** What is Runtime Environment in IICS?
In Informatica Intelligent Cloud Services (IICS), a Runtime Environment is the execution engine that runs your tasks and data integration job.
It defines where and how the integration jobs (mappings, synchronization tasks, replication tasks, etc.) will run.
There are mainly two types:
1. Cloud Hosted Runtime (IICS Cloud) => Informatica Cloud Hosted Agent
* Managed completely by Informatica.
* Best suited for cloud-to-cloud data integrations (e.g., Salesforce → Snowflake).
* You don’t need to install anything locally.
2. Secure Agent Runtime (On-Premise) => DESKTOP-XXXX
* A lightweight program installed on your own server, VM, or machine.
* Required when integrating on-premise systems (like SQL Server, Oracle, SAP) with cloud or other
on-premise targets.
* The Secure Agent connects securely with IICS and executes the jobs within your network.
In simple terms:
The runtime environment is the engine that processes your integration jobs. You select the appropriate environment (Cloud or Secure Agent) depending on whether your data is in the cloud or on-premises.
Runtime Environment ≈ Integration Service (conceptually)
Secure Agent ≈ The physical process running under that Integration Service
** What are the different tasks in IICS?
There are 7 different tasks available in IICS.
1. Mapping Task (MTT)
* It Runs a mapping that you build using the Mapping Designer.
* Allows for complex data transformations (filter, join, expression, lookups, aggregations, etc.).
2. Synchronization Task
* Synchronization Task is one of the most commonly used tasks for simple data integration between a
source and a target.
* Can perform Insert, Update, Upsert, or Delete operations.
* Can perform Incremental loads like filtering records (e.g., “load only records updated today”).
Example: A retail company wants to sync customer details from Salesforce to a SQL Server table
every night.
Synchronization Task (configured to Upsert records so new customers are added and existing ones are updated).
3. Masking Task
* Masking Task is used to protect sensitive or confidential data by replacing it with realistic but fictional values. This ensures that sensitive data can be
safely used for testing, development, or analytics without exposing the real information.
* Hides sensitive fields (like credit card numbers, SSNs, email IDs, phone numbers, salaries, etc.).
4. Replication Task
* Replication Task is used to copy or replicate data from a source to a target with minimal setup, usually for database or cloud application replication.
* Moves entire tables or objects from source to target.
* It has 2 Modes. Full load and Incremental load.
Example: A company wants to replicate its Salesforce Accounts table into Snowflake every day.
Replication Task (incremental load so only new/updated accounts are replicated daily).
5. PowerCenter Task
* PowerCenter Task is used when you want to run and manage existing PowerCenter workflows from IICS, instead of rebuilding them in the cloud.
* It connects IICS to your on-premise Informatica PowerCenter environment and lsets you trigger PowerCenter workflows directly from IICS.
* If you already have hundreds of mappings and workflows in PowerCenter, you don’t need to rebuild them all in IICS immediately. Instead, you can run them through IICS using a PowerCenter Task.
6. Dynamic Mapping Task
* Instead of creating separate mappings for each source/target, you design one mapping and make it dynamic.
Example: A company gets daily sales files from 10 regions with the same structure but different names. Instead of creating 10 mappings, you build one dynamic
mapping task:
Source file name = parameter
Target table = parameter
Transformation rules stay the same
At runtime, DMT picks the right file and loads into the right target.
7. Data Transfer Task
* Data Transfer Task (DTT) is a simple task used to move files from one location to another without doing any transformation.
* A Data Transfer Task in IICS is used purely for file movement/transfer between systems, without performing any data transformation.
Example: Suppose your business receives daily CSV files via SFTP from a partner.
Use a Data Transfer Task to move the files from SFTP → Amazon S3.
Run a Mapping Task to process and load them into Snowflake.
** What are the different taskflows available in IICS?
There are 7 different taskflow available in IICS.
1. Linear Taskflow
* The simplest type of taskflow (legacy style).
* Runs tasks one after another in a straight sequence.
* No branching or parallelism.
