Types of PeopleSoft Interview Questions and Answers

Basic PeopleSoft Interview Questions and Answers

1. What does PeopleSoft mean?

PeopleSoft is software founded by Dave Duffield and Ken Morris, for improving business activities through applications. PeopleSoft is a cluster of integrated applications that can be used for carrying out regular business work and operations. The mode of work is online.

2. What are the PeopleSoft queries and their uses?

PeopleSoft Queries can be used for receiving the required information from the database with the help of visual representations, and without the use of SQL statements. These queries can either be simple or complex and can be used one-time or repeatedly. The main use of the PeopleSoft query is to extract data results/information as per your need from the total data bundle. It is also considered a data source.

3. What are the different ways to use the PeopleSoft Query?

These queries can be used for displaying data, for running a separate process of queries, queries can be scheduled for efficiency and convenience. Certain queries can be downloaded to use in your Excel spreadsheet or other forms, for offline work. These can also be treated as data sources in case you are working with Crystal Reports. PeopleSoft Query is also useful when it comes to choosing your receiver of data.

4. Why do you need a PeopleSoft integration broker?

As the name suggests, it helps you to carry out your integration activities in handling data, either internally or with other third parties. Handling data includes monitoring the data structures, the format of data, and also how it is transported. Certain elements of the PeopleSoft integration broker can be reused as it has a modular design.

5. How is ‘Related Content’ related to PeopleSoft?

‘Related Content’ in PeopleSoft is used to make content related to link application pages through a framework. This framework ensures that when the user uses ‘related content’ services, it is either used as ‘related actions’ or ‘related content’, depending on the landing page of the content.

6. Which are the 2 main components that the PeopleSoft integration broker deals with?

The Integration gateway, as the name suggests is a platform that monitors, and ensures that PeopleSoft Integration Broker’s service operations are received and delivered to the right server/system. The Integration Engine is used for routing the PeopleSoft application’s service operations. It can also be used for changing the structure of the service operation, and specific data is also translated as per the user's needs.

7. What is the work of a PeopleSoft developer?

A PeopleSoft developer develops designs and makes certain changes for custom-made solutions required for certain business needs. Even packaged software can be altered or modified as per requirements, which is all carried out by the developer.

8. What do you mean by the PeopleSoft database?

A database is usually a set of data. A PeopleSoft database consists of various PeopleSoft products and their objects and application data. These data are usually stored as SQL units, with the same owner ID, and within the same Oracle database.

9. What mechanism does PeopleSoft use for its voucher-build process?

There are 2 sub-process mechanisms for building vouchers. The first stage is where the information gathered through Quick Voice Entry / the Summer voice entry / any other source is used for creating the outline/structure of the voucher record. Once this is done by the pre-edit sub-process, the voucher edit sub-process is called to action to complete the entire record set.

10. How is Public Utility useful in PeopleSoft?

The tables of content are all copied into a remote database/ a legacy system for efficient workflow in PeopleSoft. This is why Public Utility is used.

PeopleSoft Technical Interview Questions

11. Explain the role of the Schema Tester.

During the process of development, this Schema Tester is used as it enables one to know if the messages are all linked to its right message schemas. When the non-rowset-based and rowset-based messages are all validated, the work of the Schema Tester gets fulfilled.

12. How many tools are used for testing PeopleSoft’s integration development?

These 6 tools for testing PeopleSoft’s integration development, and they are:

• Schema Tester
• Transformation test utility
• Handler tester
• Send master utility
• Automated integration point testing, and
• Simple post utility.

13. What are the different ways to generate exceptions in PeopleSoft?

You can handle exceptions in PeopleSoft in 2 ways. You can use the already built-in function, “CreateException”, or try the common method where you need to create an exception base class that will function as the built-in exception function.

14. What are File Interfaces in PeopleSoft?

FIle interfaces refer to the act of PeopleSoft application that enables one to exchange files with other legacy or third-party systems, with layouts. However, it does not contain any form of messaging. The file layouts support 3 different types of files like the XML files, COmma delimited files, and Fixed format sequential files.

15. What does Multi-Channel Framework mean in PeopleSoft?

A multi-channel framework is used in PeopleSoft applications in order to enhance and generate multiple interactions over different channels, among different PeopleSoft users/ call center agents. Even emails, web collaborations/chats, instant messages, and voice/telephonic messages are all supported in this framework.

16. How can you use SQLPLUS to export SQL results to Excel?

First, use SQL PLUS and login to the database, and use the command “SET MARKUP HTML ON” to set the mark-up. Use command, “SPOOL C:\TEMP\MYYOUTPUT.XLS” for spooling the output into a file. Now run the SQL QUERY and then off the Spool. The final output will be delivered to you as an XLS file. Open it and see your results.

17. What are the different ways to run an application engine program in PeopleSoft?

There are 5 different ways to run an application engine program in PeopleSoft and they are:

AE people tools, Application designer, Command line prompt(dos), Process Scheduler, and Calling people code.

