ThinkETL

Finest Menswear@Louis
Philippe
Louis Philippe

HOME AUTOMATION INTERVIEW QUESTIONS CONCEPTS CERTIFICATION CATALOGUE 

Take up the Quiz

IICS Interview
Questions Quiz-1

IICS Interview
Questions Quiz-2

IICS Interview
Questions Quiz-3

IICS Interview
Questions Quiz-4
IICS Transformations
Quiz-1

IICS Transformations
Top Informatica Cloud (IICS) Quiz-2

Interview questions IICS Taskflows Quiz

IICS Expression
September 26, 2020
Macros Quiz
IICS Certification
Spread the love
Practice Test
SQL Analytic
Functions Quiz
1. What is the difference between Informatica Powercenter and Informatica
Cloud?
Informatica Intelligent Cloud Services is a cloud based Integration platform(iPaaS).
IICS helps you integrate, synchronize all data and applications residing on your on-
premise and cloud environments. It provides similar functionality as Powercenter in
a better way and can be accessed via the internet. Hence in IICS, there is no need to
Informati…
Informati…
install any client applications on the Personal computer or server. All the supported
applications can be accessed from the browser and the tasks can be developed
through browser UI. In Powercenter, the client applications need to be installed
Informatica Cloud 
on your server.
Professional
 Certification
2. What is a Runtime environment? Practice Tests
A Runtime environment is the execution platform that runs a data integration or
application integration tasks. You must have at least one runtime environment
setup to run tasks in your organization. Basically it is the sever upon which your
data gets staged while processing. You can choose either to process via the
Informatica servers or your local servers which stays behind your
firewall. Informatica supports following runtime environments- Informatica Cloud
Hosted Agent, Serverless runtime environment and Informatica Cloud Secure
Agent.

Deal extended: Cour ses

3. What is a Synchronization task? Up To 85% Off
Synchronization task helps you synchronize data between a source and target. A
Synchronization task can be built easily from the IICS UI by selecting the source and
target without use of any transformations like in mappings. You can also use
expressions to transform the data according to your business logic or use data
filters to filter data before writing it to targets and use lookup data from other Subscribe
objects and fetch a value. Anyone without Powercenter mapping and
transformation knowledge can easily build synchronization tasks as UI guides you
Name:
step by step.

Email:

Submit

Shop at Louis Philippe Online

Louis Philippe

4. What is a Replication task? Informati…

Informati…
A Replication task allows you to replicate data from a database table or an on-
premise application to a desired target. You can choose to replicate all the source
rows or the rows that changes since the last runtime of the task using built in Informatica Cloud
Incremental processing mechanism of Replication Task. Data Integration -
You can choose from three different type of operations when you replicate data to Automation Project
a target.
→ Incremental load after initial full load
→ Incremental load after initial partial load
→ Full load each run
Recent Posts

5. What is the difference between a Synchronization task and Replication task?

One of the major differences between a Synchronization task and a Replication task
is that, in a synchronization task, you can transform the data before loading it to
the target. However, in a Replication task, you can replicate the data from source to
Tag-based Data
target without transforming the data.
Masking in Snowflake
A Replication task can replicate an entire schema and all the tables in it at a time
which is not possible in Synchronization task.
A Replication task comes with a built-in incremental processing mechanism. In

Synchronization task user needs to handle the incremental data processing.
 Tagging in Snowflake

Snowflake SnowPro
Core Certification
Preparation Guide

Everyday Style@Louis Philippe

Louis Philippe

6. Where does the metadata of tasks gets stored in Informatica Cloud (IICS)? Pushdown
All the metadata gets stored in the Informatica Cloud repository. Unlike Optimization Preview
Powercenter, all the information in Informatica Cloud is stored on the server in Informatica Cloud
maintained by the Informatica and the user does not have access to the repository (IICS)
database. Hence, it is not possible to use any SQL query on metadata tables to
retrieve the information like in Informatica Powercenter.

7. What metadata information gets stored in the Informatica Cloud (IICS) Search Optimization
repository? Service in Snowflake
Informatica Cloud Services includes the IICS repository that stores various
information about tasks. As you create, schedule, and run tasks, all the metadata
information is written to IICS repository.
The various information that gets stored to IICS repository include:
Source and Target Metadata: Metadata information of each source and target
including the field names, datatype, precision ,scale and other properties.
Connection Information : The connection information to connect specific source
and target systems in an encrypted format.
Mappings: All the Data integration tasks built, their dependences and rules are
stored.
Schedules: The schedules created you run the task built in IICS are stored.
Logging and Monitoring information : The results of all the jobs are stored.

