Role-specific Biztalk Visual Studio Interview Questions & Answers:

1. Tell us do you know what is a link in a Map?

A link specifies the basic function of copying data from an element or attribute in an input instance message to an element or attribute in an output instance. You create links between records and fields in the source and destination schemas at design time. This drives the creation, at run time, of an output instance message conforming to the destination schema from an input instance message conforming to the source schema.

2. Tell us how to route binary data?

To route binary data you can use pass-through pipelines on the receive location and send port. BizTalk will route (copy) the data from the source (receive location) to the destination (send port). If you want to route the binary data based on some information in the binary data then you write a custom Disassembler to promote the properties you need from the incoming message to route the binary data.

3. Do you know what are the actions in order to deploy from Visual Studio?

☛ Sign the project with strong name key
☛ Give the name to the Application

4. Explain how BizTalk engine identifies a unique schema?

BizTalk uses a combination of namespace#rootnode to define the schema type of a message, thereby making a MessageType unique (for example: http://mynamespace.com#MyRootNode). In other words, BizTalk uses this combination to identify and resolve schemas references.

5. Tell me how is strong name key generated?

At the command prompt, from the folder where you want to store the key file, type the following command, and then press ENTER: sn /k file_name .snk. In Visual Studio Solution Explorer, right-click the project and then click Properties. Click the Signing tab and choose Browse in the Choose a strong name key file drop down box.

6. Explain me what is option Clean used for?

Clean Solution is used to delete any intermediate and output files (mostly assemblies). With only the project and component files left, new instances of the intermediate and output files (mostly assemblies) can then be built.

7. Please explain difference between Build and Rebuild?

Build means compile and link only the source files that have changed since the last build, while Rebuild means compile and link all source files regardless of whether they changed or not.

8. Tell us can we have schema without a target namespace? What will be its MessageType?

Yes, we can have a schema without target namespace and its message type will be the Root node.

9. Do you know what is <Any> element in schema?

An <Any> element in a schema designates a specific location in the schema where new elements or attributes can be added. When BizTalk uses the schema to process a message containing unknown elements or attributes in the designated location, the schema will still consider the message valid.

10. Tell me can an Envelope schema consist of more than one schema type?

Yes. Technically it is possible.