70+ Most Asked SSIS Interview Questions for Freshers & Experienced

Introduction

Are you going to shape the career as an SSIS professional? You have reached the right place then; here we are going to cover all of the possible questions that can be asked to an experienced or fresher candidate for SSIS. Many reputed companies are offering jobs to these professionals. So, you can still move ahead in your career by learning SSIS. We have included a complete list of questions that can be asked to the professionals by interviewers in 2024. They can help you in cracking the interview for the SSIS profile -

So, are you ready to crack the SSIS interview questions profile?

Let’s get going!

SSIS Interview Questions & Answers for Fresher

Here are the interview questions on SSIS often asked freshers or individuals with 5 or 3 years of experience.

Q1. Explain or Define the SSIS.

Ans: SSIS is known as SQL Server Integration Services that is a component of Microsoft SQL Server. It can be used to accomplish a wide range of data migration tasks. It is an ETL tool that is mostly used to handle data extraction, transformation, and load operations. Apart from ETL tasks, it can also handle many other tasks like data profiling, file system manipulation, etc. Many batch operations can be performed in SSIS by using VB.Net or C#.Net languages.

Q2. Enlist important SSIS components of the package.

Ans: Important SSIS components of the package are listed below:

• Data Flow
• Control Flow
• Event Handler
• Package Explorer

Q3. Explain the control flow integration of SSIS.

Ans: Through the control flow option, you can logically and graphically link the tasks and program them graphically. The three logical connectors used in SSIS are success, failure, and complete. By using FX (expression), you can handle more complex control flow conditions. 

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Q4. Enlist the types of containers that can be used with SSIS packages.

Ans: SSIS has the below-listed containers used to group the tasks:

Sequence Containers: They are used to group similar tasks. Sequence containers are like organization containers used for complex SSIS packages.

The loop containers are used to execute any task several times; if you want to update the records ten or more 10 times, you can use “for” loop containers. Here, the user need not create ten packages to execute or complete the task, nor must you run the whole package ten times while scheduling the job.

If you don’t know the number of times the task will be executed, you can use it for each loop container. If you want to delete all files from any particular folder and you don’t know the number of files that are contained in the folder, then by using each loop, you can select the files and delete them at once; in this container, you will be informed when all of the files will be deleted. 

Q5. How can the deployment utilities be created?

Ans- When development packages are converted to executable packages, it is known as deployment. SSIS packages can be directly deployed by right-clicking the projects of integration services and building them. After selecting deployment, the ‘package.dtsx’ file is saved in the project bin folder. Moreover, the packages can be directly deployed at any location or SQL Server by the deployment utility.

The below-listed steps are followed to create the deployment utility:

1. Right-click on the Project and select properties.
2. Select “True” to create a Deployment Utility Option. You can also set the deployment path. After making changes, close the window. Now, build the project by right-clicking on it. 
3. A deployment folder for the primary project location will be created in the Bin folder. Here, find the manifest file. You can find the deploy package on SQL Server 6 by double-clicking on this. 

Q6. Explain the data flow in SSIS.

Ans- Data flow from the corresponding source to the desired destination is known as the flow. 

Q7. Define a task in the SSIS.

Ans: A Task is just like the programming language methods that carry or represent an individual work or task. Tasks are of the following two types:

• Control Flow Task
• Database Maintenance Task

Q8. List various types of files or connections that support SSIS.

Ans: Various connection types that work within SSIS are:

• Excel
• .NetSQLClient
• Flat File
• XML
• ODBC
• OLEDB

To know how these files can be connected with a database using SSIS tool.

Q9. Explain the Precedence Constraint in SSIS.

Ans: The logical task sequence can be defined by precedence constraint, logical sequence is basically the order of the tasks in which they should be executed. All tasks can be connected by using precedence constraints. This is one of the most commonly asked Sql server interview questions for 5 years experienced candidates

Q10. What are the connection managers in SSIS?

Ans: Connection managers are found very helpful when data has to be gathered from various sources to write it to any desired destination. Connection managers provide helpful information to the system, like server name, data provider information, database name, authentication mechanism, etc. 

Q11. What are packages in SSIS?

Ans: SSIS packets are organized collections of different connections and items related to data flow, event handlers, variables, control flow, which would be used for assembling and programmatic construction of graphics design tools. 

Q12. What is the Manifest file?

Ans: The manifest file is the utility with useful information to deploy packages using the file system wizard and the SQL server database. 

Q13. What is data transformation in SSIS?

Ans: Data transformation is the process of extracting the necessary data from a data source and is the most critical step in SSIS. After extraction, the process helps to manage and transfer data to a specific file destination. 