Shop at Louis Philippe Online

Louis Philippe

8. What is a Mapping Configuration task? Everyday

Style@Louis…
A Mapping Configuration Task or Mapping Task is analogous to a session in
Louis Philippe
Informatica Powercenter. When you create a Mapping Task, you must select a
mapping to use in the task. Mapping task allows you to process data based on the
data flow logic defined in a mapping.
Optionally, you can define the following in the Mapping Task
→ You can define parameters that associate with the mapping.
→ Define pre and post-processing commands.

→ Add advance session properties to boost the performance.
→ Configure the task to run on schedule.

9. What is a taskflow in Informatica Cloud?

A Taskflow is analogous to a workflow in Informatica Powercenter. A taskflow
controls the execution sequence of a mapping configuration task or
a synchronization task based on the output of the previous task. To create a
taskflow, you must first create the tasks and then add them to a taskflow.
The taskflow allows you to
→ Run the tasks sequentially
→ Run the tasks in parallel
→ Make decisions based on outcome from one task before triggering the next task.

Shop at Louis Philippe Online

Louis Philippe

10. What is the difference between a Taskflow and Linear Taskflow?

A Linear taskflow is a simplified version of the Data Integration taskflow. A linear
taskflow groups multiple Data Integration tasks and runs them serially in the
specified order. If a task defined in Linear taskflow gets failed, you need to restart
the entire taskflow. However, a taskflow allows you to run the tasks in parallel,
provides advanced decision making capabilities and allows you to either restart
from failed task or skip it when a task fails.

11. Can we run Powercenter jobs in Informatica cloud?

Yes. There is a Powercenter task available in Informatica Cloud where in user have
to upload the XML file exported from Powercenter in Data Integration and run the
job as a Powercenter task. You can update an existing PowerCenter task to use a
different PowerCenter XML file but cannot make changes to an imported XML.
When you upload a new PowerCenter XML file to an existing PowerCenter task, the
PowerCenter task deletes the old XML file and updates the PowerCenter task
definition based on new XML file content.

12. How does an Update Strategy transformation work in Informatica Cloud?

There is no Update strategy transformation available in Information Cloud. In the
target transformation in a mapping, Informatica Cloud Data Integration provides
the option for the action to be performed on the target – Insert, Update, Upsert,
Delete and Data Driven.


 Up to 40% off @Big Summer Sale
Louis Philippe

13. What is Flow Run Order in Informatica Cloud?

When there are individual data flows in a mapping, the order in which the data
integration process the flows can be configured in Informatica Cloud Data
Integration using Flow Run Order. This is analogous to the Target Load Plan in the
Informatica Powercenter.
A flow is a collection of all connected sources, transformations and targets in a
mapping. You can have multiple flows in a mapping. Specify the flow run order when
you want Data Integration to load the targets in different flows in the mapping in a
particular order.

14. What is Dynamic Linking?

Informatica Cloud Data Integration allows you to create a new target files/tables at
runtime. To use this feature in mappings, choose Create New at Runtime option in
target and specify the name for the new target.
The user can choose a static filename where the target file will be replaced by a new
file every time the mapping runs. The user can also choose to create a Dynamic
filename so that the every time the mapping runs, target file is created with a new
name.

15. In what format can you export a task present in Informatica Cloud?
Informatica Cloud Data Integration supports exporting the tasks as a zip file where
the metadata gets stored in the JSON format inside the zip file. However you can
also download a XML version of the tasks also which can be imported as workflows
in Powercenter. But it will not support bulk export of tasks in XML format at a time.
Where as you can export multiple tasks in form of JSON in a single export zip file.

16. How do you read JSON Source file in IICS?

JSON files are read using the Hierarchy Parser transformation present in IICS. The
user needs to define a Hierarchical Schema that defines the expected hierarchy of
the JSON file. The Hierarchical Schema can then be imported into Hierarchy Parser
transformation while reading the data from input JSON files which converts the
input based on the schema that is associated with the transformation. The
Hierarchy Parser Transformation can also be used to read XML files in Informatica
Cloud Data Integration

17. What is a Hierarchical Schema in IICS?

A Hierarchical Schema is a component where user can upload an XML or JSON
sample file that define the hierarchy of output data. The Hierarchy Parser

transformation converts input based on the Hierarchical schema that is associated
with the transformation.

18. What is Indirect File loading and how to perform Indirect loading in IICS?
The ability to process multiple source files of same structure and properties
through a single source transformation in a mapping is called Indirect File Loading.
In order to perform Indirect loading in IICS, prepare a flat file which holds the
information of all source filenames which share same file structure and properties.
Pass this file as source file and select the File List under Source Type property of a
source transformation in a mapping. The data from all the files listed in the source
file will be processed in a single run.

