Job Interview Questions And Answers For SAP BW #3

Q) Is there any way to delete cube contents within update rules from an ODS data source? The reason for this would be to delete (or zero out) a cube record in an "Open Order" cube if the open order quantity was 0.  I've tried using the 0recordmode but that doesn't work. Also, would it be easier to write a program that would be run after the load and delete the records with a zero open qty?

A) START routine for update rules you can write ABAP code.

A) Yes, you can do it. Create a start routine in Update rule.  It is not "Deleting cube contents with update rules" It is only possible to avoid that some content is updated into the InfoCube using the start routine. Loop at all the records and delete the record that has the condition. "If the open order quantity was 0" You have to think also in before and after images in case of a delta upload. In that case you may delete the change record and keep the old and after the change the wrong information.

Q) I am not able to access a node in hierarchy directly using variables for reports. When I am using Tcode RSZV it is giving a message that it doesn't exist in BW 3.0 and it is embedded in BEx. Can anyone tell me the other options to get the same functionality in BEx?

A) Tcode RSZV is used in the earlier version of 3.0B only. From 3.0B onwards, it's possible in the Query Designer (BEx) itself. Just right click on the InfoObject for which you want to use as variables and precede further selecting variable type and processing types.

Q) In BW we need to write abap routines. I wish to know when and what type of abap routines we got to write. Also, are these routines written in update rules? I will be glad, if this is clarified with real-time scenarios and few examples?

A) Over here we write our routines in the start routines in the update rules or in the transfer structure (you can choose between writing them in the start routines or directly behind the different characteristics. In the transfer structure you just click on the yellow triangle behind a characteristic and choose "routine". In the update rules you can choose "start routine" or click on the triangle with the green square behind an individual characteristic. Usually we only use start routine when it does not concern one single characteristic (for example when you have to read the same table for 4 characteristics). I hope this helps.

We used ABAP Routines for example:

  • To convert to Uppercase (transfer structure)
  • To convert Values out of a third party tool with different keys into the same keys as our SAP System uses (transfer structure)
  • To select only a part of the data for from an infosource updating the InfoCube (Start Routine) etc.
Q) What is ODS?

A) An ODS object acts as a storage location for consolidated and cleaned-up transaction data (transaction data or master data, for example) on the document (atomic) level.

This data can be evaluated using a BEx query.

Standard ODS Object

Transactional ODS object:

The data is immediately available here for reporting. For implementation, compare with the Transactional ODS Object.

A transactional ODS object differs from a standard ODS object in the way it prepares data. In a standard ODS object, data is stored in different versions ((new) delta, active, (change log) modified), where as a transactional ODS object contains the data in a single version. Therefore, data is stored in precisely the same form in which it was written to the transactional ODS object by the application. In BW, you can use a transaction ODS object as a data target for an analysis process.

The transactional ODS object is also required by diverse applications, such as SAP Strategic Enterprise Management (SEM) for example, as well as other external applications.

Transactional ODS objects allow data to be available quickly. The data from this kind of ODS object is accessed transactionally, that is, data is written to the ODS object (possibly by several users at the same time) and reread as soon as possible.

It offers no replacement for the standard ODS object. Instead, an additional function displays those that can be used for special applications.

The transactional ODS object simply consists of a table for active data. It retrieves its data from external systems via fill- or delete- APIs. The loading process is not supported by the BW system. The advantage to the way it is structured is that data is easy to access. They are made available for reporting immediately after being loaded.

Q) What does InfoCube contains?

A) Each InfoCube has one FactTable & a maximum of 16 (13+3 system defined, time, unit and data packet) dimensions.

Q) What does FACT Table contain?

A FactTable consists of KeyFigures.

Each Fact Table can contain a maximum of 233 key figures.

Dimension can contain up to 248 freely available characteristics.

Q) How many dimensions are in a CUBE?

A) 16 dimensions. (13 user defined & 3 system pre-defined [time, unit & data packet]).

Q) What does SID Table contain?

A) SID keys linked with dimension table & master data tables (attributes, texts, hierarchies).

Q) What does ATTRIBUTE Table contain?

A) Master attribute data.

Q) What does TEXT Table contain?

A) Master text data, short text, long text, medium text & language key if it is language dependent.

Q) What does Hierarchy table contain?

A) Master hierarchy data.

Q) Differences between STAR Schema & Extended Schema?

A) In STAR SCHEMA, A FACT Table in center, surrounded by dimensional tables and the dimension tables contains of master data. In Extended Schema the dimension tables does not contain master data, instead they are stored in Masterdata tables divided into attributes, text & hierarchy. These Masterdata & dimensional tables are linked with each other with SID keys. Masterdata tables are independent of Infocube & reusability in other InfoCubes.

Q) When are Dimension ID's created?

A) When Transaction data is loaded into InfoCube.

SAP BW

See Also

SAP BW Books:
SAP Business Warehouse, Interview Questions , Certification and Configuration Books

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SAP BW (Business Warehouse) Hints and Tips

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SAP ABAP/4 Programming, Basis Administration, Configuration Hints and Tips

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