Important questions to be remembered by a Oracle Consultant

What is Set of Books ? What are the four conditions when you change your SOBs?

Chart of Accounts, Currency & Calendar
It is similar to the bank passbook, used to record all the financial transactions. There could be one primary set of books and many reporting set of books. Defining COA, currency and calendar are pre-requisite to define the SOB.

What is an Invoice? How many types of invoices AR...
There are 9 types of Invoices in AP: Standard, Credit Memo, Debit Memo, Prepayment, Withholding Tax, Mixed Invoice, Expense Report, PO default and Quick Match.
There are 6 types of Invoice in AR : Invoice, Credit Memo, Debit Memo, Chargeback, Deposit and Guarantee.

What is the difference between data conversion and data migration?
Data Migration is upgrading from one version to another version fro e.g. from 11.5.9 to 11.5.10.. Data Conversion is receiving data from a legacy system or receiving data from another module ( e.g. PA), validating it and converting it to ur our the target module using the standard import program.

Set ups need to approve invoice in AP
For approving an invoice in AP we have to raise one invoice for raising an invoice we have some mandatory fields like supplier, supplier number, Payment terms, distribution sets, date, payment method, bank, payment document etc. After defining all the above we can raise a invoice, There's no need of defining the approval group it s not a mandatory,

What is a profile option? What are the types?
The profile options are available to every product in Oracle Applications. For each profile option, we give a brief overview of how Oracle Application Object Library uses the profile's setting.
1) User Level
2) Responsibility Level
3) Application Level
4) Site Level.

What are _ALL tables in Oracle Apps?
_ALL tables in oracle applications give the info about multiple organizations info about these tables.

What is descriptive flex field and what is the use
Descriptive Flexfileds r used to add additional information's, and these values r stored to the column attributes. Go to sysadmin application-flex fields-descriptive-segments.

What is a FlexField? What are Descriptive and Key...
A flexfield is made up of sub-fields or segments.. A flexfield appers on ur form as a pop-up window that contains a prompt for each segment. Each segment has a name and a set of valid values..
Two types of Flex field..
Key Flexfield: Key flexfield are flexible enough to let any organization use the code scheme they want without programming.Key flexfield can be used to represent codes that is made up of meaningful segment to identify GL a/c Part no. and other business entities..Oracle app store these codes in key flexfields..
Descriptive Flexfield: They provide customization "expansion space" on ur forms. You can use desc flexfields to tract additional information important and unique to ur business that would not otherwise be captured by the form.

What Credit memo / Debit Memo
Both Credit and Debit Memo are used for adjusting the suppliers balance and both is a negative amount. Debit Memo is created by you and send to the supplier and credit memo is received from the supplier and record it.

What is a request Sets? how to create a request Se..
Request set is a group of requests.It is made to perform the request in a certain sequence.Request se can be created from System administrator responsibility.

What are the types of Concurrent Managers?Ca...
There are many concurrent managers, each monitoring the flow within each apps area.
but there are 3 MASTER CONCURRENT MANAGERS:
1. Internal Conccurent Manager (ICM): This is the one which monitors all other CMs
2. Standard Manager (SM) : This takes care of report running and batch jobs
3. Conflict Resolution Manager (CRM): checks concurrent program definitions for incompatibility checks.
We cannot delete a concurrent manager... but we can disable it... but it's not recommended.

What is Multiple Organization technical architecture?
Multi Organization :Using a single installation of any oracle application product , to support any number of an organization even it has different Set Of Books Business Level(It Secures Human Transaction Information) Set Of Books(It secures all Transaction Information In Oracle General Ledger) Legal Entry(All legal Information in the Organization) Operating Unit(It Uses Order management, Cash management,AR,AP...it may be Sales Office , Division,Department) Inventory Organization(Inventory Details)
before multi org existed, we could have only one business group,set of books, legal entity, operating unit in one installation of oracle E-business suite, and now with the multi organisation structure in place, we can have multiple business groups, set of books, legal entity and operating unit and the best part is once these are set up inter company accounting is automatically taken care of, say for example i have Two inventory organisation, and these use a common set of books(to start with) , now if we have sales order on one inventory organisation A1 and if that item is not available in A1, and we have inventory for the item in Inventory org A2, we need to take the order in A1 as internal order and run the order import concurrent program and for the item in inventory A1(org assignment) we need to set up the source(purchase tab) as inventory organisation A2,and also specify shipping network between A1 and A2, and once we have run the order import program and Oracle applications now imports the order to organisation A2, with the ship to address as A1 location. and after you perform pick release and pick confirm process, and run auto invoice in A2, it automatically sends invoice to inventory organisation A1 and now we can receive the item in Inventory organisation A1 from organisation A2.
and all transactions are taken care of, courtesy multi organisation structure.

What are different period types ?
Year Quarter Month Week

What are the different types of files used in SQL
Different types of files are Data File,Control File,Discard File,Bad file

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:
o Oracle Assets: Ensures that an organization's property and equipment investment is accurate and that the correct asset tax accounting strategies are chosen.
o Oracle General Ledger: Offers a complete solution to journal entry, budgeting, allocations, consolidation, and financial reporting needs.
o Oracle Inventory: Helps an organization make better inventory decisions by minimizing stock and maximizing cash flow.
o Oracle Order Entry: Provides organizations with a sophisticated order entry system for managing customer commitments.
o Oracle Payable's  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.
o Oracle Personnel: Improves the management of employee- related issues by retaining and making available every form of personnel data.
o Oracle Purchasing: Improves buying power, helps negotiate bigger discounts, eliminates paper flow, increases financial controls, and increases productivity.
o 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.
o Oracle Revenue Accounting: Gives an organization timely and accurate revenue and flexible commissions reporting.
o Oracle Sales Analysis: Allows for better forecasting, planning. and reporting of sales information.