Q14. How is error handling done in SSIS?

Ans: To identify errors, errors must be recorded. SSIS components - source, processing, and destination.all have been supported to record errors at the exit via a secondary pipe by providing means to define behaviors as errors occur. 

Q15. What are Process Bytes in SSIS?

Ans- Process bytes represent the memory used by integration services. This memory cannot be shared in another process. 

Q16. What, according to you, are the most significant differences between SSIS and DTS?

Ans- 

Q17. What is the meaning of the SSIS Catalog? Can you deploy your packages in SSIS Catalog?

Ans: The SSIS catalog is typically defined as the database used to store all deployed packages.This is mostly used to enhance the security of stored packets. Additionally, it is also useful in the processing and control of deployed packets.

Q18. What do you understand about the SSIS breakpoint?

Ans- A breakpoint is an SSIS property that allows developers to pause the execution of the package in the BI system. The use of the breakpoint is widespread as it helps to stop running at any desired point suddenly and allows developers to reconsider the status of the entire package. 

Q19. What is the use of the Bulk Insert Task in SSIS?

Ans: Bulk Insert Task downloads massive data from flat files in Sql Server. This only supports OLE DB connections for that destination of the database. 

Q20. In SSIS, what are the variable types that can be created?

Ans- The SSIS creates two kinds of variables: global and task-specific. The scope of global variables is available for every task in a given process. Task-specific variables are task-specific in scope. 

Q21. What other tasks can SSIS handle?

Ans- Other tasks the ISS manages are data profiling, efficient batch rationalization, and system ranking. 

Q22. What is the difference between control flow and data flow?

Ans- The control flow is that which determines the flow or process of the packet. The data flow is a subset of the control flow. With no control stream, the data stream cannot function.

Q23. What do you understand about the Manifest file in SSIS?

Ans: When the package is transferred with the help of the wizard on the file system and the SL server, it is known as the Manifest file. 

Q24. Why do we use the Ignore Failure option in SSIS?

Ans: The ignore failure option in SSIS is primarily used to ignore errors during the conversion process. Using this, an error is ignored, and the data line is iterated to proceed to the next transform. 

Q25. What do you mean by data transformation?

Ans: When a set of rules or functions is applied to the data extracted from the source in such a way that they can be loaded on the final result, they are known as data transformation. 

Q26. How can we stop any package that is running in SSIS forever?

Ans- If the packet is executed within SQL Agent, we can explicitly kill the whole process by implementing T-SQL. If the packet is executed in the SSIS catalog, we need to use the stored stop-operation method. 

Q27. What is SSIS? How it is related with SQL Server.

Ans- SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a component of SQL Server that can perform a wide range of Data Migration and ETL operations. SSIS is an important component in the MSBI process of SQL Server. 

This is a platform for Integration and Workflow applications. It is known for its fast and flexible OLTP and OLAP extensions for data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL). The tool may also automate maintenance of SQL Server databases and multidimensional data sets.

Q28. What is Solution Explorer in SSIS?

Ans: Well, Solution Explorer in SSIS Designer is a screen where you can view and access all the data sources, data sources views, projects, and other miscellaneous files.

Q29. Briefly Explain event logging in SSIS?

Ans- In SSIS, event logging allows you to select any specified task or package event to be logged. When you are troubleshooting your package, it is beneficial to acknowledge the performance package. 

Q30. Explain the term data flow buffer?

Ans: SSIS operates using buffers; it is a kind of an in-memory virtual table to hold data. 

Q31. For what data checkpoint data is not saved in SSIS?

Ans: Checkpoint data is not saved for For Each Loop and For Loop containers. 

Q32. Why are Points used in SSIS?

Ans: Well basically a checkpoint used in SSIS to allow a package to restart at the point of failure.

SSIS Interview Questions for Experienced

Here are the SSIS interview questions for experienced professionals.

Q1. What is a data profiling task in SSIS?

Ans: The process of analyzing the source data for better understanding and organizing it properly is known as data profiling. In this process, various tasks related to data like cleaning of data, identification of data patterns and numbers or nulls in data is known as data profiling. Data profiling step is performed when a project starts or at the beginning of the project development cycle and it supports database destination design schema. While developing normal recurring ETL packages this task is not usually used.

Q2. Differentiate between Union All and Merge operations.

Ans: Data from two paths can be merged into a single path by Merge transformation. This transform is found useful when the data flows through a path that can handle certain errors and merge back into the main data source. Prior to merging transformation data should be sorted that can be done by using sorting transformation. For all paths metadata must be the same as the customer id field type cannot be numeric type is one path and character type in another. Union All transformation works like the Merge transformation, but here in this transformation sorted data is not required. Here the output from multiple sources is taken and then it is transformed and combined to form a single result set. 

