[FREQUENTLY ASK] Looker Interview Questions and Answers

Last updated on 17th Nov 2021, Blog, Interview Questions

In this list of Looker basic interview questions, we have included all regularly asked basic and Looker interview questions for experienced candidates with detailed answers to help you clear the job interview. The following list includes the best important Looker questions for freshers as well as Looker questions and answers for experienced candidates to help them prepare for the interview. This complete guide of Looker interview questions will encourage you to crack your Job interview easily.

1. What is Looker used for?

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Looker is a powerful business intelligence (BI) tool that can help a business develop insightful visualizations. It offers a user-friendly workflow, is completely browser-based (eliminating the need for desktop software), and facilitates dashboard collaboration.

2. What is Google Looker?

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Looker for Google Cloud Platform can help anyone in your business to quickly analyze and find insights in your datasets. Looker can make it easy to build a data exploration platform that makes your data accessible in a meaningful, intuitive way for your organization.

3. Is Looker a Google product?

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Today, the company announced that the deal has officially closed and Looker is part of the Google Cloud Platform. While Kurian was happy to announce that Looker was officially part of the Google family, he made it clear in a blog post that the analytics arm would continue to support multiple cloud vendors beyond Google.

4. Is Looker a good tool?

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A trusted data model supports the Looker data platform and consistently defines key business rules and metrics and granular user permissions for any organization. Customers tell us that Looker’s flexible, yet powerful, foundation is their key to delivering actionable insights to internal and external customers.

5. What are the noticeable differences you can find upon comparing DTS and SSIS?

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SSIS	DTS
SSIS can handle a lot of errors irrespective of their complexity, size, and source.	On the other side, the error handling capacity of DTS is limited
SSIS comes with an excellent development wizard.	The same is absent in the case of DTS.

6. Who started Looker?

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Lloyd Tabb, Ben Porterfield

7. Is memory a Looker?

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Tableau is optimized for in-memory data extracts, which, over time, creates management and governance challenges. Looker’s centralized, agile modeling layer creates a trusted environment for all users to interact with — all without any data extraction.

8.Does Looker use SQL?

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Fundamentally, Looker is a tool that generates SQL queries and submits them against a database connection. Looker formulates SQL queries based on a LookML project that describes the relationship between tables and columns in the database.

9. Is Looker publicly traded?

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Now Looker, a Santa Cruz, Calif. -based supplier of analytics tools, is taking on publicly-traded Seattle-based Tableau Software in the $18 billion market for data analytics that includes business intelligence (BI) and data visualization, according to Gartner.

10. Define a multistage development framework?

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11.Can you connect Tableau to looker?

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Tableau is integrating with Looker to help customers connect with governed data and build a flexible data environment that scales and adapts with their evolving needs.

12. Why is Google looking?

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Looker gives you the tools to power a multitude of data experiences, from modern business intelligence and embedded analytics to workflow integrations and custom data apps. Regardless of where your data resides, Looker offers a unified surface to access the truest, most up-to-date version of your company’s data.

13. Compare No Cache Mode with Partial Cache Mode?

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No Cache mode	Partial Cache Mode
The No Cache Mode is a situation when the rows are not generally cached.	Upon adding the new rows, the SSIS starts analyzing the database.
Users can customize this mode and can allow the rows to be cached. However, this is one after one and thus consumes a lot of time.	The rows are only considered or allowed to enter only if they match with the currently existing data, and sometimes it creates issues when the rows come instantly one after one.

14. What language is Looker built in?

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Looker makes use of a simple modeling language called LookML that lets data teams define the relationships in their database so business users can explore, save, and download data without needing to know SQL.

15. What language is looker?

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LookML

LookML is a language for describing dimensions, aggregates, calculations, and data relationships in a SQL database. Looker uses a model written in LookML to construct SQL queries against a particular database.

16. How does Google looker work?

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How Looker works. Looker let’s data experts at each organization describe their data using a lightweight modeling language called LookML. LookML tells Looker how to query data, so everyone in the organization can create easy-to-read reports and dashboards to explore patterns of data.