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.

Difference between Conversions and Interfaces.
Conversion is to bring the data from other (non-OraApps) system to Oracle-Application system. This is one time activity (bring account details, transactions, orders, receipts and so on). So conversion itself is a project.
Interfaces are Concurrent Program's/Program sets (pl/sql, pro*C, unix scripts, executable's) . Interfaces are basically of two types (Oracle supplied (vanilla programs eg: Auto invoice in AR) and created by developer).
Hope this clarifies the concepts.
Conversion means one time activity interface means periodic activity example:- to transfer the data old version to new version it is called conversion to transfer the data from staging table to interface table it is called interface , it is process on every day or every hour ........

Which module is not a multiorg? 
General Ledger and CRM Foundation Modules

What are the types of Concurrent Managers?Can we delete a Concurrent Manager?
There are many concurrent managers, each monitoring the flow within each apps area.
but there are 3 MASTER CONCURRENT MANAGERS:
1. Internal Conccurent Manager (ICM): This is the one which monitors all other CMs
2. Standard Manager (SM) : This takes care of report running and batch jobs
3. Conflict Resolution Manager (CRM): checks concurrent program definitions for incompatability checks.
We cannot delete a concurrent manager... but we can disable it... but it's not recommended.

Trading community Architecture(TCA)
ICA (Internet Computing Architecture)

What are AP setup steps ?
setup---->suppliers....>invoices..>payments.....>reports......>periods.....>transfer to GL

What does US mean in appl_top/au/11.5.0/reports/US?
US is the language directory specifying that the source files to be placed under this dir is for English/American Language
This is the standard of apps directory structure that for very language you implement oracle apps there should be a language specific folder

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.

What are the Back ground processes in Oracle and what are they.
There are basically 9 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) :: Log Writer 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 a online redo log file.
c) System Monitor(SMON) :: The System Monitor performs instance recovery at instance start up. 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 Archives 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 up to 10 lock processes for inter instance locking in parallel sql.

How many types of Sql Statements are there in Oracle
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.
b) Data Manipulation Language(DML) :: The DML statements 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.S in Programming Language.e.g, Using the Sql Statements in languages such as 'C', Open,Fetch, execute and close

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 committed or rolled back.

Key Words Used in Oracle
The Key words that are used in Oracle are ::
a) Committing :: A transaction is said to be committed 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) Save Point :: For long transactions that contain many SQL statements, intermediate markers or savepoints are declared. Save points 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.
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.

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

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 On wards.
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.

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 :: The Third Integrity rule is about the complex business processes which cannot be implemented by the above 2 rules.

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 existing.
c) Cascading :: The child gets deleted when the Master is deleted.

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) 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

What are the Different Optimization 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 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

Restrict '&' in Sql*Plus
sql> set define off
This will restrict the use of '&' in the sql*plus for that particular session


Ur's
Amar Alam

Oracle Apps Interview Questions

What is context flexfield?
How to move report from one instance to another?
How to move data definition from one instance to another?
How to get last created record from a table?
How to get employee info group by and order by designation?
How to move in file path in SQL*Loader from one instance to another?
How to get line number in XML publisher output?
What are the major diff in 11i and R12? In AP invoice
What is SLA concept?
What is TCA concept?
How to migrate data from 9i database tables to 11g database tables?
How to use XML publisher with out RDF?
What is MOAC concept in R12?
What is Diff between AP invoice and AR invoice?


