oracle apps dba interview questions for 3+ years of experience

1: What is wdbsvr.app file used for? What's full path of this file? What's significance of this file ?

I'll again suggest you don't just remember answer & try to solve mystery behind this file. First where this file exists ? You can find this file under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/modplsql/cfg

Based on file location I am sure you can say this is related to Apache, & looking into modplsql/cfg , I am sure you will say its related to mod_pls (mod plsql component of Apache/Oracle 11i WebServer) configuration file. This file is used by mod_plsql component of Apache to connect to database. So when you type url http://hostname:port/pls/SID , whenever Apache(11i Web Server) finds that request is for /pls/ then Apache delegates this request to mod_pls component which in turn pick this file & check if there is any DAD with name SID (in our example its VISION11I) &

Sample entry in wdbsvr.app (here vision11i—sid)

[DAD_VISION11I]

connect_string = VISION11I

password = apps

username = APPS

default_page = fnd_web.ping

On typing http://hostname:port/pls/VISION11I , it will connect to database using apps schema & will return you page fnd_web.ping ( where fnd_web is package & ping is procedure or vise versa).

So story about this file doesn't stop here , this url which I mentioned about is quite useful in troubleshooting so you can check if database connection is working fine or not. Another thing you want to check about this file is since it stores APPS password you need to change here whenever you change apps password .

2: Explain Architecture of Oracle Apps 11i.

Apps 11i is Mutli Tier architecture with Desktop(Client Tier), Middle Tier (Application Tier) and Database Tier.

3: What are various components in Application/Middle Tier.

In Application Tier various components are Web Server, Forms Server , Reports Server, Concurrent Manager, Admin Server & Discoverer Server.

4: What is APPL_TOP, COMN_TOP, ORA_TOP.....

XXX_TOP is top level directory in Oracle Application 11i for respective Component.

5: What are issues you encountered during Oracle Applications 11i?

6: What's difference between TWO user & single User Apps 11i Install ? What are advantages/disadvantages of two ?

7: Whats US directory in $AD_TOP or under various product TOP's .

US directory is defauly language directory in Oracle Applications. If you have multiple languages Installed in your Applications then you will see other languages directories besides US, that directory will contain reports, fmx and other code in that respective directory like FR for France, AR for arabic, simplifies chinese or spanish.

8: Whats main concurrent Manager types.

ICM - Internal Concurrent Manager which manages concurrent Managers

Standard Managers - Which Manage processesing of requests.CRM - Conflict Resolution Managers , resolve conflicts in case of incompatibility.

9: Where is Concurrent Manager log file location.

By default standard location is $APPLCSF/$APPLLOG , in some cases it can go to $FND_TOP/log as well.

10: Where would i find .rf9 file, and what execatly it dose ?

These files are used during restart of patch in case of patch failure because of some reason.

11: Where is appsweb.cfg or appsweb_$CONTEXT.cfg stored & why its used ?

This file is defined by environment variable FORMS60_WEB_CONFIG_FILE This is usually in directory $OA_HTML/bin on forms tier.

This file is used by any forms client session. When a user try to access forms , f60webmx picks up this file and based on this configuration file creates a forms session to user/client.

12: What is multi node system ?

Multi Node System in Oracle Applications 11i means you have Applications 11i Component on more than one system. Typical example is Database, Concurrent Manager on one machine and forms, Web Server on second machine is example of Two Node System.

13: Can you clone from multi node system to single node system & vice versa ?

Yes , this is now supported via Rapid Clone, Check if your system has all prereq. patches for Rapid Clone and you are on latest rapid clone patch

14: Does rapid clone takes care of Updating Global oraInventory or you have to register manually in Global OraInventory after clone ?

Rapid Clone will automatically Update Global oraInventory during configuration phase. You don't have to do any thing manually for Global oraInventory.

15: What is .dbc file , where its stored , whats use of .dbc file ?

dbc as name says is database connect descriptor file which stores database connection information used by application tier to connect to database. This file is in directory $FND_TOP/secure also called as FND_SECURE

16: Whats things you do to reduce patch timing ? You can take advantage of following -

Merging patches via admrgpch

Use various adpatch options like nocompiledb or nocompilejsp

Use defaults file

Staged APPL_TOP during upgrades

Increase batch size (Might result into negative )

17: How you put Applications 11i in Maintenance mode ?

Use adadmin to change Maintenance mode is Oracle Apps. With AD.I you need to enable maintenance mode in order to apply apps patch via adpatch utility. If you don't want to put apps in maintenance mode you can use adpatch options=hotpatch feature.

18: Can you apply patch without putting Applications 11i in Maintenance mode ?

Yes, use options=hotpatch as mentioned above with adpatch.

19: What are various options available with adpatch ?

Various options available with adpatch depending on your AD version are

autoconfig, check_exclusive, checkfile, compiledb, compilejsp, copyportion, databaseprtion, generateportion, hotpatch, integrity, maintainmrc, parallel, prereq, validate

20: adident utility is used for what ?

adident utility in oracle apps is used to find version of any file . AD Identification.

for ex. "adident Header <filename>

21: What is adsplice utility ?

adsplice in oracle apps is utility to add a new product.

22: How can you licence a product after installation ?

You can use ad utility adlicmgr to licence product in Oracle Apps.

23: What is MRC ? What you do as Apps DBA for MRC ?

MRC also called as Multiple Reporting Currency in oracle Apps. Default you have currency in US Dollars but if your organization operating books are in other currency then you as apps dba need to enable MRC in Apps.

24: Whats is JVM(Java Virtual Machine) and which component uses JVM ?

JVM stands for Java Virtual Machine,

25: What is access_log in apache , what entries are recored in access_log ? Where is default location of thsi file ?

access_log in Oracle Application Server records all users accessing oracle applications 11i. This file location is defined in httpd.conf with default location at $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/Apache/logs. Entries in this file is defined by directive LogFormat in httpd.conf Typical entry in access_log is

198.0.0.1 - - [10/Sep/2006:18:37:17 +0100] "POST /OA_HTML/OA.jsp?.... HTTP/1.1" 200 28035

where 200 is HTTP status code & last digits 28035 is bytes dowloaded as this page(Size of page)

26: Where is Jserv configuration files stored ?

Jserv configuration files are stored in $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/Jserv/etc

27: What is session time out parameter & where all you define these values ?

To know about session time out parameter & location where its defined

28: Where is applications start/stop scripts stored ?

applications start/stop scripts are in directory $COMMON_TOP/admin/scripts/$CONTEXT_NAME

29: What are main configuration files in Web Server (Apache) ?

Main configuration files in Oracle Apps Web Server are

httpd.conf, apps.conf, oracle_apache.conf, httpd_pls.conf

jserv.conf, ssp_init.txt, jserv.properties, zone.properties

plsql.conf, wdbsvr.app, plsql.conf

30: What is profile options, What are various type of profile options ?

31: What is APPS listener ? Why its used ?

32: How do you start/stop apps listener ?

33: If users complaining Oracle Applications 11i system is running slow , what all things you will check at broad level ?

34: What is context file ?

35: Why appsutil directory under Database ORACLE_HOME used for ?

36: How to create User in Oracle Applications 11i ? Can you delete a User ?

37: What is Single Sign On ? ( If you are using portal 3.0.9 or 10G )?

38: How to configure portal with 11i ? ( If you are using portal 3.0.9 or 10G )?

39: How to check if Apps 11i System is Autoconfig enabled ?

