DBA interview

Questions and
answers second
set

Helpful questions and answers.

Each one needs to know what the questions
that he will face in the interview, so here are
some questions and answers.
Dipti
17/9/2008

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

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Technical - Oracle
1. Explain the difference between a hot backup and a cold backup and the
benefits associated with each
2. You have just had to restore from backup and do not have any control files.
How would you go about bringing up this database?
3. How do you switch from an init.ora file to a spfile?
4. Explain the difference between a data block, an extent and a segment.
5. Give two examples of how you might determine the structure of the table
DEPT.
6. Where would you look for errors from the database engine?
7. Compare and contrast TRUNCATE and DELETE for a table.
8. Give the reasoning behind using an index.
9. Give the two types of tables involved in producing a star schema and the type
of data they hold.
10. . What type of index should you use on a fact table?
11. . Give two examples of referential integrity constraints.
12. A table is classified as a parent table and you want to drop and re-create it.
How would you do this without affecting the children tables?
13. Explain the difference between ARCHIVELOG mode and NOARCHIVELOG
mode and the benefits and disadvantages to each.
14. What command would you use to create a backup control file?
15. Give the stages of instance startup to a usable state where normal users may
access it.
16. What column differentiates the V$ views to the GV$ views and how?
17. How would you go about generating an EXPLAIN plan?
18. How would you go about increasing the buffer cache hit ratio?
19. Explain an ORA-01555
20. Explain the difference between $ORACLE_HOME and $ORACLE_BASE.
21. How would you determine the time zone under which a database was
operating?
22. Explain the use of setting GLOBAL_NAMES equal to TRUE.
23. What command would you use to encrypt a PL/SQL application?
24. Explain the difference between a FUNCTION, PROCEDURE and PACKAGE.
25. Explain the use of table functions.
26. Name three advisory statistics you can collect.
27. Where in the Oracle directory tree structure are audit traces placed?
28. Explain materialized views and how they are used.
29. When a user process fails, what background process cleans up after it?
30. What background process refreshes materialized views?
31. How would you determine what sessions are connected and what resources
they are waiting for?
32. Describe what redo logs are.
33. How would you force a log switch?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

34. Give two methods you could use to determine what DDL changes have been
made.
35. What does coalescing a tablespace do?
36. What is the difference between a TEMPORARY tablespace and a PERMANENT
tablespace?
37. Name a tablespace automatically created when you create a database.
38. When creating a user, what permissions must you grant to allow them to
connect to the database?
39. How do you add a data file to a tablespace?
40. How do you resize a data file?
41. What view would you use to look at the size of a data file?
42. What view would you use to determine free space in a tablespace?
43. How would you determine who has added a row to a table?
44. How can you rebuild an index?
45. Explain what partitioning is and what its benefit is.
46. You have just compiled a PL/SQL package but got errors, how would you view
the errors?
47. How can you gather statistics on a table?
48. How can you enable a trace for a session?
49. What is the difference between the SQL*Loader and IMPORT utilities?
50. Name two files used for network connection to a database.

Technical - UNIX
1. How do you list the files in an UNIX directory while also showing hidden files?
2. How do you execute a UNIX command in the background?
3. What UNIX command will control the default file permissions when files are
created?
4. Explain the read, write, and execute permissions on a UNIX directory.
5. What is the difference between a soft link and a hard link?
6. Give the command to display space usage on the UNIX file system.
7. Explain iostat, vmstat and netstat.
8. How would you change all occurrences of a value using VI?
9. Give two UNIX kernel parameters that effect an Oracle install
10. Briefly, how do you install Oracle software on UNIX.

SQL AND SQL Plus

1. Which of the following statements contains an error?
a.. SELECT * FROM emp WHERE empid = 493945;
b. SELECT empid FROM emp WHERE empid= 493945;
c. SELECT empid FROM emp;
d. SELECT empid WHERE empid = 56949 AND lastname = SMITH;

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

2. Which of the following correctly describes how to specify a column alias?

a. Place the alias at the beginning of the statement to describe the table.
b. Place the alias after each column, separated by white space, to describe the column.
c. Place the alias after each column, separated by a comma, to describe the column.
d. Place the alias at the end of the statement to describe the table.
3. The NVL function
a. Assists in the distribution of output across multiple columns.
b. Allows the user to specify alternate output for non-null column values.
c. Allows the user to specify alternate output for null column values.
d. Nullifies the value of the column output
Ans C
4. Output from a table called PLAYS with two columns, PLAY_NAME and AUTHOR, is
shown below.
Which of the following SQL statements produced it?
PLAY_TABLE
Midsummer Nights Dream, SHAKESPEARE
Waiting For Godot, BECKETT
The Glass Menagerie, WILLIAMS
a SELECT play_name || author FROM plays;
b SELECT play_name, author FROM plays;
c SELECT play_name||, || author FROM plays;
d SELECT play_name||, || author PLAY_TABLE FROM plays;
5. Issuing the DEFINE_EDITOR=emacs will produce which outcome?
a. The emacs editor will become the SQL*Plus default text editor.
b. The emacs editor will start running immediately.
c. The emacs editor will no longer be used by SQL*Plus as the default text editor.
d. The emacs editor will be deleted from the system.
6. The user issues the following statement. What will be displayed if the EMPID selected
is 60494?
SELECT DECODE(empid,38475, Terminated,60494, LOA, ACTIVE)FROM
emp;
a. 60494
b. LOA
c. Terminatedd. ACTIVE
7. SELECT (TO_CHAR(NVL(SQRT(59483), INVALID)) FROM DUAL is a valid
SQL statement.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

8. The appropriate table to use when performing arithmetic calculations on values defined
within the
SELECT statement (not pulled from a table column) is
a. EMP
b. The table containing the column values
c. DUALD. An Oracle-defined table
9. Which of the following is not a group function?
a. avg( )
c. sqrt( )
c. sum( )
d. max( )
10. Once defined, how long will a variable remain so in SQL*Plus?
a. Until the database is shut down
b. Until the instance is shut down
c. Until the statement completes
d. Until the session completes
11. The default character for specifying runtime variables in SELECT statements is
a. Ampersand
b. Ellipses
c. Quotation marks
d. Asterisk
12. A user is setting up a join operation between tables EMP and DEPT. There are some
employees in the EMP table
that the user wants returned by the query, but the employees are not assigned to
departments yet. Which SELECT
statement is most appropriate for this user?
a. select e.empid, d.head from emp e, dept d;
b. select e.empid, d.head from emp e, dept d where e.dept# = d.dept#;
c. select e.empid, d.head from emp e, dept d where e.dept# = d.dept# (+);
d. select e.empid, d.head from emp e, dept d where e.dept# (+) = d.dept#;
13. Developer ANJU executes the following statement: CREATE TABLE animals AS
SELECT * from
MASTER.ANIMALS; What is the effect of this statement?
a. A table named ANIMALS will be created in the MASTER schema with the same data
as the ANIMALS
table owned by ANJU
b. A table named ANJU will be created in the ANIMALS schema with the same data as
the ANIMALS
table owned by MASTER
c. A table named ANIMALS will be created in the ANJU schema with the same data as
the ANIMALS

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

table owned by MASTER.

d. A table named MASTER will be created in the ANIMALS schema with the same data
as the ANJU
table owned by ANIMALS.
14. User JANKO would like to insert a row into the EMPLOYEE table, which has three
columns: EMPID,
LASTNAME, and SALARY. The user would like to enter data for EMPID 59694,
LASTNAME Harris,
but no salary. Which statement would work best?
a. INSERT INTO employee VALUES (59694,HARRIS, NULL);
b. INSERT INTO employee VALUES (59694,HARRIS);
c. INSERT INTO employee (EMPID, LASTNAME, SALARY) VALUES
(59694,HARRIS);
d. INSERT INTO employee (SELECT 59694 FROM HARRIS);
15. Which three of the following are valid database datatypes in Oracle? (Choose three.)
a. CHAR
b. VARCHAR2
c. BOOLEAN
d. NUMBER
16. Omitting the WHERE clause from a DELETE statement has which of the following
effects?
a. The delete statement will fail because there are no records to delete.
b. The delete statement will prompt the user to enter criteria for the deletion
c. The delete statement will fail because of syntax error.
d. The delete statement will remove all records from the table.
17. Creating a foreign-key constraint between columns of two tables defined with two
different datatypes will
produce an error.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
18. Dropping a table has which of the following effects on a nonunique index created for
the table?
a. No effect.
b. The index will be dropped.
c. The index will be rendered invalid.
d. The index will contain NULL values.
19. To increase the number of nullable columns for a table,
a. Use the alter table statement.
b. Ensure that all column values are NULL for all rows.

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

c. First increase the size of adjacent column datatypes, then add the column.
d. Add the column, populate the column, then add the NOT NULL constraint.
20. Which line of the following statement will produce an error?
a. CREATE TABLE goods
b. (good_no NUMBER,
c. good_name VARCHAR2 check(good_name in (SELECT name FROM avail_goods)),
d. CONSTRAINT pk_goods_01
e. PRIMARY KEY (goodno));
f. There are no errors in this statement.
21. MAXVALUE is a valid parameter for sequence creation.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
22. Which of the following lines in the SELECT statement below contain an error?
a SELECT DECODE(empid, 58385, INACTIVE, ACTIVE) empid
b. FROM emp
c. WHERE SUBSTR(lastname,1,1) > TO_NUMBER(S')
d. AND empid > 02000
e. ORDER BY empid DESC, lastname ASC;
f. There are no errors in this statement.
23. Which function below can best be categorized as similar in function to an IF-THENELSE statement?
a. SQRT
b. DECODE
c. NEW_TIME
d. ROWIDTOCHAR
24. Which two of the following orders are used in ORDER BY clauses? (choose two)
a. ABS
b. ASC
c. DESC
d. DISC
26. Which of the following statements is true about implicit cursors?
a. Implicit cursors are used for SQL statements that are not named.
b. Developers should use implicit cursors with great care.
c. Implicit cursors are used in cursor for loops to handle data processing.
d. Implicit cursors are no longer a feature in Oracle.
27. Which of the following is not a feature of a cursor FOR loop?
a. Record type declaration.
b. Opening and parsing of SQL statements.

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

c. Fetches records from cursor.

d. Requires exit condition to be defined.
28. A developer would like to use referential datatype declaration on a variable. The
variable name is
EMPLOYEE_LASTNAME, and the corresponding table and column is EMPLOYEE,
and LNAME,
respectively. How would the developer define this variable using referential datatypes?
a. Use employee.lname%type.
b. Use employee.lname%rowtype.
c. Look up datatype for EMPLOYEE column on LASTNAME table and use that.
d. Declare it to be type LONG.
29. Which three of the following are implicit cursor attributes?
a. %found
b. %too_many_rows
c. %notfound
d. %rowcount
e. %rowtype
30. If left out, which of the following would cause an infinite loop to occur in a simple
loop?
a. LOOP
b. END LOOP
c. IF-THEN
d. EXIT
31. Which line in the following statement will produce an error?
a. cursor action_cursor is
b. select name, rate, action
c. into action_record
d. from action_table;
e. There are no errors in this statement.
32. The command used to open a CURSOR FOR loop is
a. open
b. fetch
c. parse
d. None, cursor for loops handle cursor opening implicitly.
33. What happens when rows are found using a FETCH statement
a. It causes the cursor to close
b. It causes the cursor to open
c. It loads the current row values into variables
d. It creates the variables to hold the current row values

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

34. CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE find_cpt (v_movie_id

{ArgumentMode}NUMBER,
v_cost_per_ticket {argument mode} NUMBER)IS
BEGIN
IF v_cost_per_ticket > 8.5 THEN
SELECT cost_per_ticket
INTO v_cost_per_ticket
FROM gross_receipt
WHERE movie_id = v_movie_id;
END IF;
END;
Which mode should be used for V_COST_PER_TICKET?
a. IN
b. OUT
c. RETURN
d. IN OUT
35. CREATE OR REPLACE TRIGGER update_show_gross {trigger information}
BEGIN
{additional code}
END;
The trigger code should only execute when the column, COST_PER_TICKET, is greater
than $3.75. Which
trigger information will you add?
a. WHEN (new.cost_per_ticket > 3.75)
b. WHEN (:new.cost_per_ticket > 3.75
c. WHERE (new.cost_per_ticket > 3.75)
d. WHERE (:new.cost_per_ticket > 3.75)
36. What is the maximum number of handlers processed before the PL/SQL block is
exited when an exception
occurs?
a. Only one
b. All that apply
c. All referenced
d. None
37. For which trigger timing can you reference the NEW and OLD qualifiers?
a. Statement and Row
b. Statement only
c. Row only
d. Oracle Forms trigger
38. CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION get_budget(v_studio_id IN NUMBER)
RETURN number
ISv_yearly_budget NUMBER;

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

BEGIN
SELECT yearly_budget
INTO v_yearly_budget
FROM studio
WHERE id = v_studio_id;
RETURN v_yearly_budget;
END;
Which set of statements will successfully invoke this function within SQL*Plus?
a VARIABLE g_yearly_budget NUMBER EXECUTE g_yearly_budget :=
GET_BUDGET(11);
b. VARIABLE g_yearly_budget NUMBER EXECUTE :g_yearly_budget :=
GET_BUDGET(11);
c. VARIABLE :g_yearly_budget NUMBER EXECUTE :g_yearly_budget :=
GET_BUDGET(11);
d. VARIABLE g_yearly_budget NUMBER :g_yearly_budget := GET_BUDGET(11);
39.CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE update_theater (v_name IN VARCHAR2,
v_theater_id IN
NUMBER) IS
BEGIN
UPDATE theater
SET name = v_name
WHERE id = v_theater_id;
END update_theater;
When invoking this procedure, you encounter the error: ORA-00001: Unique constraint
(SCOTT.THEATER_NAME_UK) violated.How should you modify the function to
handle this error?
a. An user defined exception must be declared and associated with the error code and
handled in the
EXCEPTION section.
b. Handle the error in EXCEPTION section by referencing the error code directly.
c. Handle the error in the EXCEPTION section by referencing the UNIQUE_ERROR
predefined exception.
d. Check for success by checking the value of SQL%FOUND immediately after the
UPDATE statement.
40.CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE calculate_budget IS v_budget
studio.yearly_budget%TYPE;
BEGIN
v_budget := get_budget(11);
IF v_budget

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Oracle DBA Questions

1. SNAPSHOT is used for [DBA]
a. Synonym, b. Table space, c System server, d Dynamic data replication
Answer : D
2. We can create SNAPSHOTLOG for[DBA]
a. Simple snapshots, b. Complex snapshots, c. Both A & B, d Neither A nor B
Answer : A
3. Transactions per rollback segment is derived from[DBA]
a. Db_Block_Buffers, b. Processes, c. Shared_Pool_Size, d. None of the above
Answer : B
4. ENQUEUE resources parameter information is derived from[DBA]
a. Processes or DDL_LOCKS and DML_LOCKS, b. LOG_BUFFER,
c. DB__BLOCK_SIZE..
Answer : A
5. LGWR process writes information into
a Database files, b Control files, c Redolog files, d All the above.
Answer : C
6. SET TRANSACTION USE ROLLBACK SEGMENT is used to create user
objects in a particular Tablespace
a True, b False
Answer : False
7. Databases overall structure is maintained in a file called
a Redolog file, b Data file, c Control file, d All of the above.
Answer : C
8. These following parameters are optional in init.ora parameter file DB_BLOCK_SIZE,
PROCESSES
a True, b False
Answer : False
9. Constraints cannot be exported through EXPORT command
a True, b False
Answer : False

