Terms of Use. Bookmark Go to End

• • •

goal: How to Delete Invoices from AP Tables and Reimport fact: Oracle Payables
10.7.16.1 fact: APXIIMPT - Payables Open Interface Import

fix: Per Oracle payables user guide 10.7 page 4-116 Payables Invoice Import
Program Payables will not import an invoice or expense report more than once. If
invoices are cancelled, the same invoice numbers cannot be used again...the
invoice numbers will all ready exist for the vendors and cannot be used. Two (2)
options: 1. Cleanest way to fix issue is to adjust the invoices in the ap module.
Since the invoices are not posted, any changes needed can be made to invoices in
AP module. OR 2. Delete each invoice (Delete the invoice by quering up the invoice
and then hitting the red X in the tool bar. Then hit save to save the deletion)
After all the invoices are deleted from the interface table, then delete the
information from the interface tables (using sql plus) and then reload the data
and re-import. Option 1. is the cleanest option and the option recommended by
Oracle support. . 8. 8.i Suppliers There is more than one account for the same
supplier, which one do I choose? Check the supplier site addresses and choose the
supplier whose site address matches your invoice address. If none of them match
your invoice then ask DP section to create a new site. If all the supplier
accounts have the same site addresses then choose the Supplier with the lowest
number. We are in the process of merging all the multiple accounts into one. 8.ii
I cannot find a supplier or an employee on the database Please send details of the
supplier or employee to DP section. Minimum details required are as follows: •
Name and full address
Page 233 of 259

• • 9. 9.i

If an individual please confirm if the person is an employee or not Standard forms

for full supplier set-up can be obtained from DP section.

Batch Headers How to print batch headers • • • • Select the batch header you want
to print by clicking on Query, and Find. Then enter the batch number you require
and click on the Find button The system brings up the batch details Confirm that
you have the right folder open ie UCL BATCH HEADER Click on the Action menu and
then click Print A copy of the batch header would be printed on your printer

9.ii

Can I adjust or delete batch header details? • • You can add invoices to a batch
at any time You can change the invoice type on the batch header after entering
invoices against a batch and the new invoice type will default onto new invoices
entered after the change. Changing the batch header does not affect invoices
entered before the change You can delete an invoice from a batch at any time
before the invoice has been approved. See 5.i You cannot delete an invoice batch
that contains invoices. If you want to delete an invoice batch, you must delete
the invoices in the batch first. See 5.i

• • 10. 10.i

Grant related Invoice Distributions I am unable to post an expense claim to a

grant Please check that you have used the standard invoice type and not expense
report type. If you have used the wrong invoice type then you would have to delete
the invoice and re-enter the invoice. See 5.i I am unable to enter a grant
distribution against a 6P … expenditure type because the system is requesting for
a valid quantity Please enter the expenditure amount in the quantity field.

10.ii

10.iii

I wish to enter a distribution against a grant code but the system is requesting
for an expenditure Item date In this case you are trying to enter an expense
against a completed grant. Please confirm the completion date of the grant and
enter a date on or before the grant completion date. You can confirm the date as
follows: • Select the grant field • Click on the picklist button on the toolbar or
press CTRL+F11 • Enter the grant code and click the Find button The system would
then bring up brief details about the grant. • Scroll to the right to view the
grant completion date.

10.iv

I have entered my distributions against grant codes and the system generated
account codes are different from the grant codes that I entered? The grants were
set-up to map to control accounts in the general ledger. The account codes for
these control accounts are different from the grant codes that you have entered.
See further details on COA Philosophy document on the NewFis website
Page 234 of 259

11. 11.i

VAT Distributions How do I confirm that the VAT amount is correct before the first
level approval process is run? After entering all your distribution lines, •
Select Special on the menu options at the top of the window. • Choose Generate VAT
distributions. The system then comes up with a note indicating that VAT is being
calculated, click OK on the box and wait for the system to complete the process by
bringing up the VAT lines and updating the distribution total. • Check that your
Invoice total agree with the distribution total, if not then make the necessary
changes as described in section 4.ii below.

11.ii

System calculated VAT amount does not agree with the invoice VAT amount due to
rounding differences or insignificant arithmetical errors on Supplier invoices
Manually change the system calculated VAT amount on the VAT distribution line to
agree with the invoice VAT amount.

11.iii

12. 12.i

Most of our expenses are VAT recoverable, and I am not sure of the VAT codes to
use Recoverability is now defined at the account code level. The code to enter is
the one that corresponds with the VAT rate on your invoice. Please find further
details on the VAT overview document on the Newfis website. Adjusting and deleting
invoices and invoice distributions How do I delete an invoice if I have made an
error? If invoice is unapproved (first level approval has not been done) • • • •
Ensure that you are on the invoices window and the cursor is on the invoice line
that you wish to delete Click on the red X button on your toolbar Click OK on the
delete message box. Once the deletion is completed save your work.

12.i.i

12.i.ii

If invoice is approved ie after 1st or secondary level approval An approved

Invoice cannot be deleted because funds have already been committed against the
invoice during the approval process. However, the system would allow you to cancel
the invoice.

12.ii

How do I cancel an invoice that has been approved? • • Navigate to the invoices
window Select the invoice to be cancelled. Please note that if you wish to re-
enter the invoice it is advised that you add A to the number of the invoice to be
cancelled and then re-enter the invoice with the number as written on the Supplier
invoice. This is necessary because the system would not allow you to enter the
same number twice for the same supplier. On your invoices screen, click on the
Actions..1 button and this brings up the Actions wndow. On the Actions window
click on the Cancel Invoice check box Click OK and click OK to the messages that
come up during the cancellation process. Once the process have been completed save
your work

• • • • 12.iii
I have entered an expense claim with the wrong invoice type, how do I correct this
error Delete the invoice and re-enter it with the standard invoice type.