Ur's
AmarAlam

Oracle Order Management Interview Questions

What is a Standard Item?
A standard item is a finished good that is not an assembled or configured item, a service or a component.
What happens when you enter an Order?
After you enter an order, the items on the order are validated in Oracle Inventory; a price is calculated for the items using the pricing engine; the availability of the items are checked and may be reserved; the items are then pick released and shipped to the customer.
Explain about Processing Constraints
Processing Constraints are a security framework where you can define rules in Oracle Order Management that validate back-end operations such as Create, Update, Delete and Cancel.
Examples:
You cannot change the Order Type in the order header once the order is Booked.
You cannot delete the line in an order once the Order Status is Closed (if the order is ship confirmed or invoice interfaced).
What are Defaulting Rules?
Defaulting Rules enable you to speed up data entry by passing values in the window based on some key values you have entered.
Examples:
In the order header, Ship-To Address and Bill-To Address values default in the window once you enter the customer name or number.
If you enter an item number, the Unit of Measure and Item Description automatically default on the order line.
How Drop Ship Order is created?
Drop shipments are created as sales orders in Order Management, indicated as drop shipments when their Source Type is entered as External.
When will you create a Drop Ship Order?
Drop shipments are used due to the following reasons:
·         Customer requires an item that is not normally stocked
·         Customer requires a large quantity of the item which is not available with you
·         It is more economical when the supplier ships directly to the customer.
What are the types of Drop Ship Order?
There are three types of drop shipments:
Full Drop Shipment:
The seller sends the purchase order to the supplier for the full quantity that the customer had ordered
Normal Shipments and Full Drop Shipment:
The seller ships some goods from inventory to the customer, and the other goods are always shipped from an external source (supplier)
Normal Shipments and Partial Drop Shipment:
If the seller has only part of the quantity available for shipping to the customer, then that quantity is shipped.
The user looks at the availability for the order qty by using the ATP check and if the whole qty is not available the balance qty is fulfilled using the drop ship process.
A purchase order is created for the remaining quantity which the seller was not able to fulfill.
What is a Sales Agreement?
A Sales Agreement is a supplier’s representation of an agreement with a customer for the supplier to sell and the customer to buy goods or services.
What is ASN?
ASN stands for Advanced Shipment Notice. ASN is transmitted via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) from a supplier to let the receiving organization know that a shipment is coming. The ASN contains details including shipment date, time, and identification number, packing slip data, freight information, and item detail including cumulative received quantities, purchase order number, and returnable container information.
What are Modifiers and Qualifiers?
Modifiers are discount, surcharge or special charge that may be applied to the base price and may alter the value of the item. It can be applied either at order level or at the line level.
A qualifier helps you define who is eligible for a price list or modifier. A qualifier can be a customer name, a customer class, an order type, or an order amount that can span orders.
Explain One Step Pick Release Process:
The one-step process consists of selecting the Auto Allocate box on the Inventory tab and the Auto Pick Confirm box on the Inventory tab when you run Pick Release, which means that the Pick Recommendation is automatically created and Pick Confirmed without any manual intervention.
Explain Two Step Pick Release Process:
The two-step process consists of selecting Auto Allocate (not Auto Pick Confirm), which creates a move order that is automatically detailed.  It enables you to view the Pick Recommendation and provides the opportunity to change quantity, location, and subinventory. You can report a missing quantity at the Pick Confirmation step in the Transact Move Orders window. Once you have made your changes, you can transact the move order to Pick Confirm the inventory.
Explain Three Step Pick Release Process:
The three-step process consists of selecting neither the Auto Allocate or Auto Pick Confirm check boxes. This creates a move order whose details you can enter manually or automatically in the Transact Move Orders window. After the details are entered, you can transact the move order to pick confirm the transaction.
What are various ways you can run Pick Release?
Release Sales Orders Window
Using a Concurrent Program
SRS – Pick Selection List Generation – SRS.
Release Rule Name need to be specified to proceed with the pick release when using the concurrent program or SRS.
At which stage the item is moved from ware house to staging inventory?
During Pick Confirm
What happens during Ship Confirm?
Ship Confirm indicate that the items are loaded onto the carrier from staging location.
At which stage the Oracle Inventory is decremented and Sales Order Line status is updated?
During Ship Confirm
What is Autoinvoice?
AutoInvoice is a concurrent program in Oracle Receivables that performs invoice processing at both the order and line levels. Once an order or line or set of lines is eligible for invoicing, the Invoice Interface workflow activity interfaces the data to Receivables. Oracle Order Management inserts records into the following interface tables: RA_INTERFACE_LINES and RA_INTERFACE_SALES_CREDITS.
If the order or lines are On Hold, what happens during Invoice Interface?
The Invoice Interface workflow activity will complete with a status of On Hold and the order details will not be interfaced to Receivables.
What is Credit Check?
Credit Checking feature is the process by which orders are validated and released against your credit checking business rules.
What are the two Invoicing Rules?
Advance Invoice and Arrears Invoice


Ur's
AmarAlam

FlexFields Interview Q & A:

FLEX FIELD:

What is the difference between key flexfield and Descriptive flexfield?
Key Flexfield is used to describe unique identifiers that will have a better meaning than using number IDs. e.g a part number, a cost centre etc
Desc Flex is used to just capture extra information.
Key Flexfields have qualifiers whereas Desc Flexfields do not.
Desc Flexfields can have context sensitive segments while Key flexfields cannot.
And one more differenct that KFF displays like text item but DFF displays like [ ] .

Which procedure should be called to enable a DFF in a form?
FND_DESCR_FLEX.DEFINE
(BLOCK                                 => 'BLOCK_NAME'
                ,FIELD                                    => 'FORM_FIELD_NAME'
               ,APPL_SHORT_NAME      => 'APP_NAME'
               ,DESC_FLEX_NAME         => 'DFF_NAME'
               );

In Brief,
We need to follow the following steps in your form:
a) Create a displayed field to hold your concatenated segment values (the [ ] field).
b) Create fields (normally hidden) for each of the flexfield columns in your table (the
      one used for your flex).
c) In the form-level WHEN-NEW-FORM-INSTANCE,
call FND_DESCR_FLEX.DEFINE,
setting BLOCK parameter to the name of the block containing your [ ] field,
the FIELD parameter to the name of your [ ] field,
the APPL_SHORT_NAME parameter to the short name of your application and the DESC_FLEX_NAME parameter to the name of your descriptive flex.

In the form-level WHEN-NEW-ITEM-INSTANCE,
WHEN-VALIDATE-ITEM,
PRE-INSERT,
PRE-UPDATE,
POST-QUERY and
PRE-QUERY triggers place a call to FND_FLEX.EVENT as follows:
         FND_FLEX.EVENT ( 'TRIGGER_NAME');
where TRIGGER_NAME is the name of the trigger,
e.g. in the PRE-QUERY trigger .... FND_FLEX.EVENT('PRE-QUERY');
Which procedure should be used to make the DFF read only at run time?
FND_DESCR_FLEX.UPDATE_DEFINITION()

What is the difference between flexfield qualifier and segment qualifier?
Flexfiled qualifier identifies segement in a flexfield and segment qualifier identifies value in a segment.
There are four types of flexfiled qualifier
1)     Balancing segment qualifier
2)     cost center
3)     natural account and
4)     intercompnay
segemtn qualifier :-
1)     allow budgeting
2)     allow posting
3)     account type
4)     contral account and
5)     reconciliation flag

What are the components of DFF (like structure, segment)?
Howmany Key flexfiels are there in Inventory?


Ur's
AmarAlam

SYSADMIN and Application Developer Interview Q & A:

SYSADMIN and Application Developer

1.    What is the relation between Responsibility, Menu and Request Group?
Responsibility: - A responsibility is a set of authority in Oracle Apps that lets users access only that functionality of the application appropriate to their roles.

Menu: - A menu is a hierarchical arrangement of functions and menus of functions that appears in the Navigator. Each responsibility has a menu assigned to it.

Request Group: - it is a collection of reports or concurrent programs. A system Administrator defines report groups in order to control user access to reports and concurrent programs. Only a system administrator can create a request group.