Under $AD_TOP/bin check for file adcfginfo.sh & if this exists use

adcfginfo.sh contextfile=<CONTEXT> show=enabled

If this file is not there , look for any configuration file under APPL_TOP if system is Autoconfig enabled then you will see entry like

# AutoConfig automatically generates this file. It will be read and .......

40: How to check if Oracle Apps 11i System is Rapid Clone enabled ?

For syetem to be Rapid Clone enabled , it should be Autoconfig enabled (Check above How to confirm if Apps 11i is Autoconfig enabled). You should have Rapid Clone Patches applied , Rapid Clone is part of Rapid Install Product whose Family Pack Name is ADX. By default all Apps 11i Instances 11.5.9 and above are Autoconfig & Rapid Clone enabled

41: Whats is difference between two env files in <CONTEXT>.env and APPS<CONTEXT>.env under $APPL_TOP ?

APPS<CONTEXT>.env is main environment file which inturn calls other environment files like< CONTEXT>.env under $APPL_TOP, <CONTEXT>.env under 806 ORACLE_HOME and custom<CONTEXT>.env for any Customized environment files.

42: What is access_log in Apache ?

access_log file keeps record of users accessing Oracle Apps 11i Webserver.

Typical entry in access_log is like

198.0.0.1 - - [25/Aug/2006 :03:15:13 +0100] "GET /OA_JAVA /oracle /forms /registry/Registry.dat HTTP/1.1" 200 4117

Which means client with IP 198.0.0.1 requested for file mentioned above on 25 Aug 2006 at 03:15 AM , 200 is status code returned by Apache which means page returned successfully (Status Code 302 means page redirected , 404 page not found, 500+ Internal Server error)

last digit 4117 in above entry of access_log means file size which is 4117 bytes. This file is quite useful in monitoring your Web Server.

Please note above format might defer on your system as this is dependent log_format in Apache configuration file ( httpd.conf)

43: Whats is location of access_log file ?

access_log file by default is located in $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/ Apache/Apache/logs. Location of this file is defined in httpd.conf by patameter CustomLog or TransferLog

44: What is your Oracle Apps 11i Webserver Version and how to find it ?

From 11.5.8 to 11.5.10 Webserver version is iAS 1.0.2.2.2, In order to find version under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/Apache/bin execute ./httpd -version

./httpd -version

Server version: Oracle HTTP Server Powered by Apache/1.3.19

Server built: Dec 6 2005 14:59:13 (iAS 1.0.2.2.2 rollup 5)

45: What is Location of Jserv configuration files ?

Jserv configuration files are located in $IAS_ORACLE_HOME /Apache/Jserv/etc .

46: What is plssql/database cache ? In order to improve performance mod_pls (Apache component) caches some database content to file. This database/plssql cache is usually of type session & plsql cache

session cache is used to store session information.

plsql cache is used to store plsql cache i.e. used by mod_pls

47: Where is database/plssql cache stored ?

plssql& session cache are stored under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/ Apache/modplsql/cache directory.

48: How to determine Oracle Apps 11i Version ?

select RELEASE_NAME from fnd_product_groups;

You should see output like

RELEASE_NAME

-----------------------

11.5.9 or 11.5.10.2

49: What is *.dbc file & whats is location of dbc file ?

dbc as name stands for is database connect descriptor file used to connect to database. This file by default located in $FND_TOP/secure directory also called as $FND_SECURE directory.

50: What is content of dbc file & why its important ?

DBC file is quite important as whenever Java or any other program like forms want to connect to database it uses dbc file. Typical entry in dbc file is

GUEST_USER_PWD

APPS_JDBC_URL

DB_HOST

51: There are lot of dbc file under $FND_SECURE, How its determined that which dbc file to use from $FND_SECURE ?

This value is determined from profile option "Applications Database ID"

52: What is RRA/FNDFS ?

Report Review Agent(RRA) also referred by executable FNDFS is default text viewer in Oracle Applications 11i for viewing output files & log files. As most of apps dba's are not clear about Report Server & RRA, I'll discuss one on my blog and update link here .

53: What is PCP is Oracle Applications 11i ?

PCP is acronym for Parallel Concurrurent processing. Usually you have one Concurrent Manager executing your requests but if you can configure Concurrent Manager running on two machines (Yes you need to do some additional steps in order to configure Parallel Concurrent Processing) . So for some of your requests primary CM Node is on machine1 and secondary CM node on machine2 and for some requests primary CM is on machine2 & secondary CM on machine1.

54: Why I need two Concurrent Processing Nodes or in what scenarios PCP is Used ?

55: Why I need two Concurrent Processing Nodes or in what scenarios PCP is Used ?

Well If you are running GL Month end reports or taxation reports annually these reposrts might take couple of days. Some of these requests are very resource intensive so you can have one node running long running , resource intensive requests while other processing your day to day short running requets.

another scenario is when your requests are very critical and you want high resilience for your Concurrent Processing Node , you can configure PCP. So if node1 goes down you still have CM node available processing your requests.

56: Output & Logfiles for requests executed on source Instance not working on cloned Instance

Here is exact problem description - You cloned an Oracle Apps Instance from PRODBOX to another box with Instance name say CLONEBOX on 1st of August. You can any CM logs/output files after 1st of August only becuase these all are generated on CLONEBOX itself, But unable to view the logs/output files which are prior to 1st August. What will you do & where to check ?

Log , Output file path & location is stored in table FND_CONCURRENT_REQUESTS. Check

select logfile_name, logfile_node_name, outfile_name, outfile_node_name from fnd_concurrent_requests where request_id=&requestid ;

where requestid is id of request for which you are not able to see log or out files. You should see output like

/u01/PRODBOX/log/l123456.req, host1,/u01/PRODBOX/out/o123456.out, host1

Update it according to your cloned Instance Variables.

57: How to confirm if Report Server is Up & Running ?

Report Server is started by executable rwmts60 on concurrent manager Node & this file is under $ORACLE_HOME/bin .execute command on your server like

ps -ef | grep rwmts60

You should get output like

applmgr ....... rwmts60 name=REP60_VISION

where VISION is your Instance name.

Else you can submit a request like "Active Users" with display set to PDF, check output & log file to see if report server can display PDF files.

58: What is difference between ICM, Standard Managers & CRM in Concurrent Manager ?

ICM stand for Internal Concurrent Manager, which controls other managers. If it finds other managers down , it checks & try to restart them. You can say it as administrator to other concurrent managers. It has other tasks as well.

Standard Manager These are normal managers which control/action on the requests & does batch or single request processing.

CRM acronym for Conflict Resolution Manager is used to resolve conflicts between managers & request. If a request is submitted whose execution is clashing or it is defined not to run while a particular type of request is running then such requests are actioned/assigned to CRM for Incompatibilities & Conflict resoluti59: What is use of Apps listener ?

Apps Listener usually running on All Oracle Applications 11i Nodes with listener alias as APPS_$SID is mainly used for listening requests for services like FNDFS & FNDSM.

60: How to start Apps listener ?

In Oracle 11i, you have script adalnctl.sh which will start your apps listener. You can also start it by command

lsnrctl start APPS_$SID (Replace sid by your Instance SID Name)

61: How to confirm if Apps Listener is Up & Running ?

execute below command

lsnrctl status APPS_$SID (replcae SID with your Instance Name)

so If your SID is VISION then use lsnrctl status APPS_VISION out put should be like

Services Summary...

FNDFS has 1 service handler(s)

FNDSM has 1 service handler(s)

The command completed successfully

62: What is Web Listener ?

Web Listener is Web Server listener which is listening for web Services(HTTP) request. This listener is started by adapcctl.sh & defined by directive (Listen, Port) in httpd.conf for Web Server. When you initially type request like http://becomeappsdba.blogspot.com:80 to access application here port number 80 is Web Listener port.