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

10. It is very difficult to grant and manage common privileges needed by different groups
of database users
using the roles
a True, b False
Answer : False
11. What is difference between a DIALOG WINDOW and a DOCUMENT WINDOW
regarding
moving the window with respect to the application window
a Both windows behave the same way as far as moving the window is concerned.
b A document window can be moved outside the application window while a dialog
window
cannot be moved
c A dialog window can be moved outside the application window while a document
window
cannot be moved
Answer : C
12 . What is the difference between a MESSAGEBOX and an ALERT
a. A messagebox can be used only by the system and cannot be used in user application
while an
alert can be used in user application also.
b A alert can be used only by the system and cannot be use din user application while an
messagebox
can be used in user application also.
c An alert requires an response from the user while a messagebox just flashes a message
and only requires an acknowledgment from the user
d An message box requires an response from the user while a alert just flashes a message
an only
requires an acknowledgment from the user
Answer : C
13. Which of the following is not an reason for the fact that most of the processing is
done at the server ?
a. To reduce network traffic. b For application sharing, c To implement business rules
centrally,
d None of the above
Answer : D
14. Can a DIALOG WINDOW have scroll bar attached to it ?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

a Yes, b No
Answer : B
15. Which of the following is not an advantage of GUI systems ?
a. Intuitive and easy to use., b. GUIs can display multiple applications in multiple
windows
c. GUIs provide more user interface objects for a developer d. None of the above
Answer
16. What is the difference between a LIST BOX and a COMBO BOX ?
a. In the list box, the user is restricted to selecting a value from a list but in a combo box
the user can
type in value which is not in the list
b A list box is a data entry area while a combo box can be used only for control purposes
c In a combo box, the user is restricted to selecting a value from a list but in a list box the
user can type in a value which is not in the list
d None of the above
Answer : A
17. In a CLIENT/SERVER environment , which of the following would not be done at
the client ?
a User interface part, b Data validation at entry line,
c Responding to user events,
d None of the above
Answer : D
18. Why is it better to use an INTEGRITY CONSTRAINT to validate data in a table than
to use a STORED
PROCEDURE ?
a. Because an integrity constraint is automatically checked while data is inserted into or
updated in a table
while a stored procedure has to be specifically invoked
b Because the stored procedure occupies more space in the database than a integrity
constraint definition
c Because a stored procedure creates more network traffic than a integrity constraint
definition
Answer : A

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

19. Which of the following is not an advantage of a client/server model ?

a. A client/server model allows centralized control of data and centralized implementation
of business rules.
b A client/server model increases developers productivity
c A client/server model is suitable for all applications
d None of the above.
Answer : C
20. What does DLL stands for ?
a Dynamic Language Library
b Dynamic Link Library
c Dynamic Load Library
d None of the above
Answer : B
21. POST-BLOCK trigger is a
a Navigational trigger
b Key trigger
c Transactional trigger
d None of the above
Answer : A
22. The system variable that records the select statement that SQL * FORMS most
recently used
to populate a block is
a SYSTEM.LAST_RECORD
b SYSTEM.CURSOR_RECORD
c SYSTEM.CURSOR_FIELD
d SYSTEM.LAST_QUERY
Answer : D
23. Which of the following is TRUE for the ENFORCE KEY field
a ENFORCE KEY field characteristic indicates the source of the value that
SQL*FORMS uses
to populate the field
b A field with the ENFORCE KEY characteristic should have the INPUT ALLOWED
characteristic turned off
a Only 1 is TRUE
b Only 2 is TRUE

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

c Both 1 and 2 are TRUE

d Both 1 and 2 are FALSE
Answer : A
24. What is the maximum size of the page ?
a Characters wide & 265 characters length
b Characters wide & 265 characters length
c Characters wide & 80 characters length
d None of the above
Answer : B
25. A FORM is madeup of which of the following objects
a block, fields only,
b blocks, fields, pages only,
c blocks, fields, pages, triggers and form level procedures,
d Only blocks.
Answer : C
26. For the following statements which is true
1 Page is an object owned by a form
2 Pages are a collection of display information such as constant text and graphics.
a Only 1 is TRUE
b Only 2 is TRUE
c Both 1 & 2 are TRUE
d Both are FALSE
Answer : B
27. The packaged procedure that makes data in form permanent in the Database is
a Post
b Post form
c Commit form
d None of the above
Answer : C
28. Which of the following is TRUE for the SYSTEM VARIABLE $$date$$
a Can be assigned to a global variable
b Can be assigned to any field only during design time
c Can be assigned to any variable or field during run time
d None of the above

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Answer : B
9. Which of the following packaged procedure is UNRESTRICTED ?
a CALL_INPUT, b CLEAR_BLOCK, c EXECUTE_QUERY, d USER_EXIT
Answer : D
30. Identify the RESTRICTED packaged procedure from the following
a USER_EXIT, b MESSAGE, c BREAK, d EXIT_FORM
Answer : D
31. What is SQL*FORMS
a SQL*FORMS is a 4GL tool for developing & executing Oracle based interactive
applications.
b SQL*FORMS is a 3GL tool for connecting to the Database.
c SQL*FORMS is a reporting tool
d None of the above.
Answer : A
32. Name the two files that are created when you generate a form using Forms 3.0
a FMB & FMX, b FMR & FDX, c INP & FRM, d None of the above
Answer : C
33. What is a trigger
a. A piece of logic written in PL/SQL
b Executed at the arrival of a SQL*FORMS event
c Both A & B
d None of the above
Answer : C
34. Which of the following is TRUE for a ERASE packaged procedure
1 ERASE removes an indicated Global variable & releases the memory associated with it
2 ERASE is used to remove a field from a page
1 Only 1 is TRUE
2 Only 2 is TRUE
3 Both 1 & 2 are TRUE
4 Both 1 & 2 are FALSE
Answer : 1

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

35. All datafiles related to a Tablespace are removed when the Tablespace is dropped
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : B
36. Size of Tablespace can be increased by
a Increasing the size of one of the Datafiles
b Adding one or more Datafiles
c Cannot be increased
d None of the above
Answer : B
37 . Multiple Tablespaces can share a single datafile
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : B
38 . A set of Dictionary tables are created
a Once for the Entire Database
b Every time a user is created
c Every time a Tablespace is created
d None of the above
Answer : A
39. Datadictionary can span across multiple Tablespaces
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : B
40. What is a DATABLOCK
a Set of Extents
b Set of Segments
c Smallest Database storage unit
d None of the above
Answer : C
41. Can an Integrity Constraint be enforced on a table if some existing table data does not
satisfy the constraint
a Yes
b No

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Answer : B
42. A column defined as PRIMARY KEY can have NULLs
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : B
43. A Transaction ends
a Only when it is Committed
b Only when it is Rolledback
c When it is Committed or Rolledback
d None of the above
Answer : C
44. A Database Procedure is stored in the Database
a. In compiled form
b. As source code
c. Both A & B
d. Not stored
Answer : C
45. A database trigger does not apply to data loaded before the definition of the trigger
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : A
46. Dedicated server configuration is
a One server process - Many user processes
b Many server processes - One user process
c One server process - One user process
d Many server processes - Many user processes
Answer : C
47. Which of the following does not affect the size of the SGA
a Database buffer
b Redolog buffer
c Stored procedure
d Shared pool
Answer : C

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

48. What does a COMMIT statement do to a CURSOR

a Open the Cursor
b Fetch the Cursor
c Close the Cursor
d None of the above
Answer : D
49. Which of the following is TRUE
1 Host variables are declared anywhere in the program
2 Host variables are declared in the DECLARE section
a Only 1 is TRUE
b Only 2 is TRUE
c Both 1 & 2are TRUE
d Both are FALSE
Answer : B
50. Which of the following is NOT VALID is PL/SQL
a Bool boolean;
b NUM1, NUM2 number;
c deptname dept.dname%type;
d date1 date := sysdate
Answer : B
51. Declare
fvar number := null; svar number := 5
Begin
goto >
if fvar is null then
>
svar := svar + 5
end if;
End;
What will be the value of svar after the execution ?
a Error
b 10
c5
d None of the above
Answer : A
52. Which of the following is not correct about an Exception ?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

a Raised automatically / Explicitly in response to an ORACLE_ERROR

b An exception will be raised when an error occurs in that block
c Process terminates after completion of error sequence.
d A Procedure or Sequence of statements may be processed.
Answer : C
53. Which of the following is not correct about User_Defined Exceptions ?
a Must be declared
b Must be raised explicitly
c Raised automatically in response to an Oracle error
d None of the above
Answer : C
54. A Stored Procedure is a
a Sequence of SQL or PL/SQL statements to perform specific function
b Stored in compiled form in the database
c Can be called from all client environmets
d All of the above
Answer : D
55. Which of the following statement is false
a Any procedure can raise an error and return an user message and error number
b Error number ranging from 20000 to 20999 are reserved for user defined messages
c Oracle checks Uniqueness of User defined errors
d Raise_Application_error is used for raising an user defined error.
Answer : C
56. Is it possible to open a cursor which is in a Package in another procedure ?
a Yes
b No
Answer : A
57. Is it possible to use Transactional control statements in Database Triggers?
a Yes
b No
Answer : B

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

58. Is it possible to Enable or Disable a Database trigger ?

a Yes
b No
Answer : A
59. PL/SQL supports datatype(s)
a Scalar datatype
b Composite datatype
c All of the above
d None of the above
Answer C
60. Find the ODD datatype out
a VARCHAR2
b RECORD
c BOOLEAN
d RAW
Answer : B
61. Which of the following is not correct about the TABLE datatype ?
a Can contain any no of columns
b Simulates a One-dimensional array of unlimited size
c Column datatype of any Scalar type
d None of the above
Answer : A
62. Find the ODD one out of the following
a OPEN
b CLOSE
c INSERT
d FETCH
Answer C
63. Which of the following is not correct about Cursor ?
a Cursor is a named Private SQL area
b Cursor holds temporary results
c Cursor is used for retrieving multiple rows
d SQL uses implicit Cursors to retrieve rows
Answer : B

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

64. Which of the following is NOT VALID in PL/SQL ?

a Select into
b Update
c Create
d Delete
Answer : C
65. What is the Result of the following VIK||NULL||RAM ?
a Error
b VIK RAM
c VIKRAM
d NULL
Answer : C
66. Declare
a number := 5; b number := null; c number := 10;
Begin
if a > b AND a ( Select count(*) from Emp E2 where E1.SAL > E2.SAL ) will retrieve
a 3500,5000,2500
b 5000,2850
c 2850,5750
d 5000,5750
Answer : A
72. Is it possible to modify a Datatype of a column when column contains data ?
a Yes
b No
Answer B
73. Which of the following is not correct about a View ?
a. To protect some of the columns of a table from other users
b Occupies data storage space
c To hide complexity of a query
d To hide complexity of a calculations
Answer : B
74. Which is not part of the Data Definition Language ?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

a CREATE
b ALTER
c ALTER SESSION
Answer : C
75. The Data Manipulation Language statements are
a INSERT
b UPDATE
c SELECT
d All of the above
Answer : D
76. EMPNO ENAME SAL
A822 RAMASWAMY 3500
A812 NARAYAN 5000
A973 UMESH
A500 BALAJI 5750
Using the above data
Select count(sal) from Emp will retrieve
a1
b0
c3
d None of the above
Answer : C
77. If an UNIQUE KEY constraint on DATE column is created, will it accept the rows
that are inserted with
SYSDATE ?
a Will
b Wont
Answer : B
78. What are the different events in Triggers ?
a Define, Create
b Drop, Comment
c Insert, Update, Delete
d All of the above
Answer : C

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

79. What built-in subprogram is used to manipulate images in image items ?

a Zoom_out
b Zoom_in
c Image_zoom
d Zoom_image
Answer : C
80. Can we pass RECORD GROUP between FORMS ?
a Yes
b No
Answer : A
81. SHOW_ALERT function returns
a Boolean
b Number
c Character
d None of the above
Answer : B
82. What SYSTEM VARIABLE is used to refer DATABASE TIME ?
a $$dbtime$$
b $$time$$
c $$datetime$$
d None of the above
Answer : A
83. :SYSTEM.EFFECTIVE.DATE variable is
a Read only
b Read & Write
c Write only
d None of the above
Answer : C
84. How can you CALL Reports from Forms4.0 ?
a Run_Report built_in
b Call_Report built_in

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

c Run_Product built_in
d Call_Product built_in
Answer : C
85. When do you get a .PLL extension ?
a Save Library file
b Generate Library file
c Run Library file
d None of the above
Answer : A
86. What is built_in Subprogram ?
a Stored procedure & Function
b Collection of Subprogram
c Collection of Packages
d None of the above
Answer : D
87. GET_BLOCK property is a
a Restricted procedure
b Unrestricted procedure
c Library function
d None of the above
Answer : D
88. A CONTROL BLOCK can sometimes refer to a BASETABLE ?
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : B
89. What do you mean by CHECK BOX ?
a Two state control
b One state control
c Three state control
d none of the above
Answer : C - Please check the Correctness of this Answer ( The correct answers 2 )

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

90. List of Values (LOV) supports

a Single column
b Multi column
c Single or Multi column
d None of the above
Answer : C
91. What is Library in Forms 4.0 ?
a Collection of External field
b Collection of built_in packages
c Collection of PL/SQl functions, procedures and packages
d Collection of PL/SQL procedures & triggers
Answer : C
92. Can we use a RESTRICTED packaged procedure in WHEN_TEXT_ITEM trigger ?
a Yes
b No
Answer : B
93. Can we use GO_BLOCK package in a PRE_TEXT_ITEM trigger ?
a Yes
b No
Answer : B
94. What type of file is used for porting Forms 4.5 applications to various platforms ?
a . FMB file
b . FMX file
c . FMT file
d . EXE file
Answer : C
95. What built_in procedure is used to get IMAGES in Forms 4.5 ?
a READ_IMAGE_FILE
b GET_IMAGE_FILE
c READ_FILE

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

d GET_FILE
Answer A
96. When a form is invoked with CALL_FORM does Oracle forms issues SAVEPOINT ?
a Yes
b No
Answer : A
97. Can we attach the same LOV to different fields in Design time ?
a Yes
b No
Answer : A
98. How do you pass values from one form to another form ?
a LOV
b Parameters
c Local variables
d None of the above
Answer : B
99. Can you copy the PROGRAM UNIT into an Object group ?
a Yes
b No
Answer : B
100. Can MULTIPLE DOCUMENT INTERFACE (MDI) be used in Forms 4.5 ?
a Yes
b No
Answer : A
101. When is a .FMB file extension is created in Forms 4.5 ?
a Generating form
b Executing form
c Save form
d Run form

