Oracle System Administration – Oracle APPS DBA

Hello Friends, a long awaited , here are some of Questions – for Application DBA role, also if
you like to know more about oracle application technical insight, this will be useful, do share
your thought on whether these are simple , medium or complex questions so i can work out to
find more … keep readking

What is 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.
What are 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.

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 resolution.

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

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.
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 resolution.

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

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.

What is .dbc file, where its stored, what 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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.
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

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.

What is ps -ef or ps command in Unix ?

ps is unix/linux utility or executable to find status of process. Used mainly to find if

services/process is running or not.

Thanks – Shivmohan Purohit

Categories: Application Developer · Oracle Applications Technical · System Administrator

Tagged: AD_TOP, concurrent manager, conflict resolution manager, dev60cgi, f60cgi,
fndcpass, fndload, gwyuid, oracle system administration, standard manager, two_task, wfload
Distribute the workload of concurrent requests in the
same node
February 17, 2009 · No Comments

How to distribute the workload of concurrent requests in the same node?

In order to distribute concurrent requests to distinct concurrent managers on the same node, you
have to :
1 – Create a new concurrent manager on the forms Define Concurrent Managers from the
System Administrator responsibility ( set the same setup as the Standard Concurrent manager ),
then click on the button Specialization Rules and Include the concurrent programs you want to
run on this concurrent manager.
2 – Query the Standard concurrent manager on the forms Define Concurrent Managers from the
System Administrator responsibility, then click on the button Specialization Rules and Exclude
the concurrent programs you include in step 1 for the new concurrent managers.
3 – Bounce the concurrent managers.

Thanks – Shivmohan Purohit

Categories: Application Developer · Oracle Applications Technical · Oracle Technical · System

Administrator
Tagged: aol, concurrent manager, concurrent program

Overview of Concurrent Programs and Requests

February 14, 2009 · No Comments

Overview of Concurrent Programs and Requests

A concurrent program is an executable file that runs simultaneously with other concurrent
programs and with online operations, fully utilizing your hardware capacity. Typically, a
concurrent program is a long-running, data-intensive task, such as posting a journal or generating
a report.

Request Groups and Request Sets

Reports and concurrent programs can be assembled into request groups and request sets.
o A request group is a collection of reports or concurrent programs. A System Administrator
defines report groups in order to control user access to reports and concurrent programs.
Only a System Administrator can create a request group.
o Request sets define run and print options, and possibly, parameter values, for a collection of
reports or concurrent program. End users and System Administrators can define request sets.
A System Administrator has request set privileges beyond those of an end user.

Standard Request Submission and Request Groups

Standard Request Submission is an Oracle Applications feature that allows you to select and run
all your reports and other concurrent programs from a single, standard form. The standard
submission form is called Submit Request, although it can be customized to display a different
title.
o The reports and concurrent programs that may be selected from the Submit Requests form
belong to a request security group, which is a request group assigned to a responsibility.
o The reports and concurrent programs that may be selected from a customized Submit
Request form belong to a request group that uses a code.

In summary, request groups can be used to control access to reports and concurrent programs in
two ways; according to a user’s responsibility, or according to a customized standard submission
(Submit Request) form.

As System Administrator you can limit the number of requests that may be active (status of
Running) for an individual user. This ensures that a user cannot monopolize the request queue.
For example, if a user with an Active Request Limit of 5 submits 20 requests, only 5 requests
will be run at the same time. The remaining requests will be run when the number of active
requests for the user drops below 5. Use the Profile Options window to set the Concurrent:
Active Request Limit profile. To set a global limit for all users, set this option at the site level.
You can then modify limits for individual users by setting this profile option at the User level.

do share you feedback and comments. thanks – shivmohan purohit

Categories: Application Developer · Oracle Applications Technical · System Administrator
Tagged: concurrent manager, concurrent program, program, request group, scheduling

Shivmohan – Oracle Applications – Basics – Part 1

January 22, 2009 · 4 Comments

Hello Friends, here i am posting some of basic oracle applications questions , will try to collect
more and put in future posts, here i am putting quite easy and basic questions. If you like to know
Questions of any specific area or modules, plz communicate so i will post those as well.

What are Oracle Apps API?

Where APIs are physically store? n What is the latest version of API?
They are Application Program Interfaces, which are standard stored procedure, package
or functions created for performing specific activities in the Oracle Apps E-Business
Suite.
Ex: The Order Import API when called would create orders corresponding to the record
in the Order Interface tables.

How to attach reports in Oracle Applications?

The steps are as follows:
1. Design your report.
2. Generate the executable file of the report.
3. Move the executable as well as source file to the appropriate product’s folder.
4. Register the report as concurrent executable.
5. Define the concurrent program for the executable registered.
6. Add the concurrent program to the request group of the responsibility.

How to attach Forms in Oracle Applications

1. Develop the form in Developer 2000.
2. Save the FORM and move it to UNIX. [Form to be moved to
$CUSTOM_TOP/forms/US]
3. Define the FORM in Application Developer
4. Define FORM as FUNCTION.
5. Identify MENU, where the FORM to be attached. [SysadminResponsibilityDefine]
6.Copy the above MENU and go to Application Developer and query on MENU tab

What is the difference between Customization and Personalization?

Customization is done by making the changes in the cutom.pll whereas the Form
Personalization is done through the Front End in Oracle Apps.