Example: Task A → Task B → Task C
2. Taskflow
* The modern, flexible version of taskflows in IICS.
* Supports sequential and parallel execution, decisions (IF/ELSE), loops, and parameter passing.
Example: You can say, “Run Task A and Task B in parallel → If Task B succeeds, run Task C, else stop.”
3. Parallel Tasks
* Executes multiple tasks at the same time (in parallel).
* Saves time when tasks don’t depend on each other.
Example: Run Task A, Task B, and Task C simultaneously, then move to Task D once all complete.
4. Parallel Tasks with Decision
* Similar to Parallel Tasks, but adds a decision point (IF/ELSE condition) after execution.
* The next step depends on the success, failure, or data values of the parallel tasks.
Example: Run Task A and Task B in parallel → If both succeed, run Task C; if any fails, run Task D.
5. Sequential Tasks
* Runs tasks one after another in a defined order.
* Ensures strict dependency control.
6. Sequential Tasks with Decision
* Same as Sequential Tasks, but introduces conditional branching (decision step).
* Lets you choose different paths depending on outcomes.
Example: Run Task A → If success, run Task B → else run Task C.
7. Single Task
* Simplest form of taskflow with just one task.
* Useful when you only need scheduling or monitoring for a single task.
Example: Run just one Mapping Task daily at 10 PM
** What is Data Ingestion and Replication?
Data Ingestion:
- It’s the process of bringing raw data from various sources into a system (like a database, data lake, or data warehouse).
- It’s about collecting and moving data, often in bulk or streaming.
- Databases, files, APIs, message queues (Kafka, JMS), logs, IoT devices, etc.
- Types of ingestion are Batch ingestion and Real-time ingestion
- Batch ingestion: large sets of data at scheduled intervals.
- Real-time ingestion – continuous data flow (like Kafka streaming).
Replication Task:
- The process of copying data from one system to another, usually table-to-table or object-to-object.
- it’s about keeping a copy of data in sync between two systems.
- It has 2 Modes. Full load and Incremental load.
Example: A company wants to replicate its Salesforce Accounts table into Snowflake every day.
Replication Task (incremental load so only new/updated accounts are replicated daily).
** What are the different components available in IICS Assests?
- Fixed-Width File Format : Configure reusable formats for fixed-width flat files to use in mappings and mapping tasks.
- Intelligent Structure Model : After you create an intelligent structure model, you can associate it with a Structure Parser transformation and use the transformation in a mapping.
- User-Defined Function : Create a reusable function to use in transformation expressions.
- Hierarchical Schema : Upload an XML schema or an XML or JSON sample file to use with a Hierarchy transformation.
** Does synchronization task has transformations in IICS?
- Yes, in IICS a synchronization task can include transformations to modify, filter, or map data before loading it into the target system.
- Transformations in a Synchronization Task are Filter, Expression, Lookup and Datamasking
** Does data injection task has transformations in IICS?
- Yes, in IICS a Data Injection task can include transformations, depending on the use case and the type of task being executed.
- If you're using a Mapping Task or Data Synchronization Task, you can apply transformations such as Expression, Aggregator, Router, Lookup, and Filter to manipulate the data before injecting it into the target.
There are mainly two types:
- If you're working with Cloud Application Integration (CAI), transformations can be applied using Process Designer or Service Connectors.
** How to work on multiple files as source with indirect meathod?
- Filelist option
** How to work on multiple files as source if the any of the files is missing and job should be successful
- Command task and put batch file.
** How to handle multi-Database source and independent target table?
- Select connection system(Oracle)
- Select source type option "Multiple Objects" and then
- Add Source Objects from the side right and select Emp table from the tables list.
- Click on Emp Object and Add related Objects to add Dept relational table.
** How to handle Single Database source and multiple independent target tables?
OR
Break single table into multiple tables?
- Select connection system(Oracle)
- Select source type option "Single Object"
- Select Objects from the side right and select Emp table from the tables list.
- Select connection IICS_TGT21(Oracle)
- Select Target Type "Single Object" & Repeat it for all 3 target as per the requirement.
