PeopleSoft, developed by Oracle, is a widely-used suite of business applications for HR, finance, supply chain, and CRM. Whether you’re aiming for a role as a PeopleSoft developer, functional consultant, or administrator, preparing the right PeopleSoft interview questions can make all the difference.
In this detailed guide, we cover:
- 40+ technical and HR-based PeopleSoft interview questions
- In-depth answers based on real-world usage
- A section of “People Also Ask” questions with rich descriptions
- Career tips and advice for 2025 interviews
Let’s get started.
✅ Basic PeopleSoft Interview Questions
1. What is PeopleSoft?
PeopleSoft is an integrated software package for business processes like HR, finance, payroll, CRM, and supply chain management. It’s part of the Oracle product family.
2. What are the main components of PeopleSoft architecture?
- Client Layer
- Web Server (Pia)
- Application Server
- Process Scheduler Server
- Database Server
3. What is PeopleTools?
PeopleTools is a set of proprietary development tools used to build, customize, and maintain PeopleSoft applications. It includes Application Designer, PeopleCode, SQR, and Integration Broker.
4. What is a Component in PeopleSoft?
A Component is a collection of related pages that process and manage user input as a unit of work (transaction).
5. Explain PeopleCode.
PeopleCode is a proprietary scripting language used in PeopleSoft to implement business logic and automate processes across components.
✅ Intermediate PeopleSoft Interview Questions
6. What are the different types of PeopleCode events?
- FieldEdit
- FieldChange
- RowInit
- SavePreChange
- SavePostChange
- Workflow
- MessageBox
7. What is a Record in PeopleSoft?
A Record defines the structure of a database table and is the foundation for building pages and components.
8. What is a Page in PeopleSoft?
A Page is the user interface where fields from Records are placed for users to input or view data.
9. Explain the difference between Primary Record and Search Record.
- Primary Record: Holds the main data for a component.
- Search Record: Used to fetch keys to find the rows displayed on a page.
10. What is PeopleSoft Query?
A graphical, end-user reporting tool that allows users to extract data from PeopleSoft tables without SQL knowledge.
✅ Advanced PeopleSoft Interview Questions
11. What is Application Engine in PeopleSoft?
Application Engine is a batch-processing tool that runs SQL, PeopleCode, and conditional logic without user interaction.
12. What are State Records in Application Engine?
State Records are used to maintain the state of variables or temporary data during the execution of an Application Engine program.
13. What is Integration Broker?
Integration Broker enables communication between PeopleSoft and external systems through XML, SOAP, REST, or JMS.
14. What are different types of keys in PeopleSoft Records?
- Primary Keys
- Search Keys
- Alternate Search Keys
15. How do you migrate projects in PeopleSoft?
Using Application Designer and Change Assistant, developers migrate projects between environments like Dev, Test, and Production.
✅ PeopleSoft Technical Interview Questions
16. What is the purpose of the Process Scheduler?
It automates batch jobs like reports, payroll processing, or data updates, and ensures they run at specific times or triggers.
17. What is Component Interface?
It provides programmatic access to PeopleSoft components. Useful in automation or integration with external applications.
18. What are Message Nodes in Integration Broker?
They define the routing destination for messages between systems.
19. How do you debug PeopleCode?
Use PeopleCode Debugger or insert MessageBox code to track variable values during execution.
20. What is Dynamic View in PeopleSoft?
Dynamic Views are SQL Select statements that behave like records, used when data needs to be fetched dynamically.
✅ People Also Ask: 30+ Real Interview Questions with Detailed Answers
21. How does PeopleSoft differ from Oracle E-Business Suite?
PeopleSoft has a more intuitive UI for HR and Finance, while EBS is broader for ERP and manufacturing. Both belong to Oracle.
22. What is a Prompt Table in PeopleSoft?
A Prompt Table provides a list of values to users in a dropdown format for field entry.
23. What is the difference between Effective Date and Effective Sequence?
- Effective Date: Indicates the start date of a record change.
- Effective Sequence: Differentiates multiple changes on the same date.
24. What are Temporary Tables in AE programs?
They hold temporary data during batch processing and are cleared after job completion.
25. How do you handle security in PeopleSoft?
Via Permission Lists, Roles, and User Profiles. Row-level and field-level security can also be implemented.
26. Can PeopleSoft be hosted in the cloud?
Yes. PeopleSoft supports Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) or third-party cloud platforms for hosting.
27. What is the use of the Translate Table?
It stores predefined values for fields, similar to dropdowns with short codes and descriptions.
28. How does PeopleSoft handle workflow?
Workflow allows automation of business processes with routing rules, approvals, and notifications.
29. What’s the use of %Bind and %BIND(:1)?
Used in Application Engine SQL to substitute values during runtime.
30. What is the difference between Do While and Do Select?
- Do While: Runs based on condition
- Do Select: Runs once for each selected row
31. What is Fluid UI in PeopleSoft?
A responsive user interface introduced in newer PeopleTools versions, optimized for mobile and tablets.
32. What are PeopleSoft Tables?
Database tables storing application data (e.g., JOB, PS_PERSONAL_DATA, etc.).
33. How do you write PeopleCode for FieldChange?
Use the FieldChange event to run code when a user changes a field value. Example:
peoplecodeCopyEditIf %FieldChanged = "EMPLID" Then
/* code */
End-If;
34. What is the difference between Static and Dynamic Prompts?
- Static Prompt: Fixed list from a prompt table.
- Dynamic Prompt: List changes based on user input or logic.
35. What is a Menu in PeopleSoft?
It’s a navigation structure that links to components and pages for user access.
36. What are Component Buffers?
They store data retrieved by components to minimize database hits and improve performance.
37. What’s the role of Row Level Security?
Restricts data access based on user attributes like location, department, or role.
38. Can PeopleSoft integrate with third-party tools?
Yes, using Integration Broker, Web Services, REST APIs, or middleware.
39. What are Event Mapping and Drop Zones?
Event Mapping customizes delivered components without direct modification. Drop Zones allow UI extensions.
40. What are WorkCenters in PeopleSoft?
Customizable dashboards where users can access their transactions, reports, and alerts in one place.
✅ Tips to Crack PeopleSoft Interviews
- Review real-life projects you’ve worked on.
- Master PeopleCode and App Engine basics.
- Understand functional flows (e.g., Hire to Retire).
- Practice SQL queries and data tracing.
- Use Oracle documentation and forums to stay updated.
✅ Conclusion
Mastering these PeopleSoft interview questions is your key to cracking job interviews in 2025 and beyond. Whether you’re a fresher or an experienced candidate, having clear knowledge of PeopleTools, functional modules, and integration techniques will set you apart.