Difference between Key and Descriptive Flexfield?

key flex fields are used to identify particular entity like(accounts,objects) supoose take
debit cards each debit card contain unique number to identify them. eg; 100-023-323 key
flex fields are used to store this number along with description.
Unique Identifier
Key Flexfield are stored in segment
For key flexfield there are flexfield Qualifier and segment Qualifier

DFF’s are used to capture additional informtion required for our organization without any
programming.
To capture extra information
Stored in attributes
Context-sensitive flexfield is a feature of DFF. (descriptive flexfield)

What is the difference between data conversion and data migration?

Data Migration is upgrading from one version to another version fro e.g. from 11.5.9 to
11.5.10.. Data Conversion is receiving data from a legacy system or receiving data from
another module ( e.g. PA), validating it and converting it to ur our the target module
using the standard import program.

What is the difference between Organization_id and Org_id ?

OrgId: Org Id is an unique ID for the Operating Unit.Organisation Id: The Organisation
Id is an ID for the Inventory Organisation which is under an Operating Unit.

What are _ALL tables in Oracle Apps?

_all tables will store information about multiple oraganizations. these table contain
ORG_ID column that picks particular organizations from multiple organizations. _all
tables will be created when we install multiorg.

What is one full life cycle implementation?

Full Life Cycle means implementing a project from the begining to the production and
maintenance stage.
(1) System Planning:
(Scope & Budget of the Project)
(2) Business Analysis:
 (Business Requirements, Mapping & GAP Analysis)
(3) System Analysis & Design
(Design Conceptual & Functional Data Models)
(4) System Development
(Programming & System/Integration/Validation Testing)
(5) System Implementation
(Data Conversions, Interfaces, Extensions,User Manuals & User Training)
(6) System Maintenance & Support

Thanks – Shivmohan Purohit

Categories: Application Developer · Oracle Applications Technical · Oracle Functional · Oracle

Technical
Tagged: $APPL_TOP, 11i, aol, api, concurrent manager, concurrent program, conversion,
conversiona, customization, descriptive flexfield, development, dff, executables, flexfields,
interface, interview, kff, menu, migration, oracle applications, Oracle Functional, Oracle
Technical, personalisation, program, r12, technical interview, techo functional interview

Excel output directly from Oracle Application Concurrent

Request Output
November 3, 2008 · 3 Comments

Need to create Microsoft Excel style files directly openable from Oracle Applications concurrent
request output … without using BI Publisher?

A little know file format with acronym SYKL is a handy tool for create files readable in Microsoft
Excel. here’s the recipe for a very simple Excel (SYLK) output concurrent program for an
FND_USERS listing with creation date from/to parameters. So, without further ado, here’s the
recipe for a very simple Excel (SYLK) output concurrent program for an FND_USERS listing
with creation date from/to parameters

1. Take a PL/SQL package based on the Oracle provided OWA SYLK ppckage (owasylk.sql /
owa_sylk.sql) and make some changes: (
http://asktom.oracle.com/pls/asktom/f?p=100:11:0::::P11_QUESTION_ID:728625409049 )

 rename it to owa_sylk_apps
 Change it to use fnd_file.put_line(fnd_file.output instead of utl_file.put_line(g_file
 Remove parameters for p_file

2. Create a PL/SQL package for the concurrent program that outputs SYLK file to the
concurrent request output.

create or replace package XXXV8_USERS_SYLK_PKG AUTHID CURRENT_USER

AS

procedure main

( errbuf out varchar2

, retcode out varchar2

, p_date_from in varchar2

, p_date_to in varchar2

);

end XXXV8_USERS_SYLK_PKG;

create or replace package body XXXV8_USERS_SYLK_PKG

AS

procedure main

( errbuf out varchar2

, retcode out varchar2

, p_date_from in varchar2

, p_date_to in varchar2

) as

l_date_from date;

l_date_to date;

begin

l_date_from := fnd_date.canonical_to_date(p_date_from);

l_date_to := fnd_date.canonical_to_date(p_date_to);

owa_sylk_apps.show(
 p_query => ’select user_id user_id, user_name user_name, ‘

‘ description description, creation_date created ‘

‘from fnd_user ‘

‘where trunc(creation_date) > ATE_FROM ‘

‘and trunc(creation_date) <= ATE_TO ‘,

p_parm_names =>

owa_sylk_apps.owaSylkArray( ‘DATE_FROM’, ‘DATE_TO’),

p_parm_values =>

owa_sylk_apps.owaSylkArray(l_date_from ,l_date_to),

p_widths =>

owa_sylk_apps.owaSylkArray(20,20,20,20)

);

end main;

END XXXV8_USERS_SYLK_PKG;

3. Setup the concurrent program

4. Hijack one of the little used Viewer Options (PCL) so that we can get the Concurrent
Request output browser to automatically open Microsoft Excel. Note this is optional, you can
just create a new Viewer Option but then you may get the “Choose Viewer” box when viewing
concurrent request output. NB: Navigation path is System Administrator, Install, Viewer Options

update fnd_mime_types_tl

set mime_type = ‘application/vnd.ms-excel’

, description = ‘Excel (SYLK) used to be application/vnd.hp-PCL: Printer Control Language’

, last_updated_by = 0

, last_update_date = sysdate

where file_format_code = ‘PCL’

and mime_type = ‘application/vnd.hp-PCL’;

commit;

5. Assign the concurrent program to the appropriate request group (e.g. System Administrator,
All Reports, Application Object Library) and run the concurrent program to test it all out! And
there you have it – Excel style output direct from concurrent request generated by PL/SQL!

Article courtesy and credit goes to – http://garethroberts.blogspot.com/2007/10/excel-file-

output-from-oracle.html