GENERAL FAQ IN ORACLE APPS

1.
How to attach reports in Oracle Applications ?
Ans: The steps are as follows :

Design your report.

Generate the executable file of the report.

Move the executable as well as source file to the appropriate products folder.

Register the report as concurrent executable.

Define the concurrent program for the executable registered.

Add the concurrent program to the request group of the responsibility.

2.
What are different report triggers and what is their firing sequence ?
Ans. : There are five report trigger :

Before Report

After Report

Before Parameter Form

After Parameter Form

Between Pages
The Firing sequence for report triggers is
Before Parameter Form After Parameter Form Before Report Between Pages
After Report.
3.
What is the use of cursors in PL/SQL ? What is REF Cursor ?
Ans. : The cursor are used to handle multiple row query in PL/SQL. Oracle uses implicit
cursors to handle all its queries. Oracle uses unnamed memory spaces to store data used
in implicit cursors, with REF cursors you can define a cursor variable which will point to
that memory space and can be used like pointers in our 3GLs.
4.
What is record group ?
Ans: Record group are used with LOVs to hold sql query for your list of values. The
record group can contain static data as well it can access data from database tables thru
sql queries.
5.
What is a FlexField ? What are Descriptive and Key Flexfields ?
Ans: An Oracle Applications field made up of segments. Each segment has an assigned
name and a set of valid values. Oracle Applications uses flexfields to capture information
about your organization.
6.
What are Autonomous transactions ? Give a scenario where you have used
Autonomous transaction in your reports ?
Ans: An autonomous transaction is an independent transaction started by another
transaction, the main transaction. Autonomous transactions let you suspend the main
transaction, do SQL operations, commit or roll back those operations, then resume the
main transaction.

Once started, an autonomous transaction is fully independent. It shares no locks,

resources, or commit-dependencies with the main transaction. So, you can log events,
increment retry counters, and so on, even if the main transaction rolls back.
More important, autonomous transactions help you build modular, reusable software
components. For example, stored procedures can start and finish autonomous transactions
on their own. A calling application need not know about a procedure's autonomous
operations, and the procedure need not know about the application's transaction context.
That makes autonomous transactions less error-prone than regular transactions and easier
to use.
Furthermore, autonomous transactions have all the functionality of regular transactions.
They allow parallel queries, distributed processing, and all the transaction control
statements including SET TRANSACTION.
Scenario : You can use autonomous transaction in your report for writing error messages
in your database tables.
7.
What is the use of triggers in Forms ?
Ans : Triggers are used in forms for event handling. You can write PL/SQL code in
triggers to respond to a particular event occurred in your forms like when user presses a
button or when he commits the form.
The different type of triggers available in forms are :

Key-triggers

Navigational-triggers

Transaction-triggers

Message-triggers

Error-triggers

Query based-triggers
8.
What is the use of Temp tables in Interface programs ?
Ans : Temporary tables are used in Interface programs to hold the intermediate data. The
data is loaded into temporary tables first and then, after validating through the PL/SQL
programs, the data is loaded into the interface tables.
9.
What are the steps to register concurrent programs in Apps ?
Ans : The steps to register concurrent programs in apps are as follows :

Register the program as concurrent executable.

Define the concurrent program for the executable registered.

Add the concurrent program to the request group of the responsibility

10.
How to pass parameters to a report ? do you have to register them with AOL ?
Ans: You can define parameters in the define concurrent program form. There is no need
to register the parameters with AOL. But you may have to register the value sets for those
parameters.

11.
Do you have to register feeder programs of interface to AOL ?
Ans : Yes ! you have to register the feeder programs as concurrent programs to Apps.
12.
What are forms customization steps ?
Ans: The steps are as follows :

Copy the template.fmb and Appstand.fmb from AU_TOP/forms/us.Put it in

custom directory. The libraries (FNDSQF, APPCORE, APPDAYPK, GLOBE, CUSTOM,
JE, JA, JL, VERT) are automatically attached .

Create or open new Forms. Then customize.

Save this Form in Corresponding Modules.