17. Why is looker so slow?

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Looker Dashboards load in the browser. … Some components are more memory intensive than they are SQL related — these can cause slow performance in dashboards: Data volume has the greatest impact on performance. The more data that is returned in an individual element, the more memory resources will be consumed.

18. How do you deploy looker?

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These are the steps you will need to follow:

• Install Looker: Add Looker to your server. Configure Looker startup options.
• Enable secure database access.
• Configure your database for Looker.
• Connect Looker to your database.
• Test your database connectivity.
• Configure Looker sign-in options.

19. Which Container In A Package Is Allowed For Logging Of Information To A Package Log?

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Every box or the assignment is permitted to try this. However, they need to be assigned throughout the preliminary stage of the operation for this.

20. What is looker and how looker works ?

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21. Can you name a few tools that you can deploy for Data Analysis?

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The most commonly used tools are RapidMiner, Node XL, Wolfram Alpha, KNIME, SOLVER, Tableau, as well as Fusion Tables by Google. Related Article: Tableau Vs. Looker

22. What Are The Basic Issues In The Data That Can Create A Lot Of Trouble For The Data Analyst?

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One of the largest hassle creators is the duplicate entries. Although this will be eliminated, there may be no full accuracy viable. This is because the identical data is commonly available in a distinctive layout or in different sentences. The not unusual misspelling is some other fundamental problem author. Also, the various cost can create a ton of troubles. Moreover, values which might be unlawful, lacking and can not be recognized can beautify the chances of diverse mistakes and the equal affect the exceptional as much as a outstanding volume.

23. How do I create a view from a table in Looker?

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• Adding a new view from an existing database table
• Within a project, click + at the top of the project file list in the Looker IDE, or you can click a folder’s menu to create the file inside the folder.
• Click Create View From Table.
• Looker displays a list of tables associated with one of your connections.

24. How do I get started with Looker?

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Visit connect.looker.com to get started.

Since this is a new platform, you’ll need to create a new account, and the first time you log in we’ll ask you about how you use Looker in your role.

25. Why is BigQuery so fast?

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unprecedented performance: Columnar Storage. Data is stored in a columnar storage fashion which makes it possible to achieve a very high compression ratio and scan throughput. Tree Architecture is used for dispatching queries and aggregating results across thousands of machines in a few seconds.

26. What is a NoSQL database?

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NoSQL, also referred to as “not only SQL”, “noSQL”, is an approach to database design that enables the storage and querying of data outside the traditional structures found in relational databases.

27. Why is BigQuery fast?

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Due to the separation between compute and storage layers, BigQuery requires an ultra-fast network which can deliver terabytes of data in seconds directly from storage into computers for running Dremel jobs. Google’s Jupiter network enables BigQuery service to utilize 1 Petabit/sec of total bisection bandwidth.

28. Is looker an open source?

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Looker Open Source · GitHub.

29. What is similar to Looker?

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• Competitors and Alternatives to Looker
• Microsoft Power BI.
• Tableau Desktop.
• Qlik Sense.
• SAP BusinessObjects BI Suite.
• Sisense Fusion Analytics.
• TIBCO Spotfire.
• Microstrategy.
• IBM Cognos Analytics.

30. Describe an advanced data analytics platform?

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31. What are Looker blocks?

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Looker Blocks™ are pre-built data models for common analytical patterns and data sources. … From optimized SQL patterns to fully built-out data models, Looker blocks can be used as a starting point for quick and flexible data modeling in Looker.

32. Who uses Looker?

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Over 1,600 industry-leading and innovative companies such as Sony, Amazon, The Economist, IBM, Spotify, Etsy, Lyft and Kickstarter have trusted Looker to power their data-driven cultures.

33. What is Snowflake Looker?

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Looker & Snowflake

Snowflake is a fully-managed Cloud MPP data warehouse that enables users to spin up as many virtual warehouses as they need to parallelize and isolate the performance of individual queries.

34. What is the Looker app?

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The Looker mobile application allows users to quickly view recently viewed and favorite Looks and dashboards, view boards they follow, browse content that is stored in folders, and share content on a mobile device.