- Select Object and give target name & Repeat it for all 3 target as per the requirement.
** How to Create Mapping using Source Query?
- Select connection system(Oracle)
- Select source type option "Query"
- Click on Edit Query option and type your query in it & validate.
- Select connection IICS_TGT21(Oracle)
- Select Target Type "Single Object"
- Select Object and give target name
** How to Create Mapping with Dynamic file created every time when the job is executed.
- Select connection C_TGTFILE(Flat File)
- Select Target Type "Single Object"
- Select Object and give target name as 'CUSTOMER_ID_'||TO_CHAR(SYSDATE,'YYYYMMDDHH24MISS')||'.TXT'
** How to create Flow Run Order
- From the top right corner click 3 dots and select 'Flow Run Order'
** How to Implement Fixed Width File Format?
- Select New & from components create 'Fixed-Width-File Format'
- Select your connection and add sample Object.
- Edit column boundaries and give name to the columns.
- Select connection C_SRCFILE(Oracle)
- Select Source Type "Single Object"
- Select 'Emp' Object.
- Select Formatting Options 'Fixed Width'.
** How to create ISM Component for XML File?
- Select New & from components create 'Intellegent Structure Model'
- Give a name for Intelligent Structure Model and choose XML file.
** How to create ISM Component for JSON File?
- Select New & from components create 'Intellegent Structure Model'
- Give a name for Intelligent Structure Model and choose JSON file.
** How do you implement data load from multiple database source to multiple database targets in a single mapping with iics?
- To implement data load from multiple database sources to multiple database targets in a single mapping with Informatica Cloud (IICS)
Create a parameterized mapping: Parameterize the source and target transformations.
Create a Dynamic Mapping Task: Within the Dynamic Mapping Task, define multiple jobs with different sources and targets.
** What is the latest mapping that you have used in iics?
** What type of join you use in expression for scd type2 scenario?
- Full Outer join type
* How do you implement below scenarios in iics just like scd 2
* If no record in target, insert should happen and flag column should be 'insert'
* If record difference is there between source and target, insert should happen and flag column should be 'insert'
* If no record difference is there between source and target, no insert should happen and flag column should be 'no record inserted'
* If record is matching between source and target, record should be deleted in target.
** What is the difference between Powercenter and IICS?
- Powercenter is a traditional, on-premise data integration tool where as IICS a cloud-based data integration platform (SaaS).
- IICS can be accessed via the internet, while PowerCenter requires client applications to be installed on the server.
- IICS can integrate and synchronize data and applications across cloud and on-premise environments. PowerCenter can only access on-premise data sets.
- IICS provides a process developer tool that allows developers to create connectors to access third-party applications. PowerCenter does not have a similar tool.
- IICS is built on a microservices-based architecture, while PowerCenter uses a client-server architecture.
** How to use stored procedures in IICS? How many ways are there?
- We don't have any specific stored procedure transformation in IICS. Use SQL Transformation & select SQL Type as Stored procedure and procedure next.
** How do you create loops in IICS?
** How do you send email in IICS?
** How do you pass parameters to stored procedures in IICS?
** How do you use views in IICS?
** What is the toughest scenario you faced in IICS?
** How to implement transaction control in IICS?
** How to implement synchronization task?
** How to implement replication task?
- Add source details & include related objects
- Add target connection details
- Add any field exclusions
- Add any data filters
** How many partitions are available in IICS?
- Fixed partition
- Pass through
- Key range
** Do you have access to metadata in IICS?
** How do you import power center jobs in iics?
** What the difference between Integration service & Repository service?
- Integration service is responsible to run the execute the jobs
- Repository service saves metadata in the repository.
** Informatica cloud architecture
** What are the list of services available in IICS?
Cloud Data Integration (CDI) and Cloud Application Integration (CAI) are products in Informatica Intelligent Cloud Services (IICS) that are used for data integration and application integration
** What the difference between input and in-out parameter?
- Input Parameter: A parameter that only passes values into the mapping or task at runtime
- In-Out Parameter: A parameter that can pass values into the mapping and also return values