What is a function, how to create one?
A function is apart of an application’s functionality that is registered under a unique name for the purpose of assigning to it to, or excluding it from, a menu (and by extension, responsibility). There are several types of functions: - Form Functions, SubFunctions, and
Non-form functions. We often refer to a form function simply as a form.


What is meant by APPL_TOP?
Environment variable
An operating System variable that describes an aspect of the environment in which your application runs. For example, you can define an environment variable to specify a directory path.
$APPL_TOP: An environment variable that denotes the installation directory for Oracle Application Object Library and your other Oracle applications. $APPL_TOP is usually one directory level above each of the product directories (which are often referred to as $PROD_TOP or $PRODUCT_TOP or $_TOP).

Explain briefly where are the Custom.pll, Forms, Reports, Sql Loader Control files, Shell
     Script source code and executables files kept?
     Custom.pll - $AU_TOP/resource
     Forms       - $PROD_TOP/Forms/US
     Reports     - $PROD_TOP/Reports/US
     SQL Control Files - $PROD_TOP/Bin
     Shell Scripts - $PROD_TOP/Bin

When is Custom.pll used?
Custom.pll is used while making new or customizing standard oracle forms in apps. It contains all the forms libraries for apps.

What are profile options; at what levels can these be set?

     A user profile is a set of changeable options that affects the way the applications run. Oracle
     Applications object Library establishes a value for each option in a user’s profile when the
     User logs on or changes responsibility.
     System Profile: - Profile option can be set for the user community.
     User Profile: - Provide Oracle Apps with standard information which describes a user,
     Application, Responsibility and site. At each profile level user profile options can be set.
   
How can you know the form (fmb) name when you open a form in Apps?
Helpà About Oracle Apps
   
Where do you create a table and sequence in Apps? Is it APPS schema?
       In custom schema and then grant privileges on it to APPS schema.

Where are Views and Procedures created?
Views: - Views are to be created only in APPS.
Procedures: - In custom schema and the grant it to APPS schema.
   
How can you tell who last updated a particular row in a form?
Help à Record History
   
     11. You have logged onto a Responsibility, how do you know what operating unit are you on?
 Help à Diagonistics à Examine à Blocks à $Profiles$ à Field à Org_id

 Can new profiles be created? If so how?
 Yes. Application Developer.


Ur's
AmarAlam

Concurrent Program Interview Questions

Concurrent Programs:

How do you register a report? Explain passing of parameters between a concurrent program Definition and report?
        After developing the report (.rdf), FTP it to the UNIX server.
        Define executable.
        Define concurrent program and attach the executable.
        Attach the concurrent program to a request group.

2       2.    What is the approach to create a new form to be used in Oracle Apps?
The TEMPLATE form is the required starting point of all development of new forms. Start Developing each new form by copying the TEMPLATE.fmb file, located in $AU_TOP/forms/US(or your language and platform equivalent), to local directory and rename it as appropriate.

Explain Value Set? Difference between a Table Validated and Independent Value Set?
A set of values against which Oracle Application Object Library validates values your end users enter when running your program. You define your value set by specifying validation rules, format constraints and other properties. For example, you could define a value set to contain values that are character strings, validated from a table in your application. You can specify that oracle application Object Library use the same value set to validate different report parameters. You can also use value sets that you use in your flex fields to validate your report parameters.

How do you create a table validated value set dependent on another value set?
Use :$FLEX$. in the where condition.

What is difference between a concurrent request and a concurrent request set?
Concurrent request set is the combination of multiple requests which will run in a sequence.

What are the two mandatory parameters required for running a PL/SQL Procedure based concurrent program?
         Errbuf, Retcode

7.    How can you ensure that only one instance of a concurrent program runs?
         Check the ‘Run Alone’ check box in Concurrent program registration window.

8.    Within a PL/SQL procedure which API is to be used to extract a profile value?
         FND_PROFILE.GET

9.    How do you set the operating unit context in a report?
          Begin
          Dbms_application_info.set_client_info();
          End;

10. Can you submit a concurrent request from the operating system directly?
Write a Shellscript.
Login to database
Run the function FND_REQUEST.Submit()

11. Explain how to generate a trace file for a pl/sql concurrent program for tuning?
          Check the ’Enable Trace’ check box in concurrent program registration window.

12. How do you “write” to the concurrent request Log and Output file?
          FND_FILE.PUT(FND_FILE.LOG or FND_FILE.OUTPUT, );


Ur's
AmarAlam

Oracle Reports Interview Questions

1. How many different layouts are available in Reports? 

Ans: There are eight different layout formats:
1. Tabular
2. Form Like
3. Form Letter
4. Mailing Label
5. Group Left
6. Group Above
7. Matrix
8. Matrix with group


2. How many different triggers are available in Report?

Ans: There are five types of triggers in report 6i
1) Before report trigger
2) After report trigger
3) Before Parameter trigger
4) After parameter trigger
5) Between pages trigger
  
3.What is the Firing sequence of report trigger?

Ans: The reports triggers are fired in the following sequence.


*Before Parameter Form
* After Parameter Form
* Before Report
* Between Pages
* After Report


4. What is the difference between After Parameter Trigger and Before Report Trigger? 

Ans:
After parameter Trigger: It will fire after the parameter form is displayed.here we can do validation on parameter values.


Before Report Trigger: It will fire before the report is executed and after the query is parsed and date is fetched. 


5. What is the Format Trigger?

Ans: Format Trigger is a PL/SQL function. This trigger is going to fire before an object is printed in report output. it return boolean-true then go to print -false then don't print.


6. What happens when Flex mode is on ? 

When flex mode is on, reports automatically resizes the parent when the child is resized.


7. What happens when confine mode on ? 

When confine mode is on, the object cannot be moved outside its parent in the layout.  