35. Is Looker no code?

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As somebody who built a lot of Looker, it is not no-code for this very reason. It’s why your Looker data model is stored in hand-editable code and under version control!

36. How much did Looker sell for?

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When Google announced that it was acquiring data analytics startup Looker for $2.6 billion, it was a big deal on a couple of levels.

37. Why is Looker created LookML?

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LookML empowers data professionals to empower others. The “data model” that Looker helps you build enables non-technical users to do their jobs–building dashboards, drilling to row-level detail, and accessing complex metrics–without having to worry about what’s behind the curtain.

38. What Do You Mean By The Term Data Cleansing?

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It is nothing but the other call of statistics cleansing system. Basically, there are numerous methods which might be taken into consideration for putting off the inconsistencies and mistakes from the datasets. Combination of these types of approaches is considered as information cleansing. Basically, all the approaches or methods have a comparable target and that i.E. To boost the quality of statistics.

39. What is a tile in a looker?

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Visit the Dashboards documentation page to learn more about Looker’s new dashboard experience. … Tiles are visualizations that are added to a dashboard from an Explore or a Look. Tiles can be Look-linked or query-based. Query tiles differ from Look-linked tiles because they are stored only on dashboards.

40. Where does building a looker dashboard?

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41. What is Looker development mode?

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Development Mode allows you to make changes to LookML files and to preview how they will affect content on your instance. In Development Mode, you can see the effects of your changes to project files in the Explore area of Looker.

42. What is Looker good for?

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Looker is a powerful business intelligence (BI) tool that can help a business develop insightful visualizations. It offers a user-friendly workflow, is completely browser-based (eliminating the need for desktop software), and facilitates dashboard collaboration.

43. What does Looker integrate with?

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Looker connects with Redshift, Snowflake, BigQuery, and 50+ supported SQL dialects, so you can link to multiple databases, avoid database lock-in, and maintain multi cloud data environments.

44. What Do You Understand By The Term Logistic Regression?

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It is basically an approach this is considered for correct verification of a dataset that includes impartial variables. The verification level is based on how properly the very last final results depends on these variables. It is not constantly clean to change them once described.

45. How much data can Looker handle?

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Without a set row limit, Looker supports up to 5,000 rows.

46. How long does it take to implement Looker?

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These features are straightforward to add, as the foundation comes out of the box from Looker. Check out how Looker customer SupporT trends built an embedded analytics solution in only 6 months and took just 2 weeks to implement Looker visualizations.

47. Where is Looker hosted?

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Deployment of Looker-hosted instances has historically been on Looker’s virtual private cloud (VPC) on Amazon Web Service (AWS). Beginning in November, customers can choose between hosting on AWS or the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Customers can even self-host on private infrastructure if necessary.

48. Can you self host Looker?

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In a self-hosted Looker deployment, you may need to deploy ancillary services in your cloud to access these features.

49. Where does Looker run?

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Looker runs as a Java virtual machine. If your Looker instance is on a VMware guest, you may need to do some performance tuning.

50. Define a hackathon with looker?

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51. What is a PDT database?

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Background. A Persistent Derived Table (or PDT for short) is a table that Looker can create and manage in a target database. The table is loaded with data from a SQL statement defined in a view file, and is refreshed on a regular basis.

52. How many types of views are there?

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There are a total of four types of views, based on the way in which the view is implemented and the methods that are permitted for accessing the view data. They are – Database Views, Projection Views, Maintenance Views, and Helps Views,.

53. How do I view SQL in Looker?

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Click the Database tab. In SQL Runner, click the gear for a table and select Explore Table. Looker generates a temporary model with a view for the table, then displays the Explore. Looker provides a dimension field for each column in the table.

54. Do you need to know SQL to use Looker?

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Writing LookML requires an understanding of SQL queries. You don’t have to be a SQL guru, and even beginners can create powerful Looker models. But, in general, the deeper you go in LookML, the more you benefit from a deeper knowledge of SQL.

55. What is offset in the looker?

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As of Looker 3.36, we have introduced an offset_list function. This function allows you to create a list from a group of rows in a column, and then aggregate over that list. The offset function in table calculations allows you to reference a single value in a previous or following row.

