SAS BI Interview Questions

If you're looking for SAS BI Interview Questions and Answers for Experienced & Freshers, you are at right place. There are lot of opportunities from many reputed companies in the world. According to research SAS BI has a market share of about 0.7%.. So, You still have opportunities to move ahead in your career in SAS BI. Mindmajix offers advanced SAS BI Interview Questions 2024 that helps you in cracking your interview & acquire your dream career as SAS BI Developer.

Top SAS BI Interview Questions 

• What is Business Intelligence?
• What is METADATA?
• What is SAS Enterprise Intelligence Architecture?
• What is SAS Application Server?
• What are the component of range?
• What is broad cast agent? 

SAS BI Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is SAS Business Intelligence?

Ans: SAS business intelligence has analytical capabilities like statistics, reporting, data mining, predictions, forecasting and optimization. They help in getting data in the format desired. It helps in improving quality of data.

2. Where to Use SAS Business Intelligence?

Ans: SAS BI provides the information about an enterprise when needed. It provides this information in customized format. SAS BI integrates data across the enterprise and delivers the self-service reporting and analysis.

This consumes less time for responding requests and for business uses to view the information. An integrated, flexible and robust presentation layer for SAS Analytics with full breadth is also offered by SAS BI. All these are integrated within the context of business for better and faster decision making.

3. What is Business Intelligence?

Ans: As name suggests it’s the Intelligence one gains from the business; about the business. Typically it is achieved by various Data warehousing, Data mining and reporting tools and techniques.

These tools and techniques help the system to provide right information to right people at right time and right format. So decision makers can more concentrate on their business of making decisions instead of wasting time in digging plies of enterprise data.

4. How SAS deals with Business Intelligence?

Ans: SAS has developed end to end business intelligence solution named as SAS Enterprise Intelligence Platform. It enables the users to extract and transform enterprise wide data into fully integrated reporting warehouse, leading to more usable business data and more effective decision making. With the way; the platform is structured and the way metadata (The metadata is explored in details at the below sections) is handled; it becomes feasible to represent the single version of truth to the intended users.

SAS stores the data only once which and shares its metadata across all the applications dealing with that data which might be ETL tool trying to update that data or data mining tool trying to dig out that data for some ad-hoc queries or might be reporting tool producing monthly report for the business.

5. What is METADATA?

Ans: Metadata is often referred as “data about data”; but I would like to say it as it is nothing but additional information of your data. Usually many applications which deal with the DATA need some basic information about it from their perspective; for example a database system where you are going to save the data needs to know how user wants the data to be saved?

So when you fire a create table command on the database is nothing but you give that information to the database system. In more specific term you define the table structure which is gets recognized as tables Metadata.

In another example when some reporting application needs to produce the weekly report it needs the information about the fields on the report, format of those fields which are going to be represented to the user; what all database tables its going to deal with; in which library or schema they are located etc. etc. All those terms are referring nothing other than metadata.

So it is same with SAS as well; In the context of SAS; metadata is the information about all the resources used in the provision of BI. The name of the column rather than the actual values stored within it. Information about How to read in data from non SAS location.Description of report content rather than the actual report itself.Details of the access rights of all users.

A description of the source and target tables used in data integration jobs; as well as details of all the transformations.

6. What is SAS Metadata Repository?

Ans: It is the location where all this metadata is saved in some specific format.SAS stores its metadata in centralised repository; which in turn is managed by SAS Metadata Server. This metadata is then shared with all the applications under SAS Open Metadata Architecture. This helps SAS in achieving single storage of data and consistency of the information among all the applications using it.

7. What is SAS Enterprise Intelligence Architecture?

Ans: It is platform designed for Business intelligence solution.It has got different parts or tiers. The metadata sits alongside these tiers and works as glue to stick all these layers together. There are 4 different tiers; Data tier, Server tier, Client and Web tier. All tiers can have been installed on the same machine or might be on different machines; however it is common practise to have server tier and web tier on one machine and data tier and client tier on different machines.
Data tier – Is nothing but where the all Enterprise level data resides.
It includes SAS Datasets, OLAP cubes, SAS SPDS (Special Performance Data Server), SAS SPDE, Other RDBMS tables like oracle, ERP systems etc. Using SAS/ACCESS we can connect to external databases like Oracle; DB2 etc.

