Oracle Apps Technical Interview Questions & Answers (2024)

Oracle Applications, also known as Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS), is a collection of enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), and supply chain management (SCM) applications designed to help organisations manage business processes effectively. These applications are designed to work together in a way that integrates diverse business functions into a single system, improving operational efficiency and decision-making.

With the increasing use of Oracle E-Business Suite in organisations worldwide, the demand for professionals with expertise in Oracle Apps has grown significantly. These roles include Oracle Apps developers, Oracle EBS functional consultants, and Oracle EBS technical consultants. For these positions, technical interviews are critical in determining whether a candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge to manage, customise, and implement Oracle E-Business Suite solutions.

The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive guide to the key technical interview questions that candidates applying for Oracle Apps roles might face. We’ll cover important areas like Oracle EBS fundamentals, Oracle Forms, Oracle Reports, Oracle Workflow, PL/SQL, Oracle SQL, Oracle Database, and Oracle Application Development Framework (ADF). Along with this, tips for excelling in Oracle Apps interviews will also be discussed.

Oracle Apps Technical Interview Questions and Answers

Here are some of the most common technical questions you’ll encounter in an Oracle Apps interview.

Oracle E-Business Suite Fundamentals

1) What is the Oracle E-Business Suite?

Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) is a comprehensive suite of integrated business applications that helps organisations manage key business processes. These processes span across various functions like finance, human resources, manufacturing, and supply chain management. Oracle EBS offers modularity, allowing organisations to choose and implement only the specific applications they need.

Oracle EBS applications are widely used for their scalability, flexibility, and the ability to automate and optimise various business functions. For example, Oracle Financials can automate accounting tasks, while Oracle Procurement simplifies purchasing and supplier management.

2) What are the different modules in the Oracle E-Business Suite?

Oracle E-Business Suite contains many modules, each addressing specific business areas. Below are some of the core modules:

• Oracle Financials: This module supports financial processes such as general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management. It helps businesses manage their financial operations efficiently.
• Oracle Human Resources (HRMS): Manages employee data, payroll, recruitment, and benefits. It is an essential tool for HR departments.
• Oracle Supply Chain Management (SCM): Helps businesses manage their supply chain operations, including procurement, inventory, and production planning.
• Oracle Procurement: Automates and streamlines the procurement process, from requisition creation to supplier selection and order generation.
• Oracle Order Management: Manages the entire order-to-cash process, handling sales orders, pricing, shipping, and customer invoices.
• Oracle Project Management: Provides tools for managing project budgets, resources, and schedules.
• Oracle Inventory: Handles the tracking and management of inventory across different warehouses and locations.
• Oracle Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Manages customer interactions, sales, and service functions, allowing businesses to maintain and enhance customer relationships.

Each module is integrated with others to ensure smooth communication across business processes, ensuring consistency and accuracy.

3) Explain the architecture of Oracle E-Business Suite.

The architecture of Oracle E-Business Suite is based on a three-tier model:

Client Tier: This is the front-end layer that interacts with users. In most cases, users interact with Oracle EBS through a web browser. This tier processes user input and sends requests to the application tier.

Application Tier: This is the middle layer that processes business logic and performs computations. It contains Oracle Forms, Oracle Reports, and the Concurrent Manager, which is responsible for handling concurrent processes. The application tier is also responsible for serving user requests and interacting with the database tier.

Database Tier: The database tier stores all the data used in Oracle EBS, including user data, transaction information, and configurations. Oracle EBS relies on Oracle Database to manage data storage and retrieval efficiently.

Each tier works together to deliver a responsive, secure, and scalable environment for managing complex business processes. The multi-tiered architecture also ensures that different layers can be upgraded or maintained without affecting other parts of the system.

4) What is a responsibility in the Oracle E-Business Suite?