13.
How to use Flexfields in reports ?
Ans : There are two ways to use Flexfields in report. One way is to use the views (table
name + _KFV or _DFV) created by apps, and use the concatenated_segments column
which holds the concatenated segments of the key or descriptive flexfields.
Or the other way is to use the FND user exits provided by oracle applications.
14.
What is Key and Descriptive Flexfield.
Ans : Key Flexfield: #unique identifier, storing key information
# Used for entering and displaying key information.
For example Oracle General uses a key Flexfield called Accounting
Flexfield to uniquely identifies a general account.
Descriptive Flexfield: # To Capture additional information.
# to provide expansion space on your form
With the help of [] . [] Represents descriptive
Flexfield.
15.
Difference between Key and Descriptive Flexfield?
Ans :
Key Flexfield Descriptive Flefield
1. Unique Identifier 1.To capture extra information
2. Key Flexfield are stored in segment
2.Stored in attributes
3.For key flexfield there are flexfield Qualifier and segment Qualifier
sensitive flexfield is a feature of DFF. (descriptive flexfield)

3. Context-

16.
What is the use of CUSTOM Library in Oracle Apps?
The CUSTOM library is an Oracle Forms PL/SQL library. It allows to take full advantage
of all the capabilities of Oracle Forms Developer, and integrate the code directly with
Oracle Applications without
making changes to Oracle Applications code. We can use the CUSTOM library for
customizations such as Zoom (such as moving to another form and querying up specific
records), enforcing business rules (for example, vendor name must be in uppercase
letters), and disabling fields that do not apply for your site. CUSTOM library is located in
the AU_TOP/resource directory (or platform equivalent).

17.
Can you call APPCORE library in CUSTOM library ?
Ans : you cannot attach the APPCORE library to CUSTOM because it would cause a
recursion problem
(because CUSTOM is attached to APPCORE). As of Oracle Applications Release
11i, you may
attach the APPCORE2 library to CUSTOM. The APPCORE2 library duplicates
most APPCORE
routines with the following packages:

APP_ITEM_PROPERTY2

APP_DATE2

APP_SPECIAL2
These packages contain the same routines as the corresponding
APPCORE packages. Follow the documentation for the corresponding
APPCORE routines, but add a 2 to the package names.
18.

Can you use REF cursors in CUSTOM library?

Yes.

19.
What is FlexField?
Ans: Oracle Application uses Flexfield to capture information about
Your organization. Flexfield have flexible structure for storing key information.
Like Company, Cost Center, and Account. They also give u highly adaptable
Structure for storing customized information in oracle Applications.
20.
What is MRC and what are its use?
Ans: The Multi Reporting Currency Feature allows you to report and maintain records at
the transaction level in more than one functional currency. You can do by defining one or
more set of books in addition to primary set of books.
21.
What are the new features in Release 11I ?
Enterprise Wide Single Sign on
Oracle Application Manager
Business Intelligence
Real Application Clusters
22.
What are ad-hoc reports ?
Ans: Ad-hoc Report is made to meet one-time reporting needs. Concerned with or formed
for a particular purpose. For example, ad hoc tax codes or an ad hoc database query
23.
What is FSG and what is its use ?
Ans: FSG(Financial Statement Generator) is a powerful and flexible tool you can use to
build financial related reports without programming. FSG is only available with GL.

24.
How can you handle multiple rows without using loops in PL/SQL ?
By Using REF CURSOR
25.

What are the different types of files used in SQL Loader ?

INFILE
BADFILE
DISCARDFILE

infile.dat
infile.bad
infile.dsc

----

CONTROL FILE infile.ctl

26.
What are Interface table in AP, AR,GL ?
Ans: AP INTERFACE TABLE: 1). AP_INTERFACE_CONTROLS.
2). AP_INTERFACE_REJECTIONS
3). AP_INVOICE_INTERFACE
4). AP_INVOICE_LINES_INTERFACE.
AR INTERFACE TABLE:
1). AR_PAYMENTS_INTERFACE_ALL
2). AR_TAX_INTERFACE
3). HZ_PARTY_INTERFACE
4). HZ_PARTY_INTERFACE_ERRORS
5). RA_CUSTOMERS_INTERFACE_ALL
6). RA_INTERFACE_DISTRIBUTIONS_ALL
7). RA_INTERFACE_ERRORS_ALL
8). RA_INTERFACE_LINES_ALL
9). RA_INTERFACE_SALESCREDITS_ALL
GLINTERFACE TABLE:
1). GL_BUDGET_INTERFACE
2). GL_DAILY_RATES_INTERFACE
3). GL_IEA_INTERFACE
4). GL_interface
5). GL_INTERFACE_CONTROL
6). GL_INTERFACE_HISTORY
27.
How to take care of null values in SQL Loader ?
TRAILING NULLCOLS clause is used for accepting null values.
LOAD DATA
INFILE c:\........\datafile.dat
-- multiple INFILE commands can be given
here
[INSERT/APPEND/REPLACE/TRUNCATE]
INTO <table_name>
FIELDS TERMINATED BY "," OPTIONALLY ENCLOSED BY "'" TRAILING
NULLCOLS
(
Column1
INTEGER EXTERNAL,
Column2
CHAR,

