I am santosh , i graduated from University of Bedfordshire with Masters degreee in

COMPUTER SCIENCE , having 4+ years of experience in BI TOOLS LIKE OBIEE 11G/10G/

Translated Business requirements into technical requirements.
Customized Purchase Orders, GL, Account Receivables, Account Payables,
Procurement and Spend Analytics, Order Management, Inventory reports using
OBIEE 11g.
Worked with OBIA rpd, making use of the existing physical/logical objects, creating
reports based on pre- built rpd.
Created Dashboard prompts and advanced filter criteria.
Created new connection pools for different data sources and designed from the scratch
(physical, business model and presentation).
Created major and important dashboards like Customer Profitability from the scratch
including
The top priority reports like Monthly Net Sales, Customer Profitability, Funds
Details, CreditSummary.
Utilized features like dashboard prompts, pivot tables, column selector, drill
down, hierarchy.
Configured Web Catalog Objects (Dashboards, Pages, Folders, and Reports).
Implemented various Repository Variables and System Variables depending up on
user requirements.
Upgraded from OBIEE 10g to 11g.
Designed and developed complicated/complex reports.
Followed best practices to make sure there was good performance.
Administered MUD rpd, reviewed developers rpd development before merging into
MUD server.
Created Drill down Hierarchies, Levels and implemented logic by
creating Level Based Measuresat BMM Layer.
Utilized Aggregation to improve query performance
Created Reports using different views
Implemented BI Security using External Table for Authentication and
Authorization
Environment: OBIEE 10.1.3.3, 10.1.3.4,




What is query repository tool?
It is utility of Seibel/OBIEE Admin tool
Allows you to examine the repository metadata tool
For example: search for objects based on name, type.
Examine relationship between metadata objects like which column in the presentation
layer maps to which table in physical layer

What is JDK and why do we need it?
Java Development Kit (JDK), A software package that contains the minimal set of tools
needed to write, compile, debug, and run Java applets.

Oracle doesnt recommend Opaque Views because of performance
considerations, so why/when do we use them?
An opaque view is a physical layer table that consists of select statement. an opaque
view should be used only if there is no other solution.

Can you migrate the presentation layer to a different server?
No we have to migrate the whole web & RPD files

How do you identify what are the dimension tables and how do you decide
them during the Business/Data modeling?
Dimension tables contain descriptions that data analysts use as they query the database.
For example, the Store table contains store names and addresses; the Product table
contains product packaging information; and the Period table contains month, quarter,
and year values. Every table contains a primary key that consists of one or more
columns; each row in a table is uniquely identified by its primary-key value or values

Why do we have multiple LTS in BMM layer? What is the purpose?
To improve the performance and query response time.

What is the full form of RPD?
There is no full form for RPD as such, it is just a repository file (Rapidfile Database)

How do i disable cache for only 2 particular tables?
In the physical layer, right click on the table there we will have the option which says
cacheable

How do you split a table in the RPD given the condition? (The condition given
was Broker and customer in the same table) Split Broker and customer.
We need to make an alias table in the physical layer.

What type of protocol did you use in SAS?
TCP/IP

OBIEE Security FAQ Explained

How is security set up in OBIEE? How many methods of security can be set up
in OBIEE?
Lets start with Authentication and Authorization.
Authentication is process of confirming whether the user is a valid user or not. Is he part
of this company? Is he an employee of our external suppliers?
Authorization is process of giving access to different pieces of the OBIEE. One user
UserA can access dashboards, can create iBots, can schedule reports and can do
administrative tasks. Another user UserB can see only part of what UserA has access
to and UserB has access to some other tabs of the dashboard that UserA does not.
This layer of separating who can access what is done as part of Authorization.
How does OBIEE handle Authentication?
Its very flexible and can be integrated to one of your existing technologies like LDAP,
Oracle EBS, AD, and Oracle Database. So, do the same username have to exist in OBIEE
security layer as part of RPD development? Yes, by default, OBIEE stores list of
usernames and passwords and checks incoming credentials against it.
Heard about External Table Authentication? Where does this come into play?
Instead of storing usernames and passwords directly in the RPD, these are stored in the
database for better management purposes. This also helps in RPD migration and
deployment across multiple environments.
How is Authorization handled in OBIEE?
Authorization is done as part of security in Presentation Services.
Does OBIEE have two layers of security?
Yes, first at the RPD level and second at the presentation services level.
Do you have to have the same username established at both RPD and
presentation services levels for this to work?
Not necessarily based on my knowledge.. I will let others comment on this
What kind of privileges can be granted from presentation services level?
Access to iBots, certain tabs in the dashboard, delivers, alerts, schedule reports etc etc..
Why OBIEE security is different compared to other BI tools?
Because its very flexible and can integrate into any existing security architecture an
organization has built and reduces the need for one more layer of administration..
Did Oracle OBIEE do a good job of communicating and convincing the user
community regarding the security architecture?
Probably not... I understand the complexity behind this and the mere flexibility of the
tool makes this even difficult.
Nerds of OBIEE