19. What are the parameter types available in the Informatica Cloud?
You can add parameters to mappings to create flexible mapping templates that
developers can use to create multiple mapping configuration tasks. IICS supports
two types of parameters.
Input Parameter : Similar to a parameter in Powercenter. You can define an input
parameter in a mapping and set the value of the parameter when you configure a
mapping task. The parameter value remains constant as the value defined in
mapping task or a Parameter file through out the session run.
In-Out Parameter : Similar to a variable in Powercenter. Unlike input parameters, an
In-Out parameter can change each time a task runs. When you define an In-Out
parameter, you can set a default value in the mapping. However, you would typically
change the value of In-Out Parameter at run time using an Expression
transformation using SETVARIABLE functions. The mapping saves the latest value
of the parameter after the successful completion of the task. So, when the task
runs again, the mapping task compares the In-Out parameter to the saved value
instead of default value.

20. How many Status states are available in IICS monitor?

The various status states available in IICS are
Starting: Indicates that the task is starting.
Queued: There is a predefined number set which controls how many tasks can run
together in your IICS org. If the value is set to two and if two jobs are already
running, the third task you trigger enters into Queued state.
Running: The job enters the Running status from Queued status once the task is
triggered completely.
Success: The task completed successfully without any issues.
Warning: The task completed with some rejects.
Failed: The task failed due to some issue.
Stopped: The parent job has stopped running, so the subtask cannot start. Applies
to subtasks of replication task instances.
Aborted: The job was aborted. Applies to file ingestion task instances.
Suspended: The job is paused. Applies to taskflow instances.

21. How to invoke Informatica Cloud tasks based on a file event?

To capture a file event and trigger tasks based on that event, Informatica Cloud
provides a component called File Listener. A File Listener listens to files on a
defined location. You define a file listener that listens to a specific folder and the
file pattern. A file event is detected when new files arrive to the monitored folder or

the files in the monitored folder are updated or deleted.
22. To include all incoming fields from an upstream transformation except
those with dates, what should you do?
Configure two field rules in a transformation. First, use the All Fields rule to include
all the fields coming from upstream transformation. Then, create a Fields by
Datatypes rule to exclude fields by data type and select Date/Time as the data type
to exclude from incoming fields.

23. What are Preprocessing and Postprocessing commands in IICS?

The Preprocessing and postprocessing commands are available in the Schedule tab
of tasks to perform additional jobs using SQL commands or Operating system
commands. The task runs preprocessing commands before it reads the source. It
runs postprocessing commands after it writes to the target. The task fails if If any
command in the preprocessing or postprocessing scripts fail.

24. What are Field Name conflicts in IICS and how can they be resolved?
When there are fields with same name coming from different transformations into
a downstream transformation like a Joiner transformation, the cloud mapping
designer generates a Field Name Conflict error. You can either resolve the conflict by
renaming the fields in the upstream transformation only or you can create a field
rule in downstream transformation to Bulk Rename fields by adding a prefix or a
suffix to all incoming fields.

25. What system variables are available in IICS to perform Incremental Loading?
IICS provides access to following system variables which can be used as a data
filter variables to filter newly inserted or updated records.
$LastRunTime returns the last time when the task ran successfully.
$LastRunDate returns only the last date on which the task ran successfully. The
values of $LastRunDate and $Lastruntime get stored in Informatica Cloud
repository/server and it is not possible to override the values of these parameters.
These parameters store the datetime value in UTC time zone.

26. What is the difference between the connected and unconnected sequence
generator transformation in Informatica Cloud Data Integration?
Sequence generator can be used in two different ways in Informatica cloud. One
with Incoming fields disabled and the other with incoming fields not disabled.
The difference between the sequence generator with incoming fields enabled and
disabled is, when NEXTVAL field is mapped to multiple transformations,
→ Sequence generator with incoming fields not disabled will
generate same sequence of numbers for each downstream transformation.
→ Sequence generator with incoming fields disabled will
generate Unique sequence of numbers for each downstream transformation.

27. Explain Partitioning in Informatica Cloud Data Integration .

Partitioning is nothing but enabling the parallel processing of the data through
separate pipelines. With the Partitioning enabled, you can select the number of
partitions for the mapping. The DTM process then creates a reader thread,
transformation thread and writer thread for each partition allowing the data to be
processed concurrently, thereby reducing the execution time of the task. Partitions

can be enabled by configuring the Source transformation in mapping designer.
There are two major partitioning methods supported in Informatica Cloud Data
Integration.
1. Key Range Partitioning distributes the data into multiple partitions based on the
partitioning key selected and range of the values defined for it. You must select a
field as a partitioning key and defined the start and end ranges of the value.
2. Fixed Partitioning can be enabled for sources which are not relational or support
key range partitioning. You must select the number of partitions by passing a value.

