PR000041 practice question 7 of 15

Referring to the Sequence Generator transformation, which statement is correct and true?

Choose your answer, then check it against the explanation and the full breakdown below.

Referring to the Sequence Generator transformation, which statement is correct and true?

Answer options

Correct Answer:

A

Explanation

The Sequence Generator transformation is designed to create unique primary key values or a sequence of numbers. It provides two output ports: NEXTVAL and CURRVAL. The NEXTVAL port is used to generate a new, unique value for each row that passes into a connected target. When you connect the NEXTVAL port to a downstream transformation or target, the Integration Service generates the next value in the configured sequence for that row. The CURRVAL port simply outputs the value that was just generated by NEXTVAL.

Why Incorrect

B. The "Cycle" option does not randomize numbers. When enabled, it causes the sequence to restart from the "Start Value" after it reaches the configured "End Value".

C. The default "End Value" for a Sequence Generator in PowerCenter 9.x and later versions is 9,223,372,036,854,775,807, which is the maximum value for a 64-bit BIGINT datatype, not 2,147,483,647.

D. The Sequence Generator is a passive transformation that generates data; it has no input ports. It only contains the NEXTVAL and CURRVAL output ports. The starting point is set in its properties.

References

1. Informatica PowerCenter 10.4.0 Transformation Guide

"Chapter 20: Sequence Generator Transformation"

Page 358.

Reference for A & D: Under the "Ports" section

it states: "The Sequence Generator transformation provides two output ports: NEXTVAL and CURRVAL. You cannot edit or delete these ports. You also cannot add ports to the transformation." It further describes NEXTVAL as generating the sequence of numbers.

Reference for B: Under the "Properties" section

the "Cycle" property is described: "When the Integration Service reaches the configured end value for the sequence

it wraps around and starts the cycle again

beginning with the configured start value."

Reference for C: Under the "Properties" section

the "End Value" property is described: "The maximum value the Integration Service generates. The default is 9

223

372

036

854

775

807."

Question 7 of 15

Question breakdown

Tests: Configure the Sequence Generator transformation
Difficulty: Easy

Key idea: The Sequence Generator has no input ports and exposes two fixed output ports, NEXTVAL and CURRVAL, where NEXTVAL supplies the next number in the configured sequence for each row.

How to reach the answer

Recall the port structure: only the NEXTVAL and CURRVAL outputs exist, and you cannot add ports.
NEXTVAL is the port you link to a target or downstream transformation to get a new value per row, so A matches.
Check the Cycle property: it wraps back to the start value after the end value is reached and does not randomize, so B is wrong.
Check the End Value default: it is the 64-bit BIGINT maximum, not the 32-bit integer limit, so C is wrong.
The start value is a property setting, not an input port, so D is wrong.

Each option

ACorrect. NEXTVAL generates the next sequential value for each row it feeds.
BIncorrect. Cycle restarts the sequence at the start value after the end value; it does not randomize, and cycled values can repeat.
CIncorrect. 2,147,483,647 is the 32-bit integer limit; the documented default End Value is 9,223,372,036,854,775,807.
DIncorrect. The transformation has no input ports; the Start Value is set on the Properties tab.

Common trap: Option C looks right because 2,147,483,647 is the familiar maximum integer value, but the default end value is the larger BIGINT maximum.

In practice: Developers use NEXTVAL to generate surrogate keys for dimension loads. They often pair it with a reusable generator or a persisted current value so keys stay unique across sessions.

Remember: The Sequence Generator has no inputs and two outputs; NEXTVAL gives the next number, and Cycle wraps the sequence rather than randomizing it.

Drafted with AI assistance and checked against the answer key.

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