12.iv

I How can I amend input errors on my distribution window • Before approval

Page 235 of 259

Purchase order matched distributions cannot be adjusted but can be reversed and
the correcting entries entered on a new distribution line. Distribution details
that are not generated from purchase orders can be changed or deleted before the
first level approval stage. Follow the procedure for adjusting invoices and
remember to save your work . • After first Level Approval

Distributions cannot be amended or deleted once they have been approved. The
system would only allow you to reverse the entries by clicking on the Reverse …1
button. 12.v 13. 13.i • Please see the invoice adjustment chart at the end of this
document. Invoice Approval After running the batch approval process, how do I
confirm that all the invoices in the batch have been approved? The batch approval
process normally takes a few minutes to run. The time it takes depend on the
number of entries in the batch and how busy the system is. Please wait a few
minutes before checking that all the invoices in your batch have been approved.
After waiting for a few minutes you may open the invoices window of the batch and
click on Query, then Run. This refreshes the screen and you may then check if your
invoices have been approved by reviewing the holds placed on them. Another
alternative is to view your requests by carrying out the following: iv. Click on
the help menu and select View My Request and the Find request window comes up. v.
Click on the Find button and this takes you to the Requests window. vi. On the
Requests window click on the refresh data button and the system would bring up all
your outstanding requests and show the status of your requests ie whether it is
pending, running or completed. If not completed click refresh again after a few
minutes and click again until completed. If you process large volumes of batches
then it is advisable to print the Invoice on Hold report once or twice a day
instead of checking batches individually. See page 45 of your AP training
documentation for guidance on how to print reports. I have approved my invoices
but don't know where they have gone for secondary approval? Invoices are
automatically available for all authorised signatories in your Department once the
First Level approval is carried out. You do not need to send them to anyone for
approval. 13.iii An invoice was not approved in my batch of 10 invoices. Does this
stop the rest from being processed further? No General advice It is advisable that
you print out or review the Invoice on Hold Report at the end of every day to
ensure that all your invoices were successfully entered. You may approve more than
one batch at a time. To do this • Navigate to the Invoice batches window • Press
the SHIFT key and then click on the invoice batches that you wish to approve. The
batches would become highlighted in blue and the Approve button would indicate the
number of batches that you have highlighted • Lift your finger off the shift key
and then click on the approve button

13.ii

14. 14.i 14.ii

Page 236 of 259

• 14.iii

The system would ask you to confirm the number of batches to be approved. Click OK

The on screen 'help' is very useful and provides the following information: •
Window help: topics relating to the window you are working on • Keyboard help : A
list of keyboard shortcuts • View My Request : Confirm the status of your requests
• About this Record: Details of who created a record and when it was created
Page 237 of 259
Page 238 of 259

Questions For Oracle Payables 1. 2. What are the types of Invoices , what is
prepayment & steps to apply it to an Invoice ? What are the Distribution Type
while entering the Invoice?

3. What's the difference between the "Payables Open Interface Import" Program and
the "Payables Invoice Import" program? 4.What is Debit Memo & Credit Memo in
Payables? 5. What is Proxima Payment Terms? 6. What will accrue in Payables? 7.
What is Tolerance? 8. What is Aging Periods? 9. What is a Payable Document? 10.
What are the tables associated with Invoice? 11. Which interface tables are used
for Invoice Import , give the important columns? 12. What is 2 way , 3 way and 4
way matching? 13. How you will transfer payables to general ledger? 14. You
created a set of book , where you will attach this SOB in AP? 15. What is use of
AP Accounting Periods? 16. What is Interest Invoice and how it can be created? 17.
What is a Hold? Explain the types of Hold 18. How many key flexfields are there in
Payables? 19. Explain the set up used for Automatic or Manual Supplier Numbering.
20. Can you hold the partial payment if yes then how? 21. Can you cancel the
invoice? If yes, explain.

1)

when you create a table as ‘create table xyz as select * from abc’- what all are
copied from the table xyz?
Page 239 of 259

a) b) c) d) Ans : d

All constraints Only primary keys Only foreign keys Only not null constraints

2)what is maximum length of a table name? a) b) c) d) 15 30 50 255

Ans :b 3)what is maximum size of VARCHAR2 data type a) 255 bytes b) 2000 bytes c)
4000 bytes d) None of above Ans : c 4) When a table is dropped , what happens to
the view defined on that table? a) b) c) d) Ans : c 5) what is range of user
defined errors in PL/SQL a) < -20000 b) –20000 to any number c) –20000 to –20999
d) None of these View is automatically dropped View is not dropped View becomes
invalid None of above

Ans : c 6) which data dictionary view has source code of stored procedures a)
USER_PROCEDURES b) USER_SOURCE c) USER_OBJECTS d) None Ans : b 7) How can we use
DDL in forms a) b) c) d) Cannot be used in forms Through FORMS_DDL Through form
triggers None of above

Ans : b
Page 240 of 259

8)

which is the built in used for sending Operating system commands from forms a)
spool b) host c) command d) cannot be done in forms

Ans : b

9)

show_lov returns a) b) c) d) number varchar2 boolean none

Ans : c 10) show_alert returns a) number b) varchar2 c) boolean d) None of above

Ans : a 11) How many scroll bars can a block have a) b) c) d) One two four any
number

Ans : a 12) which built_in can be used for setting title of forms a) b) c) d)
set_form_property set_window_property set_canvas_property set_block_property

Ans : b [[[ 13) what is datatype of Global variables a) b) c) d) Ans :b 14) why is
data parameter used in forms a) to pass data from forms to forms b) to pass data
from forms to reports c) both a & b d) None number character both a & b None
Page 241 of 259

Ans : b Oracle Interview Questions and Answers : SQL 1. To see current user name
Sql> show user; 2. Change SQL prompt name SQL> set sqlprompt “Manimara > “
Manimara > Manimara > 3. Switch to DOS prompt SQL> host 4. How do I eliminate the
duplicate rows ? SQL> delete from table_name where rowid not in (select max(rowid)
from table group by duplicate_values_field_name); or SQL> delete
duplicate_values_field_name dv from table_name ta where rowid <(select min(rowid)
from table_name tb where ta.dv=tb.dv); Example. Table Emp Empno Ename 101 Scott
102 Jiyo 103 Millor 104 Jiyo 105 Smith delete ename from emp a where rowid <
( select min(rowid) from emp b where a.ename = b.ename); The output like, Empno
Ename 101 Scott 102 Millor 103 Jiyo 104 Smith 5. How do I display row number with
records? To achive this use rownum pseudocolumn with query, like SQL> SQL> select
rownum, ename from emp; Output: 1 Scott 2 Millor 3 Jiyo 4 Smith 6. Display the
records between two range select rownum, empno, ename from emp where rowid in
(select rowid from emp where rownum <=&upto minus select rowid from emp where
rownum<&Start); Enter value for upto: 10 Enter value for Start: 7 ROWNUM EMPNO
ENAME --------- --------- ---------1 7782 CLARK 2 7788 SCOTT 3 7839 KING 4 7844
TURNER 7. I know the nvl function only allows the same data type(ie. number or
char or date Nvl(comm, 0)), if commission is null then the text “Not Applicable”
want to display, instead of blank space. How do I write the query? SQL> select
nvl(to_char(comm.),'NA') from emp; Output : NVL(TO_CHAR(COMM),'NA')
----------------------NA 300
Page 242 of 259