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Answer : C
102. What is a Built_in subprogram ?
a Library
b Stored procedure & Function
c Collection of Subprograms
d None of the above
Answer : D
103. What is a RADIO GROUP ?
a Mutually exclusive
b Select more than one column
c Above all TRUE
d Above all FALSE
Answer : A
104. Identify the Odd one of the following statements ?
a Poplist
b Tlist
c List of values
d Combo box
Answer : C
105. What is an ALERT ?
a Modeless window
b Modal window
c Both are TRUE
d None of the above
Answer : B
106. Can an Alert message be changed at runtime ?
a Yes
b No
Answer : A
107. Can we create an LOV without an RECORD GROUP ?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

a Yes
b No
Answer : B
108. How many no of columns can a RECORD GROUP have ?
a 10
b 20
c 50
d None of the above
Answer D
109. Oracle precompiler translates the EMBEDDED SQL statements into
a Oracle FORMS
b Oracle REPORTS
c Oracle LIBRARY
d None of the above
Answer : D
110. Kind of COMMENT statements placed within SQL statements ?
a Asterisk(*) in column ?
b ANSI SQL style statements()
c C-Style comments (/**/)
d All the above
Answer : D
111. What is the appropriate destination type to send the output to a
printer ?
a Screen
b Previewer
c Either of the above
d None of the above
Answer : D
112. What is TERM ?
a TERM is the terminal definition file that describes the terminal from which you are
using R20RUN
( Reports run time )

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

b TERM is the terminal definition file that describes the terminal from which you are
using R20DES
( Reports designer )
c There is no Parameter called TERM in Reports 2.0
d None of the above
Answer : A
113. If the maximum records retrieved property of a query is set to 10, then a summary
value will
be calculated
a Only for 10 records
b For all the records retrieved
c For all the records in the referenced table
d None of the above
Answer : A
114. With which function of a summary item in the COMPUTE AT optio required ?
a Sum
b Standard deviation
c Variance
d % of Total function
Answer : D
115. For a field in a repeating frame, can the source come from a column which does not
exist in
the datagroup which forms the base of the frame ?
a Yes
b No
Answer : A
116. What are the different file extensions that are created by Oracle Reports ?
a . RDF file & .RPX file
b . RDX file & .RDF file
c . REP file & .RDF file
d None of the above
Answer : C
117. Is it possible to Disable the Parameter form while running the report?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

a Yes
b No
Answer : A
118.What are the SQL clauses supported in the link property sheet ?
a. WHERE & START WITH
b WHERE & HAVING
c START WITH & HAVING
d WHERE, START WITH & HAVING
Answer : D
119. What are the types of Calculated columns available ?
a Summary, Place holder & Procedure column
b Summary, Procedure & Formula columns
c Procedure, Formula & Place holder columns
d Summary, Formula & Place holder columns
Ans.: D
120. If two groups are not linked in the data model editor, what is the hierarchy between
them?
a. There is no hierarchy between unlinked groups
b The group that is right ranks higher than the group that is to the left
c The group that is above or leftmost ranks higher than the group that is to right or below
it
d None of the above
Answer : C
121. Sequence of events takes place while starting a Database is
a Database opened, File mounted, Instance started
b Instance started, Database mounted & Database opened
c Database opened, Instance started & file mounted
d Files mounted, Instance started & Database opened
Answer : B
122. SYSTEM TABLESPACE can be made off-line
a Yes
b No
Answer : B

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

123. ENQUEUE_RESOURCES parameter information is derived from

a PROCESS or DDL_LOCKS & DML_LOCKS
b LOG BUFFER
c DB_BLOCK_SIZE
d DB_BLOCK_BUFFERS
Answer : A
124. SMON process is used to write into LOG files
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : B
125. EXP command is used
a To take Backup of the Oracle Database
b To import data from the exported dump file
c To create Rollback segments
d None of the above
Answer : A
126. SNAPSHOTS cannot be refreshed automatically
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : B
127. The User can set Archive file name formats
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : A
128. The following parameters are optional in init.ora parameter file DB_BLOCK_SIZE,
PROCESS
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : B
129. NOARCHIEVELOG parameter is used to enable the database in Archive mode
a TRUE
b FALSE

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Answer : B
130. Constraints cannot be exported through Export command?
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : B
131. It is very difficult to grant and manage common privileges needed by
different groups of database users using roles
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : B
132. The status of the Rollback segment can be viewed through
a DBA_SEGMENTS
b DBA_ROLES
c DBA_FREE_SPACES
d DBA_ROLLBACK_SEG
Answer : D
133. Explicitly we can assign transaction to a rollback segment
a TRUE
b FALSE
Answer : A
134. What file is read by ODBC to load drivers ?
a ODBC.INI
b ODBC.DLL
c ODBCDRV.INI
d None of the above
Answer : A

Tell us about yourself, your background.

What are the three major characteristics that you bring to this

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

company?
What version of Oracle were you running?
How many databases did the organization have and what sizes?
What motivates you to do a good job?
What two or three things are most important to you at work?
What qualities do you think are essential to be successful in this
kind of work?
What courses did you attend? What job certifications do you hold?
What subjects/courses did you excel in? Why?
What subjects/courses gave you trouble? Why?
How does your previous work experience prepare you for this
position?
How do you define success?
What has been your most significant accomplishment to date?
Describe a challenge you encountered and how you dealt with it.
Describe a failure and how you dealt with it.
Describe the ideal job the ideal supervisor.
What leadership roles have you held?
What prejudices do you hold?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
What are your career goals (a) 3 years from now; (b) 10 years from
now?

Different Oracle And Database Questions

1. WHAT IS DATA OR INFORMATION?
Answer: The Matter that we feed into the Computer is called Data or
Information.
2. WHAT IS DATABASE?
Answer: The Collection of Interrelated Data is called Data Base.
3. WHAT IS A DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (DBMS) PACKAGE?
Answer: The Collection of Interrelated Data and some Programs to access
the Data is Called Data Base Management
System (DBMS).
4. WHEN CAN WE SAY A DBMS PACKAGE AS RDBMS?
Answer: For a system to Qualify as RELATIONAL DATABASE MANAGEMENT
system,
it must use its
RELATIONAL facilities to MANAGE the DATABASE.
5. WHAT IS ORDBMS?
Answer: Object (oriented) Relational Data Base Management System is one
that can store data, the relationship of the

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

data, and the behavior of the data (i.e., the way it interacts with
other data).
6. NAME SOME CODDS RULES.
Answer: Dr. E.F. Codd presented 12 rules that a database must obey if it
is to be considered truly relational. Out those,
some are as follows
a) The rules stem from a single rule- the zero rule: For a system to
Qualify as RELATIONAL
DATABASE MANAGEMENT system, it must use its RELATIONAL facilities
to MANAGE the DATABASE.
b) Information Rule: Tabular Representation of Information.
c) Guaranteed Access Rule: Uniqueness of tuples for guaranteed
accessibility.
d) Missing Information Rule: Systematic representation of missing
information as NULL values.
e) Comprehensive Data Sub-Language Rule: QL to support Data definition,
View definition,
Data manipulation, Integrity, Authorization and
Security.
7. WHAT ARE HIERARCHICAL, NETWORK, AND RELATIONAL DATABASE
MODELS?
Answer: a) Hierarchical Model: The Hierarchical Model was introduced in
the Information Management System (IMS)
developed by IBM in 1968. In this data is organized as a tree
structure. Each tree is made of nodes and branches.
The nodes of the tree represent the record types and it is a collection
of data attributes entity at that point. The
topmost node in the structure is called the root. Nodes succeeding
lower levels are called children.
b) Network Model: The Network Model, also called as the CODSYL database
structure, is an improvement over the
Hierarchical mode, in this model concept of parent and child is
expanded to have multiple parent-child
relationships, i.e. any child can be subordinate to many different
parents (or nodes). Data is represented by
collection of records, and relationships among data are represented by
links. A link is an association between
precisely two records. Many-to-many relationships can exists between
the parent and child.
c) Relational Model: The Relational Database Model eliminates the need
for explicit parent-child relationships.
In RDBMS, data is organized in two-dimensional tables consisting of
relational, i.e. no pointers are maintained
between tables.
8. WHAT IS DATA MODELING?
Answer: Data Modeling describes relationship between the data objects. The

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

relationships between the collections of

data in a system may be graphically represented using data modeling.
9. DEFINE ENTITY, ATTRIBUTE AND RELATIONSHIP.
Answer: Entity: An Entity is a thing, which can be easily identified. An
entity is any object, place, person, concept or
activity about which an enterprise records data.
Attribute: An attribute is the property of a given entity.
Relationship: Relationship is an association among entities.
10. WHAT IS ER-MODELING?
Answer: The E-R modeling technique is the Top Down Approach. Entity
relationship is technique for analysis and
logical modeling of a systems data requirements. It is the most widely
used and has gained acceptance as the
ideal database design. It uses three basic units: entities, their
attributes and the relationship that exists between
the entities. It uses a graphical notation for representing these.
11. WHAT IS NORMALIZATION?
Answer: Normalization is a step-by-step decomposition of complex records
into simple records.
12. WHAT ARE VARIOUS NORMAL FORMS OF DATA?
Answer: The First Normal Form 1NF,
The Second Normal Form 2NF,
The Third Normal Form 3NF,
The Boyce and Codd Normal Form BC NF.
13. WHAT IS DENORMALIZATION?
Answer: The intentional introduction of redundancy to a table to improve
performance is called
DENORMALIZATION.
14. WHAT ARE 1-TIER, 2-TIER, 3-TIER OR N-TIER DATABASE
ARCHITECTURES?
Answer: 1-Tier Database Architecture is based on single system, which acts
as both server and client.
2-Tier Architecture is based on one server and client.
3-Tier Architecture is based on one server and client out that on
client act as a remote system.
N-Tier Architecture is based on N no. Of servers and N no. Of clients.
15. WHAT ARE A TABLE, COLUMN, AND RECORD?
Answer: Table: A Table is a database object that holds your data. It is
made up of many columns. Each of these
columns has a data type associated with it.
Column: A column, referred to as an attribute, is similar to a field in
the file system.
Record: A row, usually referred to as tuple, is similar to record in
the file system.
16. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PROCEDURAL LANGUAGE AND A
NON-PROCEDURAL LANGUAGE?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Answer:
Procedural Language NON-Procedural Language
A program in this implements a step-by-step algorithm to solve the
problem. It contains what to do but not how to do
17.WHAT TYPE OF LANGUAGE SQL IS?
Answer: SQL is a Non-procedural, 4th generation Language,/ which concerts
what to do rather than how to do any
process.
18. CLASSIFICATION OF SQL COMMANDS?
Answer:
DDL (Data Definition Language) DML (Data Manipulating Language) DCL
(Data Control
Language) DTL(Data Transaction Language)
Create Alter Drop Select Insert Update Delete Rollback Commit Grant
Revoke
19. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DDL AND DML COMMANDS?
Answer: For DDL commands auto commit is ON implicitly whereas For DML
commands auto commit is to be turned
ON explicitly.
20. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRANSACTION AND A QUERY?
Answer: A Transaction is unit of some commands where as Query is a single
line request for the information from the
database.
21. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUNCATE AND DELETE COMMANDS?
Answer: Truncate Command will delete all the records where as Delete
Command will delete specified or all the
records depending only on the condition given.
22. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UPDATE AND ALTER COMMANDS?
Answer: Alter command is used to modify the database objects where as the
Update command is used to modify the
values of a data base objects.
23. WHAT ARE COMMANDS OF TCL CATEGORY?
Answer: Grant and Revoke are the two commands belong to the TCL Category.
24. WHICH IS AN EFFICIENT COMMAND - TRUNCATE OR DELETE? WHY?
Answer: Delete is the efficient command because using this command we can
delete only those records that are not
really required.
25. WHAT ARE RULES FOR NAMING A TABLE OR COLUMN?
Answer: 1) Names must be from 1 to 30 bytes long.
2) Names cannot contain quotation marks.
3) Names are not case sensitive.
4) A name must begin with an alphabetic character from your database
character set and the characters $ and #.
But these characters are discouraged.

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

5) A name cannot be ORACLE reserved word.

6) A name must be unique across its namespace. Objects in the name
space must have different names.
7) A name can be enclosed in double quotes.
26. HOW MANY COLUMNS CAN A TABLE HAVE?
Answer: A Table can have 1000 columns.
27. WHAT ARE DIFFERENT DATATYPES SUPPORTED BY SQL?
Answer: Char (size), Nchar (size), Varchar2 (size), Nvarchar2 (size) data
types for character values,
Number (precision, scale), Number, Number (n), Float, Float (binary
precision) data types for numerical values,
Date data type for date values,
Long, Raw (size), Long Raw, Clob, Blob, Nclob, Bfile for large objects.
28. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LONG AND LOB DATATYPES?
Answer:
LOB LONG
1) The maximum size is 4GB.
2) LOBs (except NCLOB) can be attributes of an object type.
3) LOBs support random access to data.
4) Multiple LOB columns per table or LOB attributes in an object type.
1) The maximum size is 2GB. 2) LONGs cannot. 3) LONGs support only
sequential access.
4) Only one LONG column was allowed in a table
29. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHAR AND VARCHAR2 DATATYPES?
Answer: Varchar2 is similar to Char but can store variable no. Of
characters and while querying the table varchar2
trims the extra spaces from the column and fetches the rows that
exactly match the criteria.
30. HOW MUCH MEMORY IS ALLOCATED FOR DATE DATATYPE? WHAT IS
DEFAULT
DATE
FORMAT IN ORACLE?
Answer: For Date data type oracle allocates 7 bytes Memory.
Default Date Format is: DD-MON-YY.
31. WHAT IS RANGE FOR EACH DATATYPE OF SQL?
Answer:
Datatype Range
Char Varchar2 Number Float LONG, RAW, LONGRAW Large Objects
(LOBs) 2000 bytes 4000 bytes
Precision 1 to 38 Scale -84 to 127 Precision 38 decimals Or 122 binary
precision 2 GB 4GB
32. HOW TO RENAME A COLUMN?
Answer: We cant rename a Column of a table directly. So we follow the
following steps.
To Rename a Column:
a) Alter the table specifying new column name to be given and data

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

type.
b) Then copy the values in the column to be renamed into new column.
c) drop the old column.
33. HOW TO DECREASE SIZE OR CHANGE DATATYPE OF A COLUMN?
Answer: To Decrease the size of a Data type of a column
i. Truncate the table first.
ii. Alter the table column whose size is to be decreased using the same
name and data type but new size.
34. WHAT IS A CONSTRAINT? WHAT ARE ITS VARIOUS LEVELS?
Answer: Constraint: Constraints are representators of the column to
enforce data entity and consistency.There r two
levels
1)Column-level constraints 2)Table-level constraints.
35. LIST OUT ALL THE CONSTRAINTS SUPPORTED BY SQL.
Answer: Not Null, Unique, Check, Primary Key and Foreign Key or
Referential Integrity.
36. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNIQUE+NOT NULL AND PRIMARY
KEY?
Answer: Unique and Not Null is a combination of two Constraints that can
be present any number of times in a table
and cant be a referential key to any column of an another table where
as Primary Key is single Constraint that
can be only once for table and can be a referential key to a column of
another table becoming a referential integrity.
37. WHAT IS A COMPOSITE PRIMARY KEY?
Answer: A Primary key created on combination of columns is called
Composite Primary Key.
38. WHAT IS A CANDIDATE COLUMN? HOW MANY CANDIDATE COLUMNS
CAN BE
POSSIBLE
PER COMPOSITE PRIMARY KEY?
Answer:
39. HOW TO DEFINE A NULL VALUE?
Answer: A NULL value is something which is unavailable, it is neither zero
nor a space and any mathematical
calculation with NULL is always NULL.
40. WHAT IS NULL? A CONSTRAINT OR DEFAULT VALUE?
Answer: It is a default value.
41. WHAT IS DEFAULT VALUE FOR EVERY COLUMN OF A TABLE?
Answer: NULL.
42. WHAT IS CREATED IMPLICITLY FOR EVERY UNIQUE AND PRIMARY KEY
COLUMNS?
Answer: Index.
43. WHAT ARE LIMITATIONS OF CHECK CONSTRAINT?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Answer: In this we cant specify Pseudo Columns like sysdate etc.

44. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REFERENCES AND FOREIGN KEY
CONSTRAINT?
Answer: References is used as column level key word where as foreign key
is used as table level constraint.
45. WHAT IS ON DELETE CASCADE?
Answer: when this key word is included in the definition of a child table
then whenever the records from the parent
table is deleted automatically the respective values in the child table
will be deleted.
46. WHAT IS PARENT-CHILD OR MASTER-DETAIL RELATIONSHIP?
Answer: A table which references a column of another table(using
References)is called as a child table(detail table) and a table which
is being referred is called Parent (Master)
Table .
47. HOW TO DROP A PARENT TABLE WHEN ITS CHILD TABLE EXISTS?
Answer: Using on delete cascade.
48. IS ORACLE CASE SENSITIVE?
Answer: NO
49. HOW ORACLE IDENTIFIES EACH RECORD OF TABLE UNIQUELY?
Answer: By Creating indexes and reference IDs.
50. WHAT IS A PSEUDO-COLUMN? NAME SOME PSEUDO-COLUMNS OF
ORACLE?
Answer: Columns that are not created explicitly by the user and can be
used explicitly in queries are called
Pseudo-Columns.
Ex:currval, nextval, sysdate.
51. WHAT FOR ORDER BY CLAUSE FOR A QUERY?
Answer: To arrange the query result in a specified
order(ascending, descending) by default it takes ascending order.
52. WHAT IS GROUP BY QUERIES?
Answer: To group the query results based on condition.
53. NAME SOME AGGREGATE FUNCTIONS OF SQL?
Answer: AVG, MAX, SUM, MIN,COUNT.
54. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COUNT (), COUNT (*) FUNCTIONS?
Answer: Count () will count the specified column whereas count (*) will
count total no. of rows in a table.
55. WHAT FOR ROLLUP AND CUBE OPERATORS ARE?
Answer: To get subtotals and grand total of values of a column.
56. WHAT IS A SUB-QUERY?
Answer: A query within a query is called a sub query where the result of
inner query will be used by the outer query.
57. WHAT ARE SQL OPERATORS?
Answer: Value (), Ref () is SQL operator.
58. EXPLAIN ANY,SOME,ALL,EXISTS OPERATORS?
Answer: Any: The Any (or its synonym SOME) operator computes the lowest

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

value from the set and compares a

value to each returned by a sub query.
All: ALL compares a value to every value returned by SQL.
Exists: This operator produces a BOOLWAN results. If a sub query
produces any result then it evaluates it to
TRUE else it evaluates it to FALSE.
59. WHAT IS A CORRELATED SUB QUERY, HOW IT IS DIFFERENT FROM A
NORMAL
SUB QUERY?
Answer: A correlated subquery is a nested subquery, which is executed once
for each Candidate row by the main
query, which on execution uses a value from a column in the outer
query. In normal sub query the result of inner
query is dynamically substituted in the condition of the outer query
where as in a correlated subquery, the column
value used in inner query refers to the column value present in the
outer query forming a correlated subquery.
60. WHAT IS A JOIN - TYPES OF JOINS?
Answer: A join is used to combine two or more tables logically to get
query results.
There are four types of Joins namely
EQUI Join
NON-EQUI Join
SELF Join
OUTER Join.
61. WHAT ARE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR AN EQUI-JOIN?
Answer: There should be at least one common column between the joining
tables.
62. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEFT, RIGHT OUTER JOIN?
Answer: If there r any values in one table that do not have corresponding
values in the other, in an equip join that row
will not be selected. Such rows can be forcefully selected by using
outer join symbol(+) on either of the sides(left
or right) based on the requirement.
63. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EQUI AND SELF JOINS?
Answer: SELF JOIN is made within the table whereas
EQUI JOIN is made between different tables having common column.
64. WHAT ARE SET OPERATORS?
Answer: UNION, INTERSECT or MINUS is called SET OPERATORS.
65. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNION AND UNION ALL
OPERATORS?
Answer: UNION will return the values distinctly whereas UNION ALL will
return even duplicate values.
66. NAME SOME NUMBER, CHARACTER, DATE, CONVERSION, OTHER
FUNCTIONS.
Answer: Number Functions:

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Round (m, [n]),

Trunc (m, [n]),
Power (m, n),
Sqrt,
Abs (m),
Ceil (m),
Floor (m),
Mod (m, n)
Character Functions:
Chr (x)
Concert (string1, string2)
Lower (string)
Upper (string)
Substr (string, from_str, to_str)
ASCII (string)
Length (string)
Initcap (string).
Date Functions:
sysdate
Months between (d1, d2)
To_char (d, format)
Last day (d)
Next_day (d, day).
Conversion Functions:
To_char
To_date
To_number
67. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MAX () AND GREATEST () FUNCTIONS?
Answer: MAX is an aggregate function which takes only one column name of a
table as parameter whereas Greatest is
a general function which can take any number of values and column
names from dual and table respectively.
68. WHAT FOR NVL () FUNCTION IS?
Answer: NVL Function helps in substituting a value in place of a NULL.
69. WHAT FOR DECODE () FUNCTION IS?
Answer: It is substitutes value basis and it actually does an
if-then-else test.
70. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRANSLATE () AND REPLACE ()
FUNCTIONS?
Answer: Translate() is a superset of functionality provided by
Replace().
71. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUBSTR () AND INSTR () FUNCTIONS?
Answer: Substr() will return the specified part of a string whereas
Instr() return the position of the specified part of the string.
72. WHAT IS A JULIAN DAY NUMBER?
Answer: It will return count of the no. Of days between January 1, 4712 BC

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

and the given date.

73. HOW TO DISPLAY TIME FROM A DATE DATA?
Answer: By using time format as hh [hh24]: mi: ss in to_char() function.
74. HOW TO INSERT DATE AND TIME INTO A DATE COLUMN?
Answer: By using format dd-mon-yy hh [hh24]: mi: ss in to_date()
function.
75. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TO_DATE () AND TO_CHAR ()
CONVERSION
FUNCTIONS?
Answer: To_date converts character date to date format whereas
To_char function converts date or numerical values to characters.
76. WHAT IS A VIEW? HOW IT IS DIFFERENT FROM A TABLE?
Answer: View is database object, which exists logically but contains no
physical data and manipulates the base table.
View is saved as a select statement in the database and contains no
physical data whereas Table exists physically.
77. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIMPLE AND COMPLEX VIEWS?
Answer: Simple views can be modified whereas Complex views(created based
on more than one table) cannot be
modified.
78. WHAT IS AN INLINE VIEW?
Answer: Inline view is basically a subquery with an alias that u can use
like a view inside a SQL statement. It is not a
schema object like SQL-object.
79. HOW TO UPDATE A COMPLEX VIEW?
Answer: Using INSTEAD OF TRIGGERS Complex views can be Updated.
80. WHAT FOR WITH CHECK OPTION FOR A VIEW?
Answer: WITH CHECK OPTION clause specifies that inserts and updates r
performed through the view r not
allowed to create rows which the view cannot select and therefore
allows integrity constraints and data validation
checks to be enforced on data being inserted or updated.
81. WHAT IS AN INDEX? ADVANTAGE OF AN INDEX
Answer: An Index is a database object used n Oracle to provide quick
access to rows in a table. An Index increases the
performance of the database.
82. WHAT IS A SEQUENCE? PSEUDO-COLUMNS ASSOCIATED WITH
SEQUENCE?
Answer: Sequence is a Database Object used to generate unique integers
to use as primary keys. Nextval, Currval are the Pseudo Columns
associated with the sequence.
**83. WHAT IS A CLUSTER? WHEN TO USE A CLUSTER? HOW TO DROP A
CLUSTER
WHEN
CLUSTERED TABLE EXISTS?
Answer: Cluster and Indexes are transparent to the user. Clustering is a

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

method of storing tables that are intimately

related and are often joined together into the same area on the disk.
When cluster table exists then to drop
cluster we have to drop the table first then only cluster is to be
dropped.
84. WHAT IS A SNAPSHOT OR MATERIALIZED VIEW?
Answer: Materialized views can be used to replicate data. Earlier the data
was replicated through CREATE
SNAPSHOT command. Now CREATE MATERIALIZED VIEW can be used as
synonym
for CREATE
SNAPSHOT. Query performance is improved using the materialized view as
these views pre calculate expensive
joins and aggregate operations on the table.
85. WHAT IS A SYNONYM?
Answer: A Synonym is a database object that allows you to create
alternate names for Oracle tables and views. It is an
alias for a table, view, snapshot, sequence, procedure, function or
package.
86. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SYNONYM?
Answer: Only the user or table owner can reference Private synonym whereas
any user can reference the Public
synonym.
87. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SQL AND SQL*PLUS COMMANDS?
Answer: SQL commands are stored in the buffer whereas SQL*PLUS are not.
**88. NAME SOME SQL*PLUS COMMANDS?
Answer: DESC [CRIBE], START, GET, SAVE, / are SQL*PLUS COMMANDS.
89. WHAT ARE SQL*PLUS REPORTING COMMANDS?
Answer: SPOOL file-name, SPOOL OUT, TTITLE, BTITLE, BREAK ON, COMPUTE
OF [break] ON etc are SQL*PLUS REPORTING
COMMANDS.
90. WHAT ARE SYSTEM AND OBJECT PRIVILEGES?
Answer: Connect and Resource etc are System Privileges.
Create , Select, Insert, Alter etc are Object Privileges.
91. WHAT FOR DCL COMMANDS ARE?
Answer: Commit, Rollback are DCL commands.
92. WHAT FOR GRANT COMMAND WITH WITH GRANT OPTION?
Answer: With Grant Option with Grant Command gives privileges to the
user to grant privileges to other user(s)
among the privileges he/she has.
93. HOW TO CHANGE PASSWORD OF A USER?
Answer: Using Password command or
Using ALTER USER IDENTIFIED BY COMAND.
94. WHAT IS A SCHEMA AND SCHEMA OBJECTS?
Answer: A schema is a collection of logical structures of data, or schema

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

objects. A schema is owned by the database

user and has the same name as that of user. Each user owns a single
schema. Schema objects include following
type of objects Clusters, Database Links, Functions, Indexes, Packages,
Procedures, Sequences, Synonyms, Tables,
Database Triggers, Views.
**95. HOW TO STARTUP AND SHUTDOWN ORACLE DATABASE?
Answer: Startup and Shutdown Oracle database can be done by only the
administrator. Startup is done by using
STARTUP command and Shutdown is done by SHUTDOWN command
96. WHAT IS A SESSION?
Answer: The period between Login and Logoff on schema.
97. WHAT IS A CLIENT PROCESS? WHAT IS A SERVER PROCESS?
Answer: ref: 172 Q & A.
98. HOW TO MAKE EVERY DML OPERATION AS AUTO COMMIT?
Answer: By using SET AUTOCOMMIT ON command.
99. HOW TO DISPLAY DATA PAGE WISE IN SQL?
Answer: By using SET PAUSE ON command.
100. HOW TO CHANGE LINE SIZE, PAGE SIZE AND SQL PROMPT?
Answer: By using SET LINESIZE , SET PAGESIZE ,
SET SQLPROMPT .
101. HOW PL/SQL IS DIFFERENT FROM SQL?
Answer: SQL is non-procedural language whereas PL/SQL is procedural
language that includes features and design
of programming language.
102. WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE OF PL/SQL?
Answer:
103. WHAT IS A PL/SQL BLOCK?
Answer: DECLARE
BEGIN
EXCEPTION
END;
104. WHAT ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PL/SQL BLOCKS?
Answer: DECLARE BLOCK: In this block all the declarations of the variable
used in the program is made. If no
variables are used this block will become optional.
BEGIN BLOCK: In this block all the executable statements are
placed.
This block is Mandatory.
EXCEPTION BLOCK: In this block all the exceptions are handled.
This block is also very optional.

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

END: Every begin must be ended with this END; statement.

105. WHAT ARE COMPOSITE DATA TYPES?
Answer: Records, Tables are two Composite data types.
106. WHAT IS SCOPE OF A VARIABLE IN PL/SQL BLOCK?
Answer: The visibility and accessibility of a variable within the
block(s) is called scope of a variable.
107. WHAT IS A NESTED BLOCK?
Answer: A block within a block is called Nested Block.
108. WHAT IS A PL/SQL ENGINE?
Answer: The PL/SQL engine accepts any valid PL/SQL block as input,
executes the procedural part of the statements
and sends the SQL statements to the SQL statement executor in the
Oracle server.
109. WHAT IS DEFAULT VALUE FOR A NUMERIC PL/SQL VARIABLE?
Answer: NULL
110. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIMPLE LOOP AND A FOR LOOP?
Answer: Simple requires declaration of variables used in it and exit
condition but For Loop doesnt require this.
111. WHAT IS A CURSOR? STEPS TO USE A CURSOR?
Answer: Cursor is Private SQL area in PL/SQL.
Declare the Cursor,
Open the Cursor,
Fetch values from SQL into the local Variables,
Close the Cursor.
112. HOW MANY TYPES OF CURSORS ARE SUPPORTED BY ORACLE?
Answer: There are two types of cursors namely Implicit Cursor, Explicit
Cursor.
113. WHAT IS A CURSOR FOR LOOP?
Answer: Cursor For Loop is shortcut process for Explicit Cursors because
the Cursor is Open, Rows are fetched once
for each iteration and the cursor is closed automatically when all the
rows have been processed.
114. WHAT ARE CURSOR ATTRIBUTES?
Answer: %Found
%NotFound
%IsOpen
%RowCount are the cursor attributes.
115. WHAT IS USE OF CURSOR WITH FOR UPDATE OF CLAUSE?
Answer: This Clause stop accessing of other users on the particular
columns used by the cursor until the COMMIT is
issued.
116. WHAT IS AN EXCEPTION? HOW IT IS DIFFERENT FROM ERROR?
Answer: Whenever an error occurs Exception raises.
Error is a bug whereas the Exception is a warning or error
condition.
117. NAME SOME BUILT-IN EXCEPTIONS.

