Basic concepts- Microstrategy Interview Question and Answers What is ROLAP and MOLAP? Is MicroStrategy a ROLAP or MOLAP tool?

ROLAP (Relational online Analytical Processing) tools do not use pre-calculated data cubes. Instead, they intercept the query and pose the question to the stand ard relational database and its tables in order to bring back the data required to answer the question MOLAP (Multidimensional online Analytical Processing) tools utilize a pre-calcul ated data set, commonly referred to as a data cube, that contains all the possib le answers to a given range of questions. MicroStartegy is ROLAP tool. What is star schema and snowflake schema? Star Schema is a highly denormalized schema whereas snowflake schema is hight no rmalized schema.Star schema is characterized by large number of rows in a table and less number of joins between tables.Snowflake schema is characterized by les s number of rows in a table while more number of joins between tables. What are the advantages and disadvantages of star and snowflake schema? 1/5

Basic concepts- Microstrategy Interview Question and Answers Star Schema Advantages: Reduces the number of joins between the tables and hence faster performance Star Schema Disadvantages:Requires Most amount of storage sp ace. Snowflake Schema Advantages: Minimum storage space and minimum data redudan cy Snowflake Schema Disadvantages:Requires more joins to get information from lo ok up tables hence slow performance. What is the difference between 2 tier,3 tier and 4 tier architecture in MicroStr ategy? In 2 tier architecture, the MicroStrategy Desktop itself queries aganist the Dat a warehoue and the Metadata with out the Intermediate tier of the Intelligence s erver. The 3 Tier architecture comprises a Intelligence server between MicroStra tegy Desktop and the data Warehouse and the Metadata. The 4 tier architecture is same as 3 tier except it has a additional component of MicroStratey Web. What are adhoc reports and static reports? Adhoc reports run in real time based on the input parameters provided by the use r at the run time.In Microstrategy, adhoc reports are created using Prompts. In static reports, users won't be provide any input parameters.These reports are us aully schedule to run overnight and ready to view immediatley in the mornings us ing cache. What is a filter? Filter is a public object.It is used to restrict the data retrived by the report from the database 2/5

Basic concepts- Microstrategy Interview Question and Answers tables.From SQL perspective it corresponds to the "WHERE" Clause. What are VLDB properties? Using VLDB properties we can change the way how the SQL is generated.Some of the m are below: Perform full outer joins Check for Zeros and Nulls in the denominat or while performing divisions in Metrics. Creating Sub queries Creating temperor y tables. What are Consolidations? Consloidations enable to group together attibute elements and create a virtual a ttribute.They perform Row level maths. What are custom groups? Custom groups are used to create different filters to different rows of a report .For example, a report can created to display top 5 customers as well as bottom 5 customers in the one report using custom group. What are Passthrough Functions? 3/5

Basic concepts- Microstrategy Interview Question and Answers Pass through functions are used to utilize various special functions that specif ic to databases.Some of the passthrough functions available are Applysimple and Applycomparision. What is a Security filter? Security filter is used to apply security at the database data level.Whenever a users associated with security filter runs a report, a WHERE clause is always in cluded in the report sql with the condition defined in the Security Filter. Is that possible to Insert and Update a record in the Database through Microstra tegy? Answer-1: You can do so by ODBC test tool one of the component of microstrategy through wich u can update delete or even alter the table specification as per yo ur need. In Microstrategy, how can you direct the sql generated to use a specifc table? Answer-1: By changing the Logical Size of the "specific" table. After changing t able size, you need to update schema. In Microstrategy, what are Logical Views used for? Answer-1: A logical view is a view that u obtain by querying the db thru sql. th ese result can be stored as 4/5

Basic concepts- Microstrategy Interview Question and Answers a table then. In Microstrategy, how can you direct the sql generated to use a specifc table? Answer-1: Using the Level parameter in the Metric level options Answer-2: Assumi ng you have OLAP licence,the easiest way to direct to a particular table is to c reate a dummy fact on the table,include the fact in metric and put the metric in report objects. 5/5