Q3. What is the Execute Package task?

Ans: The Execute Package Task helps the user to create parent packages that can execute the child packages. When any package starts growing then this capability is found much useful. Package separation into separate workflows makes testing and development processes shorter and helps in development practices as well. The majority of the configurable properties are found in the Task editor of the Executable package. 

Q4. Explain the precedence constraint in SSIS.

Ans: The Logical task sequence is defined by the precedence sequence. The logical sequence is the sequence of the task in which their execution is being performed. All tasks can be connected by using connectors precedence constraints. 

Q5. Explain the SSIS checkpoint.

Ans: The project can be restarted from the point of failure when checkpoints are specified. File information is stored by the checkpoints, if the package is being run successfully then the checkpoint file is being deleted or else the file restarts from the point of failure. 

Q6. What is event logging mode property?

Ans- All tasks and SSIS packages have a property known as Logging Mode. The three values that are accepted by these properties are:

• Enabled: Is used to logging of the component
• Disabled: Is used to disable the components
• UseParentSetting: Is used to optimize the parent’s setting

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Q7. What are the different data viewers’ types in SSIS?

Various types of data viewers in SSIS are listed below:

• Histogram
• Grid
• Column Chart
• Scatter Plot

Q8. What is the precedence constraint?

Ans: The task execution is performed only when the specified condition is being satisfied. As per the condition satisfied the corresponding path is adopted by the task. It may have the following listed three parameters:

• Completion: When the preceding container execution gets completed regardless of the success or failure of the task, only then the workflow gets preceded.
• Success: When the preceding container gets executed successfully, then it is marked as successful and is represented by a solid green line.
• Failure: When the preceding container execution fails, it gives the red color line as an indication.

Constraint/Expression with Logical AND: When any constraint evaluates to true then execution gets evaluated. A solid color line indicates the expression’s control flow. 

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Q9. What is the conditional split transformation in SSIS?

Ans: Conditional Split transformation is just like IF condition, it checks for the condition and evaluates the expression accordingly. 

Q10. Enlist the possible locations to save SSIS packages.

Ans: SSIS packages can be saved in the following locations:

• SQL Server
• File System
• Package Store

Q11. Is it possible to log SSIS execution?

Ans: Yes. ISS supports logging, which allows the system to analyze and write log entries during execution events. 

Q12. How will you add a recordset variable inside Script Task?

Ans: The script task uses the property named Variables of Dts to read and write to the variable objects in the package. In order for the variables to be available for the custom script, we have to add them to lists of read-only or read-write variables. 

Q13. How can you notify the staff members about package failure?

Ans: Either within the package, you can add a Send Mail task to the event handlers, or you can even set the notification in SQL Agent when the package is running. 

Q14. How would you deploy an SSIS package on production?

Ans: To deploy the SSIS package, we must run the manifest files and determine if they should be deployed in File System or SQL Server.  

Q15. How to handle Early Arriving Facts or Late Arriving Dimension?

Ans: Late arrival dimensions are inevitable; to manage them, we can create a fictitious dimension with a natural/business key and retain the remaining attributes as null or default. Thus, when the real dimension arrives, the fictional dimension is updated with the change of type 1. It is also called Inferred Dimensions. 

Q16. Explain the method to perform incremental load?

Ans: The best and quickest way to do incremental loading is to use the timestamp column in the source table and store the latest ETL timestamp. 

Q17. What is the purpose of the config file in SSIS?

Ans: This is mostly used to provide different inputs to the connection handler about different properties. 

Q18. How do you eliminate quotes from being uploaded from a flat file to SQL Server?

Ans: You can do this using the TEXT QUALIFIER property. 

Q19. What is CDC Splitter?

Ans: Once the data is read into a table with CDC enabled, this transformation sends the data that should be deleted, inserted, and updated in a different path. 

Q20. What are the different types of transformation in SSIS?

Ans: There are two different types of transformations

• Synchronous transformations
• Asynchronous transformations

Q21. What is the use of CDC control tasks?

Ans: By using CDC, we can maintain and interact with the SQL Server change capture function. 

Q22. Explain How Can You Do An Incremental Load?

Ans: The best and quickest way to do incremental loading is to use the timestamp column in the source table and store the latest ETL timestamp. 

Q23. What are SSIS 2008 Rows per batch and Maximum insert commit size?

