General Interview Questions and answers for SAP ERP [Part 2]

The General SAP Interview Questions consists the most frequently asked questions in SAP. This list of 100+ questions guage your familiarity with the .NET platform. The q&a have been collected over a period of time from various blogs, forums and other similar SAP/ ERP sites

1. General Questions (Part 2)

2.1 What is Bex?

Bex stands for Business Explorer. Bex enables end user to locate reports, view reports, analyze information and can execute queries. The queries in workbook can be saved to there respective roles in the Bex browser. Bex has the following components: Bex Browser, Bex analyzer, Bex Map, Bex Web.

2.2 What are variables?

Variables are parameters of a query that are set in the parameter query definition and are not filled with values until the queries are inserted into workbooks. There are different types of variables which are used in different application: Characteristics variables, Hierarchies and hierarchy node, Texts, Formulas, Processing types, User entry/Default type, Replacment Path.

2.3 What is AWB?. What is its purpose?

AWB stands for Administrator WorkBench. AWB is a tool for controlling, monitoring and maintaining all the processes connected with data staging and processing in the business information whearhousing.

2.4 What is the significance of ODS in BIW?

An ODS Object serves to store consolidated and debugged transaction data on a document level (atomic level). It describes a consolidated dataset from one or more InfoSources. This dataset can be analyzed with a BEx Query or InfoSet Query. The data of an ODS Object can be updated with a delta update into InfoCubes and/or other ODS Objects in the same system or across systems. In contrast to multi-dimensional data storage with InfoCubes, the data in ODS Objects is stored in transparent, flat database tables.

2.5 What are the different types of source system?

SAP R/3 Source Systems, SAP BW, Flat Files and External Systems.

2.6 What is Extractor?

Extractors is a data retrieval mechanisms in the SAP source system. Which can fill the extract structure of a data source with the data from the SAP source system datasets. The extractor may be able to supply data to more fields than exist in the extract structure.

2.7 Describe how SAP handles Memory Management?

ST02 / ST03 In general via table buffers, you could go into the whole Work Process, roll in, roll out, heap (private) memory, etc. However just as a Unix or DBA admin would know, is you look this up when needed for the exact specifics.

2.8 Describe where they would look at the buffer statistics, and what steps they would use to adjust them?

ST02, RZ10 ...

2.9 Describe how to setup a printer in SAP or where they would look to research why a user/users can not print?

SPAD, SP01, SM50, SU01 ...

2.10 Can you create a table with fields not referring to data elements?

YES. eg:- ITAB LIKE SPFLI.here we are referening to a data object(SPFLI) not data element. What are the different types of data dictionary objects? tables, structures, views, domains, data elements, lock objects, Match code objects.

2.11 What should be the approach for writing a BDC program?

STEP 1: CONVERTING THE LEGACY SYSTEM DATA TO A FLAT FILE to internal table CALLED "CONVERSION".
STEP 2: TRANSFERING THE FLAT FILE INTO SAP SYSTEM CALLED "SAP DATA TRANSFER".
STEP 3: DEPENDING UPON THE BDC TYPE
i)call transaction(Write the program explicity)
ii) create sessions (sessions are created and processed.if success data will transfer).

2.12 What are the problems in processing batch input sessions and How is batch input process different from processing online?

PROBLEMS: i) If the user forgets to opt for keep session then the session will be automatically removed from the session queue(log remains). However if session is processed we may delete it manually. ii)if session processing fails data will not be transferred to SAP database table.

2.13 What does an extract statement do in the ABAP program?

Once you have declared the possible record types as field groups and defined their structure, you can fill the extract dataset using the following statements: EXTRACT. When the first EXTRACT statement occurs in a program, the system creates the extract dataset and adds the first extract record to it. In each subsequent EXTRACT statement, the new extract record is added to the dataset EXTRACT HEADER. When you extract the data, the record is filled with the current values of the corresponding fields. As soon as the system has processed the first EXTRACT statement for a field group , the structure of the corresponding extract record in the extract dataset is fixed. You can no longer insert new fields into the field groups and HEADER. If you try to modify one of the field groups afterwards and use it in another EXTRACT statement, a runtime error occurs. By processing EXTRACT statements several times using different field groups, you fill the extract dataset with records of different length and structure. Since you can modify field groups dynamically up to their first usage in an EXTRACT statement, extract datasets provide the advantage that you need not determine the structure at the beginning of the program.

2.14 Can a transparent table exist in data dictionary but not in the data base physically?

NO. TRANSPARENT TABLE DO EXIST WITH THE SAME STRUCTURE BOTH IN THE DICTIONARY AS WELL AS IN THE DATABASE,EXACTLY WITH THE SAME DATA AND FIELDS.

2.15 What is the step by step process to create a table in data dictionary?

step 1: creating domains(data type, field length, range).
step 2: creating data elements(properties and type for a table field).
step 3: creating tables(SE11).

2.16 What is data quality?

Within SAP, data quality is defined as postal validation, duplicate checking, and error tolerant searching. Postal Validation enhances address information by comparing data against address directories provided from local postal authorities around the world. Duplicate Check avoids duplicate entries by scanning the database for potential duplicates before new customer data is committed to the database. Finally, Error Tolerant Searching provides flexibility by giving users the ability to conveniently search their SAP system for business information as required. Involvement of a data quality initiative helps you maintain a reliable source of information for all departments within your own organization while simultaneously maximizing interactions with your vendors, customers, and business partners.

2.17 When and where should I integrate data quality into my SAP Suite of applications or other projects in my enterprise?

Data quality should be integrated any place where data is entered, loaded, processed, or updated. Data quality should be built into the beginning phases of all Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship Management, and Business Intelligence projects. Too many projects focus on data quality as an afterthought, at the back-end of a data repository or when a project has failed. By not incorporating data quality measures at every customer touch point, on both front and back-end operations, the cost of cleansing the data dramatically increases as well as how long the cleansing process takes to complete.

2.18 Can I integrate a data quality solution within other software applications?

Data quality solutions can be fully integrated into CRM, ETL (Extract Transform Load), ERP, or BI solutions and have the advantage of being "seamless" to the end user - reducing the learning curve, as well as decreasing the implementation timeframes. Your data process flow should not have to be modified to add a new data quality solution. Through integration and strategic partnerships you are assured that you are getting a best-of-breed solution. However, keep in mind it is not absolutely necessary for the solution to be fully integrated. Firstlogic also provides tools that your organization can easily integrate on your own, and oftentimes stand-alone solutions may be more effective for specific projects.

2.19 Will Firstlogic's Global Data Quality Connector for SAP manage my international data?

Yes. Built on a global framework capable of validating address information for over 190 countries in a single processing pass, Firstlogic's Global Data Quality Connector for SAP allows you to identify country names, format and standardize addresses, correct missing address information, and assign postal codes for each respective country. Furthermore, Firstlogic's Easy IQ technology offers the ability to complete/populate addresses with minimal data or offer suggestions for possible matches. This easy address system is ideal in call centers or any transactional environment where data needs to be cleansed at the point-of-entry. The software improves real-time transactions for your call centers, sales, and support centers by providing accurate address data for your customer facing employees.

2.20 How easy is it to maintain Firstlogic's Global Data Quality Connector for SAP after implementation?

Ongoing maintenance should be minimal. Once the solution is implemented and configured, typically maintenance will only be required when you receive postal directory updates, upgrade to a new data quality release, or decide to change your application or business rules.