8. What is a lexical parameter?

Lexical Parameter is used to replace the where, order by conditions at run time.


9. What are bind variables? 

Bind variables are used in oracle reports  for replacing the single parameter in the select statement.


10. What is the minimum number of groups required for a matrix report? 

The minimum of groups required for a matrix report are 4


11. What is the use of an Anchor in Reports? 

Anchor is used to make fixed distance between two objects in Reports Layout.


12. What is the difference between Frame and Repeating Frame? 

Frames are used to surround other objects and protect them from being overwritten or pushed by other objects. For example a frame might be used to surround all objects owned by a group to surround column headings or to surround summaries. 


When you default the layout for a report Report Builder creates frames around report objects as needed; you can also create a frame manually in the Layout Model view.


Repeating frames surround all of the fields that are created for a group’s columns. The repeating frame prints (is fired) once for each record of the group. 


When you default the layout for a report Report Builder creates repeating frames around fields as needed; you can also create a repeating frame manually in the Layout Model view.


13. What are different types of column in reports? 

There are three types of columns in Oracle report: 
1) Placeholder Column: Placeholder column is used to store a value for a variable.
2) Formula Column:  Used For doing mathematical calculations and returning one value
3) Summary Column: The summary columns perform aggregate functions such as SUM, COUNT, MAX, MIN, AVG, and the like.


14. 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.
===================
====================


1. What are Placeholder Columns ?


A placeholder is a "dummy" column for which you can conditionally set the datatype and value via PL/SQL or a user exit. Placeholder columns are useful when you want to selectively populate a column with a value (e.g., each time the nth record is fetched, or each time a record is fetched containing a specific value, etc.).

2. What are the various Module Types in Reports ?
A You can build three types of modules with Oracle Reports:
* external queries, which are ANSI-standard SQL SELECT statements that can be referenced by modules.
* external PL/SQL libraries, which are collections of PL/SQL source code that can be referenced by modules.
* reports, which are collections of report-level objects and references to external queries and PL/SQL libraries (optional) that can be referenced by modules.

3. What are Physical and Logical pages in Reports ?
A report page can have any length and any width. Because printer pages may be smaller or larger than your report's "page," the concept of physical and logical pages is used.

Physical Page : A physical page (or panel) is the size of a page that will be output by your printer.

Logical Page : A logical page is the size of one page of your actual report; one logical page may be made up of multiple physical pages. The Previewer displays the logical pages of your report output, one at a time.

4. What are the various page layout sections in Oracle Reports ?
A report has three sections : 
•the report header pages, 
•report body/margin pages, 
•and report trailer pages.

5. What are various types of parameters ?
There are two types of parameters:
• default (system parameters)
• user-created (bind and lexical parameters)

6. How do you reference parameters and columns in reports ?
There are two ways to reference a parameter in Oracle reports:
* As bind references
* As lexical references.

7. What are Bind Referencing and Lexical Referencing ?
Bind Referencing : Bind references are used to replace a single value in SQL or PL/SQL, such as a character string, number, or date. Use bind reference when you want the parameter to substitute only one value at runtime. 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.

Lexical Referencing : Lexical references are placeholders for text that you embed in a SELECT statement. Use Lexical reference when you want the parameter to substitute multiple values at runtime. You can use lexical references to replace the clauses appearing after SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, ORDER BY, HAVING, CONNECT BY, and START WITH.

8. What are the Types of Matrix report ?
 1. Single query 
 2. Multi query
 3. Nested Query 
 4. Matrix Break


9. What are widow lines ?
Widow lines are the minimum number of lines of the boilerplate text or field that should appear on the logical page where the text starts to print. If the number of lines specified for this property cannot fit on the logical page, then all lines of the boilerplate are moved to the next page.

10. What are widow records ?
Widow records are the minimum number of instances (records) that should appear on the logical page where the repeating frame starts to print. If the number of instances specified for this property cannot fit on the logical page where the repeating frame is initially triggered to print, then the repeating frame will start formatting on the next page.


11. What is 'page protect' property for objects ?
Page protect property for an object indicates whether to try to keep the entire object and its contents on the same logical page. Checking Page Protect means that if the contents of the object cannot fit on the current logical page, the object and all of its contents will be moved to the next logical page.


12. What is the 'Print Condition Type' property ?
'Print Condition Type' property specifies the frequency with which you want the object to appear in the report. The Print Condition Type options indicate the logical page(s) on which the object should be triggered to print with regard to the Print Condition Object.

13. What is the 'Print Condition Object' property ?
'Print Condition Object' property specifies the object on which to base the Print Condition Type of the current object. For example, if you specify a Print Condition Type of All and a Print Condition Object of Anchoring Object, the current object will be triggered to print on every logical page on which its anchoring object (parent object) appears.


14. What are the various values of the 'Print Condition Object' property in Reports ?
The various values are :
•Anchoring Object : Anchoring Object is the parent object to which the current object is implicitly or explicitly anchored.
•Enclosing Object : Enclosing Object is the object that encloses the current object.
15. What is the horizontal of vertical sizing property of objects ?


Horizontal of vertical sizing property specifies how the horizontal or vertical size of the object may change at runtime to accommodate the objects or data within it.


=============
1.What are the various types of reports ?


There are 8 Types of reports in oracle report.


1.Tabular
2. Form Like
3. Form Letter
4. Mailing Label
5. Group Left
6. Group Above
7. Matrix
8. Matrix with group

2. What are Anchors in Oracle Reports?

An anchor defines the relative position of an object to the object to which it is anchored. Anchors are used to determine the vertical and horizontal positioning of a child object relative to its parent. Since the size of some layout objects may change when the report runs (and data is actually fetched), you need anchors to define where you want objects to appear relative to one another.