Ans: There is no better value. It depends a lot on the design of the database, the number of users, the type of equipment you use, and so on.

Q24. What Is an Execution Tree?

Ans: Execution trees specify how buffers and threads are assigned within the packet. They demonstrate how packets utilize buffers and threads. When running, the data flow engine shuts down Data Flow work operations. 

Q25. What is the use of Execute SQL tasks in SSIS?

Ans: Executing SQL allows you to execute an SQL statement against a relational database.

Q26. What will you do if a package works properly in BIDS but fails while executing the SQL agent task?

Ans: A package that successfully runs in BIDS and fails from the SQL agent job may mean that the SQL Agent jobs do not have the required permissions for some package connections. We can create a proxy account that allows SQL Agent work to run the packet or raise the permissions on the current account. 

Q27. What is the need for an SSAS component?

Ans: Analysis Services is the only main component in SQL Server using which we can perform Analysis and Forecast operations.

• SSAS is very easy to use and user-friendly.
• Faster Analysis and Troubleshooting.
• Ability to create and manage Data warehouses.
• Apply efficient Security Principles.

Q28. What is SSRS?

Ans: SQL Server Reporting Service is one of the best server-based software systems that generate reports created by Microsoft. It is used for preparing and taking interactive and a variety of printed reports. It is organized through an interface that is web-based. Reporting services utilize a web service interface for supporting and developing customized reporting applications. It can compete with Crystal Reports and other business intelligence tools. 

Q29 . How do you store SQL passwords? Does the SSIS connection manager of the package store SQL password?

Ans: The SSIS connection manager has issues in storing the password. Hence we can follow the below-proposed solutions:

Method 1: Create and use SQL Server Agent Proxy account which uses credentials that makes SQL Server Agent capable of the running job as an account having required permissions to run the job or as the account which created the package.

This method is used for decrypting secrets and key requirements of the user are satisfied.

There are chances that this method could fail because the secrets are decrypted by taking the current user and current computer information which will inadvertently fail if the project or package is moved to a different computer.

Method 2: Set the value of Package Protection Level Property to Server Storage. This stores packages on the SQL Server and lets users access this through SQL Server database roles.

Method 3: Set the value of Package Protection Level property as “Encrypt Sensitive with Password”. The method uses a password for encrypting sensitive information. This can be added to the SQL Server Agent job to run the job effectively.

Method 4: Package configuration can be used to save sensitive information which can later be stored in a secured folder. When the package is run, the information is obtained from this config file. If we do not want to save the secrets in the package, we can set the property of Protection Level to “DontSaveSensitive”.

Method 5: Package templates having a good protection level can be created for long-term solutions.

Q30.  What is MSBI? What are the tools that MSBI comprises?

Ans: MSBI is known as  Microsoft Business Intelligence is a powerful  tool that provides solutions for Business Intelligence and Data Mining Queries. MSB encourages users to gain access to accurate and up-to-date information for better decision-making at an organizational level. There are three tools that form the group of MSB i.e SSIS, SSAS,SSRS. 

Q31. Define the Multicast Transformation in SSIS.

Ans- The Multicast transform sends single data input to multiple output paths easily. This transformation can be used to send a path to multiple destinations sliced in different ways.  It is similar to Split transformation.

Q32. Explain the steps in creating a deployment utility?

Ans- To create a deployment utility, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the project and click on properties.
• Select “True” for createDeploymentUtiltiy Option.  Also, you can set the deployment path.
• Now close the window after making the changes and build the project by right-clicking on the project.
• A deployment folder will be created in the BIN folder of your main project location.
• You will find the .manifest file in the deployment folder. Double-click it and you can get options to deploy the package on SQL Server.
• Log in to SQL Server and check-in MSDB on Integration Services.

Q33. Define File System Deployment.

Ans- File system deployment means saving the package files on a local or network drive. We can then schedule the package running time with the help of SQL Agent job.

Q34. Point out the main difference between Merge Transformation and Union All Transformation.

Ans- The main difference between Merge Transformation and Union All Transformation in SSIS is that:

Merge Transformation requires the input datasets to be sorted in the same order, and the output dataset is also sorted whereas Union All Transformation does not require the input datasets to be sorted, and the output dataset is also not sorted.

Q35. How can we store config file in SSIS?

Ans- We can store config file in the following ways:

• XML configuration file: Data can be stored as an XML file.
• Environment variables: The config data can be stored as part of environment variables.
• Registry entry: The config can be stored in the registry.
• Parent package variable: The config can be stored as a variable in a package of a task.
• SQL Server: The config can be stored in a database table on the SQL Server

Q36. What indication states that the SSIS cannot drive 100% CPU load?