28. How to pass data from one mapping to other in Informatica Cloud Data
Integration?
The data can be passed from one Mapping task to another in Informatica Cloud
Data Integration through a Task flow using parameters. The Mapping Task which
passes the data should have an In-Out Parameter defined using SetVariable
functions. The Mapping Task which receives the data should either have an Input
parameter or an In-Out Parameter defined in the mapping to read the data passed
from upstream task.

29. What is Informatica Cloud Secure Agent?

Informatica Cloud Secure Agent is a light weight, self-upgrading program that you
need to install in your server and register it with Informatica Cloud repository using
the unique registration code provided for your organization account. It runs all
tasks and enables secure communication across the firewall between your
organization and Informatica Intelligent Cloud Services.

30. What are Secure Agent Groups?

By default after you install and register an Informatica Cloud Secure Agent, a
Secure Agent Group is created and the installed Secure Agent is added under that
group. All the secure agent groups created in the Org can viewed from the Runtime
Environments page of Administrator Service.
You can either create a new secure agent group and add multiple secure agents
under it or add new secure agents in the existing secure agent group.

31. What are the advantages of creating multiple secure agent groups?
Prevent the activities of one department from affecting another department:
For example, if there are multiple teams working under a single IICS org, create
separate Secure Agent groups for each department. So the tasks run by one
department will not be impacted by tasks run by another department.
Separate tasks by environment:
You can create different Secure Agent groups for test, acceptance and production
environments. When you configure a connection, you can associate it with the test,
acceptance or production database by choosing the appropriate Secure Agent
group as the runtime environment.

32. What are the advantages of secure agent group with multiple agents?
Load Balancing – Balance the workload across machines:
Add multiple agents to a group to balance the distribution of tasks across
machines. When the runtime environment is a Secure Agent group with multiple
agents, the execution of tasks will be distributed to various agents in the agent
group in round-robin fashion automatically. It’s not possible to override the task

assignment and the agent gets assigned in round-robin fashion automatically.
High Availability – Improve scalability for connections and tasks:
When you create a connection or task, you select the runtime environment to use. If
the runtime environment is a Secure Agent group with multiple agents, the tasks
can run if any Secure Agent in the group is up and running. You do not need to
change connection or task properties when you add or remove an agent or if an
agent in the group stops running.

33. Explain what is Pushdown Optimization in Informatica Cloud?

Pushdown Optimization is a performance tuning technique where the
transformation logic is converted into SQL and pushed towards either source
database or target database or both. The amount of data transformation logic that
can be pushed to the database depends on the database type, transformation logic,
mapping task configuration.
Processing data on database level is much faster and efficient compared to
processing the data in Informatica and Pushdown Optimization helps in achieving
this in Informatica Cloud. Informatica processes all transformation logic at
Informatica level that it cannot push to a database.

34. What is a Dynamic Mapping Task?

A Dynamic Mapping Task allows you to create and group multiple jobs within the
single asset that process data based on the data flow logic defined in a mapping.
Instead of creating multiple mapping tasks, you can configure multiple jobs based
on the same mapping in one task.
A Dynamic mapping task reduces the number of assets that you need to manage if
you want to reuse a parameterized mapping.

35. What is Informatica Cloud Debugger?

Informatica Cloud debugger lets you preview data at any point in a mapping, even as
you build it, which helps in troubleshooting the errors in Data Integration mappings.
The only requirement is that the mapping should be valid up to the selected
transformation.
Consider a scenario where you have built a mapping but the output of the mapping
is not as expected. It could be because the data is getting transformed mid-way in
the mapping in an unexpected way. Instead of adding a temporary target to view
how the data is transformed at any particular transformation in a mapping,
Informatica debugger could be used.

You might be interested in:

Informatica Cloud Scenario based Interview Questions

Top Informatica Cloud – Salesforce Interview questions
SQL Analytical Functions Interview Questions
SQL Scenario based Interview Questions
Advanced SQL Interview Questions
Informatica Cloud Transformations Guide
Top Snowflake Interview Questions

Test your Understanding:


Start Quiz
 Subscribe to our Newsletter !!

email address S ubscribe

 Informatica Cloud Data Integration, Interview Questions

Leave a Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Post Comment

Related Posts


Top Snowflake Interview Questions

Top Advanced SQL Interview Questions

SQL Scenario based Interview Questions

About ThinkETL Pages Categories Follow Us

ThinkETL is your go to About Automation

resource for learning
Catalogue Certification
Informatica Cloud and
Snowflake Concepts, Certification Concepts

Interview preparation and Contact Interview Questions

Automation Ideas and
Privacy Policy
strategies that work.
Subscribe
Terms of Use

Copyright © 2023 ThinkETL