500 NA 1400 NA NA 8. Oracle cursor : Implicit & Explicit cursors Oracle uses work
areas called private SQL areas to create SQL statements. PL/SQL construct to
identify each and every work are used, is called as Cursor. For SQL queries
returning a single row, PL/SQL declares all implicit cursors. For queries that
returning more than one row, the cursor needs to be explicitly declared. 9.
Explicit Cursor attributes There are four cursor attributes used in Oracle
cursor_name%Found, cursor_name%NOTFOUND, cursor_name%ROWCOUNT, cursor_name%ISOPEN
10. Implicit Cursor attributes Same as explicit cursor but prefixed by the word
SQL SQL%Found, SQL%NOTFOUND, SQL%ROWCOUNT, SQL%ISOPEN Tips : 1. Here SQL%ISOPEN is
false, because oracle automatically closed the implicit cursor after executing SQL
statements. : 2. All are Boolean attributes. 11. Find out nth highest salary from
emp table SELECT DISTINCT (a.sal) FROM EMP A WHERE &N = (SELECT COUNT (DISTINCT
(b.sal)) FROM EMP B WHERE a.sal<=b.sal); Enter value for n: 2 SAL --------3700 12.
To view installed Oracle version information SQL> select banner from v$version;
13. Display the number value in Words SQL> select sal, (to_char(to_date(sal,'j'),
'jsp')) from emp; the output like, SAL (TO_CHAR(TO_DATE(SAL,'J'),'JSP')) ---------
----------------------------------------------------800 eight hundred 1600 one
thousand six hundred 1250 one thousand two hundred fifty If you want to add some
text like, Rs. Three Thousand only. SQL> select sal "Salary ", (' Rs. '||
(to_char(to_date(sal,'j'), 'Jsp'))|| ' only.')) "Sal in Words" from emp / Salary
Sal in Words ------- -----------------------------------------------------800 Rs.
Eight Hundred only. 1600 Rs. One Thousand Six Hundred only. 1250 Rs. One Thousand
Two Hundred Fifty only. 14. Display Odd/ Even number of records Odd number of
records: select * from emp where (rowid,1) in (select rowid, mod(rownum,2) from
emp); 1 3 5 Even number of records: select * from emp where (rowid,0) in (select
rowid, mod(rownum,2) from emp) 2 4 6 15. Which date function returns number value?
months_between
Page 243 of 259

16. Any three PL/SQL Exceptions? Too_many_rows, No_Data_Found, Value_Error,

Zero_Error, Others 17. What are PL/SQL Cursor Exceptions? Cursor_Already_Open,
Invalid_Cursor 18. Other way to replace query result null value with a text SQL>
Set NULL ‘N/A’ to reset SQL> Set NULL ‘’ 19. What are the more common pseudo-
columns? SYSDATE, USER , UID, CURVAL, NEXTVAL, ROWID, ROWNUM 20. What is the
output of SIGN function? 1 for positive value, 0 for Zero, -1 for Negative value.
21. What is the maximum number of triggers, can apply to a single table? 12
triggers.

Oracle –Reports 6i 1.How many types of Columns are there in Reports6i? Answer :
Three There are three types of Columns. Formula Column, summary column,
placeholder column. 2.can you have more than one layout in One Report? A YES
Answer : It is possible to have more than one layout in one Report by using
additional layout option in Layout Editor. 3.can you run Report without Parameter
Form? Answer :- YES Yes it is possible to run the report without parameter form by
setting the PARAM value to Null 4.What are the minimum number of groups required
for a matrix report? Answer : 4 The minimum of groups required for a matrix report
are 4 5. Which of the following Option is valid for Panel/Print Order Property? in
Report Builder? Answer : Across Down/Down Across 6. What is default Unit of
Measurement in Report? Answer : Inch Default Unit of measurement is Inch. 7. How
many types of Parameters are available in Reports? Answer : Two There are two
types of Parameters available in Reports One is System Parameter and another is
User Parameter. 8. What is the purpose of PlaceHolder Column in Report? Answer : A
column for which you set the datatype and value in PL/SQL that you define. 9. What
is the purpose of Summary Column in Reports? Answer : A performs a computation on
another column's data. 10. What is the purpose of Formula Columns? Answer : A
column performs a user-defined computation on another column(s) data, including
placeholder columns.
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11. Which of the following Procedures displays message number and text that you
specify? Answer : SRW.MESSAGE This procedure displays a message with the message
number and text that you specify. The message is displayed in the format below.
After the message is raised and you accept it, the report execution will continue.

12. What are bind variables? Ans:-Variable that are used to replace a single value
in SQL or PL/SQL, such as a character string, number, or date. Specifically, bind
references may be used to replace expressions in SELECT, WHERE, GROUP BY, ORDER
BY, HAVING, CONNECT BY, and START WITH clauses of queries. Bind references may not
be referenced in FROM clauses or in place of reserved words or clauses. 13. Can
lexical reference be made in PL/SQL statement? Answer : No 14. Following of which
trigger will fire first? A. Between Pages B. After Parameter Form C. Before
Parameter Form D. Before Reprort Answer : C 15. Is there a way to change the same
format mask in a lot of fields in one step? A. Yes Answer : A Select all the Items
and change the format mask for all the item once. 1. Execution methods? Ans. a.
Host b. Immediate c. Java Stored Procedure d. Java Concurrent Program e. Multi
Language Function f. Oracle Reports g. PL/SQL Stored Procedure h. Request Set
Stage Function i. Spawned j. SQL*Loader k. SQL*Plus 2. What is TCA (Trading
Community Architecture)? Ans. Oracle Trading Community Architecture (TCA) is a
data model that allows you to manage complex information about the parties, or
customers, who belong to your commercial community, including organizations,
locations, and the network of hierarchical relationships among them. This
information is maintained in the TCA Registry, which is the single source of
trading community information for Oracle EBusiness Suite applications. 3.
Difference between Application Developer and System Administrator? Ans. Role of
Technical Consultant: a. Designing New Forms, Programs and Reports b. Forms and
Reports customization c. Developing Interfaces d. Developing PL/SQL stored
procedures e. Workflow automations Role of System Administrator: a. Define Logon
Users b. Define New/Custom Responsibility c. Define Data Groups
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d. Define Concurrent Managers e. Define Printers f. Test Network Preferences g.

