Syllabus for Informatica Professional Certification

                                                                                                                                                                      

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.

Skill Set Inventory
Informatica Professional Certification Examination R
PowerCenter 8 Architecture and Administration
Includes Informatica PowerCenter 8.1.1

The PowerCenter 8 Architecture and Administration examination is composed of the twelve
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. Platform components and Service Architecture

A. Know what operations can be performed with each client tool (Administration Console,

Repository Manager, Designer, Workflow Manager, Workflow Monitor).

B. Know the purpose and uses for each of the windows in the client tools (Output window,

Details window, Navigator window, Task View, Gantt Chart View, etc).

C. Be able to specify which components are necessary to perform various development

and maintenance operations.

D. Know the purpose and uses for each of the tabs and folders in the PowerCenter

Administration Console.

2. Nomenclature

A. Be able to define all object types and properties used by the client and service tools.

B. Be familiar with the properties of the Repository Service and the Integration Service.

C. Know the meaning of the terms used to describe development and maintenance

operations.
D. Know how to work with repository variables.
E. Understand the relationships between all PowerCenter object types.
F. Know which tools are used to create and modify all objects.

3. Repository Service

A. Know how each client and service component communicates with relational databases.
B. Be familiar with the connectivity options that are available for the different tools.
C. Understand how the client and service tools access flat files, COBOL files, and XML

Files.

D. Know the requirements for using various types of ODBC drivers with the client tools.
E. Know the meaning of all database connection properties.
F. Be familiar with the sequence of events involving starting the Repository Service.
G. Know which repository operations can be performed from the command line.
H. Know how local and global repositories interact.

4. Installation

A. Understand the basic procedure for installing the client and service software.
B. Know what non-Informatica hardware and software is required for installation.
C. Be familiar with network related requirements and limitations.
D. Know which components are needed to perform a repository upgrade.
E. Be familiar with the data movement mode options.

5. Security

A. Be familiar with the security permissions for application users.
B. Be familiar with the meaning of the various user types for an Informatica system.
C. Know the basic steps for creating and configuring application users.
D. Understand how user security affects folder operations.
E. Know which passwords and other key information are needed to install and connect new

client software to a service environment.

6. Object sharing

A. Understand the differences between copies and shortcuts.
B. Know which object properties are inherited in shortcuts.
C. Know the rules associated with transferring and sharing objects between folders.
D. Know the rules associated with transferring and sharing objects between repositories.

7. Repository organization and migration

A. Understand the various options for organizing a repository.
B. Be familiar with how a repository stores information about its own properties.
C. Be familiar with metadata extensions.
D. Know the capabilities and limitations of folders and other repository objects.
E. Know what type of information is stored in the repository.

8. Database connections

A. Understand the purpose and relationships between the different types of code pages.

B. Know the differences between using native and ODBC database connections in the

Integration Service.

C. Understand how and why the client tools use database connectivity.

D. Know the differences between client and service connectivity.

9. Workflow Manager configuration

A. Know what privileges and permissions are needed to perform various operations with

the Workflow Manager.

B. Be able to identify which interface features in the Workflow Manager are user

configurable.

C. Be familiar with database, external loader, and FTP configuration using the Workflow

Manager.

10. Workflow properties

A. Be familiar with all user-configurable workflow properties.

B. Know what permissions are required to make all possible changes to workflow

properties.

C. Know the reasons why a workflow may fail and how these reasons relate to the workflow properties.

D. Know the rules for linking tasks within a workflow.
E. Be familiar with the properties and rules of all types of workflow tasks.
F. Know how to use a workflow to read a parameter file.

11. Running and monitoring workflows

A. Know what types of privileges and permissions are needed to run and schedule

workflows.
B. Understand how and why target rows may be rejected for loading.
C. Be familiar with the rules associated with workflow links.
D. Understand how tasks behave when run outside of a workflow.
E. Know which mapping properties can be overridden at the session level.
F. Know how to work with reusable workflow schedules.