63: How will you find Invalid Objects in database ?

using query

SQLPLUS> select count(*) from dba_objects where status like 'INVALID';

64: How to compile Invalid Objects in database ?

You can use adadmin utility to compile or you can use utlrp.sql script shipped with Oracle Database to compile Invalid Database Objects.

65: How to compile JSP in Oracle Apps ?

You can use ojspCompile.pl perl script shipped with Oracle apps to compile JSP files. This script is under $JTF_TOP/admin/scripts. Sample compilation method is

perl ojspCompile.pl --compile --quiet

66: What is difference between adpatch & opatch ?

adpatch is utility to apply oracle apps Patches whereas

opatch is utility to apply database patches

67: Can you use both adpatch & opatch in Apps ?

Yes you have to use both in apps , for apps patches you will use adpatch utility and for applying database patch in apps you will opatch utility.

68: Where will you find forms configuration details apart from xml file ?

Forms configuration at time of startup is in script adfrmctl.sh and appsweb_$CONTEXT_NAME.cfg (defined by environment variable FORMS60_WEB_CONFIG_FILE) for forms client connection used each time a user initiates forms connection.

69: What is forms server executable Name ?

f60srvm

70: What are different modes of forms in which you can start Forms Server and which one is default ?

You can start forms server in SOCKET or SERVLET by defualt Forms are configured to start in socket mode.

71: How you will start Discoverer in Oracle Apps 11i ?

In order to start dicoverer you can use script addisctl.sh under $OAD_TOP/admin/scripts/$CONTEXT_NAME or startall.sh under $ORACLE_HOME/discwb4/util (under Middle/Application Tier)

72: How many ORACLE HOME are Oracle Apps and whats significance of each ?

There are three $ORACLE_HOME in Oracle Apps, Two for Application Tier (Middle Tier) and One in Database Tier.

ORACLE_HOME 1 : On Application Tier used to store 8.0.6 techstack software. This is used by forms, reports & discoverer. ORACLE_HOME should point to this ORACLE_HOME which applying Apps Patch.

ORACLE_HOME 2: On Application Tier used by iAS (Web Server) techstack software. This is used by Web Listener & contains Apache.

ORACLE_HOME 3: On Database Tier used by Database Software usually 8i,9i or 10g database.

73: Where is HTML Cache stored in Oracle Apps Server ?

Oracle HTML Cache is available at $COMMON_TOP/_pages for some previous versions you might find it in $OA_HTML/_pages

74: Where is plssql cache stored in Oracle Apps ?

Usually two type of cache session & plssql stored under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/modplsql/cache

75: What happens if you don't give cache size while defining Concurrent Manager ?

Lets first understand what is cache size in Concurrent Manager. When Manager picks request from FND CONCURRENT REQUESTS Queues, it will pick up number of requests defined by cache size in one shot & will work on them before going to sleep. So in my views if you don't define cache size while defining CM then it will take default value 1, i.e. picking up one request per cycle.

Thanks to vish for pointing out that answer to above Q's copied from pervious Q's. If you find any disperancy do mail me.

76: How many ORACLE HOME are Oracle Apps and whats significance of each ?

There are three $ORACLE_HOME in Oracle Apps, Two for Application Tier (Middle Tier) and One in Database Tier.

ORACLE_HOME 1 : On Application Tier used to store 8.0.6 techstack software. This is used by forms, reports & discoverer. ORACLE_HOME should point to this ORACLE_HOME which applying Apps Patch.

ORACLE_HOME 2: On Application Tier used by iAS (Web Server) techstack software. This is used by Web Listener & contains Apache.

ORACLE_HOME 3: On Database Tier used by Database Software usually 8i,9i or 10g database.

77: Where is HTML Cache stored in Oracle Apps Server ?

Oracle HTML Cache is available at $COMMON_TOP/_pages for some previous versions you might find it in $OA_HTML/_pages

78: Where is plssql cache stored in Oracle Apps ?

Usually two type of cache session & plssql stored under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/modplsql/cache

79: What are few profile options which you update after cloning ?

Rapid clone updates profile options specific to site level . If you have any profile option set at other levels like server, responsibility, user....level then reset them.

80: How to retrieve SYSADMIN password ?

If forgot password link is enabled and sysadmin account is configured with mail id user forget password link else you can reset sysadmin password via FNDCPASS.

81: If you have done two node Installation, First machine : Database and concurrent processing server. 2nd machine: form,web Which machine have admin server/node?

Admin Server will be on First machine with concurrent processing server

82: Whats is TWO_TASK in Oracle Database ?

TWO_TASK mocks your tns alias which you are going to use to connect to database. Lets assume you have database client with tns alias defined as PROD to connect to Database PROD on machine teachmeoracle.com listening on port 1521. Then usual way to connect is sqlplus username/passwd@PROD ; now if you don't want to use @PROD then you set TWO_TASK=PROD and then can simply use sqlplus username/passwd then sql will check that it has to connect to tnsalias define by value PROD i.e. TWO_TASK

83: What is GWYUID ?

GWYUID , stands for Gateway User ID and password. Usually like APPLSYSPUB/PUB

84: Where GWYUID defined & what is its used in Oracle Applications ?

GWYUID is defined in dbc i.e. Database Connect Descriptor file . It is used to connect to database by think clients.

85: What is difference between GUEST_USER_PWD (GUEST/ORACLE) & GWYUID ?

GUEST_USER_PWD(Guest/Oracle) is used by JDBC Thin Client where as GWYUID is used by Thick Clients like via Forms Connections.

86: How to check number of forms users at any time ?

Forms Connections initiate f60webmx connections so you can use

ps -ef | grep f60webmx | wc -l

87: What is 0 & Y in FNDCPASS, FNDLOAD or WFLOAD ?

0& Y are flags for FND Executable like FNDCPASS & FNDLOAD where

0 is request id (request ID 0 is assigned to request ID's which are not submitted via Submit Concurrent Request Form.

'Y' indicates the method of invocation. i.e. it is directly invoked from the command-line not from the Submit Request Form.

88: In a Multi Node Installation, How will you find which node is running what SErvices ?

You can query for table FND_NODES and check for column , SUPPORT_CP ( for Concurrent Manager) SUPPORT_FORMS ( for forms server) , SUPPPORT_WEB (Web Server), SUPPORT_ADMIN( Admin Server), and SUPPORT_DB for database tier.

You can also check same from CONTEXT File (xml file under APPL_TOP/admin)

89: If your system has more than one Jinitiator, how will the system know, which one to pick. ?

When client makes a forms connection in Oracle Applications, forms client session uses configuration file defined by environment variable FORMS60_WEB_CONFIG_FILE also called as appsweb config file. These

days this file is of format appsweb_$CONTEXT.cfg The initiator version number defined by parameter jinit_ver_name in this file will be used .

90: While applying Apps patch using adpatch, if you want to hide the apps password, how will that be possible ?

Use adpatch flags=hidepw while applying patches in apps to hide apps or system password being displayed on Users Screen.

91: What is importance of IMAP Server in Java Notification Mailer ?

IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol and Java Notification mailer require IMAP server for Inbound Processing of Notification Mails.

92: What is difference between Socket & Servlet Mode in Apps Forms ?

When forms run SOCKET Mode these are dedicated connection between Client Machine& Form Server (Started by adfrmctl.sh). When Forms run in servlet mode the forms requests are fulfilled by Jserv in Apache . There will be additional JVM for Forms Request in that case and you won't start form via adfrmctl.sh.

93: How to find OUI version ?