1. What is the default location of a repository file?
[InstalledDirectory]\OracleBI\server\Repository\
2. How many repository files can be loaded to a BI Server simultaneously?
Assume its a single server with single instance of BI Server running just to
keep things easy
Im not sure about the limit of number of repositories loaded at same time but to
make one rpd online we need one saw server so for multiple rpds to be online we
need as many saw servers.
3. If you have more than 3 repository files mentioned in your NQSConfig.ini file as
default, which one gets loaded to the memory when the BI Server is started?
Ex:
Star = SamplerRepository1.RPD, DEFAULT;
Star = SamplerRepository2.RPD, DEFAULT;
Star = SamplerRepository3.RPD, DEFAULT;

If we dont specify comment the last repository will be loaded online, so in this
case SamplerRepository3.rpd will be loaded.
4. How do you import Essbase Cubes into your repository?

5. Whats XMLA and where is it used for in OBIEE context?
The Provider Services tool that comes with Essbase is used to provide the interface,
with Oracle BI Server talking to Essbase through its XMLA interface. (Need to find
the answer still)
XML for Analysis (abbreviated as XMLA) is an industry standard for data access in
analytical systems, such as OLAP and Data Mining. XMLA is based on other industry
standards such as XML, SOAP and HTTP.

6. Can you change the location of your RPD file in your OBIEE Configuration? If
Yes, Where would you mention the new location of this RPD file for Bi Server?
Read the NQSConfig file Repository Section. You will easily find the answer. The
answer for this is It cant be changed.

-*
The repository location can be changed, this must be done when clustering the BI
Server. The parameters in the NQSCONFIG.INI file are
REPOSITORY_PUBLISHING_DIRECTORY =
REQUIRE_PUBLISHING_DIRECTORY = YES;
7. What kind of joins would you perform in the physical layer of the repository file
when opened with Administration tool?
We cannot have outer joins in Physicla layer. We can outer joins in BMM layer. In
BMM layer - complex join can be full inner join or full outer join or whatever your
criteria was,but in physical layer - physical join is always an inner join.
8. What are the minimum services needed to load a repository file onto memory
and view a dashboard which has reports that have been refreshed on a
scheduled basis?
Oracle BI Java Host, Oracle BI Presentation Server, and Oracle BI Server
9. Can you use an OLTP backend database for creating a dashboard?
Technically you can use OBIEE with OLTP as well. However real world scenarios
pertaining to OLTP makes it difficult for OBIEE to create Star schema from OLTP.
Also OBIEE is an engine to perform analytics queries, while in most cases queries
generated against OLTP schemas are operational in nature. Better option is to use BI
publisher and do away with OBIEE when querying against OLTP.

Bottom line, you can use OLTP with OBIEE but performance will be an issue (not
advisable).
*
OBIEE works with any database if you force to do. If you want to follow best
practices, its recommended to use with OLAP systems. After all OBIEE is analytics
reporting tool and OLAP databases were designed for reporting requirements. So its
always advised use the OLAP to get better performance and better analytics from
OBIEE.
10. How many tables are needed in minimum to pass through the Consistency
Checking in Logical Layer (Business Mapping and Modeling Layer) of the
repository?
TWO TABLES
11. Can you create new views in the database using OBIEE Administration tool?
Can you explain the procedure for doing this?
The view SQL Syntax is standard ANSI SQL. From what I understand, you have a
table named "Table 1" which has four columns, "Attr1", "Attr2", "Measure 1",
"Measure 2". You want to create a new measure named "Attribute 3" (I'd
recommend not having spaces in your column and table names FYI).

If that's correct, then try this
1. In the physical layer, change the object type to view.
2. Put the following SQL in the box
Select "Table 1"."Attr 1","Table 1"."Measure 1", 'Y' "Attribute 3"
From "Table 1"
3. Define your columns in the object appropriately.
*
You are right, it is called a SELECT type.