3. What are the various types of anchors in Reports ?

A There are two types of anchors in Oracle Reports:
* implicit (anchors that Oracle Reports creates when a report is run)
* explicit (anchors you create)

4. What is an Implicit Anchor?

Implicit Anchors : At runtime, Oracle Reports generates an implicit anchor for each layout object that does not already have an explicit anchor. It determines for each layout object which objects, if any, can overwrite it, then creates an anchor from the layout object to the closest object that can overwrite it. This prevents the object from being overwritten. The implicit anchor functionality saves you from having to define the positioning of each object. Implicit anchors are not visible in the Layout editor. However, you can specify that the Object Navigator display anchoring information using the Object Navigator Options dialog.

5. What is an Explicit Anchor?
Explicit Anchors : Create an anchor in the Layout editor by clicking on the Anchor tool, dragging from one edge of the child to the one of the parent's edges, then specifying the anchor's properties in its property sheet. Any anchor you create for an object will override its implicit anchoring. Explicit anchors are always visible in the Layout editor unless you specify otherwise via the Layout Options dialog.

6. What are the various report triggers ? What is their order of firing ?

A There are eight report triggers. Of these there are five global triggers called the Report Triggers. They are fired in the following order :
* Before Parameter Form
* After Parameter Form
* Before Report
* Between Pages
* After Report

7. Apart from the global report triggers what are the other triggers used in Oracle Reports?


Apart from the Five Global Report Triggers, there are three other types of triggers :

* Validation Triggers
* Format Triggers
* Action Triggers



8. What is Before Form Trigger? What is the importance of Before Form Trigger?



Before Form : It Fires before the Runtime Parameter Form is displayed. Using this trigger, you can access and change the values of parameters, PL/SQL global variables, and report-level columns. (Note : If the Runtime Parameter Form is suppressed, this trigger still fires. Consequently, you can use this trigger for validation of command line parameters).

9. What is After Form Trigger? What is the importance of After Form Trigger? 


After Form : It Fires after the Runtime Parameter Form is displayed. Using this trigger, you can access parameters and check their values. This trigger can also be used to change parameter values or, if an error occurs, return to the Runtime Parameter Form. Columns from the data model are not accessible from this trigger. (Note : If the Runtime Parameter Form is suppressed, the After Form trigger still fires. Consequently, you can use this trigger for validation of command line parameters or other data).

10. What is Before Report Trigger? What is the importance of Before Report Trigger? 


Before Report : Fires before the report is executed but after queries are parsed and data is fetched.


11. What is Between Pages Trigger? What is the importance of Between Pages Trigger?

Between Pages : Fires before each page of the report is formatted, except the very first page. This trigger can be used for customized page formatting. (Note : In the Previewer, this trigger only fires the first time that you go to a page. If you subsequently return to the page, the trigger does not fire again.)
12. What is After Report Trigger? What is the importance of After Report Trigger?


After Report : Fires after you exit the Previewer, or after report output is sent to a specified destination, such as a file, a printer, or an Oracle*Mail userid. This trigger can be used to clean up any initial processing that was done, such as deleting tables. Note, however, that this trigger always fires, whether or not your report completed successfully.


13. What is Validation Trigger? What is the importance of Validation  Trigger?


Validation Triggers : Validation Triggers are PL/SQL functions that are executed when parameter values are specified on the command line and when you accept the Runtime Parameter Form. (Notice that this means each Validation Trigger may fire twice when you execute the report). Validation Triggers are also used to validate the Initial Value of the parameter in the Parameter property sheet.


14. What is Format Trigger? What is the importance of Format Trigger?

Format Triggers : Format Triggers are PL/SQL functions executed before the object is formatted. The trigger can be used to dynamically change the formatting attributes of the object.

15. What is Action Trigger? What is the importance of Action Trigger?


Action Triggers : Action Triggers are PL/SQL procedures executed when a button is selected in the Previewer. The trigger can be used to dynamically call another report (drill down) or execute any other PL/SQL.
=========
1.What are the various values of the horizontal of vertical sizing property ?


The various values are :
Contract : Contract means the vertical size of the object decreases, if the formatted objects or data within it are short enough, but it cannot increase to a height greater than that shown in the editor. Note : Truncation of data may occur. (You can think of this option as meaning "only contract, do not expand.")


Expand : Expand means the vertical size of the object increases, if the formatted objects or data within it are tall enough, but it cannot decrease to a height less than that shown in the editor. (You can think of this option as meaning "only expand, do not contract.")


Fixed : Fixed means the height of the object is the same on each logical page, regardless of the size of the objects or data within it. Note : Truncation of data may occur. The height of the object is defined to be its height in the editor.


Variable : Variable means the object may expand or contract vertically to accommodate the objects or data within it (with no extra space), which means the height shown in the editor has no effect on the object's height at runtime.


2. How do you display a message in reports ?
Using SRW.Message.

3. What are the various values of 'Print Panel Order' property of report ?
The various values are :
•Across/Down : Across/Down means the physical pages of the report body will print left-to-right then top-to-bottom.
•Down/Across : Down/Across means the physical pages of the report body will print top-to-bottom and then left-to-right.

4. What is the 'Print Direction' Property of Repeating frames ?


'Print Direction' Property specifies the direction in which successive instances of the repeating frame appear.


5. What are the various values of the 'Print Direction' Property of Repeating frames ?
Following are the various values :
•Across : Across means that each instance of the repeating frame subsequent to the first instance is printed to the right of the previous instance across the logical page.
•Across/Down : Across/Down means that each instance of the repeating frame subsequent to the first instance is printed to the right of the previous instance until an entire instance cannot fit between the previous instance and the right margin of the logical page. At that time, Oracle Reports prints the instance below the left-most instance on the logical page, provided there is enough vertical space left on the logical page for the instance to print completely.
•Down : Down means that each instance of the repeating frame subsequent to the first instance is printed below the previous instance down the logical page.
•Down/Across : Down/Across means that each instance of the repeating frame subsequent to the first instance is printed below the previous instance until an entire instance cannot fit inside the bottom margin of the logical page. At that time, Oracle Reports prints the instance to the right of the topmost instance on the logical page, provided there is enough horizontal space left on the logical page for the instance to print completely.
6. What is the 'Keep with Anchoring Object' object property ?


