SAP BO Developer Interview

Questions and answers

Tell me something about yourself?

My name is XYZ; currently I am working with PQR organization as ABC (Your

designation) on LMN Project (Your client name if any).

I have completed my education from NNN University in 2001.

I am having X years of experience as SAP BO Developer. In this x years I

worked on several versions of SAP Business Objects like XIR2, 3.1, 4.0, 4.1 etc.
including tools like Webi, Dashboard, crystal reports, SAP Mobile, Universe
Designer, Information design tool, Import wizart, Desktop intelligent, Query as
web server, infoview etc.

I have done n number of end to end implementation.

What is SAP BusinessObjects ?

SAP BusinessObjects BI (also known as BO or BOBJ) is a suite of front-end

applications that allow business users to view, sort and analyze business
intelligence data. The suite includes the following key applications:

• Crystal Reports — Enables users to design and generate reports

• Xcelsius/Dashboards — Allows users to create interactive dashboards
that contain charts and graphs for visualizing data
• Web Intelligence — Provides a self-service environment for creating ad
hoc queries and analysis of data both online and offline
• Explorer — Allows users to search through BI data sources using an
iTunes-like interface. Users do not have to create queries to search the
data and results are shown with a chart that indicates the best information
match.

The suite is the result of SAP’s October 2007 acquisition of the French company
Business Objects.

Explain detail objects?

Detail objects are attached to dimensions; one cannot drill on details nor link on
details when linking multiple data providers. While Customer ID would be a
dimension, customer name, address, phone and soon should be details.

What is BOMain.Key ?
BoMain.Key file contains the information about the repository site i.e. it contains
the address of the repository security domain.

What is Business objects Repository? – Types?

it is nothing but metadata.

CMS Repository: Which consist of two database (System & Audit)

Input file repository: Template of the report

Output file repository: Instance of the report

Or

The Business Objects repository is a set of relational data structures stored on a

database. It enables Business Objects users to share resources in a controlled
and secured environment.

What is domain? How many are there in a basic setup? What are they?

Domain is nothing but logical grouping of system tables, there are three domains
usually in a basic setup, they are Secure, Universe, and Document. Business
objects are sometimes called domain objects (where the word domain means the
business), and a domain model represents the set of domain objects and the
relationships between them.

When is the Repository created?

At the time of installation

How do you restrict access to rows of a database?

Using row level security in designer we can restrict access to rows of database.

What is a category?

It is nothing but grouping of certain entities.

What is a Universe?

It is a semantic layer between Database and the designer used to create objects
and classes. (It maps to data in Database).

What is an Object ?
It is an instance of class, its nothing but an entity.

What is a loop? How can we overcome?

Loop is nothing but a closed circular flow; it can be overcome by making use of
Alias and Context.

What is a join? Explain different types of joins ?

Join is used to link to tables depending upon the data requested by the user,
Usually we have Inner Join, Outer Join, Left Join, Right Join, Full Outer join.

What are Linked Universes?

If the data provided is from two different data providers then we can link those
two universes, such type of universe is called Linked Universe.

What are Alerter, Filters, Breaks and Conditions?

Alters are nothing but they are used to draw attention to a block of data by
highlighting. Breaks are nothing but grouping the data without any change in the
format. Condition is used to retrieve data which meets certain criteria. Filters are
used to get necessary data.

What is the difference between master-detail and Breaks?

In break common fields are deleted (here in this case the table format is not
changed) whereas in master-detail , we declare certain entity as a master to get
the detailed information or report in this case the table format is changed.

How can we improve performance?

By making use of Aggregate tables.

How can you check the integrity?

By making use of Check integrity button.

What are Universe parameters?

1. Defination
2. Summary
3. Strategies
4. Controls
5. SQL
6. Links
 7. Parameters

How do you restrict access to the rows of a database?

1. In the User pane, click the user or group.

2. In the Resource pane, click the Universe tab.
3. Right-click the universe.
4. From the pop-up menu, click Properties.
5. In the Universe Properties dialog box, click the Rows tab.
6. Set the options as necessary.
7. Click Ok

What are Connection types available in BO?

1. Secured
2. Shared
3. Pesonal

What are the Derived Tables and it’s use?

Derived tables are tables that you define in the universe schema. You create
objects on them as you do with any other table. A derived table is defined by an
SQL query at the universe level that can be used as a logical table in Designer.
Derived tables have the following advantages:
• Reduced amount of data returned to the document for analysis.
You can include complex calculations and functions in a derived table. These
operations are performed before the result set is returned to a document,
which saves time and reduces the need for complex analysis of large
amounts of data at the report level.
• Reduced maintenance of database summary tables.
Derived tables can, in some cases, replace statistical tables that hold results
for complex calculations that are incorporated into the universe using
aggregate awareness. These aggregrate tables are costly to maintain and
refresh frequently. Derived tables can return the same data and provide real
time data analysis.
Derived tables are similar to database views, with the advantage that the SQL for
a derived table can include BusinessObjects prompts

what is isolated joins in check integrity ?