About your second question I'm not sure what you mean. You use a SQL Select
statement in this area. The Alias of the columns need to match the columns you
setup in the RPD exactly. But in this process you don't create a physical DB view
object, hence there's no need to name it. You just create the select statement that
you would use to create a view and OBIEE references the statement.

12. What is a complex join in OBIEE and why, where is it used?
A complex join is a metadata of sql join statement in the repository.
*
The complex join in the BM is it will dynamically select
which Logical table sources to join together from the Logical tables.

If you use a FK business model join, you are forcing which fields OBI can
use and therefore which LTSs it can use. The joining is not physical table
to physical table, but really LTS to LTS. Whatever physical joins are
underneath it will use (as long as they are there).
But the concept is LTS-to-LTS, not the individual tables inside.

The problem with the FK join is that you are tying
OBI's hands and limiting its choices. If you made a FK join on MONTH_KEY
for example, if you selected a Day field on your report, OBI would try to
find a LTS souce that
1) has day on it and
2) has a field that maps to MONTH_KEY

which your day table might not have mapped. Thus, you would be asking
for something that doesn't exist, which results in thrwoing an error.
*
When Complex joins are used in the BMM (Business Model) layer then they are
really acting as placeholders. They allow the OBI Server to decide on which are the
best joins to use in the Physical Layer to satisfy the request.
In a Dimension, you may have multiple Logical Table sources that all join to one fact
table. The OBI Server will decide on the best physical joins to use to meet the
requirements if a Complex join is used in the BMM Layer.

Hope this help.

Be careful, you can also use a "complex join" in the physical layer but it's to be able
to set a complex join condition and you must do the difference with the complex join
in the BMM as describe above.
*
Lets take one example.

We have a fact (F) joined with DIM (D) having 2 LTS DAY & WEEK using a complex
join in BMM. And Physical/PF joins on DAY_ID & WK_ID respectively in physical
layer.

Now if I take a column from one of the LTS suppose from day on a report with other
few columns/measures from the fact.

On what basis the BI server will decide from the complex join in the BMM that which
physical join will be selected in the PHYSICAL layer to issue an sql.

Is it mandatory to have hierarchies defined in your repository? If yes, where
does it help? If No, what happens in the reports?
not mandatory, if u have u can drill the data, like if u click on year you will get quarters
in the other column or summary values to detailed values. If No, you cannot drilldown.

13. How do you create outer joins in physical layer?
We cannot
14. What does Consistency Checking perform; what are the minimum criteria to
pass consistency checking for a given repository?
Consistency check is a utility in the Administration Tool that checks if a repository has
met certain requirements. Repositories and the business models within them must pass
the consistency check before you can make business models available for queries. When
a repository or business model is inconsistent, a detailed message alerts you to the
nature of the inconsistency.
The Consistency Check Manager displays three types of messages:
Error messages indicate errors that need to be fixed to make the repository consistent.
Warning messages indicate conditions that may or may not be errors, depending upon
the intent of the Oracle BI Server administrator. For example, if the Administrator user
has an empty password this should be addressed, but is not a requirement for a
consistent repository.
Best Practices messages provide information about conditions but do not indicate an
inconsistency. For example, if there are physical tables with no keys defined, a best
practice message is displayed. Defining keys for physical tables is best practice, but is
not a requirement for a consistent repository.
For each message the Consistency Check Manager identifies the message type, the
object type, the object, and provides a detailed description of the message. There are
options to display only selected message types, display results using qualified names,
check all objects in the repository, and copy the results to another file.
Minimum criteria
Checking Global Consistency checks for errors in the entire repository. Some of the more
common checks are done in the Business Model and Mapping layer and Presentation
layer. Since these layers are not defined yet, bypass this check until the other layers in
the repository are built. You learn more about consistency check later in this tutorial.
15. Does OBIEE store physical sql ? How is physical sql generated in OBIEE
environments?
YES.
HOW: The physical SQL is the SQL that send the BI Server to the data sources in order to
retrieve data. This SQL is generated by the query compiler during the query processing of
the logical sql created by a client tool generally through an answer (Advanced Tab)
16. Are there any occasions where physical sql is not generated when running
against a backend database like Oracle, SQL Server or any other relational
database?
Depends on Logging level. (Elaborate it later)
17. What is the best default logging level for production users?
The login level is a parameter which control the number of information that you will
retrieve in the log file from nothing (level 0 - OBIEE - No Log Found) to a lot of
information (level 5).
You can enable logging level for individual users; you cannot configure a logging level for
a group.
The session variable LOGLEVEL overrides a user's logging level. For example, if the
Oracle BI Administrator has a logging level defined as 4 and LOGLEVEL is defined as
default 0 (zero) in the repository, the Oracle BI Administrator's logging level will be 0.
In normal operations:
Users have a logging level set to 0
Administrators have a logging level set to 2
18. What is the difference between logging level 1 and 2?
Description of logging levels
LoggingLevels Logging Level Information That Is Logged
Level 0 No logging
Level 1 Logs the SQL statement issued from the client application
Logs elapsed times for query compilation, query execution, query
cache processing, and back-end database processing
Logs the query status (success, failure, termination, or timeout). Logs
the user ID, session ID, and request ID for each query
Level 2 Logs everything logged in Level 1
Additionally, for each query, logs the repository name, business model
name, presentation catalog (called Subject Area in Answers)
name, SQL for the queries issued against physical databases, queries
issued against the cache, number of rows returned from each query
against a physical database and from queries issued against the cache,
and the number of rows returned to the client application
Level 3 Logs everything logged in Level 2
Additionally, adds a log entry for the logical query plan, when a query
that was supposed to seed the cache was not inserted into the cache,
when existing cache entries are purged to make room for the current
query, and when the attempt to update the exact match hit detector
fails
Level 4 Logs everything logged in Level 3
Additionally, logs the query execution plan. Do not select
this level without the assistance of Technical Support
Level 5 Logs everything logged in Level 4
Additionally, logs intermediate row counts at various points in the
execution plan. Do not select this level without the assistance of
Technical Support