'Keep with Anchoring Object' object property indicates whether to keep an object and the object to which it is anchored on the same logical page. Checking Keep with Anchoring Object means that if the object, its anchoring object, or both cannot fit on the logical page, they will be moved to the next logical page.


7. What is 'Page Break Before' object property ?


'Page Break Before' object property indicates that you want the object to be formatted on the page after the page on which it is initially triggered to print. Note that this does not necessarily mean that all the objects below the object with Page Break Before will move to the next page.


8. What is 'Page Break After' object property ?


'Page Break After' object property indicates that you want all children of the object to be moved to the next page. In other words, any object that is a child object of an anchor (implicit or explicit) to this object will be treated as if it has Page Break Before set. Note that this does not necessarily mean that all the objects below the object with Page Break After will move to the next page.


9. What is the 'Break Order' property of columns ?


The 'Break Order' property is the order in which to display the column's values. This property applies only to columns that identify distinct values of user-created groups (i.e., break groups). The order of column values in a default group is determined by the ORDER BY clause of the query. For column values in user-created groups, however, you must use Break Order to specify how to order the break column's values.


10. What are the various types of links ?


The Data Link tool draws a link between a parent group and a child query. Creating a link is a drag and drop operation. Clicking and dragging from one column to another creates a link between those two columns (column to column link). Clicking and dragging from one query to another creates all possible links between columns selected by the queries based on database constraints (query to query link). Clicking and dragging between two groups creates a group-to-group link (i.e., a link with no columns).


11. Name some of the procedures in the SRW package ?


* SRW.Message, SRW.User_Exit, SRW.Do_Sql, SRW.Run_Report


12. What are the various report layout regions ?
 There are three report regions in the Layout editor :


• header
• body/margin
• trailer
13. In Brief Describe the various report layout regions?


Header : The report header pages appear once at the beginning of each report on a set of separate pages. They can contain text, graphics, data, and computations.


Body/Margin : The body/margin pages appear between the header and trailer pages, and are the bulk of the report. Each physical page in this section consists of a body and a margin. The body contains the majority of the report's text, graphics, data, and computations.
A top and bottom margin appear on each page, until all data within the body has been formatted. A margin may include text, graphics, page numbers, page totals, and grand totals. The default margin size is one half inch each for the top and bottom margins and zero for the left and right margins.


Trailer : The report trailer pages appear once at the end of each report on a set of separate pages. They can contain text, graphics, data, and computations.


14. What is more efficient : Maximum rows or Group Filter ?


Maximum Rows in the Query property sheet restricts the number of records fetched by the query. A group filter determines which records to include and which records to exclude. Since Maximum Rows actually restricts the amount of data retrieved, it is faster than a group filter in most cases. If you are using a Filter of Last or Conditional, Oracle Reports must retrieve all of the records in the group before applying the filter criteria. As a result, Maximum Rows or a Filter of First is faster.
===============
1. What is SRW Package? 
The Report builder Built in package know as SRW Package (Sql Report Writer) 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 Exit, 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.


2. What is SRW package and some procedures in SRW?
It is the standard reports package and it has many procedures like USER_EXITS, DO_SQL, RUN_REPORT, MESSAGE,TRACE, BREAK, SET_ATTR.


3. Where in reports do you set the context information (like org_id)?
SRW.INIT


4. What is User Parameters?
Parameter, which is created by user. For to restrict values with where clause in select statement. We can use Lovs in  user parameter with static and Dynamic Select Statement.


5. What is System Parameters?
These are built-in parameters provided by Oracle corporation.
BACKGROUND: Is whether the report should run in the foreground or the background.
COPIES Is the number of report copies that should be made when the report is printed.
CURRENCY Is the symbol for the currency indicator (e.g., " $?).
DECIMAL Is the symbol for the decimal indicator (e.g., ".").
DESFORMAT Is the definition of the output device's format (e.g., landscape mode for a printer). This parameter is used when running a report in a character-mode environment, and when sending a bitmap report to a file (e.g. to create PDF or HTML output).
DESNAME Is the name of the output device (e.g., the file name, printer's name, mail userid).
DESTYPE Is the type of device to which to send the report output (screen, file, mail, printer, or
Screen using PostScript format).
MODE Is whether the report should run in character mode or bitmap.
ORIENTATION Is the print direction for the report (landscape, portrait, default).
PRINTJOB Is whether the Print Job dialog box should appear before the report is run.
THOUSANDS Is the symbol for the thousand's indicator (e.g., ",").


6. How can you print barcodes in oracle reports?
By installing the Barcode Font and using the Chart field in the Layout.


7. What are Format triggers?
Format triggers enable you to modify the display of objects dynamically at run time or to suppress display altogether for Headings, repeating frames, field and boilerplate object. Example:
i) To format the max (Sal) for particular department.
ii) To format the Sal column with a Dollar ($) prefix.
iii) To format Date formats….etc


8. What is Data Model?
Data Model is logical group of the Report Objects through query and Data model tools. Once query is compiled report automatically generates group. The queries build the groups and then Groups are used to populate the report. The only function of queries in report is to create the groups. The Report Editor's Data Model view enables you to define and modify the data model objects for a report. 
9. How do you call a concurrent program or another report from a report?
We can use FND_SUBMIT.REQUEST() to call a concurrent program from a report. Use SRW.RUN_REPORT() to run a report directly without registering it as a concurrent program.


