Informatica Transformations are repository Objects that are used to perform aggregations, sorting, merging, modifying, distributing, etc., while passing data through them.
The Power Center Designer provides a set of transformations in Informatica that perform specific functions. For example, Sorter transformation will sort the input fields based on a specified field.
Types of Transformations in Informatica
A transformation is a part of Mapping, which transforms or modifies the data as per the selected transformation. This section covers the list of available ones with practical examples.
Informatica transformations can divide into two types: Active or Passive. We can further divide them based on the connectivity in mapping: Connected and Unconnected Transformations.
Active Transformations in Informatica
An active type of transformation in Informatica can change the number of rows that pass through it. For example, if the input rows do not meet the specified expression, then those rows will not move to the target.
Passive Transformations in Informatica
The Informatica passive transformation does not change the number of rows passing through it.
Connected Transformations
Within a Mapping, if a transformation is connected to another or connected directly to the target table, it is called Connected.
All the active and passive can call connected transformations in Informatica, and they can receive / or provide multiple input ports.
Unconnected Transformations
Within the Mappings, if the Informatica transformation does not connect to others, we can call it Unconnected. It means it is neither connected to Source nor the target.
Unconnected Lookup is the best example of Informatica Unconnected.
Informatica Transformations List
Before we get into the list of transformations and their definitions, let me open my Power Center Designer to display the available list in mappings:
and few more
The following are a list of Informatica transformations that are available to transform data. I suggest you click on the URL (red color links) to navigate to the required transformation and find the example with a detailed explanation.
| Transformations | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregator | Active / Connected | It is used to perform Aggregate calculations such as SUM, MIN, COUNT etc. |
| Application Source Qualifier | Active / Connected | It represents the rows that the Integration Service reads from an application. |
| Custom | Active or Passive / Connected | It is used to call Procedures from DLL or shared Library |
| Data Masking | Passive / Connected | Use this to replace original data (sensitive data) with realistic test data. This is very useful while we are working in Non- Production environment. |
| Expression | Passive / Connected | Helps you to write Custom calculations using Expression Editor. |
| External Procedure | Passive / Connected or Unconnected | This is used to call a procedure in a Shared Library or from the Com layer of Windows. |
| Filter | Active / Connected | Used to Filter the data |
| HTTP | Passive / Connected | Use this to connect with HTTP Server and read or update data. |
| Input | Passive / Connected | This is available in Mapplet Designer. Use this one to define the Input rows. |
| Java | Active or Passive / Connected | This is very useful to execute the code written in Java. |
| Joiner | Active /Connected | To Join data from multiple tables. There are four types of Joins: Normal Join, Master Outer Join, Detail Outer Join, and Full Outer Join. |
| Lookup | Active or Passive / Connected or Unconnected | This Informatica transformation is useful to look up data present in Relational databases or flat files. |
| Normalizer | Active /Connected | Use this to normalize the data (DE normalized). |
| Output | Passive / Connected | This is available in Mapplet Designer. Use this to define the output rows. |
| Rank | Active /Connected | Used to Limit the records from Top or Bottom |
| Router | Active /Connected | Based on the group condition, it will route the data to multiple destinations or trans. |
| Sequence Generator | Passive / Connected | This Transformation will generate Numeric values. We mainly use this to generate primary keys |
| Sorter | Active /Connected | This is used to Sort the data based on the specified Column or Key |
| Source Qualifier | Active /Connected | It represents the rows that the Service reads from a Flat File or Relational Database. |
| SQL | Active or Passive / Connected | It helps you to execute SQL Queries against a Database |
| Stored Procedure | Passive / Connected or Unconnected | Use this to call a stored procedure. |
| Transaction Control | Active / Connected | By using this you can define Commit, and Rollback Transactions |
| Union | Active / Connected | This is used to combine or merge data from different databases or sources. |
| Unstructured Data | Active or Passive / Connected | This Informatica transformation transforms data in a semi-structured or unstructured format. |
| Update Strategy | Active /Connected | Used to determine whether to Insert, Update, Delete, or reject Rows. |
| XML Generator | Active /Connected | It reads data from one or more ports and returns XML |
| XML Parser | Active /Connected | Reads XML file and output the data. |
| XML Source Qualifier | Active /Connected | It represents the records that the Integration Service reads from an XML source. |
If you want to save the above-specified list of Informatica Transformations on your Mobile, then use the below image.