Server Tier – This includes all different types of SAS Servers. SAS Servers are similar to windows servers; which run in the background to serve the requests rose from client.
SAS servers are usually installed on different machines. Various SAS servers all listed as below;
SAS Workspace Server – The SAS Code generated by various client applications is sent to this server for execution. SAS Workspace server then access various datasets and libraries included in the code and executes them providing the output back to the end users. Each user has individual process allocated on the server.

SAS Stored Process Server – This is place where all SAS Stored Process are executed. SAS stored processes are centrally stored SAS programs that can be accessed from different SAS client and web applications. Object Spawner – Its part of Server tier which is responsible for start up of SAS Work space server and connect them with the Metadata Server.
SAS OLAP Server – This is used to access previously created OLAP cubes. It can read the cubes which have been created with other non-SAS applications. Process MDX queries. It is interesting to know that building the OLAP cubes is done by using SAS Workspace server while OLAP server can be used just for reading purpose.

SAS/Connect Server – It used to submit SAS code from one machine to be executed on another. Provides Remote Library Services, Data transfer services etc.
SAS/SHARE – Gives access to SAS files for multiple users at a time; and avoid connecting to the files thru different SAS/Connect remote logins.
Apart from this there are some additional SAS servers like Batch Server, Grid Server, Platform suit for SAS etc. However most important of all are SAS Workspace Server, SAS Stored Process Server, SAS OLAP server and Object Spwaner.

8. What is SAS Application Server?

Ans: SAS application server is a way of grouping together different logical servers.A logical server is nothing but a group of one or more servers. Might be a group of logical workspace servers; a group of many workspace servers.Or a logical stored process servers etc.On SAS Application servers these different types of logical servers are usually grouped together. Different logical servers taking part to form SAS application server are SAS Work space servers, SAS Stored process servers, SAS OLAP Server, SAS Grid Server, SAS Batch Server and SAS/Connect Server.
SASMain and SASApp. When SAS application Server and SAS Metadata Server are installed on the same machine then this machine will be called as SASMAIN.Otherwise the individual SAS Application server will be called as SASApp.

SAS Web Tier – This tier contains number of components which are required to run any SAS Web applications like SAS Web Report Studio or SAS Information Delivery Portal.
The list of components of SAS Web Tier is as follows,
Servlet container or J2EE application server.Java 2 Software Development Kit.
WebDAV Server.
SAS Application services.
SAS Foundation services.
SAS Web Infrastructure kit.
SAS Web Applications.

Client Tier – This tier consist of all the client applications of SAS. Usually those applications get installed on users PC’S. These applications are users interface to SAS EIP. Through these applications users log into SAS metadata server and share the metadata through centralised metadata repository. These client applications are java based, windows based or accessed via a web browser.
list of client applications
Java Based Client Applications – SAS Management Console, SAS DI Studio, SAS OLAP Cube studio, SAS Information Map Studio.
Window Based Client Applications – SAS Enterprise Guide, SAS Add in for Microsoft office etc.
Web Based Client Applications- SAS Web Report Studio, SAS Information Delivery Map.
SAS Metadata Server:

As mentioned earlier metadata server sits besides all the tiers and holds them together.
Metadata describing the whole SAS environment is stored in SAS metadata repositories; and is accessed and managed by SAS Metadata server.
There are 3 types of metadata repositories, Foundation, Custom, and Project.

Foundation – It isthe parent repository and contains metadata of which is common to all the users e.g. Servers and Library definitions Custom – This repository is dependent on either Foundation repository or some other Custom repository. It contains metadata specific to some department or project team. e.g. ETL jobs for sales department warehouse.
Project – This repository is dependent on Foundation or other custom repository. This is used in change managed environment; it protects multiple users potentially making changes to the same data file.
Metadata is stored in terms of metadata objects in repositories. The common metadata objects are Data Tables, Libraries, jobs, cubes, information maps, reports, servers, users etc.

9. What are sas BI dashboard components?

Ans: Datamodel, dashboard, indicator, ranges

10. Where are dashboard compnents are created and maintained?

Ans: SAS BI dashboard web application

11. What are the component of range?

Ans: Code interval,interval, label, color

12. How many display types availaible in sas BI dashboard?

Ans: Eight.