OUI stands for Oracle Universal Installer. In order to find how to check OUI version Click Here on my "How to find Version in Oracle" Page.

94: What is make program in Unix ?

make is utility in Unix/Linux to maintain , update & generate an file mainly executable.

95: If by mistake you/someone deleted FNDLIBR can this executable be restored if Yes, How & if no, what will you do ?

Yes, you can restore FNDLIBR executables

run adadmin on concurrent manager node

select option 2. Maintain Applications Files menu

then select 1. Relink Applications programs

when prompts for

Enter list of products to link ('all' for all products) [all]

select FND

when prompt for

Generate specific executables for each selected product [No] ? YES

select YES

& from list of executables select FNDLIBR

This will create new FNDLIBR executables.

96: What is .pls files which you see with apps ?

.pls file stands for plsql files. In apps patch these files contain code to create package spec or package body or both.

97: What are .ldt & .lct files which you see in apps patch or with FNDLOAD ?

.ldt& .lct stands for Loader datafile & Loader configuration files, used frequently in migrating customization, profile options, configuration data, etc.. across Instances.

98: What are .odf file in apps patch ?

odf stands for Object Description Files used to create tables & other database objects.

99: What to find Form Server log files in forms ?

Form Server Start up log file default location is $OAD_TOP/admin/log/$CONTEXT_NAME/f60svrm.txt

Forms Run Time Diagnostics default location is $ORACLE_HOME/forms60/log/$CONTEXT_NAME

100: How to convert pll to pld file or pld file to pll ?

Pll->Pld f60gen module=MSCOSCW3.pll module_type=library userid=apps/<passwd> module_access=file output_file=MSCOSCW1.pld script=yes

Pld -> pll f60gen module=MSCOSCW3.pld userid=apps/<passwd> module_type=library module_access=file output_file=MSCOSCW1.pll parse=y batch=yes compile_all=special

101: Is APPS_MRC Schema exists for MRC in 11.5.10 and higher ?

No , apps_mrc schema is dropped with 11.5.10 Upgrade & 11.5.10 new Install. This is replaced by more Integrated Architecture.

102: If APPS_MRC schema is not used in 11.5.10 and higher then How MRC is working ?

For products like Payable, Recievables which uses MRC and if MRC is enabled then each transaction table in base schema related to currency now has an assoicated MRC Subtables.

103: When you apply C driver patch does it require database to be Up & Why ?

Yes , database & db listener should be Up when you apply any driver patch in apps. even if driver is not updating any database object connection is required to validate apps & other schema and to upload patch history information in database tables.

104: Can C driver in apps patch create Invalid Object in database ?

No , C driver only copies files in File System. Database Object might be invalidated during D driver when these objects are created/dropped/modify

105: What is dev60cgi & f60cgi ?

cgi stands for Common Gateway Interface and these are Script Alias in Oracle Apps used to access forms server . Usually Form Server access directly via http://hostname:port/dev60cgi/f60cgi

106: Why does a worker fails in Oracle Apps Patch and few scenarios in which it failed for you ?

This question sounds stupid but this is asked quite often in Apps DBA Interview. Apps Patch worker can fail in case it doesn't find expected data, object, files or any thing which driver is trying to update/edit/modify. Possible symptoms may be underlying tables/objects are invalid, a prereq patch is missing , login information is incorrect, inconsistency in seeded data...

107: What is difference between mod_osso & mod_ose in Oracle HTTP Server ?

mod_osso is Oracle Single Sign-On Module where as mod_ose is module for Oracle Servlet Engine.

mod_osso is module in Oracle's HTTP Server serves as Conduit between Oracle Apache Server & Singl Sign-On Server where as mod_ose is also another module in Oracle's HTTP Server serves as conduit between Oracle Apache & Oracle Servlet Engine.

108: What is difference between COMPILE_ALL=SPECIAL and COMPILE=ALL while compiling Forms ?

Both the options will compile all the PL/SQL in the resultant .FMX, .PLX, or .MMX file but COMPILE_ALL=YES also changes the cached version in the source .FMB, .PLL, or .MMB file. This confuses version control and build tools (CVS, Subversion, make, scons); they believe you've made significant changes to the source. COMPILE_ALL=SPECIAL does not do this.

109: What is ps -ef or ps command in Unix ? for work ex < 1 yr

ps is unix/linux utility or executable to find status of process. Used mainly to find if services/process is running or not.

110: What is GSM in Oracle application E-Business Suite ?

GSM stands for Generic Service Management Framework. Oracle E-Business Suite consist of various compoennts like Forms, Reports, Web Server, Workflow, Concurrent Manager ..

Earlier each service used to start at their own but managing these services (given that) they can be on various machines distributed across network. So Generic Service Management is extension of Concurrent Processing which manages all your services , provide fault tolerance (If some service is down ICM through FNDSM& other processes will try to start it even on remote server) With GSM all services are centrally managed via this Framework.

111: What is FNDSM ?

FNDSM is executable & core component in GSM ( Generic Service Management Framework discussed above). You start FNDSM services via APPS listener on all Nodes in Application Tier in E-Business Suite.

112: What is iAS Patch ?

iAS Patch are patches released to fix bugs associated with IAS_ORACLE_HOME (Web Server Component) Usually these are shiiped as Shell scripts & you apply iAS patches by executing Shell script. Note that by default ORACLE_HOME is pointing to 8.0.6 ORACLE_HOME and if you are applying iAS patch export ORACLE_HOME to iAS . You can do same by executing environment file under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME

113: If we run autoconfig which files will get effected ?

In order to check list of files changes during Autoconfig , you can run adchkcfg utility which will generate HTML report. This report will list all files & profile options going to change when you run AutoConfig.

114: What is difference between .xml file & AutoConfig ?

Autoconfig is Utility to configure your Oracle Application environment. .xml file is repository of all configuration from which AutoConfig picks configuration and polulates related files.

115: What is .lgi files ?

lgi files are created with patching along with .log files . .lgi files are informative log files containing information related to patch. You can check .lgi files to see what activities patch has done. Usually informative logs.

116: How will you skip worker during patch ?

If in your adctrl there are six option shown then seventh is hidden option.(If there are seven options visible then 8th option is to Skip worker depending on ad version).

117: Which two tables created at start of Apps Patch & drops at end of Patch ?

xFND_INSTALLED_PROCESSES& AD_DEFFERED_JOBS are the tables that get updated while applying a patch mainly d or unified driver.

118: How to compile an Oracle Reports file ?

Utility adrepgen is used to compile Reports. Synatx is given below

adrepgen userid=apps\<psswd> source = $PRODUCT_TOP\srw\filename.rdf dest=$PRODUCT_TOP\srw\filename.rdf stype=rdffile dtype=rdffile logfile=x.log overwrite=yes batch=yes dunit=character

119: What is difference between AD_BUGS & AD_APPLID_PATCHES ?

AD_BUGS holds information about the various Oracle Applications bugs whose fixes have been applied (ie. patched) in the Oracle Applications installation.

AD_APPLIED_PATCHES holds information about the "distinct" Oracle Applications patches that have been applied. If 2 patches happen to have the same name but are different in content (eg. "merged" patches), then they are considered distinct and this table will therefore hold 2 records.

120: What exactly happens when you put an Oracle Apps instance in maintenance mode ?

Maintenance mode provides a clear separation between normal runtime operation of Oracle Applications and system downtime for maintenance. Enabling the maintenance mode feature

a) shuts down the Workflow Business Events System and

b) sets up function security so that no Oracle Applications functions are available to users.

Used only during AutoPatch sessions, maintenance mode ensures optimal performance and reduces downtime when applying a patch.

