In SAP BW, can existing BEx queries generally still be used after structural changes are made to the underlying InfoProvider?

Introduction / Context:
As SAP BW systems evolve, InfoProviders often undergo structural changes, such as new characteristics, new key figures, or the removal of obsolete fields. BEx queries built on these InfoProviders represent important reporting assets that you generally want to preserve. Certification questions therefore ask whether queries can still be used after InfoProvider changes and what conditions must be met for continued use.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• An InfoProvider with existing BEx queries has been changed structurally.
• Changes might include adding, renaming, or removing fields.
• The goal is to keep queries functioning and avoid unnecessary deletion.
• BW provides tools for adjusting and regenerating queries after such changes.

Concept / Approach:
BEx queries store metadata about the fields they use. When the InfoProvider structure changes, the queries may need to be regenerated or manually adjusted to align with the new structure. As long as you update the queries accordingly, they can usually continue to operate. Only in extreme cases, such as very disruptive structural changes, might it be more practical to redesign a query from scratch. The general principle is that queries are reusable and adaptable rather than disposable.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that queries are tightly linked to InfoProvider structures but are not permanently fixed if the provider changes. Step 2: Understand that BW gives you tools to regenerate queries, which refresh their metadata to reflect the current InfoProvider design. Step 3: Note that if fields used in a query are removed from the InfoProvider, the query needs manual adjustment to remove or replace those fields. Step 4: Review the answer options and select the one that acknowledges continued use of queries after InfoProvider changes, subject to regeneration or adjustment. Step 5: Choose option a as it best reflects standard practice and system capabilities.

Verification / Alternative check:
In a real implementation, suppose that a new key figure is added to an InfoCube, but existing queries do not yet use it. Those queries will generally continue to function without any modification. If a characteristic used in filters is removed, the query may show an error until you open it in the query designer, remove the obsolete field, and save it again. In some releases, regeneration tools automatically update technical metadata. These examples demonstrate that queries can be reused and adapted after structural changes rather than being discarded.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b is incorrect because structural changes do not automatically render all queries permanently unusable; many changes are backward compatible or can be handled by regeneration. Option c exaggerates the level of automation; queries do not always adapt without any intervention, especially when fields are removed. Option d is wrong because queries are not static, unchangeable reports; they are design objects that can be edited. Option e introduces an unnecessary constraint about data presence, which is not the main factor in query usability after structural changes.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is either to assume that no action is ever needed after InfoProvider changes or, at the opposite extreme, to assume that all queries must be discarded. The reality lies in between: you usually adjust or regenerate queries and continue using them. For exam purposes, remember the balanced statement that queries can still be used after InfoProvider changes, as long as they are brought into alignment with the new structure.

Final Answer:
Yes, existing queries can generally still be used after InfoProvider changes, provided they are regenerated or adjusted so that their definitions match the new InfoProvider structure.