Isolated join is the join which is not included in any of your contexts, so you are
getting that error.

Solution: First of all find what are all the joins you left without including in any of
your contexts and join them to any of the context which you think appropriate.
Then go for Integrity check.
What is fantrap and chasmtrap ?
Chasm Trap:
Chasm trap means many-to-one and one-to-many join relation converge on to a
single lookup table, because of this we get incorrect results i.e., Cartesian
product, We will resolved by using sometimes alias, sometimes context,
sometimes shortcut join and check multiple context for each measures option.

Fan Trap:
Fantrap means one-to-many and one-to-many join relation of the tables it is
detected by visual analysis, because of this we get incorrect results i.e., cartision
product, We will resolved by using some times alias, some times shortcut join
and check mutiple sql statements for each measures option.

Tell me about aggregate awareness in detail?

Aggregate awareness is a term that describes the ability of a universe to make
use of aggregate tables in a database. These are tables that contain pre-
calculated data. You can use a function called @Aggregate_Aware in the Select
statement for an object that directs a query to be run against aggregate tables
rather than a table containing non aggregated data. Using aggregate tables
speeds up the execution of queries, improving the performance of SQL
transactions.The reliability and usefulness of aggregate awareness in a universe
depends on the accuracy of the aggregate tables. They must be refreshed at the
same time as all fact tables. A universe that has one or more objects with
alternative definitions based on aggregate tables is said to be “aggregate aware”.
These definitions correspond to levels of aggregation. For example, an object
called Profit can be aggregated by month, by quarter, or by year. These objects
are called aggregate objects. Queries built from a universe using aggregate
objects.
Return information aggregated to the appropriate level at optimal speed.

What is maximum scope of analysis –> can we define more than 3 levels?
By default, you can do only up to 3 levels. But with custom, you can do more
than 3 levels.

How to solve #multivalue, #syntax, #error. iwant complete solution process

in practical wise?

practical wise:
#Multivalue :- this error will occur in 3ways

1. #multivalue in aggregation
2. #multivalue in breaks header or footer
3. #multivalue in section level.

1:– the o/p context not include i/p context its situation this error occurs.
Ex: in a report i have year,city dia’s & Revenue measure is there.
=<revenue> In <year>
The above condition will to run the query getting revenue column #multivalue
error occurs.
solution: cilck the formulabar in view menu select the error containg cell, edit the
formula to
write below condition.
= <revenue> In(<city>,<year>) In <year>
The above formula will run correct data will appear in the
report.
Note: the above condition by default it will take agg “sum” function.
#syntax:–
the variable in the formula no longer exist in the condition.

Ex:- <product price> * <quantity sold>

The above condition will run this error will occur.

Solution:- Click edit dataprovider–> new object will be

need –> select error cell –> edit formula –> click ok

#error:–
The variable in the formula is incorrect. This error will occur.

Solution : go for data menu –> click variable select the error containing a cell –>
copy the formula in edit menu –> paste it in new cell –> go for formula bar in view
menu –> –> take the first error containg cell –>edit the formula –> repeat the
above steps.

What are steps to be taken care to create a good Universe?

A Universe is a business-oriented mapping of the data structure found in
databases: tables, columns, joins, etc.
A Universe is a semantic layer between Database and end users. A Universe
can represent any specific application, system, or group of users. For example, a
universe can relate to a department in a company such as marketing or
accounting. A Universe can also pertain to a section within a department or just
about any set of organized procedures such as a payroll or inventory system. A
Universe consists of a set of objects, grouped by classes.

Steps to be taken care to create :

Prepare : Know the data source

Analyze :Identify the needs of the end user population

Plan : Design the universe(s)

Implement : Create the universe(s)

Test : Using a test team (including end users)

Deploy : Distribute the universe to end users

Evolve : Adapt and extend universe over time

is gantt chart available in sap bo (BusinessObjects) ?

Yes. Only in Crystal Report. Not in Webi or Deski.

Xcelsius SP4 we have a chart named Water fall chart which has the same
functionality as Gantt chart.

What is Primary and foreign keys ?

Primary keys
A primary key is a column or a set of columns in a table whose values
uniquely identify a row in the table. A relational database is designed to
enforce the uniqueness of primary keys by allowing only one row with a
given primary key value in a table.
Foreign keys
A foreign key is a column or a set of columns in a table whose values
correspond to the values of the primary key in another table. In order to
add a row with a given foreign key value, there must exist a row in the
related table with the same primary key value.
• Surrogate keys
Surrogate keys join the dimension tables to the fact table. Surrogate keys
serve as an important means of identifying each instance or entity inside
of a dimension table.