1: What is wdbsvr.app file used for? What's full path of this file? What's significance of this file ?

I'll again suggest you don't just remember answer & try to solve mystery behind this file. First where this file exists ? You can find this file under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/modplsql/cfg

Based on file location I am sure you can say this is related to Apache, & looking into modplsql/cfg , I am sure you will say its related to mod_pls (mod plsql component of Apache/Oracle 11i WebServer) configuration file. This file is used by mod_plsql component of Apache to connect to database. So when you type url http://hostname:port/pls/SID , whenever Apache(11i Web Server) finds that request is for /pls/ then Apache delegates this request to mod_pls component which in turn pick this file & check if there is any DAD with name SID (in our example its VISION11I) &

Sample entry in wdbsvr.app (here vision11i—sid)

[DAD_VISION11I]

connect_string = VISION11I

password = apps

username = APPS

default_page = fnd_web.ping

On typing http://hostname:port/pls/VISION11I , it will connect to database using apps schema & will return you page fnd_web.ping ( where fnd_web is package & ping is procedure or vise versa).

So story about this file doesn't stop here , this url which I mentioned about is quite useful in troubleshooting so you can check if database connection is working fine or not. Another thing you want to check about this file is since it stores APPS password you need to change here whenever you change apps password .

2: Explain Architecture of Oracle Apps 11i.

Apps 11i is Mutli Tier architecture with Desktop(Client Tier), Middle Tier (Application Tier) and Database Tier.

3: What are various components in Application/Middle Tier.

In Application Tier various components are Web Server, Forms Server , Reports Server, Concurrent Manager, Admin Server & Discoverer Server.

4: What is APPL_TOP, COMN_TOP, ORA_TOP.....

XXX_TOP is top level directory in Oracle Application 11i for respective Component.

5: What are issues you encountered during Oracle Applications 11i?

6: What's difference between TWO user & single User Apps 11i Install ? What are advantages/disadvantages of two ?

7: Whats US directory in $AD_TOP or under various product TOP's .

US directory is defauly language directory in Oracle Applications. If you have multiple languages Installed in your Applications then you will see other languages directories besides US, that directory will contain reports, fmx and other code in that respective directory like FR for France, AR for arabic, simplifies chinese or spanish.

8: Whats main concurrent Manager types.

ICM - Internal Concurrent Manager which manages concurrent Managers

Standard Managers - Which Manage processesing of requests.CRM - Conflict Resolution Managers , resolve conflicts in case of incompatibility.

9: Where is Concurrent Manager log file location.

By default standard location is $APPLCSF/$APPLLOG , in some cases it can go to $FND_TOP/log as well.

10: Where would i find .rf9 file, and what execatly it dose ?

These files are used during restart of patch in case of patch failure because of some reason.

11: Where is appsweb.cfg or appsweb_$CONTEXT.cfg stored & why its used ?

This file is defined by environment variable FORMS60_WEB_CONFIG_FILE This is usually in directory $OA_HTML/bin on forms tier.

This file is used by any forms client session. When a user try to access forms , f60webmx picks up this file and based on this configuration file creates a forms session to user/client.

12: What is multi node system ?

Multi Node System in Oracle Applications 11i means you have Applications 11i Component on more than one system. Typical example is Database, Concurrent Manager on one machine and forms, Web Server on second machine is example of Two Node System.

13: Can you clone from multi node system to single node system & vice versa ?

Yes , this is now supported via Rapid Clone, Check if your system has all prereq. patches for Rapid Clone and you are on latest rapid clone patch

14: Does rapid clone takes care of Updating Global oraInventory or you have to register manually in Global OraInventory after clone ?

Rapid Clone will automatically Update Global oraInventory during configuration phase. You don't have to do any thing manually for Global oraInventory.

15: What is .dbc file , where its stored , whats use of .dbc file ?

dbc as name says is database connect descriptor file which stores database connection information used by application tier to connect to database. This file is in directory $FND_TOP/secure also called as FND_SECURE

16: Whats things you do to reduce patch timing ? You can take advantage of following -

Merging patches via admrgpch

Use various adpatch options like nocompiledb or nocompilejsp

Use defaults file

Staged APPL_TOP during upgrades

Increase batch size (Might result into negative )

17: How you put Applications 11i in Maintenance mode ?

Use adadmin to change Maintenance mode is Oracle Apps. With AD.I you need to enable maintenance mode in order to apply apps patch via adpatch utility. If you don't want to put apps in maintenance mode you can use adpatch options=hotpatch feature.

18: Can you apply patch without putting Applications 11i in Maintenance mode ?

Yes, use options=hotpatch as mentioned above with adpatch.

19: What are various options available with adpatch ?

Various options available with adpatch depending on your AD version are

autoconfig, check_exclusive, checkfile, compiledb, compilejsp, copyportion, databaseprtion, generateportion, hotpatch, integrity, maintainmrc, parallel, prereq, validate

20: adident utility is used for what ?

adident utility in oracle apps is used to find version of any file . AD Identification.

for ex. "adident Header <filename>

21: What is adsplice utility ?

adsplice in oracle apps is utility to add a new product.

22: How can you licence a product after installation ?

You can use ad utility adlicmgr to licence product in Oracle Apps.

23: What is MRC ? What you do as Apps DBA for MRC ?

MRC also called as Multiple Reporting Currency in oracle Apps. Default you have currency in US Dollars but if your organization operating books are in other currency then you as apps dba need to enable MRC in Apps.

24: Whats is JVM(Java Virtual Machine) and which component uses JVM ?

JVM stands for Java Virtual Machine,

25: What is access_log in apache , what entries are recored in access_log ? Where is default location of thsi file ?

access_log in Oracle Application Server records all users accessing oracle applications 11i. This file location is defined in httpd.conf with default location at $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/Apache/logs. Entries in this file is defined by directive LogFormat in httpd.conf Typical entry in access_log is

198.0.0.1 - - [10/Sep/2006:18:37:17 +0100] "POST /OA_HTML/OA.jsp?.... HTTP/1.1" 200 28035

where 200 is HTTP status code & last digits 28035 is bytes dowloaded as this page(Size of page)

26: Where is Jserv configuration files stored ?

Jserv configuration files are stored in $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/Jserv/etc

27: What is session time out parameter & where all you define these values ?

To know about session time out parameter & location where its defined

28: Where is applications start/stop scripts stored ?

applications start/stop scripts are in directory $COMMON_TOP/admin/scripts/$CONTEXT_NAME

29: What are main configuration files in Web Server (Apache) ?

Main configuration files in Oracle Apps Web Server are

httpd.conf, apps.conf, oracle_apache.conf, httpd_pls.conf

jserv.conf, ssp_init.txt, jserv.properties, zone.properties

plsql.conf, wdbsvr.app, plsql.conf

30: What is profile options, What are various type of profile options ?

31: What is APPS listener ? Why its used ?

32: How do you start/stop apps listener ?

33: If users complaining Oracle Applications 11i system is running slow , what all things you will check at broad level ?

34: What is context file ?

35: Why appsutil directory under Database ORACLE_HOME used for ?

36: How to create User in Oracle Applications 11i ? Can you delete a User ?

37: What is Single Sign On ? ( If you are using portal 3.0.9 or 10G )?

38: How to configure portal with 11i ? ( If you are using portal 3.0.9 or 10G )?

39: How to check if Apps 11i System is Autoconfig enabled ?

Under $AD_TOP/bin check for file adcfginfo.sh & if this exists use

adcfginfo.sh contextfile=<CONTEXT> show=enabled

If this file is not there , look for any configuration file under APPL_TOP if system is Autoconfig enabled then you will see entry like

# AutoConfig automatically generates this file. It will be read and .......

40: How to check if Oracle Apps 11i System is Rapid Clone enabled ?

