The Informatica Integration Service determines the start value for a mapping variable by following a specific order of precedence. Option A provides the most comprehensive sequence. The process begins with runtime overrides: values from a workflow parameter file are read, then overridden by a session parameter file if specified. A pre-session variable assignment provides a further, higher-priority override. If none of these runtime values are provided, the service uses the value saved in the repository from the previous successful session. If no repository value exists (e.g., on the first run), it uses the initial value declared in the mapping. The ultimate fallback is the default value for the variable's data type (e.g., 0 for a number).

B. This option is incomplete. It correctly orders the parameter files and repository/initial values but omits the pre-session assignment, which is a critical, high-precedence override mechanism.

C. This order is incorrect. The repository value has a lower priority than runtime configurations like parameter files and pre-session assignments, which can override it.

D. This option is highly incomplete. It only shows the lowest levels of the hierarchy and completely ignores the higher-precedence runtime overrides from parameter files and assignments.

1. Informatica PowerCenter 10.5

Advanced Workflow Guide

"Chapter 2: Workflow and Task Variables"

section on "Mapping Variable and Parameter Precedence".

This guide details the definitive order of precedence

stating that the Integration Service uses the following hierarchy to determine a variable's start value: 1. Pre-session variable assignment

2. Value in a parameter file

3. Value saved in the repository

4. Initial value

5. Datatype default value. This confirms that runtime assignments and files have precedence over repository and initial values.

2. Informatica PowerCenter 10.5

Workflow Basics Guide

"Chapter 10: Parameters and Variables in a Workflow"

section on "Parameter and Variable Precedence".

This document corroborates the hierarchy

explaining that values defined closer to the task execution (e.g.

in a session parameter file or pre-session assignment) override values defined at a more general level (e.g.

workflow parameter file or initial value). Option A

while slightly confusing in its ordering of the highest-priority items

lists the complete set of sources in a logical evaluation flow.