In Oracle E-Business Suite, a responsibility is a level of access or a defined user role that controls what applications and functions a user can access. Responsibilities are used to define user privileges, which limit the actions a user can perform in the system. For example, a user with a purchasing responsibility will have access to the procurement and inventory modules, while a finance manager might have access only to the financials module.

Responsibilities allow organisations to control and segregate access, ensuring that only authorised personnel can view or modify sensitive information. This is essential for maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and ensuring data security.

5) How does Oracle E-Business Suite handle concurrent processing?

Oracle E-Business Suite uses a feature called Concurrent Processing to handle multiple processes simultaneously. This allows users to submit long-running jobs, such as generating reports or processing large transactions, without interrupting their normal operations.

The Concurrent Manager oversees the concurrent processing in Oracle EBS. It manages user requests, allocates system resources, and executes processes in parallel. The processes can be scheduled to run immediately or at a specified time, and the results can be reviewed in the system once completed. This ensures efficient use of system resources and improves the responsiveness of the system to user requests.

Oracle Forms and Reports

1) What are Oracle Forms?

Oracle Forms is a development tool used to build interactive forms for data entry, validation, and query interfaces that connect to an Oracle Database. These forms provide users with a graphical user interface (GUI) to interact with the database. Oracle Forms can be used to create simple data entry forms or more complex forms that implement business logic.

Forms are widely used in Oracle EBS to create custom interfaces that meet specific business needs. For example, a form might allow users to enter new customer details, create purchase orders, or update inventory records.

2) What is Oracle Reports?

Oracle Reports is a reporting tool used to design, build, and deploy reports that retrieve data from Oracle Databases. It allows developers to create both simple and complex reports, ranging from tabular reports to graphical representations such as charts and graphs. Oracle Reports is often used to generate financial statements, invoices, sales orders, and other business documents that are essential for decision-making.

3) How do you create a form in Oracle Forms?

To create a form in Oracle Forms, follow these steps:

Open Oracle Forms Builder: This is the development environment for creating and customising forms.

Create a Data Block: A data block represents a connection between the form and a table in the database. When creating a new form, you will define which table or view the form will interact with.

Define Form Items: Form items are the visual elements such as text fields, dropdowns, checkboxes, and buttons. These items will correspond to the columns in the database table.

Create Triggers: Triggers are PL/SQL blocks that execute when certain events occur in the form. For example, you might create a trigger that validates data before saving it to the database.

Compile the Form: Once the form layout and functionality are complete, compile the form to ensure that it functions correctly.

Deploy the Form: After testing, deploy the form to the Oracle EBS system so that users can access it.

4) What are the different properties of a form item?

Form items in Oracle Forms have several properties that determine their behaviour and appearance. Some of the key properties include:

• Data Type: Specifies the type of data the item holds, such as VARCHAR2, NUMBER, or DATE.
• Width/Height: Defines the size of the form item on the screen.
• Required: Indicates whether the form item must be filled before the form can be submitted.
• Default Value: Specifies a default value for the item when the form is loaded.
• Validation: Ensures that the data entered by the user meets certain criteria before it is saved to the database.

These properties are crucial for controlling how the form behaves and how users interact with the form fields.

5) Explain the concept of triggers in Oracle Forms.

Triggers in Oracle Forms are blocks of PL/SQL code that are executed in response to specific events, such as pressing a button, entering data in a field, or saving a record. Triggers allow developers to implement custom logic in the form.

Some common types of triggers in Oracle Forms include:

• WHEN-VALIDATE-ITEM: Fired when a form item is validated, typically used for data validation.
• WHEN-BUTTON-PRESSED: Triggered when a user clicks a button, often used to perform actions like saving data.
• POST-QUERY: Fired after a query is executed, typically used to manipulate the data fetched by the query.

Triggers are essential for creating dynamic and interactive forms in Oracle Forms.

6) How do you create a report in Oracle Reports?

To create a report in Oracle Reports, follow these steps:

Open Oracle Reports Builder: This is the development environment for creating and customising reports.