19. What are the different places (files) to view the physical sql generated by an
Answers report?
A quick way to see the content of the Nqquery.log to grab the SQL information is to
follow these quick instructions.
Click Settings > Administration > Manage Sessions > View Log to view the query log and
examine thePhysical SQL generated by the request.
To be able to see the log, you must set the log level at least with the level 2.

20. Where the BI Server does logs its start, stop and restart times in the file
system?
NQServer.log can be located from the path ORACLEBI/server/log/NQServer.log.This log
consists of BI Server Start up issues and Subject areas loaded and the data sources
connected from within the RPD. If the NQSConfig.ini has errors or if RPD has version
issues or if proper RPD is not loaded, the BIServer fails to start and this will be recorded
in the BIServer.
21. You have two tables Table 1 and Table 2 joined by a foreign key in the
database? They are imported together from the database into your physical
layer. Is this relationship still preserved in the OBIEE physical layer?
NO. Need to join them again with their foreign keys (Elaborate it more later)
22. Same as question 22 but what happens if you import each table separately?
Same. Need to Join them in Physical Layer (Elaborate it more later)
23. If Table 1 and Table 2 are dragged from physical layer to BMM layer, which
table becomes a Fact Table and which table becomes a Dimension Table?
Depends on the relation between table 1 and table 2. The table that N relation will be
fact and the other will be dimension.
More info:
In Physical Layer joins, It matters which table you click first. The join is creating a one-
to-many (1:N) relationship that joins the key column in the first table to a foreign key
column in the second table. The Administration Tool makes a best "guess" and
automatically determines which columns should be included in the join.

There are two main categories of logical tables: fact and dimension. Logical fact tables
contain the measures by which an organization gauges its business operations and
performance. Logical dimension tables contain the data used to qualify the facts.
24. What if the tables (Table 1 and Table 2) are not joined, and then what happens
in BMM layer?
We will get warning that, logical table is joined with any ohther table
25. What is the difference between logical table and logical table source?
A logical table contains one or more logical table source. The mapping between physical
columns and logical columns are done in this element.
26. How many LTS (Logical Table Sources) can a logical table have? Whats the
minimum and maximum?
Info:
http://www.shangyezhineng.com/blog/125/tech-content/obiee/logical-table-vs-logical-
table-src
27. How many server instances can coexist in an OBIEE cluster?
Maximum 16
28. Whats a dimension only query in OBIEE?

29. Aggregation rules are set on top of columns (Physical Columns or
Logical Columns or Both)
Logical columns
30. What is alternative drill path? How do you set alternative drill path in OBIEE?
http://forums.oracle.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=1955095&tstart=30
31. What are the pre-requisites for using aggregate persistence wizard? What does
aggregate persistence wizard create and what does it help with?

32. Can you import data in multiple sheets from an Excel file? How do you import
data from an Excel sheet? (Forget about csv files for now)
Yes.