Ans- Application contention indication states that the SSIS cannot drive 100% CPU load. This means that something on the server is preventing SSIS from using all of the available CPU resources. This can be caused by a number of things, such as:

• Another application on the server is using a lot of CPU resources.
• The server is running low on memory.
• The server is overloaded with network traffic.
• There is a problem with the SSIS package itself.

Q37. State the difference between SSIS and Informatica.

Ans- You can choose to differentiate on any feature mentioned below:

Q38. What are the capabilities of SSIS.

Ans- The top capabilities of SSIR are:

• Data extraction: SSIS can extract data from a variety of sources, including relational databases, flat files, and XML files.
• Data transformation: SSIS can perform a variety of data transformations, such as cleansing, filtering, aggregating, and joining data.
• Data loading: SSIS can load data into a variety of destinations, including relational databases, flat files, and XML files.
• Task automation: SSIS can automate a variety of other tasks, such as sending emails and executing scripts.
• Parallel processing: SSIS can process data in parallel to improve performance.
• Error handling: SSIS provides robust error handling capabilities to ensure that data is processed reliably.

Q39. What is an Incremental Load.

Ans– An incremental load in SSIS is a process of loading only the new or updated data from a source into a destination. 

Q40. How do you create a dynamic package in SSIS.

Ans- To create a dynamic package in SSIS, we can use variables to store values that can be used to control the flow. The steps are:

• Create a new SSIS package.
• Add a Package Variable for each of the dynamic elements of the package, such as the connection string, the source table name, and the destination table name.
• Use the Package Parameters window to define the values for the package variables.
• Set the properties of the data flow components to use the package variables.
• Save the package.

Q41. What are the different types of Control Flow Components?

Ans- There are two main types of control flow components in SSIS: Containers and Tasks.

Containers are used to group other control flow components and tasks are used to perform specific actions, such as executing a script or sending an email.

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Final Words on SSIS Interview Questions and Answers!

The database experts use the SSIS tool, which they can use to manage the transformation. The tool has various functions that can help the users to manage the database operations. Here, we have discussed all of the possible SSIS interview questions for experienced & beginners that can be asked of any candidate for this profile. 

The SSIS interview questions are not limited even if you can find many other questions that can be asked during the interview, but in-depth learning of these interview questions on SSIS will help you to gain more confidence in your career.

FAQs

Q1. What is SSIS used for?

Ans- SSIS can be used for extraction, loading, and transformation (ETL) of data by extracting data from multiple sources, such as SQL Server database, Oracle database, and Excel files. It uses cleaning and merging processes to help make data more informative.

Q2. what is the minimum hardware and software required to install SQL Server?

Ans- The minimum hardware and software required to install SQL Server are:

• Windows Server 2016 or Windows 10 TH1 1507.
• 6 GB of available hard disk space.
• 4 GB memory.
• 1.4 GHz minimum 64-bit CPU.

Q3. What are the best SSIS performance best practices?

Ans- SSIS Performance Tips

• Blocking Transformations: Avoid using blocking transformations such as Sort, Aggregate, Fuzzy Lookup, Fuzzy Grouping, and Row Sampling. ...
• Data Type Conversions: Data type conversions and derived columns create an additional column in the physical buffers.

Q4. What is SSIS called now?

Ans- Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) is a type of system that is known as an extraction, transformation, and load (ETL) package.

Q5. What are SSIS tips and tricks?

Ans- Top 5 SSIS Tips

• Use Project Deployment Model.
• Do Not Update in the Data Flow.
• Don't Use the Built-In Warehouse Loading Components.
• Automate Data Testing in Production.

Q6. How do I start SSIS?

• Click Start.
• Point to All Programs.
• Point to Microsoft SQL Server.
• Click SQL Server Management Studio.
• In the Connect to Server dialog box, select Integration Services in the Server type list.
• Provide a server name in the Server name box.
• Click Connect.

Q7. How does SSIS work?

Ans- SSIS is used to combine the data from multiple data sources to generate a single structure in a unified view. It is responsible for collecting the data, extracting the data from multiple data sources, and merging it into a single data source.

Q8 Explain SSIS!

Ans- SSIS is a fast & flexible data warehousing tool used for data extraction, loading and transformation like cleaning, aggregating, merging data, etc. It makes it easy to move data from one database to another database.

Q9. what is the salary of SSIS developer?

Ans- SSIS Developer salaries typically range between $74,000 and $118,000 yearly. The average hourly rate for SSIS Developers is $45.23 per hour. SSIS Developer Salary is impacted by location, education, and experience.