13. What are the types of interactive display types?

Ans:

1. interactive summary chart and detail chart
2. interactive summary chart and detail plot

14. Explain the concepts and capabilities of Business Intelligence?

Ans: Business Intelligence is all about processes, skills, technologies, practices and applications used for supporting decision making.
Business Intelligence applications could perform
1. Centrally initiated by the business needs
2. It includes decision support system, query reporting, OLAP, data mining, forecasting

15. Explain the Dashboard in the business intelligence?

Ans: A dashboard in business intellgence allows huge data and reports to be read in a single graphical interface. They help in making faster decisions by replying on measurable data seen at a glance. They can also be used to get into details of this data to analyze the root cause of any business performance.

It represents the business data and business state at a high level. Dashboards can also be used for cost control. Example of need of a dashboard: Banks run thousands of ATM’s. They need to know how much cash is deposited, how much is left etc. 

Dashboard in business intelligence is used for rapid prototyping, cloning and deployment for all databases, operational applications or spread sheets through an organization.
A dashboard in BI allows an enterprise’s status/position, heading to, by using graphs, maps and chars.

The drill-down and roll-over capabilities allows organizing things without revealing important information. It is fully customizable, including free-form design options. Dashboard consolidates vital statistics of business into an easy-to-read page. 

16. Explain about SAS Business Intelligence?

Ans: SAS business intelligence has analytical capabilities like statistics, reporting, data mining, predictions, forecasting and optimization. They help in getting data in the format desired. It helps in improving quality of data. SAS BI provides the information about an enterprise when needed. It provides this information in customized format.

SAS BI integrates data across the enterprise and delivers the self-service reporting and analysis. This consumes less time for responding requests and for business uses to view the information. An integrated, flexible and robust presentation layer for SAS Analytics with full breadth is also offered by SAS BI. All these are integrated within the context of business for better and faster decision making.

17. Explain the concepts and capabilities of Business Object?

Ans: A business object can be used to represent entities of the business that are supported in the design. A business object can accommodate data and the behavior of the business associated with the entity. A business object can be any entity of the development environment or a real person, place or process. Business objects are most commonly used and can be used in businesses with volatile needs.

18. What is broad cast agent? 

Ans: A broadcast agent allows automation of emails to be distributed. It allows reports to be sent to different business objects. It also users to choose the report format and send via SMS, fax, pagers etc. broadcast agents allows the flexibility to the users to receive reports periodically or not. They help to manage and schedule the documents.

19. What is a universe? Explain the types of universes in business objects?

Ans: Mapping data in the database is done by semantic layer called Universe. It isolates the ultimate usage from complex structures of database.
The universes are – Secured – Changes made in the universe can be exported. The other two are Personal and Shared. 

20. What are the softwares and applications that are used most frequently used by SAS bi applications developers?

Ans:

1. SAS AppDev Studio
2. SAS A/F
3. SAS/Internet

Check Out: SAS BI Tutorials

21. What are the applications primarily used by business analyst?

Ans:

1. SAS bi dashboard
2. SAS Enterprise Guide
3. SAS Information Map Studio
4. SAS OLAP Cube Studio
5. SAS Stored Process
6. SAS Visual BI

22. How will you locate the SAS platform applications?

Ans: Go to
SAS >> All Programs>>SAS

23. How will you location SAS platform applications available from web browser?

Ans: Start>> internet
View the links stored as favorites in internet explorer

24. Why is the SAS Add-in for Microsoft Office not available in the SAS group from the Windows Start menu?

Ans: The SAS add-in is a software component that is available from within Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power and Microsoft Word

25. What is the limit of the number of the rows and columns available in the worksheet?

Ans: 1 million rows and 16000 columns

26. What are several options for creating reports in Web Report Studio?

Ans:

There are three options
1. Report wizard which consist of five steps
2. Templates that contain report layout information
3. Edit mode, which provide full control over all aspects of report creation

27. What is the primary data source for the WRS?

Ans: Information maps

28. How many types of prompts are there?

Ans:

Four types:
1. Dynamic prompts
2. Cascading prompts
3. Relative date/Time prompts
4. Range prompts

29. How many types prompting framework can be broken down to?

Ans:

Design time: creating the framework to ask questions and have the results passed to the application
Run time: Displaying the prompt in an application and processing the user input.