)
28.
What is ICA (Internet Computing Architecture)?
Distributed Internet computing architecture Oracle R11i enables to access to Oracle 11i
Apps globally anytime / anywhere access.
29.
What can we find TEMPLATE.FMB file ?
It included references to many APPSTAND objects, several attached libraries, required
triggers and other objects.
New form can be copied from $AU_TOP/forms/US/
FNDMENU: Oracle Apps default Menu (with menu entries common to all forms, such as
Action, Edit, Query, Help etc) and is contained in $AU_TOP/res/US
FNDSQF: Contains packages and procedures for Message Dictionary, flexfields, profiles
and concurrent processing. It also has various other utilities for navigation, multicurrency
etc.
APPCORE: Contains the packages and procedures that are required for all forms to
support the menu, toolbar and other required standard behaviours.
APPDAYPK: Contains the packages that control the Application Calender
APPFLDR: Contains all of the packages that enable folder blocks
30.
What are the libraries attached to TEMPLATE form ?
FNDSQF: Contains packages and procedures for Message Dictionary, flexfields, profiles
and concurrent processing. It also has various other utilities for navigation, multicurrency
etc.
APPCORE: Contains the packages and procedures that are required for all forms to
support the menu, toolbar and other required standard behaviours.
APPDAYPK: Contains the packages that control the Application Calender
APPFLDR: Contains all of the packages that enable folder blocks
CUSTOM : Used for customizations such as Zoom, enforcing business rules (example,
name should be in capital letters and disabling fields that do not apply to your site . Code
should be written in the procedure shells that are provided .
GLOBE :This allows the developers to incorporate global or regional features into Oracle
Applications without modification of the base Oracle Applications Form. This calls
Routines in JA, JE, JL libraries based on some events .
31.

How to register tables and columns in AOL?

Table Registration API: To register tables using PL/SQL routine in AD_DD Package.
This assumes we should have already created the object in the respective product schema.
AD_DD procedure should run against APPS Schema. AD_DD API only updates the
required AOL Tables.
Syntax:
procedure register_table (application short name in varchar2,
table name in varchar2, table type in varchar2,
next extent in number,
pct_free in number,
pct_used in number);
EXECUTE
ad_dd.register_column(API,STUDENT,STUDNO,1,NUMBER,4,N,N,<Precisi
on, Scale>
N: Nullable / or Not
N: Translate (use Y if the column values will be translated from an Oracle Apps Product
Release)
32.
What is the difference between discounts and adjustments?
Ans: Discount is either you received from you supplier on any purchase or you give
discount to your customer for any purchase
Adjustment: If there are any changes with respect to price for any invoice or you pass any
adjustment entries for any incorrect entries.
33.
What are different types of invoices in AP and what is a recurring invoice?
Ans: 1) Standard, 2) Credit Memo, 3) Debit memo, 4) Po Matched 5) Recurring Invoice
6) Expense Report Invoice 7) Pre-payment 8) Mixed 9) Quick Match 10) Withholding
Tax
Recurring Invoice: Use recurring invoice for periodic business expenses for which you
may not receive invoices. Example: Rent
34.
What are cycles of GL, AP, and AR?
35.
What are Summary Accounts and Rollup groups ?
Ans: A summary account is an account whose balance is the sum of balances from
multiple detail accounts.
Rollup Group: A rollup group to identify a group of parent values for reporting purposes.
Rollup groups are used to create summary accounts for reporting purposes
36.
What are the steps in Customer Interface ?
37.
How to handle errors in Customer interface ?
38.
What was your role in Customer Interface?
39.
How many Flexfields are there in AR and what are they ?
Ans: 3 1) Sales Tax Location Flexfield 2) Territory Flexfield 3) ARTA-Receipt Prof Ident
40
What are User Exits and what are different types of User Exits in Oracle Apps ?
41.
How many reporting currencies can be attached to Primary Set Of Books ?
Ans: Eight reporting books can be assigned to a Primary
42.
What are different types of transactions in AR ?
Ans: 1) Invoice 2) Credit Memo 3) debit memo 4) Guarantee 5) Chargeback 6) Deposit
7) Bills Receivable
43.
What are value sets ?