Define/Add new Modules Role of an Apps DBA: a. Installing of Application b.
Upgradation c. Migration d. Patches e. Routing maintenance of QA f. Cloning of OA
4. What are Flexfields? Ans. A Flexfield is a customizable field that opens in a
window from a regular Oracle Applications window. Defining flexfields enables you
to tailor Oracle Applications to your own business needs. By using flexfields, you
can: (a) Structure certain identifiers required by oracle applications according
to your own business environment. (b) Collect and display additional information
for your business as needed. Key Flexfields: You use key flexfields to define your
own structure for many of the identifiers required by Oracle Applications. Profile
– ‘Flexfields:Open Key Window’ (FND_ID_FLEXS) Descriptive Flexfield: You use
descriptive flexfields to gather additional information about your business
entities beyong the information required by Oracle Applications. Profile –
Flexfields: Open Descr Window’ (FND_DESCRIPTIVE_FLEXS) 5. Report registration
process? Ans. 1. Create the report using the report builder. 2. Place the report
definition file in the module specific reports directory. 3. Create an executable
for the report definition file. 4. Create a concurrent program to that executable.
5. Associate the concurrent program to a request group. 6. User exits in Reports?
Ans. USER EXITS are used in Oracle APPS to access user profile values and perform
proper calculation. Ex. of Other AOL User exits available in Reports are given
below. FND SRWINIT - This is a User Exit which sets your profile option values and
allows Oracle AOL user exits to detect that they have been called by oracle
repots. Can be used in BEFORE-REPORT Trigger. FND_SRWEXIT - This user exit ensures
that all the memory allocated for AOL user exits has been freed up properly. Can
be used in AFTER- REPORT Trigger FND FORMAT_CURRENCY To format the currency amount
dynamically depending upon the precision of the actual currency value, standard
precision, users profile values and location (country) of the site.

FND FLEXSQL - This user exits allows you to use Flex fields in Reports FND
FLEXIDVAL - This user exits allows you to use Flex fields in Reports 7. Request
Set and Where do you define it ? Ans. Request sets allow you to submit multiple
requests together using multiple execution path. A request set is a collection of
reports and /or programs that are grouped together. A stage is a component of a
request set used to group requests within the set. All of the requests in a given
stage are executed in parallel. Advantages of stages are the ability to execute
several requests in parallel and then move sequentially to the next stage.
Responsibility: System Administrator
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Nav: Concurrent -> Set 7(A). Define Request Group? Ans. A request security group
is the collection of requests, request sets, and concurrent programs that a user,
operating under a given responsibility, can select from the Submit Requests
window. 8. Registration of PL/SQL with parameters? Ans. 1. Create the procedure in
the module specific schema. 2. Create a public synonym for that procedure in the
Apps schema. 3. Create the executable for that procedure. 4. Create a concurrent
program. 5. Attach the concurrent program to that procedure. Note: There are two
mandatory parameters 1. Errbuf 2. Retcode. Any parameter which are to be passed
should be succeeded with these two parameters and have to be registered. When
calling the procedure, these two parameters are not mentioned. 9. How many groups
in Matrix Report? Ans. The minimum of groups required for a matrix report are 4.
10. Lexical Parameters and Bind Parameters? Ans. Lexical references are
placeholders for text that you embed in a SELECT statement. You can use lexical
references to replace the clauses appearing after SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY,
ORDER BY, HAVING, CONNECT BY, and START WITH. You create a lexical reference by
entering an ampersand (&) followed immediately by the column or parameter name.
Bind references (or bind variables) are used to replace a single value in SQL or
PL/SQL, such as a character string, number, or date. Specifically, bind references
may be used to replace expressions in SELECT, WHERE, GROUP BY, ORDER BY, HAVING,
CONNECT BY, and START WITH clauses of queries. Bind references may not be
referenced in FROM clauses or in place of reserved words or clauses. You create a
bind reference by entering a colon (:) followed immediately by the column or
parameter name. 11. Value Sets? Ans. Oracle Application Object Library uses
values, value sets and validation tables as important components of key
flexfields, descriptive flexfields, FlexBuilder, and Standard Request Submission.
When you first define your flexfields, you choose how many segments you want to
use and what order you want them to appear. You also choose how you want to
validate each of your segments. The decisions you make affect how you define your
value sets and your values. You define your value sets first, either before or
while you define your flexfield segment structures. You typically define your
individual values only after your flexfield has been completely defined (and
frozen and compiled). Depending on what type of value set you use, you may not
need to predefine individual values at all before you can use your flexfield. You
can share value sets among segments in different flexfields, segments in different
structures of the same flexfield, and even segments within the same flexfield
structure. You can share value sets across key and descriptive flexfields. You can
also use value sets for report parameters for your reports that use the Standard
Report Submission feature. Navigation Path: Login – Application Developer ->
Application -> Validation -> Set 11(A). Value Validation Types? Ans. 1. Dependant
2. Independent 3. None 4. Pair 5. Special 6. Table 7. Translate Independent 8.
Translate Dependent
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11(B). How to define a value set depending on other value set? Ans. Navigation
Path: Login -> AOL -> Application -> Validation -> Set Select the validation type
as “Dependant” and click on ‘Edit Information’ button. In Dependant value set
information screen mention the Independent value set name. 12. Incompatibility in
report registration and Run Alone? Ans. Identify programs that should not run
simultaneously with your concurrent program because they might interfere with its
execution. You can specify your program as being incompatible with itself.
Application: Although the default for this field is the application of your
concurrent program, you can enter any valid application name. Name: The program
name and application you specify must uniquely identify a concurrent program. Your
list displays the user-friendly name of the program, the short name, and the
description of the program. Scope: Enter Set or Program Only to specify whether
your concurrent program is incompatible with this program and all its child
requests (Set) or only with this program (Program Only). Run Alone: Indicate
whether your program should run alone relative to all other programs in the same
logical database. If the execution of your program interferes with the execution
of all other programs in the same logical database (in other words, if your
program is incompatible with all programs in its logical database, including
itself), it should run alone. 13. AR-Invoices (Class)? Ans. 1. Chargeback 2.
Credit Memo 3. Debit Memo 4. Deposit 5. Guarantee 14. AP-Invoice types? Ans. 1.
Standard 2. Credit Memo 3. Debit Memo 4. Expense Report 5. PO Default 6.
Prepayment 7. Quick match 8. Withholding Tax 9. Mixed 15. Customer Interface? Ans.
Use Customer Interface to import and validate current or historical customer
information from other systems into Receivables. Once customer information is
imported into Oracle Receivables, you can use Customer Interface to import
additional data for that customer (such as additional contacts or addresses) and
to update existing information. You can also manually update and enter new
information using the Customer windows. The following diagram shows how customer
information is imported into the Oracle Receivables tables.
Page 248 of 259