Define the Data Source: Start by defining the SQL query that will retrieve the data for the report. This query should specify the tables and columns that the report will display.

Design the Report Layout: Select the report format (tabular, matrix, or graphical) and arrange the fields on the report. You can add elements such as headers, footers, and logos for customization.

Add Formatting: Customise the report’s appearance by adjusting fonts, colours, and alignments.

Test the Report: Run the report to ensure that it retrieves the correct data and displays it properly.

Deploy the Report: Once the report is finalised, deploy it to the Oracle EBS system for users to access.

7) What are the different report types in Oracle Reports?

Oracle Reports supports several types of reports, including:

• Tabular Reports: Displays data in a table format with columns and rows, ideal for displaying lists or summaries.
• Matrix Reports: Also known as cross-tab reports, they display data in a grid format where both rows and columns represent categories. This is useful for comparing values across different dimensions.
• Master-Detail Reports: These reports display hierarchical data where the master record is shown first, followed by the related detail records.
• Chart Reports: Use graphical representations like bar charts, pie charts, or line graphs to present data visually.
• Grouped Reports: Organises data into different groups, typically based on a key field. This is useful for reports like invoices or purchase orders where data is grouped by customer or order.

Oracle Workflow

1) What is Oracle Workflow?

Oracle Workflow is a tool that automates and streamlines business processes by defining a series of tasks that need to be completed to achieve a specific outcome. It manages the routing of information between different users or systems and can send notifications or escalate tasks if required. Oracle Workflow is often used in Oracle EBS to automate approval processes, such as purchase requisition approvals.

2) What are the components of Oracle Workflow?

The key components of Oracle Workflow include:

• Workflow Builder: A graphical tool used to define and design workflows.
• Workflow Engine: Executes the workflow steps and manages the transitions between them.
• Workflow Monitor: Provides real-time tracking of active workflows, allowing users to view the status of workflow activities.
• Notifications: Send alerts or requests to users when their action is required. These can be sent via email or the Workflow Notification page in Oracle EBS.

3) How do you create a workflow?

To create a workflow in Oracle Workflow, follow these steps:

Open Oracle Workflow Builder: This is the environment for designing workflows.

Define Workflow Steps: Create the sequence of tasks or activities that need to be performed. These could be user actions, automated tasks, or notifications.

Set Up Routing Rules: Define the rules that determine how the workflow moves from one step to the next. For example, you might route an approval request to a manager if a purchase order exceeds a certain value.

Assign Roles or Users: Specify which users or roles are responsible for each task.

Test and Deploy the Workflow: Test the workflow in a staging environment before deploying it in the live system.

4) What is a workflow activity?

A workflow activity is a single task or step in a workflow process. Activities can be user-driven, such as approving a requisition, or automated, such as sending a notification or updating a database record. Each workflow activity has a status, indicating whether it is pending, completed, or in progress.

Activities are connected by transitions, which define the order in which activities are performed. Once an activity is completed, the workflow engine evaluates the routing rules and moves to the next activity in the process.

5) Explain the concept of workflow notifications.

Workflow notifications are messages sent to users when their action is required in a workflow process. These notifications can include instructions, data, and links that allow users to perform actions, such as approving a request or providing additional information. Notifications can be delivered via email or viewed within the Oracle EBS Workflow Notification page.

Users can respond to notifications directly, and their response will trigger the next step in the workflow. For example, approving a purchase requisition will move the workflow forward to the next step, such as generating a purchase order.

Oracle PL/SQL

1) What is PL/SQL?

PL/SQL (Procedural Language/Structured Query Language) is an extension of SQL that allows for procedural programming within Oracle Databases. It includes standard SQL commands, but also allows for the use of loops, conditions, and error handling. PL/SQL is commonly used in Oracle EBS to write stored procedures, functions, triggers, and packages that contain business logic.

2) What are the different data types in PL/SQL?