33. What are the uses of Execute Direct SQL feature in Answers? Is it a good
practice to allow this feature for production users?
Check it later.NO
34. How do you disable Execute Direct SQL feature for all the users of your
repository?
Persentation serveices Admin
35. I want to store the value of the last time the repository was updated and show
it in the dashboard? What type of variable can be used for this purpose?
Dynamic Repository variable
36. Is there any way to see a list of all the repository variables defined in your
repository using Answers tool?

37. What are Chronological Keys in OBIEE? How are they different from Logical Keys?


The chronological keys are used in the hierarchies where the dimension attributes
referred in the same keep on increasing in a particular fashion. The best example of
the same is the date dimension. The chronological key is referred to as the attribute
which keeps on increasing. This helps in using the time series functions and the YTD
and MTD measures calculation.

You can also declare the other hierarchy attributes as chronological key if their value
keep on increasing in a certain fashion.
*
The Chronological Key should be the date itself. The unique identifier is the
date/time itself, there can be many dates in a year, month, etc. If the key is
structured as you have said yyyymmdd you can use it as the key. The chronological
key has to increase sequentially, so yyyyddmm wouldn't work. The reason is that
the query generated by date specific functions in OBI like AGO use the chronological
order in building the query, as mentioned in an earlier response.
38. You want to use a database built-in function bypassing the functions defined in
OBIEE? What OBIEE function helps in achieving this? Whats the syntax for this
function?
Evaluate function
39. What are the different ways to authenticate an user in OBIEE system? Can
OBIEE authenticate a user passing through multiple authentication methods?
LDAP, EXTERNAL TABLE
40. How do you resolve M:M relationship between tables in OBIEE? Explain a
scenario where this would help?


41. Does OBIEE support ragged hierarchies? What is the procedure to import
ragged hierarchies from Essbase?
See it above for ragged hierarchy. Import from Essbase, no idea.
42. You are trying to open a repository using Admin tool and when you click to say
Open Online; a dialogue box pops up saying Your RPD is available in read-
only mode. How can you edit this repository by opening online?
One of the reasons you get this message because: If you are getting problem, because
last time when RPD is open you restarted the BI Server. Never ever restart the server
when the RPD is open in ONLINE or OFFLINE. However as a best practice close the RPD
whenever you want to restart the BI services, every time.
43. How do you set up usage tracking in OBIEE? Is the Usage Tracking mechanism
in OBIEE configurable to capture new identified metrics by your department?
Read about Usage Tracking
44. What is the default configuration for caching in NQSConfig.ini file? How method
does the OBIEE use for clearing its cache?
YES. In Admin tool, ManageCachePurge
In PS, Manage session Close all cursors.


45. Table 1 and Table 2 are joined together in an Answers query. Table 1 is defined
as cacheable and Table 2 is defined as not cacheable? What happens to the
result set used in the Answers tool? Is the result cached or not cached?


46. What is MUDE/ MUD in OBIEE? On what basis would you create projects?
Read about MUDE
47. Two people (Developer A and Developer B) are assigned to the same project inside MUD
and opened the same project simultaneously. Developer A made some changes to the
project and merged his changes to the original repository. Developer B also made some
changes and committed his changes to the original repository? Does the MU environment
preserve both Developer A and Developer B changes?
YES but check it.

48. In MUDE, Can two resources checkout the same project simultaneously?
NO
49. In MUDE, what happens if the physical tables are shared between projects?


50. What are the different types of utilities provided in OBIEE? Explain any two
utilities used in your previous projects and what are they used for?
Check Utilities
51. What are the different documentation mechanisms available in Admin tool?
How do you create documentation for your Answers users against all objects
available in your subject areas?
Check Utilities