16. Multi Org? Ans. Business Group Legal Entity Operating Units Inventory
Organizations Manufacturing Modules Financial Modules

(each one own Set of Books) (Post to a Set of Books)

(Order Entry, Purchasing, MRP etc.)

17. What are Profiles? Ans. A user profile is a set of changeable options that
affect the way your application looks and behaves. As System Administrator, you
control how Oracle Applications operate by setting user profile options to the
values you want. You can set user profile options at four different levels: site,
application, responsibility, and user. Your settings affect users as soon as they
sign on or change responsibility. Navigation Path: Login – System Administrator ->
Profile -> System Examples: Signon Password Hard to Guess Signon Password Length
Set of Books Name Flexfields: Autoskip 18. Employee Details?
Page 249 of 259

Ans. Enter employee records. Either your Human Resources department enters
employee information in the People window (if HRMS is installed), or the
appropriate department enters employee information in the Enter Person window. To
ensure that Payables can create a supplier record during Invoice Import, the
following are requirements for each employee record: • the employee name is unique
• reimbursement address for either Home or Office exists • address lines 1-3 for
the home address do not exceed 35 characters • City/State/Country does not exceed
25 characters • Zip Code for the home address does not exceed 20 characters 19.
What is the Multi Org and what is it used for? Ans. Multi Org or Multiple
Organizations Architecture allows multiple operating units and their relationships
to be defined within a single installation of Oracle Applications. This keeps each
operating unit's transaction data separate and secure. Use the following query to
determine if Muli Org is intalled: “select multi_org_flag from
fnd_product_groups;” 20. AR Invoice Tables? Ans. When you enter an invoice either
through the Transaction window or through the AutoInvoice program, Receivables
uses the following tables to store your invoice information: RA_CUSTOMER_TRX
RA_CUSTOMER_TRX_LINES RA_CUST_TRX_LINE_GL_DIST AR_PAYMENT_SCHEDULES 21. Bitmap
Report? Ans. Bitmapped reports are output as PostScript files. The PostScript file
is a set of instructions telling the printer exactly what to print and how to
print it. To get a landscape report, the Post Script file must be generated as
landscape. If you want a landscape bitmapped report, specify this either in the
Reports Designer or in the execution options of your concurrent program. When
printing bitmapped reports, a print style is still needed to determine the printer
driver used. To avoid confusion, create a special print style for bitmapped
reports and make that the required style for all bitmapped reports in the Define
Concurrent Programs form. 22. Difference between character and bitmap report? Ans.
Bitmap vs. Character-Mode Report Design Here is an example to help explain how
Oracle Reports are designed and printed in both the bitmap and character-mode
environments. Assume you wish to print "Cc" where "C" is a different font and a
larger point size than "c" and is in boldface type (where "c" is not). In Oracle
Reports Designer, bitmap mode, you can make "C" bold and in a different font and
point size than "c". This is because you are generating postscript output.
Postscript is a universal printer language and any postscript printer is able to
interpret your different design instructions. In Oracle Reports Designer,
character mode, the APPLICATIONS STANDARDS REQUIRE the report to be designed in
ONE FONT/ ONE CHARACTER SIZE. Character mode reports generate ASCII output. In
ASCII you cannot dynamically change the font and character size. The standard is
in effect so a report prints as identically as possible from both conventional and
postscript printers. Bitmap vs. Character-Mode Report Printing These sequences
contrast the two printing environments. In postscript, "C" can be in a different
font and point size than "c". Both or either could also be bold, for example. In
ASCII, "C" must be in the same font and character size as "c". Both or either
could also be bold, for example.
Page 250 of 259

23. What is difference between .rdf and .rep? Ans. Report definition file <report
name>.rdf Report runfile <report name>.rep 24. Module related Flex fields? Ans.
General Ledger Assets Receivables Key Flexfields Accounting Flex field Asset
Category Flexfield Sales Tax Location Territory Flex field Descriptive Flex fields
Daily Rates Bonus Rates Credit History Information

25. Difference between Global segments and Context-Sensitive segments? Ans. Gobal
Segments: Global segments are segments that appear regardless of context. Columns
used for global segments cannot hold an context-sensitive segments. Context-
Sensitive segments: Context-Sensitive segments occur depending on the context. 26.
Data conversion Vendor data effected tables? Ans. 1. PO_VENDORS 2.
PO_VENDOR_SITES_ALL 3. PO_VENDOR_CONTACTS 27. Data conversion Customer data
effected tables? Ans. 1. RA_CUSTOMERS_INTERFACE_ALL 2.
RA_CUSTOMER_PROFILES_INT_ALL 28. AP Invoice conversion data effected tables? Ans.
1. AP_INVOICES_INTERFACE 2. AP_INVOICE_LINES_INTERFACE 29. Report Triggers? Ans.
1. BEFORE PARAMETER FORM 2. AFTER PARAMETER FORM 3. BEFORE REPORT 4. BETWEEN PAGES
5. AFTER REPORT The order of events when a report is executed is as follows: 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 Before Parameter Form trigger is fired. Runtime Parameter Form appears
(if not suppressed). After Parameter Form trigger is fired (unless the user
cancels from the Runtime Parameter Form). Report is "compiled." Queries are
parsed. Before Report trigger is fired. SET TRANSACTION READONLY is executed (if
specified via the READONLY argument or setting). The report is executed and the
Between Pages trigger fires for each page except the last one. (Note that data can
be fetched at any time while the report is being formatted.) COMMITs can occur
during this time due to any of the following--user exit with DDL, SRW.DO_SQL with
DDL, or if ONFAILURE=COMMIT, and the report fails. COMMIT is executed (if READONLY
is specified) to end the transaction. After Report trigger is fired.
COMMIT/ROLLBACK/NOACTION is executed based on what was specified via the ONSUCCESS
argument or setting.