PL/SQL supports a variety of data types, including:

• Scalar Data Types: These include basic data types like NUMBER, VARCHAR2, DATE, and BOOLEAN.
• Composite Data Types: These include collections of elements, such as records and tables. RECORD can store multiple fields of different data types, while TABLE allows for arrays of values.
• Reference Data Types: Pointers to database objects, such as cursors or REF CURSOR types.

3) Explain the concept of cursors in PL/SQL.

A cursor in PL/SQL is a pointer that allows developers to iterate over rows returned by a query. Cursors are used when a query returns multiple rows, and each row needs to be processed individually. There are two types of cursors:

• Implicit Cursors: Automatically created by Oracle when a SQL query returns a single row. Developers do not need to explicitly define these cursors.
• Explicit Cursors: Defined by developers to handle queries that return multiple rows. Developers must define, open, fetch from, and close explicit cursors manually.

4) How do you create a procedure in PL/SQL?

A procedure in PL/SQL is a named block of code that performs a specific task, but does not return a value. To create a procedure, follow these steps:

Use the CREATE PROCEDURE Statement: Define the procedure’s name and any input/output parameters.

Write the Code Block: The code block contains the logic that the procedure will execute. This can include SQL queries, loops, conditions, and exception handling.

End the Procedure: Use the END keyword to signify the end of the procedure.

Example:

sql

CREATE PROCEDURE add_employee (p_name VARCHAR2, p_salary NUMBER) IS

BEGIN

  INSERT INTO employees (name, salary) VALUES (p_name, p_salary);

END;

5) What is a function in PL/SQL?

A function in PL/SQL is similar to a procedure, but it returns a value. Functions are used to perform calculations or transformations and return a result to the calling program. A function is defined using the CREATE FUNCTION statement and must include a RETURN keyword that specifies the data type of the returned value.

Example:

sql

CREATE FUNCTION get_employee_salary (p_emp_id NUMBER) RETURN NUMBER IS

  v_salary NUMBER;

BEGIN

  SELECT salary INTO v_salary FROM employees WHERE emp_id = p_emp_id;

  RETURN v_salary;

END;

6) What is a package in PL/SQL?

A package in PL/SQL is a collection of related procedures, functions, variables, and other PL/SQL elements that are grouped together for organisational purposes. Packages improve code reusability and make it easier to manage large applications. A package consists of two parts:

• Package Specification: Declares the procedures and functions that can be accessed from outside the package.
• Package Body: Contains the actual implementation of the procedures and functions.

Example:

sql

CREATE PACKAGE employee_pkg IS

  PROCEDURE add_employee (p_name VARCHAR2, p_salary NUMBER);

  FUNCTION get_employee_salary (p_emp_id NUMBER) RETURN NUMBER;

END employee_pkg;

CREATE PACKAGE BODY employee_pkg IS

  PROCEDURE add_employee (p_name VARCHAR2, p_salary NUMBER) IS

  BEGIN

    INSERT INTO employees (name, salary) VALUES (p_name, p_salary);

  END;

  FUNCTION get_employee_salary (p_emp_id NUMBER) RETURN NUMBER IS

    v_salary NUMBER;

  BEGIN

    SELECT salary INTO v_salary FROM employees WHERE emp_id = p_emp_id;

    RETURN v_salary;

  END;

END employee_pkg;

Oracle SQL

1) What is SQL?

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard language used to interact with relational databases. It allows developers and database administrators to retrieve, insert, update, and delete data from databases. SQL also includes commands for defining database structures, such as tables and indexes.

SQL is the foundation of most database interactions, and understanding how to use it effectively is essential for Oracle Apps professionals.

2) What are the different SQL statements?

SQL is divided into several categories based on the type of operation performed:

Data Query Language (DQL): The most common DQL command is SELECT, which retrieves data from a database. Example:

sql

SELECT name, salary FROM employees;

Data Manipulation Language (DML): These statements modify data in the database. Examples:

• INSERT: Adds new rows to a table.
• UPDATE: Modifies existing data in a table.
• DELETE: Removes data from a table.

