Appian Scenario based Questions | Appian Interview Questions | Appian Tutorials

Summary

This video presents a series of Appian interview questions designed to test both technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Topics include optimizing large-scale data updates, handling Excel files with tens of thousands of rows, understanding Multiple Node Instance (MNI) limitations, identifying Appian objects without permissions, safely editing production instances, distributing large datasets into multiple database tables, and differentiating between database rollback and commit commands. Additional questions cover common production issues, assigning default values to stored procedure parameters, and creating materialized views. The video encourages viewers to think critically, explore alternative solutions, and engage by sharing their answers in the comments, fostering interactive learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Optimizing large-scale daily data updates, like 100,000 rows, requires careful planning to prevent performance issues.
• 😀 When uploading large Excel files (e.g., 200 columns, 50,000 rows), consider alternative methods to efficiently display data on a grid without performance bottlenecks.
• 😀 Multiple Node Instance (MNI) in process models has limitations, and it's important to know when it is appropriate to use.
• 😀 Certain Appian objects do not require permissions or security settings, unlike objects such as CPS folders.
• 😀 Editing paused TH000 instances directly in production requires creative solutions to preserve data without manual intervention.
• 😀 Splitting and dumping large datasets, like 100,000 Excel entries, into multiple database tables demands a systematic approach for efficiency.
• 😀 Understanding the difference between rollback and commit in databases is crucial, including which commands can and cannot be rolled back.
• 😀 Awareness of potential production issues in Appian is important, even if one hasn’t personally encountered them.
• 😀 Stored procedures with input parameters can be configured to have default values if parameters are not provided during execution.
• 😀 Materialized views are a specific type of database view, and knowing how and when to create them is essential for certain applications.

Q & A

How can we efficiently update 100,000 rows of data daily without affecting performance?

To optimize daily updates of 100,000 rows, consider using batch processing, database indexing, and minimizing locks. Incremental updates instead of full updates and asynchronous processing can reduce performance impact.

What approach should be followed to upload and display a large Excel file with 200 columns and 50,000 rows in a grid interface?

For large Excel files, use server-side pagination or virtual scrolling to load only visible rows. Preprocess the file asynchronously, store data in temporary tables, and render the grid dynamically to avoid UI performance issues.

What are the limitations of using Multiple Node Instances (MNI) in a process model?

MNI can increase complexity in tracking instance state and may cause performance overhead due to parallel execution. They should be used when tasks can be executed independently and in parallel without dependencies.

Which Appian objects do not require permission levels or security configuration?

Objects like constants, expressions, and certain interfaces do not require explicit security settings, unlike CPS folders which need administrative or viewer-level permissions.

How can a paused TH000 instance in production be edited without losing data?

To edit a paused production instance safely, implement a controlled exception-handling mechanism or create a temporary editable copy of the instance data, then resume processing after edits to avoid manual intervention.

What is an effective way to distribute 100,000 Excel entries into five different database tables?

Divide the dataset logically based on specific criteria (e.g., category, region). Use batch inserts and transactions to ensure consistency while minimizing database locking and performance issues.

What is the difference between rollback and commit in a database?

Commit permanently saves changes to the database, while rollback undoes uncommitted changes. Commands like INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE can be rolled back if not committed; DDL statements like CREATE TABLE often cannot be rolled back depending on the DBMS.

What are some common types of production issues encountered in Appian applications?

Common production issues include process instance failures, integration errors, slow performance due to large datasets, user permission conflicts, and errors in automated tasks or scripts.

How can default values be assigned to stored procedure input parameters if they are not passed during execution?

Default values can be assigned in the stored procedure definition using syntax like `@parameter_name datatype = default_value`. This ensures the procedure executes correctly even if certain parameters are not provided.

What is a materialized view and how can it be created in a database?

A materialized view is a database object that stores the results of a query physically, improving query performance. It can be created using `CREATE MATERIALIZED VIEW view_name AS SELECT ...` and can be refreshed periodically or on demand.