Skill Set Inventory

Informatica Professional Certification Examination S

PowerCenter 8 Mapping Design
Includes Informatica PowerCenter 8.1.1
The PowerCenter 8 Mapping Design examination is composed of the fourteen sections listed
below. In order to ensure that you are prepared for the test, review the subtopics associated
with each section. The Informatica documentation is an excellent source of information on the
material that will be covered in the examination. If you are thoroughly knowledgeable in the
areas mentioned in this Skill Set Inventory, you will do well on the examination.

The examination is designed to test for “expert level” knowledge. Informatica strongly
urges you to attain a complete understanding of these topics before you attempt to take
the examination. Hands-on experience with the software is the best way to gain this
understanding.

1. Designer configuration
A. Be familiar with the rules for using shared and non-shared folders.
B. Understand the meaning of each of the Designer configuration options.
C. Know what Designer options can be configured separately for each client machine.
D. Be familiar with the Designer toolbar functions, such as Find.

2. Transformation ports
A. Know the rules for linking transformation ports together.
B. Know the rules for using and converting the PowerCenter datatypes.
C. Know what types of transformation ports are supported and the uses for each.
D. Be familiar with the types of data operations that can be performed at the port level.

3. Source and target definitions

A. Understand how editing source and target definitions affects associated objects such as
mappings and mapplets.
B. Understand how the repository stores referential integrity.
C. Know how to edit flat file definitions at any time.
D. Know the types of source and target definitions PowerCenter supports.
E. Know how to determine if a session is considered to have heterogeneous targets.
F. Understand the rules and guidelines of overriding target types.

4. Validation
A. Know all the possible reasons why an expression may be invalid.
B. Understand how to use strings correctly in PowerCenter expressions.
 C. Know the rules regarding connecting transformations to other transformations.
D. Know the rules for mapping and mapplet validation.

5. Transformation language
A. Be familiar with all transformation language functions and key words.
B. Know how the Integration Service evaluates expressions.
C. Be able to predict the output or result of a given expression.

6. Source Qualifier transformation

A. Understand how the Source Qualifier transformation handles datatypes.
B. Know how the default query is generated and the rules for modifying it.
C. Understand how to use the Source Qualifier transformation to perform various types of
joins.

7. Aggregator transformation
A. Know how to use PowerCenter aggregate functions.
B. Understand how to be able to use a variable port in an Aggregator transformation.
C. Be able to predict the output of a given Aggregator transformation.
D. Know the rules associated with defining and using aggregate caches.

8. Sorter and Sequence Generator transformations

A. Know the rules and guidelines for using the Sorter transformation.
B. Know how the Integration Service processes data at a Sorter transformation.
C. Understand how the Sorter transformation uses hardware resources.
D. Understand the meaning and use of the Distinct Output Rows Sorter transformation
property.
E. Understand the difference in the ports used in the Sequence Generator transformation
and how each can be used.

9. Lookup transformation
A. Know the rules and guidelines for using connected and unconnected Lookup
transformations.
B. Know the ways a Lookup transformation may cause a session to fail.
C. Be familiar with the meaning of all Lookup transformation properties.
D. Know how the Integration Service processes a dynamic lookup cache.
E. Know what types of Lookup transformations are supported under various configurations.

10. Joiner transformation

A. Know how to create and use Joiner transformations.
B. Know how to configure a Joiner transformation for sorted input.
 C. Understand the supported join types and options available for controlling the join.

11. Update Strategy transformation

A. Know how to use an Update Strategy transformation in conjunction with the session
properties.
B. Understand how an Update Strategy transformation affects downstream transformations.
C. Be familiar with the Update Strategy transformation properties and options.
D. Know what can happen to a given row for each different type of row operation.

12. Filter and Router transformations

A. Understand how to create and use Router and Filter Transformations.

13. Mapplets and reusable logic

A. Be familiar with the rules and guidelines regarding mapplets.
B. Know how to use mapplet Output transformations and output groups.
C. Know the rules regarding active and passive mapplets.
D. Know the rules and guidelines for copying parts of a mapping.

14. Data preview

A. Know the connectivity requirements and options for previewing data using the
PowerCenter Client.
B. Know the rules and guidelines for previewing data using the PowerCenter Client.