18. What roles and attributes do the component Interface of PeopleSoft have?

The main role of the component interface of PeopleSoft is to let users use the PeopleSoft database in the absence of a graphical user interface. This is carried out by logically grouping the components/pages of PeopleSoft. The key attributes of this component interface are Find keys, Get keys, Create Keys, and Name. The main elements of this interface consist of components, component interface, and component interface API.

19. Explain State records.

State records, as the name suggests, ensure a keen track of information, stored in a SQL table/ in a work/derived record. This stored information can be called out whenever it is necessary or transferred between 2 application engine programs.

20. Can the processing of the whole component be stopped by a PeopleSoft function?

Yes, it can be stopped by the Think-time functions like DoCancel, Exec, DoModal, Prompt, File attach functions, DoMOdalComponennt, RemoteCall, WinMessage, and many more. These functions come to action only when an external process/the user himself takes the completion action.

21. What are the differences between Prompt tables and Translate values?

Prompt tables hold various data and can be extracted using PeopleSoft tables/ control tables/transaction tables. When a user uses the ‘prompt’ function or the search option for searching certain specific data, the prompt tables are called which display the required data.

However, Translate values in PeopleSoft, deals with a dialog box that makes a user display all the values on a particular field and lets the users create/add, edit/modify, and erase/delete those values.

22. How does a functional and a technical person function in PeopleSoft?

A functional person in PeopleSoft listens to the needs and requirements of the customers, decides what and which has to be changed and how, and monitors the delivery of PeopleSoft applications.

A technical person in PeopleSoft is only the person who codes for PeopleSoft programs that will meet the requirements and needs, as listed by the functional person.

23. How can you differentiate saveprechange and savepostchange?

When a user makes changes after the ‘SaveEdit’ function and before updating the database, then it is referred to as ‘saveprechange’. When the user makes changes after updating the entire database, then it deals with ‘savepostchange’.

24. Why are Prebuild and Postbuild different?

The main difference between Prebuild and Postbuild functions in PeopleSoft is how the data is accessed. Data will be present only in the search record and not in the component buffer structure, as the component build process is still not executed in the Prebuild event. However, in a Post-build event, you can access data from the database and into the component buffer structure, as the component build process is finished before calling for data.

25. Why are Prebuild and Postbuild different?

As a user, you should enter the name of the record according to its definition, and how you want the prompt table to be used for this same purpose and location. After this, enter the name for the field and then choose the ‘Set control field’. Once this is set, choose a  ‘set control field’ to make it override the already defined ‘set control field’ for the record, as listed in the prompt table.

PeopleSoft Integration Broker Interview Questions

26. What is the storage location of ‘peoplecode’?

Usually all there are 3 types of storage locations, namely, FTP sites, database tables, and HTTP repositories. These 3 are supported for the storage of ‘peoplecode’, except The CLeanAttachments function which can be stored only on database tables.

27. What are the ways to monitor performance management in People Tools?

You need to first index tables on the database side in order to monitor in batches. Slowly, you can analyze the database tables and others to know how data is collected and stored. In case of any custom code, then ensure that the written SQL queries have the right keys and join.

28. Can you mention the various stages of program flow involved in SQR?

The first stage is the ‘Compiling Stage’ where are all the preprocessor directories are compiled using ‘#include’. You also check for any syntax errors in this process and the required memory is allocated. 

The second stage is the ‘execution stage’ where the code is interpreted and the result is displayed. However, the program flow of SQR consists of setting up the UP section, then the header section, followed by the footer section, program section, and procedure section.

29. Can you create a prompt table? Explain how?

Yes, you can create a prompt table in PeopleSoft. You just have to go to the ‘Edit Table’ option from the ‘Record Field Properties’ and create a prompt table.

30. What does Normalization in Oracle mean?

Normalization in Oracle deals with removing any redundancy of data while storing them and ensures that only related data are stored in the table, leading to data dependencies.

31. How is SQLEXEC different from CREATESQL?

You can use SQLEXEC for retrieving row by row data from the database while for extracting bulk data, you can use CREATESQL.

32. By which means does the Life Cycle of a project / the ERP is implemented?

There are 6 major steps which start from ANalysis, Designing, Coding, Testing, Implementation, and end with Maintenance. Through this, the ERP or the life cycle of a project is implemented.

33. Is PS 8 Application Designer updated with new features?

Yes, the new features include:

• PeopleCode adopted the VBA style with its properties and objects and is now supported in its Application engine.
• In PS 8.0, the scroll bars are changed into scroll areas.
• The new Application Designer is integrated with the Application Reviewer.
• Different variables like SQL, components, and records are introduced in PS 8.

34. What is the use of a Component Processor?

In short, a Component Processor monitors and manages the data flow from its starting stage until its retrieval stage. Different functions like Update, insert, select, and delete are introduced by a component processor for user usage. 

35. Why is component buffer important?

The component buffer ensures that it holds the data of the component that’s currently active in the overall PeopleSoft’s memory.

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