9 10 11
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30. Define Alerts in Apps? Ans. Oracle Alerts are used to monitor unusual or
critical activity within a designated database. The flexibility of ALERTS allows a
database administrator the ability to monitor activities from tablespace sizing to
activities associated with particular applications (i.e. AP, GL, FA). Alerts can
be created to monitor a process in the database and to notify a specific
individual of the status of the process. There are 2 types of alerts: Event Alerts
and Periodic Alerts a) EVENT ALERTS are triggered when an event or change is made
to a table in the database. b) PERIODIC ALERTS are activated on a scheduled basis
to monitor database activities or changes. 31. Steps to Create a Bit Map Report?
Ans. 1.Build the query 2.Draw the layout 3. Close the Layout Editor window. Under
Data Model, open up the 'System Parameters' 4.Right Click on 'MODE' and select
'Properties' Enter 'BITMAP' as the 'Initial Value' and click OK. Save the report -
call it 'first.rdf'. 5. Copy the report file in the appropriate directory. 6. Set
the FORMAT to POSTSCRIPT and style as A4. in the concurrent program. 32. What is
Token and used for? Ans. Token in Concurrent Program creation : For a parameter in
an Oracle Reports program, the keyword or parameter appears here. The value is
case insensitive. For other types of programs, you can skip this field. Procedure:
Defines an error token and substitutes it with a value. Calls to TOKEN( ) and
RAISE( ) raise predefined errors for Oracle Workflow that are stored in the
WF_RESOURCES table. The error messages contain tokens that need to be replaced
with relevant values when the error message is raised. This is an alternative to
raising PL/SQL standard exceptions or custom-defined exceptions. Syntax procedure
TOKEN (token_name in varchar2, token_value in varchar2); 33. Difference between
function and procedure? Ans. Procedures and functions consist of set of PL/SQL
statements that are grouped together as a unit of solve a specific problem or
perform set of related tasks. Procedures do not return values which functions
return one One Value. Packages: Packages provide a method of encapsulating and
storing related procedures, functions, variables and other package contents. 34.
Form registration setps? Ans. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Create the form using the form
builder. Generate the executable code (.fmx) Place the .fmb file in AU_TOP forms
directory Place the .fmx file in Module specific top forms directory. Register the
form with AOL Associate a form function for the form Attach the form function to a
menu
Page 252 of 259

35. Interface Tables details? Ans. 1. General Ledger :

2. Account Receivables:

3. Account Payables:

4. Purchasing:

GL_INTERFACE GL_INTERFACE_CONTROL GL_INTERFACE_HISTORY GL_BUDGET_INTERFACE

GL_DAILY_RATES_INTERFACE AR_PAYMENTS_INTERFACE_ALL AR_TAX_INTERFACE
HZ_PARTY_INTERFACE HZ_PARTY_INTERFACE_ERRORS RA_CUSTOMER_INTERFACE_ALL
RA_INTERFACE_DISTRIBUTIONS_ALL RA_INTERFACE_ERROR_ALL RA_INTERFACE_LINES_ALL
RA_INTERFACEA_SALESCREDITS_ALL AP_INTERFACE_CONTROL AP_INTERFACE_REJECTION
AP_INVOICES_INTERFACE AP_INVOICE_LINES_INTERFACE PO_DISTRIBUTIONS_INTERFACE
PO_HEADER_INTERFACE PO_LINES_INTERFACE PO_INTERFACE_ERROR
PO_REQUISITIONS_INTERFACE_ALL

36. Explain Tkprof? Ans. TKProf converts the raw trace files into a more readable
format SYNTAX: TKProf tracefile outputfile
[sort=option][explain=username/password] Ex. TKProf a12345.trc mytrace.out explain
scott/tiger Tracefile The name of the trace statistics file, which is found in the
user_dump_dest directory (Normally $ORACLE_HOME/rdbms/log) Outputfile The name of
the output file Sort= [option1,option2,….] sorts the SQL statements in the output
file

Explain=username/password instructs the TKProf to run explai on the SQL statement

in order to explain the access path. This is essential for performance
investigation Sys=no TKProf skips recursive SQL and statements run as the SYS
user. Used rarely. 37. Adhoc Report? Ans. You can define ad hoc financial reports
as necessary to meet special reporting needs. An ad hoc report is one you define
at the time you run financial reports. You do not assign a name to an ad hoc
report. Instead, General Ledger automatically names ad hoc reports as follows:
FSG-AD HOC-<Sequence Generated Number>. Suggestion: We recommend that you delete
ad hoc reports periodically to improve system performance. Prerequisite : 1.
Define a row set. 2. Define a column set. To define and run an ad hoc financial
report: 1. Navigate to the Run Financial Reports window. 2. Choose the Define Ad
Hoc Report button. 3. Enter a name for your report Title. If this field is empty,
the report title will default to the Row Set Description. If Row Set Description
is empty, the report title will default to Row Set Name. 4. Enter the Row Set and
Column Set to use for the report. 5. Enter any additional report information,
including Budget, Encumbrance, and Currency control values. 6. Choose OK to return
to the Run Financial Reports window. 38. Call_Form, Open_Form and New_Form
Definitions? Ans.
Page 253 of 259

CALL_FORM: Runs an indicated form while keeping the parent form active. Form
Builder runs the called form with the same Runform preferences as the parent form.
When the called form is exited Form Builder processing resumes in the calling form
at the point from which you initiated the call to CALL_FORM. OPEN_FORM: Opens the
indicated form. Use OPEN_FORM to create multiple-form applications, that is,
applications that open more than one form at the same time. NEW_FORM: Exits the
current form and enters the indicated form. The calling form is terminated as the
parent form. If the calling form had been called by a higher form, Form Builder
keeps the higher call active and treats it as a call to the new form. Form Builder
releases memory (such as database cursors) that the terminated form was using.
Form Builder runs the new form with the same Runform options as the parent form.
If the parent form was a called form, Form Builder runs the new form with the same
options as the parent form. 39. Form and Non-Form function? Ans. Form (Form
Function): A form function (form) invokes an Oracle Forms form. Form functions
have the unique property that you may navigate to them using the Navigate window.
Subfunction (Non-Form Function): A non-form function (subfunction) is a securable
subset of a form's functionality: in other words, a function executed from within
a form. Statement Printing AR Source files : ARXGSP internally calling ARXSGPO
AR_STATEMENT_HEADERS AR_STATEMENT_LINE_CLUSTERS AR_ADJUSTMENT