53. What are parameterized nested loop joins (PNLP)? Where are they used? Can you
configure a PNLP in your physical or logical layer?
54. You are running a dashboard report and check whether it is using cache? What are
the different caches that can be used to serve its customer faster? (remember we are
not talking about cache in BI Server only) How does a dashboard request gets served
from all available caches?
55. Is it better to cache a fact table or dimension table or both in the BI Server level?
Why? (Forget other caches from above question)
56. You recently changed the columns of your presentation catalog as your manager
wants to enforce naming standards for all customer facing apps. What happens to all the
dashboard requests written prior ot this change? Do they function properly or do they
appear broken? If Yes, they will function How does they work? If Not, reports appears
broken what can you do to fix this? Give examples.
57. What are the different hierarchy types available in OBIEE? When would you use
them?
58. How do you create radio buttons on your OBIEE dashboard?
59. Can you create a Master Detail Report in OBIEE and how would you do it?
60. How do you deal with a situation like this when data is coming from a snowflaked
data warehouse.
Fact > Dimenion 1 >-< Dimension 2 >< Dimension 3
Dimension 1 and Dimension 2 is a M:M relationship and the same for Dimension 2 and
Dimension3.
61. How do you resolve a M:M relationship other than using a bridge table?
62. Lets say that you have three tables joined to each other which have been set to be
cacheable at physical layer with Table 1 set at cache persistence time 45 min, Table 2
with 60 min and Table 3 with 30 min. You ran your answers request at 9 AM and again
at 9:15 AM and again at 9:45 AM. Is the result set the same for all these 3 runs at
different times? If so, Why? If Not, why not? There are transactions going on and data is
being updated in these tables almost every 10 min.
63. Lets say you are on your local box with a RPD and want to make sure that it can be
edited only in offline mode. How can you accomplish this? Is this possible? What settings
would you change?
64. Assume there is no MUDE in your environment. Three developers have been working
on three separate projects and they have developed their RPDs. As a Server Admin, you
were asked to promote these three RPDs. What are the next steps for you as an admin
to take care of to move them to QA and production? Are there any OBIEE tools that can
be handy with this situation?
65. How do you get this type of interaction in your dashboard report? When clicked on a
report column, I want multiple options for drill down. Remember that I did not create
any hierarchies in my RPD.
http://nerdsofobiee.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/answersmultiplepaths.jpg
66. Lets say that you want to include a prompt to your dashboard with Start Date, End
Date and some measures and dimension attributes. You want to use SQL Results
feature to automatically populate Start Date and End Date with Start Date as
trunc(sysdate 1) and End Date as trunc(sysdate). What would you do? Will you
encounter any errors? How do you rectify this problem?
67. How many business models can a presentation catalog refer to? How many
presentation catalogues be created from a single business model?
68. How can we create nested presentation folders (nested presentation
tables) in your presentation catalog? Lets say we have Facts all lumped
together in one folder and sub divide these facts as Facts Logical and Facts
Strategic folders? How would you create this nested structure in presentation
catalog?
To give the appearance of nested folders in Oracle BI Answers, prefix the name of the
presentation folder to be nested with a hyphen and a space and place it after the folder
in which it nests.
Alternatively, you can enter a hyphen and a greater than sign in the Description field.
For example, to nest the SalesFacts folder in the Facts folder, place the SalesFacts folder
directly after Facts in the Presentation layer and rename it - SalesFacts. When Answers
displays the folder, it omits the hyphen and space from the folder name. It is possible to
nest multiple folders under a single folder; however, only one level of nesting is possible.

69. What are logical keys? Why would you need to create them? Does the
physical key get automatically converted to logical key when the table is moved
from physical layer to business model?
After creating tables in the Business Model and Mapping layer, you specify a primary key
for each table. Logical dimension tables must have a logical primary key. Logical keys
can be composed of one or more logical columns.
NOTE: Logical keys are optional for logical fact tables. However, it is recommended that
you do not specify logical keys for logical fact tables.
When you drag physical tables (with key and foreign key relationships defined) to a
business model, logical keys and joins are created that mirror the keys and joins in the
physical layer. This occurs only if the tables that you drag include the table with the
foreign keys. Additionally, if you create new tables or subsequently drag additional tables
from the Physical layer to the Business Model and Mapping layer, the logical links
between the new or newly dragged tables and the previously dragged tables must be
created manually.

70. Lets say you have a report with 4 dimensional attributes and 2 fact
measures in the report. Whats the default sort behavior of OBIEE when you try
to run the report? On what column/columns does it sort? How do you know
this?
Default sort order will be from left to right columns. It sorts on Dimension columns not
on facts. It is seen in the results. (Elaborate it later)



Request variable is something you can use dynamically. For example whatever you select from
dashboard it will override the value of session variable. it is extremely useful in certain cases such as
Opaque view filtering. For example you have a view code like the below.

Select * from table A where value=10000 and name in (select Name from Nametable where Name =
'AJ' and Empno in (select Empno from Emptable where EMPNO=10).

You want to pass the value for Employee number and Name dynamically , What will you do? How can
you pass the value in to the query?... This is the answer for Request variables. You can create
session variable and request variable of exactly same name, Then use the request variable in
dashboard prompt, which will dynamically override the value of session variable and replace EMPNO
and Name..