For syetem to be Rapid Clone enabled , it should be Autoconfig enabled (Check above How to confirm if Apps 11i is Autoconfig enabled). You should have Rapid Clone Patches applied , Rapid Clone is part of Rapid Install Product whose Family Pack Name is ADX. By default all Apps 11i Instances 11.5.9 and above are Autoconfig & Rapid Clone enabled

41: Whats is difference between two env files in <CONTEXT>.env and APPS<CONTEXT>.env under $APPL_TOP ?

APPS<CONTEXT>.env is main environment file which inturn calls other environment files like< CONTEXT>.env under $APPL_TOP, <CONTEXT>.env under 806 ORACLE_HOME and custom<CONTEXT>.env for any Customized environment files.

42: What is access_log in Apache ?

access_log file keeps record of users accessing Oracle Apps 11i Webserver.

Typical entry in access_log is like

198.0.0.1 - - [25/Aug/2006 :03:15:13 +0100] "GET /OA_JAVA /oracle /forms /registry/Registry.dat HTTP/1.1" 200 4117

Which means client with IP 198.0.0.1 requested for file mentioned above on 25 Aug 2006 at 03:15 AM , 200 is status code returned by Apache which means page returned successfully (Status Code 302 means page redirected , 404 page not found, 500+ Internal Server error)

last digit 4117 in above entry of access_log means file size which is 4117 bytes. This file is quite useful in monitoring your Web Server.

Please note above format might defer on your system as this is dependent log_format in Apache configuration file ( httpd.conf)

43: Whats is location of access_log file ?

access_log file by default is located in $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/ Apache/Apache/logs. Location of this file is defined in httpd.conf by patameter CustomLog or TransferLog

44: What is your Oracle Apps 11i Webserver Version and how to find it ?

From 11.5.8 to 11.5.10 Webserver version is iAS 1.0.2.2.2, In order to find version under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/Apache/bin execute ./httpd -version

./httpd -version

Server version: Oracle HTTP Server Powered by Apache/1.3.19

Server built: Dec 6 2005 14:59:13 (iAS 1.0.2.2.2 rollup 5)

45: What is Location of Jserv configuration files ?

Jserv configuration files are located in $IAS_ORACLE_HOME /Apache/Jserv/etc .

46: What is plssql/database cache ? In order to improve performance mod_pls (Apache component) caches some database content to file. This database/plssql cache is usually of type session & plsql cache

session cache is used to store session information.

plsql cache is used to store plsql cache i.e. used by mod_pls

47: Where is database/plssql cache stored ?

plssql & session cache are stored under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/ Apache/modplsql/cache directory.

48: How to determine Oracle Apps 11i Version ?

select RELEASE_NAME from fnd_product_groups;

You should see output like

RELEASE_NAME

-----------------------

11.5.9 or 11.5.10.2

49: What is *.dbc file & whats is location of dbc file ?

dbc as name stands for is database connect descriptor file used to connect to database. This file by default located in $FND_TOP/secure directory also called as $FND_SECURE directory.

50: What is content of dbc file & why its important ?

DBC file is quite important as whenever Java or any other program like forms want to connect to database it uses dbc file. Typical entry in dbc file is

GUEST_USER_PWD

APPS_JDBC_URL

DB_HOST

51: There are lot of dbc file under $FND_SECURE, How its determined that which dbc file to use from $FND_SECURE ?

This value is determined from profile option "Applications Database ID"

52: What is RRA/FNDFS ?

Report Review Agent(RRA) also referred by executable FNDFS is default text viewer in Oracle Applications 11i for viewing output files & log files. As most of apps dba's are not clear about Report Server & RRA, I'll discuss one on my blog and update link here .

53: What is PCP is Oracle Applications 11i ?

PCP is acronym for Parallel Concurrurent processing. Usually you have one Concurrent Manager executing your requests but if you can configure Concurrent Manager running on two machines (Yes you need to do some additional steps in order to configure Parallel Concurrent Processing) . So for some of your requests primary CM Node is on machine1 and secondary CM node on machine2 and for some requests primary CM is on machine2 & secondary CM on machine1.

54: Why I need two Concurrent Processing Nodes or in what scenarios PCP is Used ?

55: Why I need two Concurrent Processing Nodes or in what scenarios PCP is Used ?

Well If you are running GL Month end reports or taxation reports annually these reposrts might take couple of days. Some of these requests are very resource intensive so you can have one node running long running , resource intensive requests while other processing your day to day short running requets.

another scenario is when your requests are very critical and you want high resilience for your Concurrent Processing Node , you can configure PCP. So if node1 goes down you still have CM node available processing your requests.

56: Output& Logfiles for requests executed on source Instance not working on cloned Instance

Here is exact problem description - You cloned an Oracle Apps Instance from PRODBOX to another box with Instance name say CLONEBOX on 1st of August. You can any CM logs/output files after 1st of August only becuase these all are generated on CLONEBOX itself, But unable to view the logs/output files which are prior to 1st August. What will you do & where to check ?

Log , Output file path & location is stored in table FND_CONCURRENT_REQUESTS. Check

select logfile_name, logfile_node_name, outfile_name, outfile_node_name from fnd_concurrent_requests where request_id=&requestid ;

where requestid is id of request for which you are not able to see log or out files. You should see output like

/u01/PRODBOX/log/l123456.req, host1,/u01/PRODBOX/out/o123456.out, host1

Update it according to your cloned Instance Variables.

57: How to confirm if Report Server is Up & Running ?

Report Server is started by executable rwmts60 on concurrent manager Node & this file is under $ORACLE_HOME/bin .execute command on your server like

ps -ef | grep rwmts60

You should get output like

applmgr ....... rwmts60 name=REP60_VISION

where VISION is your Instance name.

Else you can submit a request like "Active Users" with display set to PDF, check output & log file to see if report server can display PDF files.

58: What is difference between ICM, Standard Managers & CRM in Concurrent Manager ?

ICM stand for Internal Concurrent Manager, which controls other managers. If it finds other managers down , it checks & try to restart them. You can say it as administrator to other concurrent managers. It has other tasks as well.

Standard Manager These are normal managers which control/action on the requests & does batch or single request processing.

CRM acronym for Conflict Resolution Manager is used to resolve conflicts between managers& request. If a request is submitted whose execution is clashing or it is defined not to run while a particular type of request is running then such requests are actioned/assigned to CRM for Incompatibilities & Conflict resoluti59: What is use of Apps listener ?

Apps Listener usually running on All Oracle Applications 11i Nodes with listener alias as APPS_$SID is mainly used for listening requests for services like FNDFS & FNDSM.

60: How to start Apps listener ?

In Oracle 11i, you have script adalnctl.sh which will start your apps listener. You can also start it by command

lsnrctl start APPS_$SID (Replace sid by your Instance SID Name)

61: How to confirm if Apps Listener is Up & Running ?

execute below command

lsnrctl status APPS_$SID (replcae SID with your Instance Name)

so If your SID is VISION then use lsnrctl status APPS_VISION out put should be like

Services Summary...

FNDFS has 1 service handler(s)

FNDSM has 1 service handler(s)

The command completed successfully

62: What is Web Listener ?

Web Listener is Web Server listener which is listening for web Services(HTTP) request. This listener is started by adapcctl.sh & defined by directive (Listen, Port) in httpd.conf for Web Server. When you initially type request like http://becomeappsdba.blogspot.com:80 to access application here port number 80 is Web Listener port.