12. Workflow and task errors

A. Know how to abort or stop a workflow or task.
B. Understand how to work with workflow and session log files.
C. Understand how to work with reject files.
D. Know how to use the Workflow Monitor to quickly determine the status of any workflow or task

Skill Set Inventory
Informatica Professional Certification Examination U

PowerCenter 8 Advanced Mapping Design
Includes Informatica PowerCenter 8.1.1

The PowerCenter 8 Advanced Mapping Design examination is composed of the sections listed
below. All candidates should be aware that Informatica doesn’t recommend preparing for
certification exams only by studying the software documentation. The exams are intended for
candidates who have acquired their knowledge through hands-on experience. This Skill Set
Inventory is intended to help you ensure that there are no gaps in your knowledge. If you are
thoroughly knowledgeable in the areas mentioned in this Skill Set Inventory, there will not be
any surprises when you take 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. XML sources and targets

A.Be familiar with the procedures and methods involved in defining an XML

source definition.
B. Know how to define and use an XML target definition.
C. Know the limitations associated with using XML targets.
D. Understand how XML definitions are related to code pages.
E. Know how to edit existing XML definitions.
F. Understand how the Designer validates XML sources.

2. Datatype formats and conversions

A.Understand the date/time formats available in the transformation language.

B. Be familiar with how transformation functions handle null values.

C.Know the valid input datatypes for the various conversion functions.

D. Know how transformation functions behave when given incorrectly formatted

arguments.

E.Know how to extract a desired subset of data from a given input (the hour

from a date/time value, for example).

3. The Debugger

A. Be familiar with the procedure to run a debug session.
B. Know the rules for working with breakpoints.
C. Know how to test expressions in a debug session.

D.Be familiar with the options available while using the Debugger.

E.Know how Debugger session properties and breakpoints can be saved.

4. Custom and Union transformations

A. Understand how the Custom transformation works.

B.Understand the rules and guidelines of the Custom and Union

transformations; modes, input and output groups, scope, etc.

C. Know the purpose of the Union transformation.

5. User-defined functions

A. Know how to create user-defined functions.

B. Know the scope of user-defined functions.

C.Know how to use and manage user-defined functions.

D. Understand the different properties for user-defined functions.

E. Know how to create expressions with user-defined functions.

6. Normalizer transformation

A. Be familiar with the possible uses of the Normalizer transformation.
B. Understand how to read a COBOL data source in a mapping.
C. Be familiar with the rules regarding reusable Normalizer transformations.

D.Know how the OCCURS and REDEFINES COBOL keywords affect the

Normalizer transformation.

7.Lookup transformation caching and performance

A. Know the difference between static and dynamic lookup caches.

B.Know the advantages and disadvantages of dynamic lookup caches.

C. Be familiar with the rules regarding Lookup SQL overrides.

D.Know how to improve Lookup transformation performance.

E.Know how to use a dynamic Lookup transformation in a mapping.

8. Mapping parameters and variables

A.Understand the differences between mapping parameters and variables.

B. Know how to create and use mapping parameters and variables.
C. Understand what affects the value of a mapping variable.
D. Know the parameter order of precedence.
E. Understand how to use the property mapping variable aggregation type.

F.Be familiar with the rules affecting parameters used with mapplets and reusable transformations.

9. Transaction control

A.Understand how the Transaction Control transformation works and the

purpose of each related variable.

B.Know how to create and use a Transaction Control transformation in a

mapping.

C.Know the difference between effective and ineffective Transaction Control

transformations and what makes it effective or ineffective.

D.Know the rules and guidelines for using Transaction Control transformations

in a mapping.

E.Understand the meaning and purpose of a transaction control unit.

10. Advanced expressions

A. Be familiar with all special functions, such as ABORT and ERROR.

B.Know the allowable input datatypes for the Informatica transformation

language functions.

C.Know how to use expressions to set variables.

D. Know the details behind the meaning and use of expression time stamps.

E. Understand how to use the system variables.

11. Mapping optimization

A.Know how to collect and view performance details for transformations in a

mapping.

B.Know how to use local variables to improve transformation performance.

C. Know when is the best time in the development cycle to optimize mappings.

D.Be familiar with specific mapping optimization techniques described in the

PowerCenter documentation.

12. Version control

A. Know the difference between a deleted object and a purged object.

B. Understand parent/child relationships in a versioned repository.

C.Understand how to view object history and how/when objects get versioned.

13. Incremental Aggregation

A.Understand how incremental aggregation works.

B.Know how to use incremental aggregation

C. Know how to work with the session Sort Order property.

D.Know which files are created when a session using incremental aggregation

runs.

14. Global SDK

15. Installation and Support