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Answer: Too_Many_Rows
No_Data_Found
Zero_Divide
Not_Logged_On
Storage_Error
Value_Error etc.
118. HOW TO CREATE A USER-DEFINED EXCEPTION?
Answer: User-Defined Exception is created as follows:
DECLARE
EXCEPTION;
---------;
- - - - - - - - -;
BEGIN
- - - - - - - - -;
- - - - - - - - -;
RAISE ;
EXCEPTION
WHEN THEN
- - - - - - - - -;
- - - - - - - - -;
END;
119. WHAT IS OTHERS EXCEPTION?
Answer: It is used to along with one or more exception handlers.
This will handle all the errors not already handled in the block.
120. WHAT IS SCOPE OF EXCEPTION HANDLING IN NESTED BLOCKS?
Answer: Exception scope will be within that block in which exception
handler is written.
121. WHAT IS A SUB-PROGRAM?
Answer: A SUBPROGRAM IS A PL/SQL BLOCK, WHICH WILL BE INVOKED BY
TAKING
PARAMATERS.
122. WHAT ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUB-PROGRAMS?
Answer: THEY R TWO TYPES: 1) PROCEDURE 2) FUNCION.
123. HOW A PROCEDURE IS DIFFERENT FROM A FUNCTION?
Answer: Function has return key word and returns a value whereas a
Procedure doesnt return any value.
124. WHAT ARE TYPES OF PARAMETERS THAT CAN BE PASSED TO
FUNCTION OR
PROCEDURE?
Answer: IN, IN OUT, OUT.
125. WHAT IS IN OUT PARAMETER?
Answer: A parameter, which gets value into the Procedure or Function and
takes the value out of the Procedure or
Function area, is called IN OUT parameter.
126. DOES ORACLE SUPPORTS PROCEDURE OVERLOADING?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Answer: NO.
127. WHAT IS A PACKAGE AND PACKAGE BODY?
Answer: Package is declarative part of the functions and procedures stored
in that package and package body is
the definition part of the functions and procedures of that package.
128. WHAT IS ADVANTAGE OF PACKAGE OVER PROCEDURE OR FUNCTION?
Answer: Packages provides Functions or Procedures Overloading facility and
security to those Functions or
Procedures.
129. IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A PROCEDURE AND A FUNCTION WITH THE
SAME
NAME?
Answer: NO if it is outside a Package, YES if it is within a Package.
130. DOES ORACLE SUPPORTS RECURSIVE FUNCTION CALLS?
Answer: YES.
131. WHAT IS A TRIGGER? HOW IT IS DIFFERENT FROM A PROCEDURE?
Answer: Trigger: A Trigger is a stored PL/SQL program unit associated
with a specific database table.
Procedure: A Procedure is to be explicitly called by the user
whereas Triggers are automatically called implicitly
by Oracle itself whenever event Occurs.
132. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRIGGER AND A CONSTRAINT?
Answer: Constraints are always TRUE whereas Triggers are NOT always TRUE
and Constraints has some limitations
whereas Trigger has no limitations.
133. WHAT ARE DIFFERENT EVENTS FOR A TRIGGER AND THEIR SCOPES?
Answer: Insert, Update or Delete.
134. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TABLE LEVEL AND ROW LEVEL
TRIGGERS?
Answer: Table level Triggers execute once for each table based transaction
whereas Row level Triggers will execute
once FOR EACH ROW.
** 135. WHAT ARE AUTONOMOUS TRIGGERS?
Answer:
136. WHAT IS AN INSTEAD OF TRIGGER?
Answer: These Triggers are used with the Complex Views only to make
possible of Insert, Update and Delete on those
Views.
** 137. HOW MANY TRIGGERS CAN BE CONFIGURED ON A TABLE AND
VIEW?
Answer:
138. WHAT IS TABLE MUTATING ERROR? HOW TO SOLVE IT?
Answer: ORA-04091: Table name is mutating, trigger/function may not see it
Cause : A trigger or a user-defined PL/SQL function that is referenced
in the statement attempted to query or
modify a table that was in the middle of being modified by the

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

statement that fired the trigger.

Action : Rewrite the trigger or function so it does not read the table.
139. WHEN TO USE :NEW AND :OLD SPECIFIERS?
Answer: The prefix :old is used to refer to values already present in the
table. The prefix :new is a correlation name
that refers to the new value that is inserted / updated.
** 140. WHAT IS A CONDITIONAL TRIGGER?
Answer:
** 141. HOW TO CREATE A USER-DEFINED VARIABLE IN PL/SQL?
Answer:
142. HOW TO CREATE AN ARRAY VARIABLE IN PL/SQL?
Answer: Using CREATE [OR REPLACE] TYPE
AS VARRAY (size) OF ELEMENT_TYPE (NOT NULL) Command;
**143. HOW TO MAKE A USER-DEFINED DATA TYPE GLOBAL IN PL/SQL?
Answer:
144. HOW TO CREATE AN OBJECT IN ORACLE?
Answer: Using CREATE [OR REPLACE] TYPE AS OBJECT (ATTRIBUTE
NAME DATA TYPE,..)
Command
145. WHAT IS A TRANSIENT AND PERSISTENT OBJECT?
Answer: The Object created in a table is called Persistent Object.
Object created on execution of PL/SQL block is called Transient
Object.
**146. WHAT IS A COLUMN OBJECT AND TABLE OBJECT?
Answer: A Column Object is only a Column of a table.
147. HOW TO GRANT PERMISSION ON AN OBJECT TO OTHER USER?
Answer: GRANT ON TO .
148. WHAT IS A COLLECTION OF ORACLE?
Answer: Varray, Nested Table is a collection of Oracle.
149. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VARRAY AND NESTED TABLE?
Answer: Varray has a fixed size.
Nested tables can carry any number of values.
150. HOW TO MODIFY CONTENTS OF A VARRAY IN ORACLE?
Answer: To modify a stored VARRAY it has to selected into a
PL/SQL variable and then inserted back into the table.
151. WHAT IS USE OF THE OPERATOR FOR NESTED TABLE?
Answer: THE operator allows nested tables to be manipulated using DML when
it is stored in a Table.
152. WHICH PACKAGE IS USED FOR FILE INPUT/OUTPUT IN ORACLE?
Answer: UTL_FILE Package is used for File input/output in Oracle.
153. NAME SOME METHODS AND PROCEDURES OF FILE I/O PACKAGE?
Answer: FOPEN
FCLOSE
FFLUSH
IS_OPEN

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

GET_LINE
PUT_LINE
PUTF
NEW_LINE
**154. WHAT IS SQLJ? HOW IT IS DIFFERENT FROM JDBC CONNECTIVITY?
Answer: SQLJ is basically a Java program containing embedded static SQL
statements that are compatible with
Java design philosophy.
155. WHAT IS AN ITERATOR? Name some TYPES OF ITERATORS?
Answer: SQLJ Iterators are basically record groups generated during
transaction, which requires manipulation of
more than one records from one or more tables. There are two types
Iterators namely Named Iterator and
Positional Iterator.
** 156. WHAT ARE DIFFERENT STEPS TO WRITE A DYNAMIC SQL PROGRAM?
Answer:
Eg: char c_sqlstring[]={DELETE FROM sailors WHERE rating>5};
EXEC SQL PREPARE readytogo FROM :c_sqlstring;
EXEC SQL EXECUTE readytogo;
157. WHAT IS TABLE PARTITIONING AND INDEX PARTITIONING?
Answer: Oracle8 allows tables and Indexes to be partitioned or broken up
into smaller parts based on range of key
values. Partitioning is a divide and conquer strategy that improves
administration and performance in data
warehouse and OLTP systems.
158. WHAT IS PARALLEL PROCESSING?
Answer:
159. WHAT IS PHYSICAL MEMORY STRUCTURE OF ORACLE?
Answer: The basic oracle memory structure associated with Oracle includes:
Software Code Areas
The System Global Area (SGA)
The Database Buffer Cache
The shared Pool
The Program Global Areas (PGA)
Stack Areas
Data Areas
Sort Areas
160. WHAT IS LOGICAL MEMORY STRUCTURE OF ORACLE?
DB_STG
STUDENT SYSTEM
EMP DEPT EMP_IND .. ..
DATA DATA INDEX
Answer: Database
Tablespace
DB Object

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Segment
Extends
161. WHAT IS SGA?
Answer: A System Global Area is a group of shared memory allocated by
Oracle that contains data and control
information for one Oracle database instance. IF the multiple users are
concurrently connected to the same
instance, the data in the instances SGA is shared among the users.
Consequently, the SGA is
often referred to as either the system Global Area or the Shared
Global Area.
162. WHAT IS PGA?
Answer: The Program Global Area is a memory buffer that contains data and
control information for
a server process. A PGA is created by Oracle when a server process is
started. The information in a PGA
depends on the configuration of Oracle.
163. WHAT IS AN ORACLE INSTANCE?
Answer: Every time a database is started, an SGA is allocated and Oracle
background processes are started.
The combination of these processes and memory buffers is called an
Oracle instance.
164. WHAT ARE DIFFERENT ORACLE PROCESSES?
Answer: A process is a thread of control or a mechanism in an operating
system that can be execute a series
of steps. Some operating systems use terms jobs or task. A process
normally has its own private memory area
in which it runs. An Oracle database system has general types of
process: User Processes and Oracle Processes.
**165. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PMON AND SMON?
Answer: SMON (System Monitor) performs instance recovery at instance of
startup. In a multiple instance system
(one that uses the parallel server), SMON of one instance can also
perform instance recovery
other instance that have failed whereas The PMON (Process Monitor)
performs process recovery when
a user process fails.
**166. WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DATABASE AND TABLESPACE?
Answer:
167. WHAT IS JOB OF DATABASE WRITER (DBWR) PROCESS?
Answer: The Data Base Writer writes modified blocks from the database
buffer cache to the data files.
168. WHAT IS JOB OF LOG WRITER (LGWR) PROC*SS?
Answer: The Log Writer writes redo log files to disk. Redo log data is
generated in the redo log buffer of the SGA.

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

As transactions commit and log buffer fills, LGWR writes redo entries
into an online redo log file.
169. WHAT IS RECOVERER?
Answer: The Recover (RECO) is used to resolve distributed transactions
that are pending due to network or
system failure in a distributed database. At timed intervals, the local
RECO attempts to concept to remote
database and automatically complete the commit or rollback of the local
portion of any pending distributed
transactions.
170. WHAT IS ARCHIVER?
Answer: The Archiver (ARCH) copies the online redo log files to archival
storage when they are full.
ARCH is active only when a databases redo log is used ARCHILOG mode.
** 171. WHAT IS A STORED QUERY?
Answer: VIEW
172. WHAT IS USER PROCESS AND SERVER PROCESS?
Answer: A User process is created and maintained to execute the software
code of an application program (such as
PRO * Program) or an ORACLE tool (such as SQL * DBA). The User process
also manages the communication
with server processes. User processes communication with the server
processes through the program interface.
Other processes call ORACLE processes. In a dedicated server
configuration, a server
Process handles requests for a single user process. A multithread
server configuration allows many user processes
to share a small number of server processes, minimizing the utilization
of available system resources.
**173. WHAT IS A SELF REFERENTIAL INTEGRITY?
Answer: Table related to itself .Foreign key of the table links to primary
key of the same table.
174. WHAT IS A RAISE STATEMENT?
Answer: It is used to Raise Exceptions.
175. WHAT IS ROWID? HOW IT IS DIFFERENT FROM ROWNUM?
Answer: Rowid is the address of the row at where it is stored in the
database. Rownum is count of records whereas
Rowid is identification of the each row.

DBA, SQL, PL/SQL, Forms questions:
1. What is Log Switch ?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

The point at which ORACLE ends writing to one online redo log file
and begins writing to another is called a log switch.
2. What is On-line Redo Log?
The On-line Redo Log is a set of two or more on-line redo files that
record all committed changes made to the database. Whenever a
transaction is committed, the corresponding redo entries temporarily
stores in redo log buffers of the SGA are written to an on-line redo
log file by the background process LGWR. The on-line redo log files
are used in cyclical fashion.
3. Which parameter specified in the DEFAULT STORAGE clause of CREATE
TABLESPACE cannot be altered after creating the tablespace?
All the default storage parameters defined for the tablespace can be
changed using the ALTER TABLESPACE command. When objects are created
their INITIAL and MINEXTENS values cannot be changed.
4. What are the steps involved in Database Startup ?
Start an instance, Mount the Database and Open the Database.
5. What are the steps involved in Instance Recovery?
Rolling forward to recover data that has not been recorded in data
files yet has been recorded in the on-line redo log, including the
contents of rollback segments. Rolling back transactions that have
been explicitly rolled back or have not been committed as indicated
by the rollback segments regenerated in step a. Releasing any
resources (locks) held by transactions in process at the time of the
failure. Resolving any pending distributed transactions undergoing a
two-phase commit at the time of the instance failure.
6. Can Full Backup be performed when the database is open?
No.
7. What are the different modes of mounting a Database with the
Parallel Server?
Exclusive Mode If the first instance that mounts a database does so
in exclusive mode, only that Instance can mount the database.
Parallel Mode If the first instance that mounts a database is
started in parallel mode, other instances that are started in
parallel mode can also mount the database.

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

What are the advantages of operating a database in ARCHIVELOG mode

over operating it in NO ARCHIVELOG mode? Complete database recovery
from disk failure is possible only in ARCHIVELOG mode. Online
database backup is possible only in ARCHIVELOG mode.
8. What are the steps involved in Database Shutdown?
Close the Database, Dismount the Database and Shutdown the Instance.
9. What is Archived Redo Log ?
Archived Redo Log consists of Redo Log files that have archived
before being reused.
10. What is Restricted Mode of Instance Startup ?
An instance can be started in (or later altered to be in) restricted
mode so that when the database is open connections are limited only
to those whose user accounts have been granted the RESTRICTED
SESSION system privilege.
11. What is Partial Backup ?
A Partial Backup is any operating system backup short of a full
backup, taken while the database is open or shut down.
12. What is Mirrored on-line Redo Log ?
A mirrored on-line redo log consists of copies of on-line redo log
files physically located on separate disks, changes made to one
member of the group are made to all members.
13. What is Full Backup ?
A full backup is an operating system backup of all data files, online redo log files and control file that constitute ORACLE database
and the parameter.
14. Can a View based on another View ?
Yes.
15. Can a Tablespace hold objects from different Schemes ?
Yes.
16. Can objects of the same Schema reside in different tablespaces.?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Yes.
17. What is the use of Control File ?
When an instance of an ORACLE database is started, its control file
is used to identify the database and redo log files that must be
opened for database operation to proceed. It is also used in
database recovery.
18. Do View contain Data ?
Views do not contain or store data.
19. What are the Referential actions supported by FOREIGN KEY
integrity constraint ?
UPDATE and DELETE Restrict - A referential integrity rule that
disallows the update or deletion of referenced data. DELETE Cascade When a referenced row is deleted all associated dependent rows are
deleted.
20. What are the type of Synonyms?
There are two types of Synonyms Private and Public
21. What is a Redo Log ?
The set of Redo Log files YSDATE,UID,USER or USERENV SQL functions,
or the pseudo columns LEVEL or ROWNUM.
22. What is an Index Segment ?
Each Index has an Index segment that stores all of its data.
23. Explain the relationship among Database, Tablespace and Data
file.?
Each databases logically divided into one or more tablespaces one or
more data files are explicitly created for each tablespace
24. What are the different type of Segments ?
Data Segment, Index Segment, Rollback Segment and Temporary Segment.
25. What are Clusters ?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Clusters are groups of one or more tables physically stores together

to share common columns and are often used together.
26. What is an Integrity Constrains ?
An integrity constraint is a declarative way to define a business
rule for a column of a table.
27. What is an Index ?
An Index is an optional structure associated with a table to have
direct access to rows, which can be created to increase the
performance of data retrieval. Index can be created on one or more
columns of a table.
28. What is an Extent ?
An Extent is a specific number of contiguous data blocks, obtained
in a single allocation, and used to store a specific type of
information.
29. What is a View ?
A view is a virtual table. Every view has a Query attached to it.
(The Query is a SELECT statement that identifies the columns and
rows of the table(s) the view uses.)
30. What is Table ?
A table is the basic unit of data storage in an ORACLE database. The
tables of a database hold all of the user accessible data. Table
data is stored in rows and columns.
31. What is a Synonym ?
A synonym is an alias for a table, view, sequence or program unit.
32. What is a Sequence ?
A sequence generates a serial list of unique numbers for numerical
columns of a databases tables.
33. What is a Segment ?
A segment is a set of extents allocated for a certain logical
structure.