Data Definition Language (DDL): These statements define the structure of database objects like tables and indexes. Examples:

• CREATE: Creates a new table or index.
• ALTER: Modifies an existing table or index.
• DROP: Deletes a table or index.

Data Control Language (DCL): These statements control access to data. Examples:

• GRANT: Gives a user permission to access data.
• REVOKE: Removes a user’s permission to access data.

3) How do you create a table in SQL?

To create a table in SQL, use the CREATE TABLE statement. You must define the columns, data types, and any constraints, such as primary keys or unique constraints. Example:

sql

CREATE TABLE employees (

  emp_id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,

  name VARCHAR2(100),

  salary NUMBER

);

In this example, the employees table has three columns: emp_id, name, and salary. The emp_id column is defined as the primary key, ensuring that each employee has a unique identifier.

4) How do you insert data into a table?

To insert data into a table, use the INSERT INTO statement. You must specify the values for each column in the table. Example:

sql

INSERT INTO employees (emp_id, name, salary) VALUES (1, ‘John Doe’, 50000);

In this example, a new employee record is added to the employees table with an ID of 1, a name of “John Doe”, and a salary of 50,000.

5) How do you update data in a table?

To update data in a table, use the UPDATE statement. You must specify the new values for the columns and define a condition that determines which rows to update. Example:

sql

UPDATE employees SET salary = 55000 WHERE emp_id = 1;

In this example, the salary of the employee with an ID of 1 is updated to 55,000.

6) How do you delete data from a table?

To delete data from a table, use the DELETE FROM statement. You must specify a condition that determines which rows to delete. Example:

sql

DELETE FROM employees WHERE emp_id = 1;

In this example, the record for the employee with an ID of 1 is deleted from the employees table.

Oracle Database

1) What is Oracle Database?

Oracle Database is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Oracle Corporation. It is designed to store, retrieve, and manage data efficiently. Oracle Database supports SQL and PL/SQL for querying and manipulating data.

Oracle Database is known for its scalability, reliability, and support for high-performance applications, making it a popular choice for large enterprises.

2) What are the different components of Oracle Database?

The key components of Oracle Database include:

• Instance: The combination of memory structures and background processes that manage access to the database. Each time a database is started, an instance is created.
• Database: The physical collection of data stored on disk, including tables, indexes, and other database objects.
• Datafiles: Files that store the actual data in the database. Each table or index is stored in a datafile.
• Control Files: Files that store metadata about the database, such as the structure of the database and the location of datafiles. Control files are essential for database recovery.
• Redo Logs: Files that record all changes made to the database. These logs are used for recovering the database in the event of a failure.

3) What is an instance in the Oracle Database?

An instance in Oracle Database refers to the combination of memory structures and background processes that manage access to the database. When a database is started, an instance is created, which consists of the System Global Area (SGA) and background processes like the Database Writer (DBWn) and the Log Writer (LGWR).

The instance manages the reading and writing of data, ensuring that all operations are performed efficiently and securely.

4) What is a database in Oracle Database?

A database in Oracle is a collection of physical datafiles that store the data for an application. The database contains user data, application data, and metadata that defines the structure of the data. The database is managed by an instance, which handles data retrieval and manipulation.

The database includes various types of objects, such as tables, indexes, views, and triggers. Each object is stored in one or more datafiles.

5) Explain the concept of datafiles and control files.

• Datafiles: These are the physical files that store the actual data in the database. For example, tables and indexes are stored in datafiles. Each datafile is associated with a specific tablespace, which is a logical storage unit in the database.
• Control Files: These are critical files that store metadata about the database, such as the structure of the database, the locations of datafiles, and the state of the database. Control files are essential for database recovery and must be kept up to date.

Oracle Application Development Framework (ADF)

1) What is ADF?