56. What is looker in GCP?

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Looker is an enterprise platform for business intelligence, data applications, and embedded analytics. Looker helps you explore, share, and visualize your company’s data so that you can make better business decisions.

57. Is Looker a SAAS product?

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Looker is a modern business intelligence and data exploration platform that allows users of all skill levels to easily explore and visualize data and find insights.

58. How does Looker connect to the database?

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Select Connections from the Database section in the Admin panel. On the Connections page, click the Add Connection button. Looker displays the Connection Settings page. The fields that the Connection Settings page displays depend on your dialect setting.

59. How does Looker connect to Snowflake?

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Configuring OAuth for Snowflake connections. Looker supports OAuth for Snowflake connections, meaning that each Looker user authenticates in to Snowflake and authorizes Looker to run queries on the database with their own Snowflake user account.

60. Define looker architecture?

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61. What is explored in Looker?

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In Looker, your users can see Explores listed in the Explore menu: By convention, Explores are declared in the model file. The example below demonstrates the declaration for an orders Explore for an e-commerce database. The views orders and customers are defined elsewhere, in their respective view files.

62. What is a field picker in Looker?

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github repo API docs. Embedding a on-the-fly visualization, as opposed to a saved look, gives you complete flexibility to programmatically define the data set and look and feel of an embedded table or graph.

63. What are measures in Looker?

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Post-SQL measures: Post-SQL measures are special measure types that perform specific calculations after Looker has generated query SQL. They can reference only numeric measures or numeric dimensions. You cannot use the filters parameter with these measure types.

64. Can Looker connect to SQL Server?

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Looker requires “SQL Server Authentication” on your MSSQL server. If your MSSQL server is configured as “Windows Integrated Authentication” only, change the server configuration to “Windows Integrated Authentication and SQL Server Authentication.” If this is not set properly Looker will be unable to connect.

65. Can Looker connect to excel?

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Although Looker does not connect directly to an Excel spreadsheet, there are ways to upload data via a derived table. … The secondary method utilizes the CONCATENATE function to create a series of SELECT statements to ultimately create a SQL based derived table.

66. What is Snowsight?

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Snowsight, the SQL Worksheets replacement, is designed to support data analyst activities. Snowsight is available in the new Snowflake web interface. Next Topics: Visualizing Data. Sharing Worksheets and Dashboards.

67. How do I get to SQL runner in looker?

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• Navigating to SQL Runner
• In the Develop menu, select SQL Runner.
• From an Explore, click SQL on the Data bar to see the SQL. Then click Open in SQL Runner to see the query in SQL Runner, or click Explain in SQL Runner to open SQL
• Runner and request the database’s execution plan for the query

68. What is the role of Snowflake?

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Snowflake uses roles to control access to objects in the system: Roles are granted access privileges for objects in the system (databases, tables, etc.). Roles are granted to users to enable them to create, modify, and use the objects for which the roles have privileges.

69. What is a Looker model?

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In Looker, a model comprises a combination of related Explores and dashboards. … Instead, any file placed in the Models section of the Looker IDE (also known as the Develop page) defines a model. The model name is taken from the filename and must be unique across your instance, even within different projects.

70. Draw a custom hosted architecture?

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71. Why is LookML built?

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LookML is built for today’s complex data. Bad tools just make complexity harder to deal with. LookML is a powerful tool for power users that helps them capture that complexity–whether inequality joins, many-to-many relationships, multi-level aggregation, or anything else–and render it invisible to end users.

72. What is a cross filter in Looker?

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Cross-filtering makes it easier and more intuitive for viewers of dashboards to interact with a dashboard’s data and understand how one metric affects another. With cross-filtering, users can click a data point in one dashboard tile to have all dashboard tiles automatically filter on that value.

73. How do I run a query in the looker?

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• To run a query against your LookML model in SQL Runner:
• Click the Model tab.
• Select the model you want to query.
• Click in the SQL Query area and enter your SQL query using LookML fields.
• Optionally, double-click on a view in the view list to include the view in your query at the cursor location

74. How do I connect to AWS looker?

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• This page describes how to connect Looker to an Amazon Athena instance.
• Ensure that you have the following: A pair of Amazon AWS access keys.
• In the Admin section of Looker, select Connections, then New Connection.
• Fill out the connection details: Name: Specify the name of the connection.