63: How will you find Invalid Objects in database ?

using query

SQLPLUS> select count(*) from dba_objects where status like 'INVALID';

64: How to compile Invalid Objects in database ?

You can use adadmin utility to compile or you can use utlrp.sql script shipped with Oracle Database to compile Invalid Database Objects.

65: How to compile JSP in Oracle Apps ?

You can use ojspCompile.pl perl script shipped with Oracle apps to compile JSP files. This script is under $JTF_TOP/admin/scripts. Sample compilation method is

perl ojspCompile.pl --compile --quiet

66: What is difference between adpatch & opatch ?

adpatch is utility to apply oracle apps Patches whereas

opatch is utility to apply database patches

67: Can you use both adpatch & opatch in Apps ?

Yes you have to use both in apps , for apps patches you will use adpatch utility and for applying database patch in apps you will opatch utility.

68: Where will you find forms configuration details apart from xml file ?

Forms configuration at time of startup is in script adfrmctl.sh and appsweb_$CONTEXT_NAME.cfg (defined by environment variable FORMS60_WEB_CONFIG_FILE) for forms client connection used each time a user initiates forms connection.

69: What is forms server executable Name ?

f60srvm

70: What are different modes of forms in which you can start Forms Server and which one is default ?

You can start forms server in SOCKET or SERVLET by defualt Forms are configured to start in socket mode.

71: How you will start Discoverer in Oracle Apps 11i ?

In order to start dicoverer you can use script addisctl.sh under $OAD_TOP/admin/scripts/$CONTEXT_NAME or startall.sh under $ORACLE_HOME/discwb4/util (under Middle/Application Tier)

72: How many ORACLE HOME are Oracle Apps and whats significance of each ?

There are three $ORACLE_HOME in Oracle Apps, Two for Application Tier (Middle Tier) and One in Database Tier.

ORACLE_HOME 1 : On Application Tier used to store 8.0.6 techstack software. This is used by forms, reports & discoverer. ORACLE_HOME should point to this ORACLE_HOME which applying Apps Patch.

ORACLE_HOME 2: On Application Tier used by iAS (Web Server) techstack software. This is used by Web Listener & contains Apache.

ORACLE_HOME 3: On Database Tier used by Database Software usually 8i,9i or 10g database.

73: Where is HTML Cache stored in Oracle Apps Server ?

Oracle HTML Cache is available at $COMMON_TOP/_pages for some previous versions you might find it in $OA_HTML/_pages

74: Where is plssql cache stored in Oracle Apps ?

Usually two type of cache session & plssql stored under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/modplsql/cache

75: What happens if you don't give cache size while defining Concurrent Manager ?

Lets first understand what is cache size in Concurrent Manager. When Manager picks request from FND CONCURRENT REQUESTS Queues, it will pick up number of requests defined by cache size in one shot & will work on them before going to sleep. So in my views if you don't define cache size while defining CM then it will take default value 1, i.e. picking up one request per cycle.

Thanks to vish for pointing out that answer to above Q's copied from pervious Q's. If you find any disperancy do mail me.

76: How many ORACLE HOME are Oracle Apps and whats significance of each ?

There are three $ORACLE_HOME in Oracle Apps, Two for Application Tier (Middle Tier) and One in Database Tier.

ORACLE_HOME 1 : On Application Tier used to store 8.0.6 techstack software. This is used by forms, reports & discoverer. ORACLE_HOME should point to this ORACLE_HOME which applying Apps Patch.

ORACLE_HOME 2: On Application Tier used by iAS (Web Server) techstack software. This is used by Web Listener & contains Apache.

ORACLE_HOME 3: On Database Tier used by Database Software usually 8i,9i or 10g database.

77: Where is HTML Cache stored in Oracle Apps Server ?

Oracle HTML Cache is available at $COMMON_TOP/_pages for some previous versions you might find it in $OA_HTML/_pages

78: Where is plssql cache stored in Oracle Apps ?

Usually two type of cache session & plssql stored under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME/Apache/modplsql/cache

79: What are few profile options which you update after cloning ?

Rapid clone updates profile options specific to site level . If you have any profile option set at other levels like server, responsibility, user....level then reset them.

80: How to retrieve SYSADMIN password ?

If forgot password link is enabled and sysadmin account is configured with mail id user forget password link else you can reset sysadmin password via FNDCPASS.

81: If you have done two node Installation, First machine : Database and concurrent processing server. 2nd machine: form,web Which machine have admin server/node?

Admin Server will be on First machine with concurrent processing server

82: Whats is TWO_TASK in Oracle Database ?

TWO_TASK mocks your tns alias which you are going to use to connect to database. Lets assume you have database client with tns alias defined as PROD to connect to Database PROD on machine teachmeoracle.com listening on port 1521. Then usual way to connect is sqlplus username/passwd@PROD ; now if you don't want to use @PROD then you set TWO_TASK=PROD and then can simply use sqlplus username/passwd then sql will check that it has to connect to tnsalias define by value PROD i.e. TWO_TASK

83: What is GWYUID ?

GWYUID , stands for Gateway User ID and password. Usually like APPLSYSPUB/PUB

84: Where GWYUID defined & what is its used in Oracle Applications ?

GWYUID is defined in dbc i.e. Database Connect Descriptor file . It is used to connect to database by think clients.

85: What is difference between GUEST_USER_PWD (GUEST/ORACLE) & GWYUID ?

GUEST_USER_PWD(Guest/Oracle) is used by JDBC Thin Client where as GWYUID is used by Thick Clients like via Forms Connections.

86: How to check number of forms users at any time ?

Forms Connections initiate f60webmx connections so you can use

ps -ef | grep f60webmx | wc -l

87: What is 0 & Y in FNDCPASS, FNDLOAD or WFLOAD ?

0 & Y are flags for FND Executable like FNDCPASS & FNDLOAD where

0 is request id (request ID 0 is assigned to request ID's which are not submitted via Submit Concurrent Request Form.

'Y' indicates the method of invocation. i.e. it is directly invoked from the command-line not from the Submit Request Form.

88: In a Multi Node Installation, How will you find which node is running what SErvices ?

You can query for table FND_NODES and check for column , SUPPORT_CP ( for Concurrent Manager) SUPPORT_FORMS ( for forms server) , SUPPPORT_WEB (Web Server), SUPPORT_ADMIN( Admin Server), and SUPPORT_DB for database tier.

You can also check same from CONTEXT File (xml file under APPL_TOP/admin)

89: If your system has more than one Jinitiator, how will the system know, which one to pick. ?

When client makes a forms connection in Oracle Applications, forms client session uses configuration file defined by environment variable FORMS60_WEB_CONFIG_FILE also called as appsweb config file. These

days this file is of format appsweb_$CONTEXT.cfg The initiator version number defined by parameter jinit_ver_name in this file will be used .

90: While applying Apps patch using adpatch, if you want to hide the apps password, how will that be possible ?

Use adpatch flags=hidepw while applying patches in apps to hide apps or system password being displayed on Users Screen.

91: What is importance of IMAP Server in Java Notification Mailer ?

IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol and Java Notification mailer require IMAP server for Inbound Processing of Notification Mails.

92: What is difference between Socket & Servlet Mode in Apps Forms ?

When forms run SOCKET Mode these are dedicated connection between Client Machine & Form Server (Started by adfrmctl.sh). When Forms run in servlet mode the forms requests are fulfilled by Jserv in Apache . There will be additional JVM for Forms Request in that case and you won't start form via adfrmctl.sh.

93: How to find OUI version ?

OUI stands for Oracle Universal Installer. In order to find how to check OUI version Click Here on my "How to find Version in Oracle" Page.