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

34. What is schema?

A schema is collection of database objects of a User.
35. Describe Referential Integrity ?
A rule defined on a column (or set of columns) in one table that
allows the insert or update of a row only if the value for the
column or set of columns (the dependent value) matches a value in a
column of a related table (the referenced value). It also specifies
the type of data manipulation allowed on referenced data and the
action to be performed on dependent data as a result of any action
on referenced data.
36. What is Hash Cluster ?
A row is stored in a hash cluster based on the result of applying a
hash function to the rows cluster key value. All rows with the same
hash key value are stores together on disk.
37. What is a Private Synonyms ?
A Private Synonyms can be accessed only by the owner.
40. What is Database Link ?
A database link is a named object that describes a path from one
database to another.
41. What is a Tablespace?
A database is divided into Logical Storage Unit called tablespaces.
A tablespace is used to grouped related logical structures together
42. What is Rollback Segment ?
A Database contains one or more Rollback Segments to temporarily
store undo information.
43. What are the Characteristics of Data Files ?
A data file can be associated with only one database. Once created a
data file cant change size. One or more data files form a logical
unit of database storage called a tablespace.
44. How to define Data Block size ?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

A data block size is specified for each ORACLE database when the
database is created. A database users and allocated free database
space in ORACLE datablocks. Block size is specified in INIT.ORA file
and cant be changed latter.
45. What does a Control file Contain ?
A Control file records the physical structure of the database. It
contains the following information.
Database Name
Names and locations of a databases files and redolog files.
Time stamp of database creation.
46.What is difference between UNIQUE constraint and PRIMARY KEY
constraint ?
A column defined as UNIQUE can contain Nulls while a column defined
as PRIMARY KEY cant contain Nulls.
47.What is Index Cluster ?
A Cluster with an index on the Cluster Key
48.When does a Transaction end ?
When it is committed or Rollbacked.
49. What is the effect of setting the value ALL_ROWS for
OPTIMIZER_GOAL parameter of the ALTER SESSION command ? What are the
factors that affect OPTIMIZER in choosing an Optimization approach ?
Answer The OPTIMIZER_MODE initialization parameter Statistics in the
Data Dictionary the OPTIMIZER_GOAL parameter of the ALTER SESSION
command hints in the statement.
50. What is the effect of setting the value CHOOSE for
OPTIMIZER_GOAL, parameter of the ALTER SESSION Command ?
The Optimizer chooses Cost_based approach and optimizes with the
goal of best throughput if statistics for at least one of the tables
accessed by the SQL statement exist in the data dictionary.
Otherwise the OPTIMIZER chooses RULE_based approach.
51. What is the function of Optimizer ?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

The goal of the optimizer is to choose the most efficient way to

execute a SQL statement.
52. What is Execution Plan ?
The combinations of the steps the optimizer chooses to execute a
statement is called an execution plan.
53. What are the different approaches used by Optimizer in choosing
an execution plan ?
Rule-based and Cost-based.
54. What does ROLLBACK do ?
ROLLBACK retracts any of the changes resulting from the SQL
statements in the transaction.
55. What is SAVE POINT ?
For long transactions that contain many SQL statements, intermediate
markers or savepoints can be declared which can be used to divide a
transaction into smaller parts. This allows the option of later
rolling back all work performed from the current point in the
transaction to a declared savepoint within the transaction.
56. What are the values that can be specified for OPTIMIZER MODE
Parameter ?
COST and RULE.
57. What is COST-based approach to optimization ?
Considering available access paths and determining the most
efficient execution plan based on statistics in the data dictionary
for the tables accessed by the statement and their associated
clusters and indexes.
58. What does COMMIT do ?
COMMIT makes permanent the changes resulting from all SQL statements
in the transaction. The changes made by the SQL statements of a
transaction become visible to other user sessions transactions that
start only after transaction is committed.
59. What is RULE-based approach to optimization ?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Choosing an executing plan based on the access paths available and

the ranks of these access paths.
60. What are the values that can be specified for OPTIMIZER_GOAL
parameter of the ALTER SESSION Command ?
CHOOSE,ALL_ROWS,FIRST_ROWS and RULE.
61. Define Transaction ?
A Transaction is a logical unit of work that comprises one or more
SQL statements executed by a single user.
62. What is Read-Only Transaction ?
A Read-Only transaction ensures that the results of each query
executed in the transaction are consistent with respect to the same
point in time.
63. What is a deadlock ? Explain .
Two processes waiting to update the rows of a table which are locked
by the other process then deadlock arises. In a database environment
this will often happen because of not issuing proper row lock
commands. Poor design of front-end application may cause this
situation and the performance of server will reduce drastically.
These locks will be released automatically when a commit/rollback
operation performed or any one of these processes being killed
externally.
64. What is a Schema ?
The set of objects owned by user account is called the schema.
65. What is a cluster Key ?
The related columns of the tables are called the cluster key. The
cluster key is indexed using a cluster index and its value is stored
only once for multiple tables in the cluster.
66. What is Parallel Server ?
Multiple instances accessing the same database (Only In Multi-CPU
environments)

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

67. What are the basic element of Base configuration of an oracle

Database ?
It consists of
one or more data files.
One or more control files.
Two or more redo log files.
The Database contains
multiple users/schemas
one or more rollback segments
one or more tablespaces
Data dictionary tables
User objects (table, indexes, views etc.,)
The server that access the database consists of
SGA (Database buffer, Dictionary Cache Buffers, Redo log buffers,
Shared SQL pool)
SMON (System MONitor)
PMON (Process MONitor)
LGWR (LoG Write)
DBWR (Data Base Write)
ARCH (ARCHiver)
CKPT (Check Point)
RECO
Dispatcher
User Process with associated PGS
68. What is clusters ?
Group of tables physically stored together because they share common
columns and are often used together is called Cluster.
69. What is an Index ? How it is implemented in Oracle Database ?
An index is a database structure used by the server to have direct
access of a row in a table. An index is automatically created when a
unique of primary key constraint clause is specified in create table
command (Ver. 7.0)
70. What is a Database instance ? Explain
A database instance (Server) is a set of memory structure and
background processes that access a set of database files.
The process can be shared by all users. The memory structure that
are used to store most queried data from database. This helps up to
improve database performance by decreasing the amount of I/O
performed against data file.

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

71. What is the use of ANALYZE command ?

To perform one of these functions on an index, table, or cluster:
- To collect statistics about object used by the optimizer and store
them in the data dictionary.
- To delete statistics about the object used by object from the
data dictionary.
- To validate the structure of the object..
- To identify migrated and chained rows off the table or cluster.
72. What is default tablespace ?
The Tablespace to contain schema objects created without specifying
a tablespace name.
73. What are the system resources that can be controlled through
Profile ?
The number of concurrent sessions the user can establish the CPU
processing time available to the users session the CPU processing
time available to a single call to ORACLE made by a SQL statement
the amount of logical I/O available to the users session the amount
of logical I/O available to a single call to ORACLE made by a SQL
statement the allowed amount of idle time for the users session the
allowed amount of connect time for the users session.
74. What is Tablespace Quota ?
The collective amount of disk space available to the objects in a
schema on a particular tablespace.
76. What are the different Levels of Auditing ?
Statement Auditing, Privilege Auditing and Object Auditing.
77. What is Statement Auditing ?
Statement auditing is the auditing of the powerful system privileges
without regard to specifically named objects
78. What are the database administrators utilities available ?
SQL * DBA - This allows DBA to monitor and control an ORACLE
database. SQL * Loader - It loads data from standard operating
system files (Flat files) into ORACLE database tables. Export (EXP)

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

and Import (imp) utilities allow you to move existing data in ORACLE
format to and from ORACLE database.
79. How can you enable automatic archiving ?
Shut the database
Backup the database
Modify/Include LOG_ARCHIVE_START_TRUE in init.ora file.
Start up the database.
80. What are roles? How can we implement roles ?
Roles are the easiest way to grant and manage common privileges
needed by different groups of database users. Creating roles and
assigning provides to roles. Assign each role to group of users.
This will simplify the job of assigning privileges to individual
users.
81. What are Roles ?
Roles are named groups of related privileges that are granted to
users or other roles.
82. What are the use of Roles ?
REDUCED GRANTING OF PRIVILEGES - Rather than explicitly granting the
same set of privileges to many users a database administrator can
grant the privileges for a group of related users granted to a role
and then grant only the role to each member of the group.
DYNAMIC PRIVILEGE MANAGEMENT - When the privileges of a group must
change, only the privileges of the role need to be modified. The
security domains of all users granted the groups role automatically
reflect the changes made to the role.
SELECTIVE AVAILABILITY OF PRIVILEGES - The roles granted to a user
can be selectively enable (available for use) or disabled (not
available for use). This allows specific control of a users
privileges in any given situation.
APPLICATION AWARENESS - A database application can be designed to
automatically enable and disable selective roles when a user
attempts to use the application.
83. What is Privilege Auditing ?
Privilege auditing is the auditing of the use of powerful system
privileges without regard to specifically named objects.

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

84. What is Object Auditing ?

Object auditing is the auditing of accesses to specific schema
objects without regard to user.
85. What is Auditing ?
Monitoring of user access to aid in the investigation of database
use.
86. What are the responsibilities of a Database Administrator ?
Installing and upgrading the Oracle Server and application tools.
Allocating system storage and planning future storage requirements
for the database system. Managing primary database structures
(tablespaces) Managing primary objects (table, views, indexes)
Enrolling users and maintaining system security. Ensuring compliance
with Oracle license agreement Controlling and monitoring user access
to the database. Monitoring and optimizing the performance of the
database. Planning for backup and recovery of database information.
Maintain archived data on tape Backing up and restoring the
database. Contacting Oracle Corporation for technical support.
87. What is a trace file and how is it created ?
Each server and background process can write an associated trace
file. When an internal error is detected by a process or user
process, it dumps information about the error to its trace. This can
be used for tuning the database.
88. What is a profile ?
Each database user is assigned a Profile that specifies limitations
on various system resources available to the user.
89. How will you enforce security using stored procedures?
Dont grant user access directly to tables within the application.
Instead grant the ability to access the procedures that access the
tables. When procedure executed it will execute the privilege of
procedures owner. Users cannot access tables except via the
procedure.
90. What are the dictionary tables used to monitor a database
spaces ?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

DBA_FREE_SPACE
DBA_SEGMENTS
DBA_DATA_FILES.
91. What are the roles and user accounts created automatically with
the database?
DBA - role Contains all database system privileges.
SYS user account - The DBA role will be assigned to this account.
All of the base tables and views for the databases dictionary are
store in this schema and are manipulated only by ORACLE. SYSTEM user
account - It has all the system privileges for the database and
additional tables and views that display administrative information
and internal tables and views used by oracle tools are created using
this username.
92. What are the minimum parameters should exist in the parameter
file (init.ora) ?
DB NAME - Must set to a text string of no more than 8 characters and
it will be stored inside the datafiles, redo log files and control
files and control file while database creation.
DB_DOMAIN - It is string that specifies the network domain where the
database is created. The global database name is identified by
setting these parameters
(DB_NAME & DB_DOMAIN) CONTORL FILES - List of control filenames of
the database. If name is not mentioned then default name will be
used.
DB_BLOCK_BUFFERS - To determine the no of buffers in the buffer
cache in SGA.
PROCESSES - To determine number of operating system processes that
can be connected to ORACLE concurrently. The value should be 5
(background process) and additional 1 for each user.
ROLLBACK_SEGMENTS - List of rollback segments an ORACLE instance
acquires at database startup. Also optionally
LICENSE_MAX_SESSIONS,LICENSE_SESSION_WARNING and
LICENSE_MAX_USERS.
93. How can we specify the Archived log file name format and
destination?
By setting the following values in init.ora file. LOG_ARCHIVE_FORMAT
= arch %S/s/T/tarc (%S - Log sequence number and is zero left padded,
%s - Log sequence number not padded. %T - Thread number left-zeropadded and %t - Thread number not padded). The file name created is
arch 0001 are if %S is used. LOG_ARCHIVE_DEST = path.

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

94. What is user Account in Oracle database?

A user account is not a physical structure in Database but it is
having important relationship to the objects in the database and
will be having certain privileges. 95. When will the data in the
snapshot log be used?
We must be able to create a after row trigger on table (i.e., it
should be not be already available) After giving table privileges.
We cannot specify snapshot log name because oracle uses the name of
the master table in the name of the database objects that support
its snapshot log. The master table name should be less than or equal
to 23 characters. (The table name created will be MLOGS_tablename,
and trigger name will be TLOGS name).
96. What dynamic data replication?
Updating or Inserting records in remote database through database
triggers. It may fail if remote database is having any problem.
97. What is Two-Phase Commit ?
Two-phase commit is mechanism that guarantees a distributed
transaction either commits on all involved nodes or rolls back on
all involved nodes to maintain data consistency across the global
distributed database. It has two phase, a Prepare Phase and a Commit
Phase.
98. How can you Enforce Referential Integrity in snapshots ?
Time the references to occur when master tables are not in use.
Perform the reference the manually immediately locking the master
tables. We can join tables in snapshots by creating a complex
snapshots that will based on the master tables.
99. What is a SQL * NET?
SQL *NET is ORACLEs mechanism for interfacing with the
communication protocols used by the networks that facilitate
distributed processing and distributed databases. It is used in
Clint-Server and Server-Server communications.
100. What is a SNAPSHOT ?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Snapshots are read-only copies of a master table located on a remote

node which is periodically refreshed to reflect changes made to the
master table.
101. What is the mechanism provided by ORACLE for table
replication ?
Snapshots and SNAPSHOT LOGs
102. What is snapshots?
Snapshot is an object used to dynamically replicate data between
distribute database at specified time intervals. In ver. 7.0 they are
read only.
103. What are the various type of snapshots?
Simple and Complex.
104. Describe two phases of Two-phase commit ?
Prepare phase - The global coordinator (initiating node) ask a
participants to prepare (to promise to commit or rollback the
transaction, even if there is a failure) Commit - Phase - If all
participants respond to the coordinator that they are prepared, the
coordinator asks all nodes to commit the transaction, if all
participants cannot prepare, the coordinator asks all nodes to roll
back the transaction.
105. What is snapshot log ?
It is a table that maintains a record of modifications to the master
table in a snapshot. It is stored in the same database as master
table and is only available for simple snapshots. It should be
created before creating snapshots.
106. What are the benefits of distributed options in databases?
Database on other servers can be updated and those transactions can
be grouped together with others in a logical unit.
Database uses a two phase commit.
107. What are the options available to refresh snapshots ?
COMPLETE - Tables are completely regenerated using the snapshots
query and the master tables every time the snapshot referenced.