75. What is Looker API?

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The Looker API is a secure, “RESTful” application programming interface for managing your Looker instance and fetching data through the Looker data platform. With the Looker API, you can write applications or automation scripts to provision new Looker user accounts, run queries, schedule reports, etc.

76. Can you upload CSV to the looker?

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You can share and access the data in text, JSON, CSV, and HTML formats by changing the format extension of the URL. For example: https://instance_name.looker.com/looks/tRpghtMTZc6ByPHVMJX8hk9FspZx3VjS.txt.

77. Can looker connect to CSV?

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Starting in Looker 7.4, you can use Looker’s new, secure, OAuth-based action to send CSVs directly from Looker to Google Sheets on a one-off or recurring basis

78. How do I share my looker Dashboard link?

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Sharing a dashboard’s URL

Selecting the Get link option from the dashboard’s three-dot menu reveals a pop-up that contains a link to the dashboard, which can be copied and shared.

79. What is GCP Looker?

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Looker is an enterprise platform for business intelligence, data applications, and embedded analytics. Looker helps you explore, share, and visualize your company’s data so that you can make better business decisions.

80. What is an introduction to looker?

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81. What is a derived table in Looker?

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In Looker, a derived table is a query whose results are used as if it were an actual table in the database. For example, let’s say we have a database table called orders that has many columns.

82. What are boards in the looker?

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• Boards in Looker provide a way for teams to find curated dashboards and Looks. Dashboards and Looks, which are stored in folders, can be pinned to multiple boards.

• Board access levels
• Manage access to the board.
• Organize and manage content on the board.
• Pin and remove Looks and dashboards.
• Delete the board

83. What does Teradata do?

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Teradata is an enterprise software company that develops and sells database analytics software subscriptions. The company provides three main services: business analytics, cloud products, and consulting.

84. What is the use of BigQuery?

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BigQuery is a fully-managed enterprise data warehouse that helps you manage and analyze your data with built-in features like machine learning, geospatial analysis, and business intelligence.

85. How can I improve my Looker performance?

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Optimize Looker Server Performance Use the dashboard auto refresh feature strategically. If a dashboard uses auto refresh, make sure it refreshes no faster than the ETL processes running behind the scenes. Use pivots strategically, and avoid over-using pivots within dashboard tiles and Looks.

86. Is SQL a Looker?

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Fundamentally, Looker is a tool that generates SQL queries and submits them against a database connection. Looker formulates SQL queries based on a LookML project that describes the relationship between tables and columns in the database.

87. What is a dimension in Looker?

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In Looker, a dimension is a groupable field and can be used to filter query results. It can be: An attribute, which has a direct association to a column in an underlying table. A fact or numerical value. A derived value, computed based on the values of other fields in a single row.

88. What are Looker models?

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In Looker, a model comprises a combination of related Explores and dashboards. Unlike other LookML elements, a model is not declared with a specific “model” parameter. Instead, any file placed in the Models section of the Looker IDE (also known as the Develop page) defines a model.

89. What is pivot in Looker?

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Pivoting dimensions

Looker supports up to 200 pivoted values. To pivot Explore results by a dimension: Hover over the dimension in the field picker and click the pivot icon. … To unpivot results, click the field’s gear icon and select the Unpivot option, or click the dimension’s pivot icon again in the field picker.

90. Define setting up Looker embedded analytics?

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91. How do you make a bucket in Looker?

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• There are three ways to create buckets in Looker:

• Using the tier dimension type.
• Using the case parameter.
• Using a SQL CASE WHEN statement in the SQL parameter of a LookML field.

92. What is the Group label in Looker?

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The group_label parameter specifies the label to use as a heading in the Explore menu for this Explore. Instead of each Explore being listed under its model’s name, you can list an Explore under a new group label or under another model’s name

93. What is a view label?

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View labels let you communicate information about your drawings, such as view names and scale. View labels use tags to add content, but you can also type text in a label