10. What is Layout model?
Layout Model is to physically arrange Data model group objects on the Report. The Report Editor's Layout Model view enables you to define and modify the layout model objects for a report. In this view, objects and their property settings are represented symbolically to highlight their types and relationships.


11. What is Live Previewer? 
The Live Previewer is a work area in which you can preview your report and manipulate the actual or live data at the same time. In the Live Previewer you can customize reports interactively, meaning that you can see the results immediately as you make each change.
To activate buttons in the Live Previewer, you must display the report output in the Runtime Previewer. In order to edit your report, such as changing column size, move columns, align columns insert page numbers, edit text, change colors, change fonts set format masks, insert field the Live Previewer must be in Flex Mode.


12. What is Parameter Form 
The Parameter Form view is the work area in which you define the format of the report's Runtime Parameter Form. To do this, you define and modify parameter form objects (fields and boilerplate).When you run a report, Report Builder uses the Parameter Form view as a template for the Runtime Parameter Form. Fields and boilerplate appear in the Runtime Parameter Form exactly as they appear in the Parameter Form view. If you do not define a Runtime Parameter Form in the Parameter Form view, Report Builder displays a default Parameter Form for you at runtime.


13. What are user exits in reports and name a few?
User exits provided a way to pass control from Reports Builder to a program you have written, which performs some function, and then returns control to Reports Builder. Ex: SRW.DO_SQL, SRW.USER_EXIT.


14. What is Group?
Groups are created to organize the columns in your report. When you create a query, Report Builder automatically creates a group that contains the columns selected by the query. You create additional groups to produce break levels in the report, either manually or by using the Report Wizard to create a group above or group left report.


15. What is Template? 
Templates define common characteristics and objects that you want to apply to multiple reports. For example, you can define a template that includes the company logo and sets fonts and colors for selected areas of a report. 
Creation of Template: In Report editor , open a existing Template or Create a new Template and save it concerned directory. Then Edit CAGPREFS.ORA File , and Specify which type of Template are u going to develop.
Ex. Tabular, form, matrix Then give your developed template *.tdf file name.
Develop Report with Newly developed Template.


16. How can you display one record per page?
Set Repeating Frame Properties : Maximum records per page=1 And it will override group filter property.


18. What are the Non_query fields?
Following are the non_query fields: 
Aggregated Information, 
Calculated information, 
A string Function


19. How Can I highlight and change all the format masks and print conditions of a bunch of fields all at once?
If you want to highlight a bunch of objects 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 objects, it requires changing values individually for each object. However, 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.

===============
1.What is the difference between Conditional Formatting and format trigger?
Both provide the similar functionality. They are used to format the output based on particular conditions. Format triggers provide a wide variety of options when compared to conditional formatting(GUI). In format Triggers we have the option to write PL/SQL code where as conditional formatting is GUI based which provide limited options.


2.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. 


4. What is Page Break? 
To limit the records per page.


5. What is Page Protector property in oracle reports ?
The Page Protect property indicates whether to try to keep the entire object and its contents on the same logical page. Setting Page Protect to Yes means that if the contents of the object cannot fit on the current logical page, the object and all of its contents will be moved to the next logical page. Ex: if you set yes, the object information prints another page.

6.How do you mail the output of a report?
You can use following methogs to mail the output of a report. 
1. Use UTL_SMTP (refer to Scripts tab for more details) 
2. Use MAILX called in a shell script registered as a concurrent program with parameters File name and path.


7. What is Print Direction? 
The Print Direction property is the direction in which successive instances of the repeating frame appear.


8. What is Vertical and Horizental Elasticity
The Horizontal Elasticity property is determins how the horizontal size of the object will change at runtime to accommodate the objects or data within it:


9. What is Formula Column?
A formula column performs a user-defined computation on another column(s) data, including placeholder columns.


10. How do you display only one record on each page in a report?
Give Page Break in the Format trigger of the repeating frame.


11. 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.


12. What is Boilerplate? 
Boilerplate is any text or graphics that appear in a report every time it is run. Report Builder will create one boilerplate object for each label selected in the Report Wizard (it is named B_
Column name). Also, one boilerplate object is sometimes created for each report summary. A boilerplate object is owned by the object surrounding it, unless otherwise noted.


13. What is Data Link
When we join multiple queries in a report the join condition is stored in the data link section
Data links relates the results of multiple queries. A data link (or parent-child relationship) causes the child query to be executed once for each instance of its parent group. When you create a data link in the Data Model view of your report, Report Builder constructs a clause (as specified in the link's Property Palette) that will be added to the child query's SELECT statement at runtime. You can view the SELECT statements for the individual parent and child queries in the Builder, but can not view the SELECT statement that includes the clause created by the data link you define.


14. What is Break Column? 
We can break a column through data model , it is Displayed once for a group


15. How can you grey out/ highlight /hide some records based on conditions in a report?
You can use Conditional formatting to achieve it.


16. How do u call Report from form? 
Use RUN_PRODUCT and RUN_REPORT_OBJECT to call a report from Oracle Forms.


17. What is Report Bursting?The capability of producing multiple copies of a given report or portion of it in different output formats is referred to as report bursting. Reports bursting offers you to deliver a single report to multiple destinations simultaneously. It offers you to create multiple reports out of one single report model. For example, you can create just one employee report for all your departments and send an email with a PDF-attachment containing the report to each manager. Each report would contain only the relevant department information for that particular manager. Using the reports bursting functionality will reduce the overhead since you will only have a single data fetch and report format.

18. What is Additional Layout?
Additional layout is created for two different formats using same query and groups without modifying default layout created by report wizard., we can use both layouts according to user requirement.


19. How do you write the report output to Excel file or text file?
You can use the following methods to write the output of oracle reports to Excel or text file. 
1.Use TEXT_IO package 
2.Use SPOOL in After Report trigger 


Ur's
AmarAlam