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

FAST - If simple snapshot used then a snapshot log can be used to

send the changes to the snapshot tables.
FORCE - Default value. If possible it performs a FAST refresh;
Otherwise it will perform a complete refresh.
108. What is a SNAPSHOT LOG ?
A snapshot log is a table in the master database that is associated
with the master table. ORACLE uses a snapshot log to track the rows
that have been updated in the master table. Snapshot logs are used
in updating the snapshots based on the master table.
109. What is Distributed database ?
A distributed database is a network of databases managed by multiple
database servers that appears to a user as single logical database.
The data of all databases in the distributed database can be
simultaneously accessed and modified.
110. How can we reduce the network traffic?
- Replication of data in distributed environment.
- Using snapshots to replicate data.
- Using remote procedure calls.
111. Differentiate simple and complex, snapshots ?
- A simple snapshot is based on a query that does not contains
GROUP BY clauses, CONNECT BY clauses, JOINs, sub-query or snapshot of
operations.
- A complex snapshots contain at least any one of the above.
112. What are the Built-ins used for sending Parameters to forms?
You can pass parameter values to a form when an application executes
the call_form, New_form, Open_form or Run_product.
113. Can you have more than one content canvas view attached with a
window?
Yes. Each window you create must have at least one content canvas
view assigned to it. You can also create a window that has
manipulated content canvas view. At run time only one of the content
canvas views assign to a window is displayed at a time.

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

114. Is the After report trigger fired if the report execution

fails?
Yes.
115. Does a Before form trigger fire when the parameter form is
suppressed?
Yes.
116. Is it possible to split the print reviewer into more than one
region?
Yes
117. Is it possible to center an object horizontally in a repeating
frame that has a variable horizontal size?
Yes
118. For a field in a repeating frame, can the source come from the
column which does not exist in the data group which forms the base
for the frame?
Yes
119. Can a field be used in a report without it appearing in any
data group?
Yes
120. The join defined by the default data link is an outer join yes
or no?
Yes
121. Can a formula column referred to columns in higher group?
Yes
122. Can a formula column be obtained through a select statement?
Yes
123. Is it possible to insert comments into sql statements return in
the data model editor?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Yes
124. Is it possible to disable the parameter from while running the
report?
Yes
126. When a form is invoked with call_form, Does oracle forms issues
a save point?
Yes
127. Can a property clause itself be based on a property clause?
Yes
128. If a parameter is used in a query without being previously
defined, what diff. exist between. report 2.0 and 2.5 when the query is
applied?
While both reports 2.0 and 2.5 create the parameter, report 2.5
gives a message that a bind parameter has been created.
129. What are the sql clauses supported in the link property sheet?
Where start with having.
130. What is trigger associated with the timer?
When-timer-expired.
131. What are the trigger associated with image items?
When-image-activated fires when the operators double clicks on an
image item when-image-pressed fires when an operator clicks or double
clicks on an image item
132. What are the different windows events activated at runtimes?
When_window_activated
When_window_closed
When_window_deactivated
When_window_resized
Within this triggers, you can examine the built in system variable
system. event_window to determine the name of the window for which
the trigger fired.

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

133. When do you use data parameter type?

When the value of a data parameter being passed to a called product
is always the name of the record group defined in the current form.
Data parameters are used to pass data to products invoked with the
run_product built-in subprogram.
134. What is difference between open_form and call_form?
when one form invokes another form by executing open_form the first
form remains displayed, and operators can navigate between the forms
as desired. when one form invokes another form by executing
call_form, the called form is modal with respect to the calling
form. That is, any windows that belong to the calling form are
disabled, and operators cannot navigate to them until they first
exit the called form.
135. What is new_form built-in?
When one form invokes another form by executing new_form oracle form
exits the first form and releases its memory before loading the new
form calling new form completely replace the first with the second.
If there are changes pending in the first form, the operator will be
prompted to save them before the new form is loaded.
136. What is the LOV of Validation Property of an item? What is
the use of it?
When LOV for Validation is set to True, Oracle Forms compares the
current value of the text item to the values in the first column
displayed in the LOV. Whenever the validation event occurs. If the
value in the text item matches one of the values in the first column
of the LOV, validation succeeds, the LOV is not displayed, and
processing continues normally. If the value in the text item does
not match one of the values in the first column of the LOV, Oracle
Forms displays the LOV and uses the text item value as the search
criteria to automatically reduce the list.
137. What is the diff. when Flex mode is mode on and when it is off?
When flex mode is on, reports automatically resizes the parent when
the child is resized.
138. What is the diff. when confine mode is on and when it is off?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

When confine mode is on, an object cannot be moved outside its

parent in the layout.
139. What are visual attributes?
Visual attributes are the font, color, pattern proprieties that you
set for form and menu objects that appear in your application
interface.
140. Which of the two views should objects according to possession?
view by structure.
141. What are the two types of views available in the object
navigator(specific to report 2.5)?
View by structure and view by type .
142. What are the vbx controls?
Vbx control provide a simple method of building and enhancing user
interfaces. The controls can use to obtain user inputs and display
program outputs.vbx control where originally develop as extensions
for the ms visual basic environments and include such items as
sliders, rides and knobs.
143. What is the use of transactional triggers?
Using transactional triggers we can control or modify the default
functionality of the oracle forms.
144. How do you create a new session while open a new form?
Using open_form built-in setting the session option Ex. Open_form
(Stocks , active, session). when invoke the multiple forms with
open form and call_form in the same application, state whether the
following are true/False
145. What are the ways to monitor the performance of the report?
Use reports profile executable statement. Use SQL trace facility.
146. If two groups are not linked in the data model editor, What is
the hierarchy between them?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Two group that is above are the left most rank higher than the group
that is to right or below it.
147. An open form cannot be execute the call_form procedure if you
chain of called forms has been initiated by another open form?
True
148. Explain about horizontal, Vertical tool bar canvas views?
Tool bar canvas views are used to create tool bars for individual
windows. Horizontal tool bars are display at the top of a window,
just under its menu bar. Vertical Tool bars are displayed along the
left side of a window
149. What is the purpose of the product order option in the column
property sheet?
To specify the order of individual group evaluation in a cross
products.
150. What is the use of image_zoom built-in?
To manipulate images in image items.
151. How do you reference a parameter indirectly?
To indirectly reference a parameter use the NAME IN, COPY built-ins
to indirectly set and reference the parameters value Example
name_in (capital parameter my param), Copy (SURESH, 'Parameter my_param)
152. What is a timer?
Timer is an internal time clock that you can programmatically
create to perform an action each time the times.
153. What are the two phases of block coordination?
There are two phases of block coordination: the clear phase and the
population phase. During, the clear phase, Oracle Forms navigates
internally to the detail block and flushes the obsolete detail
records. During the population phase, Oracle Forms issues a SELECT
statement to repopulate the detail block with detail records
associated with the new master record. These operations are
accomplished through the execution of triggers.

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

154. What are Most Common types of Complex master-detail

relationships?
There are three most common types of complex master-detail
relationships:
master with dependent details
master with independent details
detail with two masters
155. What is a text list?
The text list style list item appears as a rectangular box which
displays the fixed number of values. When the text list contains
values that cannot be displayed, a vertical scroll bar appears,
allowing the operator to view and select undisplayed values.
156. What is term?
The term is terminal definition file that describes the terminal
form which you are using r20run.
157. What is use of term?
The term file which key is correspond to which oracle report
functions.
158. What is pop list?
The pop list style list item appears initially as a single field
(similar to a text item field). When the operator selects the list
icon, a list of available choices appears.
159. What is the maximum no of chars the parameter can store?
The maximum no of chars the parameter can store is only valid for
char parameters, which can be up to 64K. No parameters default to
23Bytes and Date parameter default to 7Bytes.
160. What are the default extensions of the files created by library
module?
The default file extensions indicate the library module type and
storage format .pll - pl/sql library module binary
161. What are the Coordination Properties in a Master-Detail
relationship?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

The coordination properties are

Deferred
Auto-Query
These Properties determine when the population phase of block
coordination should occur.
162. How do you display console on a window ?
The console includes the status line and message line, and is
displayed at the bottom of the window to which it is assigned. To
specify that the console should be displayed, set the console window
form property to the name of any window in the form. To include the
console, set console window to Null.
163. What are the different Parameter types?
Text ParametersData Parameters
164. State any three mouse events system variables?
System.mouse_button_pressed System.mouse_button_shift
165. What are the types of calculated columns available?
Summary, Formula, Placeholder column.
166. Explain about stacked canvas views?
Stacked canvas view is displayed in a window on top of, or stacked
on the content canvas view assigned to that same window. Stacked
canvas views obscure some part of the underlying content canvas
view, and or often shown and hidden programmatically.
167. What are the built-ins used the display the LOV?
Show_lov
List_values
168. What is the difference between SHOW_EDITOR and EDIT_TEXTITEM?
Show editor is the generic built-in which accepts any editor name
and takes some input string and returns modified output string.
Whereas the edit_textitem built-in needs the input focus to be in
the text item before the built-in is executed.

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

169. What are the built-ins that are used to Attach an LOV
programmatically to an item?
set_item_property
get_item_property
(by setting the LOV_NAME property)
170. How do you call other Oracle Products from Oracle Forms?
Run_product is a built-in, Used to invoke one of the supported
oracle tools products and specifies the name of the document or
module to be run. If the called product is unavailable at the time
of the call, Oracle Forms returns a message to the operator.
171. What is the main diff. bet. Reports 2.0 & Reports 2.5?
Report 2.5 is object oriented.
172. What are the different file extensions that are created by
oracle reports?
Rep file and Rdf file.
173. What is strip sources generate options?
Removes the source code from the library file and generates a
library files that contains only pcode. The resulting file can be
used for final deployment, but cannot be subsequently edited in the
designer.ex. f45gen module=old_lib.pll userid=scott/tiger
strip_source YES output_file
176. What is the basic data structure that is required for creating
an LOV?
Record Group.
177. What is the Maximum allowed length of Record group Column?
Record group column names cannot exceed 30 characters.
178. Which parameter can be used to set read level consistency
across multiple queries?
Read only
179. What are the different types of Record Groups?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Query Record Groups

NonQuery Record Groups
State Record Groups
180. From which designation is it preferred to send the output to
the printed?
Previewer
181. what are difference between post database commit and post-form
commit?
Post-form commit fires once during the post and commit transactions
process, after the database commit occurs. The post-form-commit
trigger fires after inserts, updates and deletes have been posted to
the database but before the transactions have been finalized in the
issuing the command. The post-database-commit trigger fires after
oracle forms issues the commit to finalized transactions.
182. What are the different display styles of list items?
Pop_listText_listCombo box
183. Which of the above methods is the faster method?
performing the calculation in the query is faster.
184. With which function of summary item is the compute at options
required?
percentage of total functions.
185. What are parameters?
Parameters provide a simple mechanism for defining and setting the
values of inputs that are required by a form at startup. Form
parameters are variables of type char, number, date that you define at
design time.
186. What are the three types of user exits available ?
Oracle Precompiler exits, Oracle call interface, NonOracle user
exits.
187. How many windows in a form can have console?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Only one window in a form can display the console, and you cannot
change the console assignment at runtime
188.If the maximum record retrieved property of the query is set to
10 then a summary value will be calculated?
Only for 10 records.
189.What are the two repeating frame always associated with matrix
object?
One down repeating frame below one across repeating frame.
190. What are the master-detail triggers?\
On-Check_delete_masterOn_clear_detailsOn_populate_details
191. What are the different objects that you cannot copy or
reference in object groups?
Objects of different modules
Another object groups
Individual block dependent items
Program units.
192. What is an OLE?
Object Linking & Embedding provides you with the capability to
integrate objects from many Ms-Windows applications into a single
compound document creating integrated applications enables you to
use the features form .
193. Is it possible to modify an external query in a report which
contains it?
No.
194. Does a grouping done for objects in the layout editor affect
the grouping done in the data model editor?
No.
195. Can a repeating frame be created without a data group as a
base?
No

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

196. If a break order is set on a column would it affect columns

which are under the column?
No
197. Is it possible to set a filter condition in a cross product
group in matrix reports?
No
198. Do user parameters appear in the data modal editor in 2.5?
No
199. Can you pass data parameters to forms?
No
200. Is it possible to link two groups inside a cross products after
the cross products group has been created?
no
201. What are the different modals of windows?
Modalless windows
Modal windows
202. What are modal windows?
Modal windows are usually used as dialogs, and have restricted
functionality compared to modalless windows. On some platforms for
example operators cannot resize, scroll or iconify a modal window.
203. What are the different default triggers created when Master
Deletes Property is set to Non-isolated?
Master Deletes Property Resulting Triggers

Non-Isolated(the default) On-Check-Delete-Master

On-Clear-Details
On-Populate-Details
204. What are the different default triggers created when Master
Deletes Property is set to isolated?