Oracle Application Development Framework (ADF) is a Java-based framework used to develop enterprise applications. It simplifies the development of complex applications by providing pre-built components for user interfaces, business logic, and data management. ADF is tightly integrated with Oracle’s Fusion Middleware stack and is widely used for developing applications that interact with Oracle Databases.

2) What are the benefits of using ADF?

The benefits of using Oracle ADF include:

• Rapid Development: ADF provides a set of pre-built components that developers can use to quickly build applications. This reduces the time and effort required to create enterprise-level applications.
• Reusable Components: ADF allows developers to create reusable components, such as forms and reports, that can be used across multiple applications.
• Integration with Oracle EBS: ADF integrates seamlessly with Oracle E-Business Suite, allowing developers to create custom extensions and interfaces that work with existing Oracle applications.
• Rich User Interfaces: ADF supports the creation of modern, interactive user interfaces with features like drag-and-drop functionality and rich client-side interactivity.

3) What are the different components of ADF?

Oracle ADF consists of several components, including:

• ADF Model: Connects the user interface to business services, such as web services, databases, or enterprise applications.
• ADF View: Provides the user interface layer using technologies like ADF Faces, which allows developers to create rich, interactive user interfaces.
• ADF Controller: Manages the flow of the application, including page navigation and action handling.
• ADF Business Components: Contains the business logic and data models for the application. This layer manages the interaction between the application and the database.

4) How do you create an ADF application?

To create an ADF application, follow these steps:

Use Oracle JDeveloper: This is the integrated development environment (IDE) used for building ADF applications.

Create a New ADF Fusion Web Application Project: This is the project structure that will house the application components.

Define the Business Components: Use ADF Business Components to create entities, view objects, and application modules that will interact with the database.

Design the User Interface: Use ADF Faces components to create web pages with forms, tables, and charts. These components are bound to the business components, allowing for real-time data interaction.

Configure Navigation: Use the ADF Controller to define the flow between pages and manage user interactions.

Deploy the Application: Once the application is complete, deploy it to an Oracle WebLogic Server or another supported platform.

Knowing the answers to these questions is a great start, but there’s more to a successful interview. Let’s talk about tips to help you stand out.

Tips for Acing Oracle Apps Technical Interviews

Beyond the technical questions, there are other things you can do to impress your interviewer.

1) Practise common interview questions

One of the best ways to prepare for Oracle Apps technical interviews is to practise common interview questions. Tools like iScalePro can be used to simulate interview scenarios and improve your ability to solve problems under pressure. Practising questions related to Oracle EBS, Forms, Reports, PL/SQL, and SQL will boost your confidence and help you tackle technical challenges during the interview.

2) Understand the job requirements

Before going into an interview, make sure to thoroughly review the job description. Identify the specific skills and experience required for the role and be prepared to explain how your background aligns with those requirements. If the position requires experience with specific Oracle modules or technologies, ensure you have a deep understanding of those areas.

3) Research the company

Doing your homework on the company is crucial for interview success. Learn about their business, industry, and how they use Oracle EBS. If possible, find out what modules or customizations they have implemented and tailor your responses to show that you understand their unique business needs.

4) Be confident and articulate

Confidence is key during interviews. Speak clearly and explain your thought process as you answer questions. When explaining technical concepts, avoid using jargon that the interviewer may not understand, and try to simplify complex ideas.

5) Prepare your questions

At the end of the interview, you will likely be given the opportunity to ask questions. Use this time wisely by asking thoughtful questions about the company’s Oracle EBS implementation, team structure, or current challenges. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you insight into the company’s environment and expectations.

Conclusion

Oracle Apps technical interviews require a thorough understanding of Oracle E-Business Suite fundamentals, Oracle Forms and Reports, PL/SQL, and SQL. By reviewing common interview questions, practising problem-solving, and researching the company, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for Oracle Apps roles. Remember to stay confident, communicate clearly, and demonstrate your technical expertise to ace the interview and secure your position in the growing field of Oracle Applications.