Tables Effected: TEMP_ARSHR TEMP_ARSLC TEMP_ADJ HZ_CUST_ACCOUNTS HZ_PARTIES

HZ_LOCATIONS HZ_CUST_ACCT_SITES HZ_PARTY_SITES FND_TERRITORIES Lookup Tables:
AR_LOOKUPS AR_PAYMENT_SCHEDULES

Style – Group Above Groups – Header Level Call FND_CLIENT_INFO in Before Report
Trigger Landscape – 66 / 80 - Height / Width AR Invoice Printing Source File :
RAXINV_SEL Tables: AR_INVOICE_HEADERS_V AR_INVOICE_LINES_V AR_TAX_LINES_V Call
FND_CLIENT_INFO in Before Report Trigger FND_CLIENT_INFO.SET_ORG_CONTEXT(81);
Purchase Order Report Source File : POXPRPOP 1) On Plane paper
Page 254 of 259

2) 3) 4)

Logo on Top Left Move Address to center Border for some fields

Tables: PO_HEADERS_PRINT PO_LINES_PRINT Lookup Objects: PO_LINE_LOCATIONS_PRINT

PO_VENDOR_CONTACTS PO_DISTRIBUTIONS_ALL HR_EMPLOYEES HR_LOCATIONS Check Printing
Source: APXPBFEL 1) 2) 3) Company Logo No Check number Stationary 8.5 X 11

Positive Pay Source : APXPOPAY Statement for bank Date 1-10 MM/DD/YY Left Check
Numbers 11 – 22 Number Right Amount 23 – 30 Number 9,2 Left Description 31 – 70
Alpha Number Left

General Report Modifications a. Pre printed stationary b. Portrait format c.

Header level changes d. Line level changes e. Decode usage f. Zero ‘0’ suppressing
g. Plan paper - logo and address and borders Report definition FLEX MODE Layout
Editor mode that automatically resizes or shrinks parent objects when child
objects are moved or resized, and adjusts the positions of other layout objects
that might otherwise be affected by the repositioning or resizing of the objects.
CONFINE MODE Layout editor mode that prevents child objects from being moved or
resized on or outside their parent objects. ANCHORA Layout object used to fix a
spot on one object to a spot on another object, ensuring the position of the first
object in relation to the second object. ANONYMOUS BLOCK A PL/SQL program unit
that has no name and does not require the explicit presence of the BEGIN and END
keywords to enclose the executable statements. Since they are unnamed, anonymous
blocks cannot be referenced by other program units.
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BOILERPLATE := Text and/or graphics that appear in a report every time it is run.
In some products this is called "constant" text or graphics. CURSOR:= 1. A small
icon representing the position of the mouse. The shape of the cursor varies,
depending on the selected tool. 2. An internal pointer to data retrieved by a
query. A cursor points only to one row of data at a time; however, you can use
built-in subprograms to move the cursor to any row in the data set. DATABASE
TRIGGER:= A stored PL/SQL block that is implicitly executed when a triggering
INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE statement is issued against the associated table in the
database. See also: debug trigger. FOREIGN KEY := A value or column in one table
that refers to a primary key in another table. FORMET TRIGGER :=A PL/SQL function
that allows you to dynamically change the formatting attributes of an object.
FORMULA COLUMN := A user-created column that gets its data from a PL/SQL function
or expression, a user exit, a SQL statement, or any combination of these. FRAME =
In Graphics Builder, the part of a chart template that defines the basic structure
of a chart, but does not determine the way the data is plotted. 2. In Report
Builder, a layout object used to enclose other layout objects and control the
formatting, frequency, and positioning of several objects simultaneously. FUNCTION
= A PL/SQL subprogram that performs a specified sequence of actions, and then
returns a value. Can reside and execute on the client and the database server.
GLOBAL VARIABLE = A logical container that exists across an application. When an
application uses a global variable, the application maintains the variable until
the application is exited, or until another object explicitly removes it. GROUP
FILTER A PL/SQL function that restricts the data fetched by a group. INDEX = An
optional structure associated with a table that is used by Oracle Server to locate
rows of the table quickly, and (optionally) to guarantee that every row is unique.
INSERT MODE = A mode in which each character you enter is inserted at the cursor,
pushing the following characters to the right. The opposite of replace mode.
LAXICAL REFERENCE = A reference to a parameter used to represent a string of text
in a SQL SELECT statement. For a lexical reference, you must precede the parameter
name with an ampersand (&). LOCAL VARIABLE = A PL/SQL variable declared only
within the scope of the current program unit. NULL VALUE = The absence of a value.
PACKAGE FUNCTION = A PL/SQL function provided with the software that can be
referenced anywhere within a program unit. PACKAGE = A method of encapsulating and
storing related procedures, functions, variables, and other package constructs
together as a unit in the database or on the client. While packages provide the
database administrator or application developer organizational benefits, they also
offer increased functionality and database performance. The software provides
several built-in packages which contain PL/SQL constructs that can be referenced
by client-side program units (e.g., TEXT_IO package). Several packages are also
supplied with the Oracle database server for referencing by stored program units
(e.g., DBMS_OUTPUT package).
Page 256 of 259