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DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Master Deletes Property Resulting Triggers

Isolated On-Clear-Details
On-Populate-Details
205. What are the different default triggers created when Master
Deletes Property is set to Cascade?
Master Deletes Property Resulting Triggers
Cascading On-Clear-Details
On-Populate-Details
Pre-delete
206. What is the diff. bet. setting up of parameters in reports 2.0
reports2.5?
LOVs can be attached to parameters in the reports 2.5 parameter
form.
207. What are the difference between lov & list item?
Lov is a property where as list item is an item. A list item can
have only one column, lov can have one or more columns.
208. What is the advantage of the library?
Libraries provide a convenient means of storing client-side program
units and sharing them among multiple applications. Once you create
a library, you can attach it to any other form, menu, or library
modules. When you can call library program units from triggers menu
items commands and user named routine, you write in the modules to
which you have attach the library. When a library attaches another
library, program units in the first library can reference program
units in the attached library. Library support dynamic loading-that
is library program units are loaded into an application only when
needed. This can significantly reduce the run-time memory
requirements of applications.
209. What is lexical reference? How can it be created?
Lexical reference is place_holder for text that can be embedded in a
sql statements. A lexical reference can be created using & before
the column or parameter name.
210. What is system.coordination_operation?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

It represents the coordination causing event that occur on the

master block in master-detail relation.
211. What is synchronize?
It is a terminal screen with the internal state of the form. It
updates the screen display to reflect the information that oracle
forms has in its internal representation of the screen.
212. What use of command line parameter cmd file?
It is a command line argument that allows you to specify a file that
contain a set of arguments for r20run.
213. What is a Text_io Package?
It allows you to read and write information to a file in the file
system.
214. What is forms_DDL?
Issues dynamic Sql statements at run time, including server side
pl/SQl and DDL
215. How is link tool operation different bet. reports 2 & 2.5?
In Reports 2.0 the link tool has to be selected and then two fields
to be linked are selected and the link is automatically created. In
2.5 the first field is selected and the link tool is then used to
link the first field to the second field.
216. What are the different styles of activation of ole Objects?
In place activation External activation
217. How do you reference a Parameter?
In Pl/Sql, You can reference and set the values of form parameters
using bind variables syntax. Ex. PARAMETER name = or :block.item
= PARAMETER Parameter name
218. What is the difference between object embedding & linking in
Oracle forms?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

In Oracle forms, Embedded objects become part of the form module,

and linked objects are references from a form module to a linked
source file.
219. Name of the functions used to get/set canvas properties?
Get_view_property, Set_view_property
220. What are the built-ins that are used for setting the LOV
properties at runtime?
get_lov_property
set_lov_property
221. What are the built-ins used for processing rows?
Get_group_row_count(function)
Get_group_selection_count(function)
Get_group_selection(function)
Reset_group_selection(procedure)
Set_group_selection(procedure)
Unset_group_selection(procedure)
222. What are built-ins used for Processing rows?
GET_GROUP_ROW_COUNT(function)
GET_GROUP_SELECTION_COUNT(function)
GET_GROUP_SELECTION(function)
RESET_GROUP_SELECTION(procedure)
SET_GROUP_SELECTION(procedure)
UNSET_GROUP_SELECTION(procedure)
223. What are the built-in used for getting cell values?
Get_group_char_cell(function)
Get_groupcell(function)
Get_group_number_cell(function)
224. What are the built-ins used for Getting cell values?
GET_GROUP_CHAR_CELL (function)
GET_GROUPCELL(function)
GET_GROUP_NUMBET_CELL(function)
225. At least how many set of data must a data model have before a
data model can be base on it?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Four
226. To execute row from being displayed that still use column in
the row which property can be used?
Format trigger.
227. What are different types of modules available in oracle form?
Form module - a collection of objects and code routines Menu
modules - a collection of menus and menu item commands that together
make up an application menu library module - a collection of user
named procedures, functions and packages that can be called from
other modules in the application
228. What is the remove on exit property?
For a modalless window, it determines whether oracle forms hides the
window automatically when the operators navigates to an item in the
another window.
229. What is WHEN-Database-record trigger?
Fires when oracle forms first marks a record as an insert or an
update. The trigger fires as soon as oracle forms determines through
validation that the record should be processed by the next post or
commit as an insert or update. c generally occurs only when the
operators modifies the first item in the record, and after the
operator attempts to navigate out of the item.
230. What is a difference between pre-select and pre-query?
Fires during the execute query and count query processing after
oracle forms constructs the select statement to be issued, but
before the statement is actually issued. The pre-query trigger fires
just before oracle forms issues the select statement to the database
after the operator as define the example records by entering the
query criteria in enter query mode.Pre-query trigger fires before
pre-select trigger.
231. What are built-ins associated with timers?
find_timer create_timer delete_timer
232. What are the built-ins used for finding object ID functions?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Find_group(function)
Find_column(function)
233. What are the built-ins used for finding Object ID function?
FIND_GROUP(function)
FIND_COLUMN(function)
234. Any attempt to navigate programmatically to disabled form in a
call_form stack is allowed?
False
235. Use the Add_group_row procedure to add a row to a static record
group 1. true or false?
False
236. Use the add_group_column function to add a column to record
group that was created at a design time?
False
237. What are the various sub events a mouse double click event
involves? What are the various sub events a mouse double click event
involves?
Double clicking the mouse consists of the mouse down, mouse up,
mouse click, mouse down & mouse up events.
238. How can a break order be created on a column in an existing
group? What are the various sub events a mouse double click event
involves?
By dragging the column outside the group.
239. What is the use of place holder column? What are the various
sub events a mouse double click event involves?
A placeholder column is used to hold calculated values at a
specified place rather than allowing is to appear in the actual row
where it has to appear.
240. What is the use of hidden column? What are the various sub
events a mouse double click event involves?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

A hidden column is used to when a column has to embed into

boilerplate text.
241. What is the use of break group? What are the various sub events
a mouse double click event involves?
A break group is used to display one record for one group ones.
While multiple related records in other group can be displayed.
242. What is an anchoring object & what is its use? What are the
various sub events a mouse double click event involves?
An anchoring object is a print condition object which used to
explicitly or implicitly anchor other objects to itself.
243. What are the various sub events a mouse double click event
involves? What are the various sub events a mouse double click event
involves?
Double clicking the mouse consists of the mouse down, mouse up,
mouse click, mouse down & mouse up events.
245. What are the default parameter that appear at run time in the
parameter screen? What are the various sub events a mouse double
click event involves?
Destype and Desname.
246. What are the built-ins used for Creating and deleting groups?
CREATE-GROUP (function)
CREATE_GROUP_FROM_QUERY(function)
DELETE_GROUP(procedure)
247. What are different types of canvas views?
Content canvas views
Stacked canvas views
Horizontal toolbar
vertical toolbar.
248. What are the different types of Delete details we can establish
in Master-Details?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

Cascade
Isolate
Non-isolate
249. What is relation between the window and canvas views?
Canvas views are the back ground objects on which you place the
interface items (Text items), check boxes, radio groups etc.,) and
boilerplate objects (boxes, lines, images etc.,) that operators
interact with us they run your form . Each canvas views displayed in
a window.
250. What is a User_exit?
Calls the user exit named in the user_exit_string. Invokes a 3Gl
program by name which has been properly linked into your current
oracle forms executable.
251. How is it possible to select generate a select set for the
query in the query property sheet?
By using the tables/columns button and then specifying the table and
the column names.
252. How can values be passed bet. precompiler exits & Oracle call
interface?
By using the statement EXECIAFGET & EXECIAFPUT.
253. How can a square be drawn in the layout editor of the report
writer?
By using the rectangle tool while pressing the (Constraint) key.
254. How can a text file be attached to a report while creating in
the report writer?
By using the link file property in the layout boiler plate property
sheet.
255. How can I message to passed to the user from reports?
By using SRW.MESSAGE function.
256. How is possible to restrict the user to a list of values while
entering values for parameters?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

By setting the Restrict To List property to true in the parameter

property sheet.
257. How can a button be used in a report to give a drill down
facility?
By setting the action associated with button to Execute pl/sql
option and using the SRW.Run_report function.
258. How can a cross product be created?
By selecting the cross products tool and drawing a new group
surrounding the base group of the cross products.
259. What are different types of images?
Boiler plate images Image Items
260. What is the difference between boiler plat images and image
items?
Boiler plate Images are static images (Either vector or bit map)
that you import from the file system or database to use a graphical
elements in your form, such as company logos and maps. Image items
are special types of interface controls that store and display
either vector or bitmap images. Like other items that store values,
image items can be either base table items(items that relate
directly to database columns) or control items. The definition of an
image item is stored as part of the form module FMB and FMX files,
but no image file is actually associated with an image item until
the item is populate at run time.
261. What is bind reference and how can it be created?
Bind reference are used to replace the single value in sql, pl/sql
statements a bind reference can be created using a (:) before a
column or a parameter name.
262. What are the triggers available in the reports?
Before report, Before form, After form , Between page, After report.
263. Give the sequence of execution of the various report triggers?
Before form , After form , Before report, Between page, After
report.

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

264. Why is a Where clause faster than a group filter or a format

trigger?
Because, in a where clause the condition is applied during data
retrieval than after retrieving the data.
265. Why is it preferable to create a fewer no. of queries in the
data model?
Because for each query, report has to open a separate cursor and has
to rebind, execute and fetch data.
266. Where is the external query executed at the client or the
server?
At the server.
267. Where is a procedure return in an external pl/sql library
executed at the client or at the server?
At the client.
268. What is coordination Event?
Any event that makes a different record in the master block the
current record is a coordination causing event.
269. What is the difference between OLE Server & Ole Container?
An Ole server application creates ole Objects that are embedded or
linked in ole Containers ex. Ole servers are ms_word & ms_excel. OLE
containers provide a place to store, display and manipulate objects
that are created by ole server applications. Ex. oracle forms is an
example of an ole Container.
270. What is an object group?
An object group is a container for a group of objects; you define an
object group when you want to package related objects, so that you
copy or reference them in other modules.
271. What is an LOV?
An LOV is a scrollable popup window that provides the operator with
either a single or multi column selection list.

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

272. At what point of report execution is the before Report trigger

fired?
After the query is executed but before the report is executed and
the records are displayed.
273. What are the built -ins used for Modifying a groups structure?
ADD-GROUP_COLUMN (function)
ADD_GROUP_ROW (procedure)
DELETE_GROUP_ROW(procedure)
274. What is an user exit used for?
A way in which to pass control (and possibly arguments ) form Oracle
report to another Oracle products of 3 GL and then return control (
and ) back to Oracle reports.
275. What is the User-Named Editor?
A user named editor has the same text editing functionality as the
default editor, but, because it is a named object, you can specify
editor attributes such as windows display size, position, and title.
276. What are the Built-ins to display the user-named editor?
A user named editor can be displayed programmatically with the built
in procedure SHOW-EDITOR, EDIT_TETITEM independent of any particular
text item.
277. What is a Static Record Group?
A static record group is not associated with a query, rather, you
define its structure and row values at design time, and they remain
fixed at runtime.
278. What is a record group?
A record group is an internal Oracle Forms that structure that has a
column/row framework similar to a database table. However, unlike
database tables, record groups are separate objects that belong to
the form module which they are defined.
279. How many number of columns a record group can have?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

A record group can have an unlimited number of columns of type CHAR,

LONG, NUMBER, or DATE provided that the total number of column does
not exceed 64K.
280. What is a Query Record Group?
A query record group is a record group that has an associated SELECT
statement. The columns in a query record group derive their default
names, data types, had lengths from the database columns referenced
in the SELECT statement. The records in query record group are the
rows retrieved by the query associated with that record group. What
is a Non Query Record Group?
281. What is a property clause?
A property clause is a named object that contains a list of
properties and their settings. Once you create a property clause you
can base other object on it. An object based on a property can
inherit the setting of any property in the clause that makes sense
for that object.
282. What is a physical page ? & What is a logical page ?
A physical page is a size of a page. That is output by the printer.
The logical page is the size of one page of the actual report as
seen in the Previewer.
283. What does the term panel refer to with regard to pages?
A panel is the no. of physical pages needed to print one logical
page.
284. What is a master detail relationship?
A master detail relationship is an association between two base
table blocks- a master block and a detail block. The relationship
between the blocks reflects a primary key to foreign key
relationship between the tables on which the blocks are based.
285.What is a library?
A library is a collection of subprograms including user named
procedures, functions and packages.
286. How can a group in a cross products be visually distinguished
from a group that does not form a cross product?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

A group that forms part of a cross product will have a thicker

border.
287. What is the frame & repeating frame?
A frame is a holder for a group of fields. A repeating frame is used
to display a set of records when the no. of records that are to
displayed is not known before.
288. What is a combo box?
A combo box style list item combines the features found in list and
text item. Unlike the pop list or the text list style list items,
the combo box style list item will both display fixed values and
accept one operator entered value.
289. What are three panes that appear in the run time pl/sql
interpreter?
1. Source pane.
2. interpreter pane.
3. Navigator pane.
290. What are the two panes that Appear in the design time pl/sql
interpreter?
1. Source pane.
2. Interpreter pane
291. What are the two ways by which data can be generated for a
parameters list of values?
1. Using static values.
2. Writing select statement.
292. What are the various methods of performing a calculation in a
report ?
1. Perform the calculation in the SQL statements itself.
2. Use a calculated / summary column in the data model.
293. What are the default extensions of the files created by menu
module?
.mmb,
.mmx

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

294. What are the default extensions of the files created by forms
modules?
.fmb - form module binary
.fmx - form module executable
295. To display the page no. for each page on a report what would be
the source & logical page no. or & of physical page no.?
& physical page no.
296. It is possible to use raw devices as data files and what is the
advantages over file. system files ?
Yes. The advantages over file system files. I/O will be improved
because Oracle is bye-passing the kernel which writing into disk.
Disk Corruption will be very less.
297. What are disadvantages of having raw devices ?
We should depend on export/import utility for backup/recovery (fully
reliable) The tar command cannot be used for physical file backup,
instead we can use dd command which is less flexible and has limited
recoveries.
298. What is the significance of having storage clause ?
We can plan the storage for a table as how much initial extents are
required, how much can be extended next, how much % should leave
free for managing row updating etc.,
299. What is the use of INCTYPE option in EXP command ?
Type export should be performed COMPLETE,CUMULATIVE,INCREMENTAL.
List the sequence of events when a large transaction that exceeds
beyond its optimal value when an entry wraps and causes the rollback
segment to expand into anotion Completes. e. will be written.
300. What is the use of FILE option in IMP command ?
The name of the file from which import should be performed.
301. What is a Shared SQL pool?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

The data dictionary cache is stored in an area in SGA called the

Shared SQL Pool. This will allow sharing of parsed SQL statements
among concurrent users.
302. What is hot backup and how it can be taken?
Taking backup of archive log files when database is open. For this
the ARCHIVELOG mode should be enabled. The following files need to
be backed up. All data files. All Archive log, redo log files. All
control files.
303. List the Optional Flexible Architecture (OFA) of Oracle
database? or How can we organize the tablespaces in Oracle database
to have maximum performance ?
SYSTEM - Data dictionary tables.
DATA - Standard operational tables.
DATA2- Static tables used for standard operations
INDEXES - Indexes for Standard operational tables.
INDEXES1 - Indexes of static tables used for standard operations.
TOOLS - Tools table.
TOOLS1 - Indexes for tools table.
RBS - Standard Operations Rollback Segments,
RBS1,RBS2 - Additional/Special Rollback segments.
TEMP - Temporary purpose tablespace
TEMP_USER - Temporary tablespace for users.
USERS - User tablespace.
304. How to implement the multiple control files for an existing
database ?
Shutdown the database Copy one of the existing control file to new
location Edit Config ora file by adding new control file. name
Restart the database.
305. What is advantage of having disk shadowing/ Mirroring ?
Shadow set of disks save as a backup in the event of disk failure.
In most Operating System if any disk failure occurs it automatically
switchover to place of failed disk. Improved performance because
most OS support volume shadowing can direct file I/O request to use
the shadow set of files instead of the main set of files. This
reduces I/O load on the main set of disks.
306. How will you force database to use particular rollback
segment ?

Sep. 17

DBA interview Questions and answers second set

SET TRANSACTION USE ROLLBACK S