Ans: A value set is used to store pre define values by which the user is allowed only to
use the available values for that particular value set. You can share the value set among
different segments in different flexfields, segments in different structures of the same
flexfield
44.
What do you mean by HZ_ in customer tables ?
45.
What is an Invoice ? How many types of invoices are there in AP and AR ?
Ans: An invoice in AP is the invoice you received from any supplier for any expenditure
incurred. An invoice in AR is the invoice will be raised on your customer for the goods
purchased.
46.
What id recurring invoices ?
Ans: Invoice type: Standard will be used for all recurring invoices
47.
What are AP setup steps ?
1) Choose Set of Books or Define Set of Books if not defined.
2) Set up Financial options
3) Set up Payables Options
4) Define payment terms
5) Open Period thru Control accounting periods
6) Define Banks and related bank accounts
7) Define distribution sets
8) Define Expense report template
9) Define Special calendar which will be used for recurring invoices
10) Define bank programs
48.
If the valueset if of type TABLE then how many tables can we attach in the
valueset ?
49.
Can you add a descriptive FlexField to a table which already have data in it?
Ans: No
50.
If any conflict occurs in FSG the who will override Column Set or Row Set ?
51.
What are different period types ?
1) Month
2) Quarter
3) Year
4) Week
5) Half yearly
52.
What are different types of Journal entries ?
1) Functional Currency journals
2) Foreign currency journals,
3) Statistical journals, and
4) Intercompany journals
53.
What are the setup steps for testing ?
54.
What are User Exits ?
55.
What is Set of Books ? What are the four conditions when you change your
SOBs?
Ans: A set of books determines the functional currency, calendar and chart of accounts
for an organization or set of organizations
Change of SOBs: Its not recommended to change SOB, but if there is any business
requirement, do the following:

1) Create a new set of books.

2) Run consolidations in GL to transfer balances
3) Repoint all the subledgers to the new set of books
56.
What is Multiple Organization technical architecture?
1) Business Group
2) Set of Books
3) GRE/Legal Entity
4) Operating Unit
5) Inventory Organization
6) Sub Inventory Organization
7) HR Organization
57.
What is the difference between cross-validation rules and security-rules?
Security Rules: To restrict the set of values a user can use during data entry. With the help
of security rules and responsibility level control, you can quickly set up data entry
security on your flexfield segments and report parameters. It also prevents users from
entering segment values they are not allowed to use.
Cross Validation rules: To prevent the creation of accounts that violates the rule.
Whenever a new combination of segment values violates your cross-validation rule,
system prompts with a error message.
58.
In how many ways can you enter a journal in GL?
Ans: 3 (1. Journal/Entry 2. Thru ADI 3. Import Journal from any other data file)
59.
What are the setup steps for AP, AR, GL?
Ans: For AP, please go thru the question no:47
GL:
1) Define Chart of Accounts
2) Define Functional Calendar
3) Define Functional Currency
4) Define Set of Books
5) Define Journal Sources
6) Define Journal Categories
7) Define Sequence if required
8) Define Consolidation, if required
9) Define Mass Allocation, if required
10) Define Recurring journal, if required
AR:
1) Define System Options
2) Define Transaction Types
3) Define Sales Tax Location Flexfield
4) Define Territory Flexfield
5) Define Transaction Sources
6) Define Auto Accounting
7) Define Receipt Classes
8) Define Payment Methods
9) Define Banks
10) Define Receipt Sources

11) Define Receivable Activities

12) Define Remit to Address
60.
table

How the data is moved from external source (legacy system) to gl_daily_rates