PACKAGE BODY = Includes the actual implementation of the package, which may
include private subprograms and datatypes. The body is optional if the package
consists only of declarations. PACKAGE SPECIFICATION = Includes the actual
implementation of the package, which may include private subprograms and
datatypes. The body is optional if the package consists only of declarations.
PARAMETER = 1. A PL/SQL construct used to pass information to a subprogram. For
example, in the subprogram call MYPROC (x),x is a parameter. 2. In Forms
Developer, parameters are used to pass information between components such as Form
Builder and Graphics Builder. 3. A variable you can change at runtime. PLOT TYPE =
The type of element used to plot a field on a chart, such as bar, line, or symbol.
PL/SQL = Oracle's proprietary extension to the SQL language. Adds procedural and
other constructs to SQL that make it suitable for writing applications. PRIEVIEVE
= The interface with which you view and scroll through report output online.
PRIMARY KEY = A column in a database table whose members consist of unique values
that can be used to identify a row in a table. PROCEDURE = A PL/SQL subprogram
that performs a specified sequence of actions. . Can reside and execute on the
client and the database server. PROGRAM UNIT = A PL/SQL code structure that can be
independently recognized and processed by the PL/SQL compiler. Anonymous blocks,
subprogram specifications and bodies (procedures and functions), and package
specifications and bodies are types of program units. Program units can reside and
execute on the client and the database server. See also: stored program unit.
PROJECT NAVIGATOR = The window containing a hierarchical list of project items for
the current session. The list appears in outline form, and enables the user to
accomplish several tasks such as creating, editing, renaming, and deleting
objects. Although only one is visible at any time, the user can choose from two
different schema by which to organize the objects. PROPERTY = A characteristic of
an object that determines the behavior or appearance of that object. PROPERTY
CLASS = A named object that contains a list of properties and their settings used
to globally control the appearance and functionality of objects based on that
class. RDBMS = Acronym for Relational Database Management System. A database that
allows the definition of data structures, storage and retrieval operations, and
integrity constraints. In such a database, data and relations between them are
organized in tables. RECORD = One row fetched by a SQL SELECT statement. RECORD
GROUP = An internal data structure object with a column/row framework, that belong
to the form module in which they are defined. RELATIONAL OPERATOR = A symbol used
in search criteria to indicate a comparison between two values, such as the equal
sign in "WHERE DEPTNO = 10." Rows in which the comparison results in "true" are
returned in the result (fetched), while rows in which the comparison returns
"false" are rejected from the result.
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REPEATING FRAME = A layout object used to display rows of data that are fetched
for a group. REPLACE MODE A mode in which each character you type replaces the
current character at the cursor. The opposite of insert mode. SCHEMA = A
collection of related database objects, usually grouped by database userid. Schema
objects includes tables, views, sequences, stored program units, synonyms,
indexes, clusters, and database links. SELECTOR = (Oracle Express) A set of tools
that you use to choose the dimension values to include, for instance, in a report,
table, graph, or dimension list box. For example, you can use the Selector to
choose the top 10 cities based on Sales or those cities whose Sales exceeded Quota
by 15 percent. The Selector also allows you to sort dimension values and to create
and retrieve saved selections. SQL = A standard interface for storing and
retrieving information in a relational database. SQL is an acronym for Structured
Query Language. SQL SCRIPT A file containing SQL statements that you can run to
perform database administration quickly and easily. Several SQL scripts are
shipped with Oracle products.

SQL STATEMENT = A SQL instruction to Oracle. A SELECT statement is one type of SQL
statement.

SUMMARY COLUMN = A column, with a type of summary, which computes subtotals, grand
totals, running totals, and other summaries of the data in a report, using one of
the packaged summary functions provided by Report Builder. SYNTEX VARIABLE = One
of the variables that are provided with Reports Developer (e.g., &Logical Page,
DESTYPE). TABLE = A named collection of related information, stored in a
relational database or server, in a twodimensional grid that is made up of rows
and columns. TABLE TYPE = A named collection of related information, stored in a
relational database or server, in a twodimensional grid that is made up of rows
and columns. TRIGGER = A PL/SQL procedure that is executed, or "fired," upon a
specific event. USER EXIT = A way in which to pass control (and possibly
arguments) from Forms Developer to another Oracle product or 3GL, and then return
control (and possibly arguments) back to Forms Developer. USER DEFINED ACTION = A
custom action defined by a Project Builder user. Such actions may apply to any
single file type, or to all file types. See also: action, pre-defined action.
VARIABLE = A named object that can be assigned a value and whose assigned value
may change over time. VISUAL ATTRIBUTE = A named object that can be assigned a
value and whose assigned value may change over time. SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION 1.Which
of the following is not associated with a responsibility? A. Menu B. Request group
C. Data group D. Password expiration Answer: D 2.What do you need to do to allow a
different user to see your output file? A. The user must log on as a system
administrator.
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B. C. D. Answer: C

The user must have the View My Requests form in system administrator mode. The
user must be logged on with the same responsibility as the user that generated the
output file, and the profile option Concurrent: Report Access Level value must be
set to Responsibility. The user must be logged on as the same responsibility as
the one that generated the output file and profile option Concurrent: Report
Access Level value is User.

3.When will a request group become a request security group? A. When the request
group is assigned to a responsibility B. When the request group is specified for
the Submit Request form C. When the request group is defined with request sets D.
When the request group is defined with stage functions Answer: A 4.How can you
customize the SRS process? A. Change the form title B. Restrict it by request
group C Eliminate the Submit Another Request dialog window D. All of the above
Answer: D 5.Which is not a component of a request set? A. Stage B. Group C.
Request D. Parameter Answer: B 6.Which of the following operations cannot be
performed with the internal concurrent manager? A. Restart B. Verify C. Deactivate
D. Terminate Answer: A 7.Which one of the following will be the correct outcome
with two include rules in a combined rule? A. Program will be included if the
program is in one of the include rules B. Program will be included if the program
is in both of the include rules C. Program will be included if the program is run
by one of the two Oracle IDs in the include rules D. None of the above Answer: B
8.When will the number of actual processes be less than the number of target
processes? A. When the concurrent manager is down B. When the concurrent manager
is coming up C. When there are not enough requests D. All of the above Answer: D
9.Which of the following is not a component of parallel concurrent processing? A.
Internal monitor B. Transaction manager C. Primary node D. Secondary node Answer:
B 10.Which of the following is the overriding level for profile option values? A.
Site B. Application C. Responsibility
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D. User Answer: D 11.Which of the following is the correct sequence for setting up
database change audits? A. Audit installations, audit tables, audit groups, audit
trail update tables request B. Audit installation, audit groups, audit tables,
audit trail update tables request C. Audit trail update tables request, audit
installation, audit groups, audit tables D. Audit groups, audit tables, audit
trail update tables request, Audit Installation Answer: B 12.Which of the
following is not a document sequence type? A. Category B. Automatic C. Gapless D.
Manual Answer: A 13.Which of the following determines the subdirectory for an
executable? A. Application name B. Execution method C. Subroutine D. Execution
filename Answer: B 14.For what is the Token field used? A. Default value B.
Profile option value C. Oracle Reports parameter D. Value set Answer: C 15.How are
output files associated with various printer components? A. Through the printer
type of the selected printer and the selected print style B. Through the selected
print style and the selected printer driver C. Through the selected printer type
and the selected print style D. Through the printer type of the selected printer
and the selected Answer: A