SQL Server Interview Questions -- Part 12 (SSRS part 2)

111. What is a Gauge in SSRS 2008 ?
Ans: Usually, the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in an organisation are represented using Gauge where the an indicator points to a specific value in a data range. Common example of a gauge is car speedometer.

112. Name a few new features in Report Builder 2.0.
Ans: Enhanced data layout,on-demand rendering and Rich-format text.

113. What is RDL ?
Ans: RDL is Report Definition Language that describes all the features that can be added to the SSRS report.

114. What is a Report Manager ?
Ans: A web based tool provided by Microsoft for managing and accessing reports.

115. What is Data Source Definition ?
Ans: Every report should have atleast one data source definition that explains how to connect to a data source.

116. Name a few data sources supported by SSRS 2008.
Ans: Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, Oracle, SAP NetWeaver BI, Hyperion Essbase, Teradata, OLE DB, ODBC, and XML.

117. What is a Query Designer in SSRS 2008?
Ans: Report needs a dataset to report the information, to retrieve this dataset from database, typically you need a query. A query designer is the tool in SSRS that helps to design this query.

118. What is a shared data source in SSRS 2008 ?
Ans: If a data source is referenced by more than one report or model or data driven subscription, it is called shared data source.

119. What are advantages of shared data source ?
Ans: According to MSDN online, Shared data sources provide an easy way to manage data source properties that often change over time. If a user account or password changes, or if you move the database to a different server, you can update the connection information in one place.

120. What all does shared data source contain ?
Ans: Name, Description, Connection type, Connection string, Credential type.