94: What is make program in Unix ?

make is utility in Unix/Linux to maintain , update & generate an file mainly executable.

95: If by mistake you/someone deleted FNDLIBR can this executable be restored if Yes, How& if no, what will you do ?

Yes, you can restore FNDLIBR executables

run adadmin on concurrent manager node

select option 2. Maintain Applications Files menu

then select 1. Relink Applications programs

when prompts for

Enter list of products to link ('all' for all products) [all]

select FND

when prompt for

Generate specific executables for each selected product [No] ? YES

select YES

& from list of executables select FNDLIBR

This will create new FNDLIBR executables.

96: What is .pls files which you see with apps ?

.pls file stands for plsql files. In apps patch these files contain code to create package spec or package body or both.

97: What are .ldt & .lct files which you see in apps patch or with FNDLOAD ?

.ldt & .lct stands for Loader datafile & Loader configuration files, used frequently in migrating customization, profile options, configuration data, etc.. across Instances.

98: What are .odf file in apps patch ?

odf stands for Object Description Files used to create tables & other database objects.

99: What to find Form Server log files in forms ?

Form Server Start up log file default location is $OAD_TOP/admin/log/$CONTEXT_NAME/f60svrm.txt

Forms Run Time Diagnostics default location is $ORACLE_HOME/forms60/log/$CONTEXT_NAME

100: How to convert pll to pld file or pld file to pll ?

Pll->Pld f60gen module=MSCOSCW3.pll module_type=library userid=apps/<passwd> module_access=file output_file=MSCOSCW1.pld script=yes

Pld -> pll f60gen module=MSCOSCW3.pld userid=apps/<passwd> module_type=library module_access=file output_file=MSCOSCW1.pll parse=y batch=yes compile_all=special

101: Is APPS_MRC Schema exists for MRC in 11.5.10 and higher ?

No , apps_mrc schema is dropped with 11.5.10 Upgrade & 11.5.10 new Install. This is replaced by more Integrated Architecture.

102: If APPS_MRC schema is not used in 11.5.10 and higher then How MRC is working ?

For products like Payable, Recievables which uses MRC and if MRC is enabled then each transaction table in base schema related to currency now has an assoicated MRC Subtables.

103: When you apply C driver patch does it require database to be Up & Why ?

Yes , database & db listener should be Up when you apply any driver patch in apps. even if driver is not updating any database object connection is required to validate apps & other schema and to upload patch history information in database tables.

104: Can C driver in apps patch create Invalid Object in database ?

No , C driver only copies files in File System. Database Object might be invalidated during D driver when these objects are created/dropped/modify

105: What is dev60cgi & f60cgi ?

cgi stands for Common Gateway Interface and these are Script Alias in Oracle Apps used to access forms server . Usually Form Server access directly via http://hostname:port/dev60cgi/f60cgi

106: Why does a worker fails in Oracle Apps Patch and few scenarios in which it failed for you ?

This question sounds stupid but this is asked quite often in Apps DBA Interview. Apps Patch worker can fail in case it doesn't find expected data, object, files or any thing which driver is trying to update/edit/modify. Possible symptoms may be underlying tables/objects are invalid, a prereq patch is missing , login information is incorrect, inconsistency in seeded data...

107: What is difference between mod_osso & mod_ose in Oracle HTTP Server ?

mod_osso is Oracle Single Sign-On Module where as mod_ose is module for Oracle Servlet Engine.

mod_osso is module in Oracle's HTTP Server serves as Conduit between Oracle Apache Server& Singl Sign-On Server where as mod_ose is also another module in Oracle's HTTP Server serves as conduit between Oracle Apache & Oracle Servlet Engine.

108: What is difference between COMPILE_ALL=SPECIAL and COMPILE=ALL while compiling Forms ?

Both the options will compile all the PL/SQL in the resultant .FMX, .PLX, or .MMX file but COMPILE_ALL=YES also changes the cached version in the source .FMB, .PLL, or .MMB file. This confuses version control and build tools (CVS, Subversion, make, scons); they believe you've made significant changes to the source. COMPILE_ALL=SPECIAL does not do this.

109: What is ps -ef or ps command in Unix ? for work ex < 1 yr

ps is unix/linux utility or executable to find status of process. Used mainly to find if services/process is running or not.

110: What is GSM in Oracle application E-Business Suite ?

GSM stands for Generic Service Management Framework. Oracle E-Business Suite consist of various compoennts like Forms, Reports, Web Server, Workflow, Concurrent Manager ..

Earlier each service used to start at their own but managing these services (given that) they can be on various machines distributed across network. So Generic Service Management is extension of Concurrent Processing which manages all your services , provide fault tolerance (If some service is down ICM through FNDSM& other processes will try to start it even on remote server) With GSM all services are centrally managed via this Framework.

111: What is FNDSM ?

FNDSM is executable & core component in GSM ( Generic Service Management Framework discussed above). You start FNDSM services via APPS listener on all Nodes in Application Tier in E-Business Suite.

112: What is iAS Patch ?

iAS Patch are patches released to fix bugs associated with IAS_ORACLE_HOME (Web Server Component) Usually these are shiiped as Shell scripts & you apply iAS patches by executing Shell script. Note that by default ORACLE_HOME is pointing to 8.0.6 ORACLE_HOME and if you are applying iAS patch export ORACLE_HOME to iAS . You can do same by executing environment file under $IAS_ORACLE_HOME

113: If we run autoconfig which files will get effected ?

In order to check list of files changes during Autoconfig , you can run adchkcfg utility which will generate HTML report. This report will list all files & profile options going to change when you run AutoConfig.

114: What is difference between .xml file & AutoConfig ?

Autoconfig is Utility to configure your Oracle Application environment. .xml file is repository of all configuration from which AutoConfig picks configuration and polulates related files.

115: What is .lgi files ?

lgi files are created with patching along with .log files . .lgi files are informative log files containing information related to patch. You can check .lgi files to see what activities patch has done. Usually informative logs.

116: How will you skip worker during patch ?

If in your adctrl there are six option shown then seventh is hidden option.(If there are seven options visible then 8th option is to Skip worker depending on ad version).

117: Which two tables created at start of Apps Patch & drops at end of Patch ?

xFND_INSTALLED_PROCESSES& AD_DEFFERED_JOBS are the tables that get updated while applying a patch mainly d or unified driver.

118: How to compile an Oracle Reports file ?

Utility adrepgen is used to compile Reports. Synatx is given below

adrepgen userid=apps\<psswd> source = $PRODUCT_TOP\srw\filename.rdf dest=$PRODUCT_TOP\srw\filename.rdf stype=rdffile dtype=rdffile logfile=x.log overwrite=yes batch=yes dunit=character

119: What is difference between AD_BUGS & AD_APPLID_PATCHES ?

AD_BUGS holds information about the various Oracle Applications bugs whose fixes have been applied (ie. patched) in the Oracle Applications installation.

AD_APPLIED_PATCHES holds information about the "distinct" Oracle Applications patches that have been applied. If 2 patches happen to have the same name but are different in content (eg. "merged" patches), then they are considered distinct and this table will therefore hold 2 records.

120: What exactly happens when you put an Oracle Apps instance in maintenance mode ?

Maintenance mode provides a clear separation between normal runtime operation of Oracle Applications and system downtime for maintenance. Enabling the maintenance mode feature

a) shuts down the Workflow Business Events System and

b) sets up function security so that no Oracle Applications functions are available to users.

Used only during AutoPatch sessions, maintenance mode ensures optimal performance and reduces downtime when applying a patch.