Dbt

Question 1

What informs dbt about the context of a project?

Answer 1

A dbt project

A dbt project specifies how to transform data and build datasets.

Question 2

What is the minimum requirement for a dbt project?

Answer 2

The dbt_project.yml project configuration file

This file is essential for dbt to function correctly.

Question 3

What does the models resource in a dbt project do?

Answer 3

Transforms raw data into a dataset ready for analytics or serves as an intermediate step

Each model is contained in a single file.

Question 4

What are snapshots used for in a dbt project?

Answer 4

Capturing the state of mutable tables for later reference

Snapshots allow tracking changes over time.

Question 5

What are seeds in a dbt project?

Answer 5

CSV files with static data that can be loaded into the data platform

Seeds provide a way to incorporate static datasets.

Question 6

What purpose do data tests serve in a dbt project?

Answer 6

SQL queries to test the models and resources in your project

Data tests ensure data quality and integrity.

Question 7

What are macros in a dbt project?

Answer 7

Blocks of code that can be reused multiple times

Macros promote code efficiency and reduce redundancy.

Question 8

What is the role of docs in a dbt project?

Answer 8

Documentation for the project that can be built

Docs help in understanding and maintaining the project.

Question 9

What do sources represent in a dbt project?

Answer 9

Naming and describing data loaded into the warehouse by Extract and Load tools

Sources provide clarity on data origins.

Question 10

What are exposures in a dbt project?

Answer 10

Defining and describing a downstream use of your project

Exposures help track how data is utilized post-transformation.

Question 11

What is the purpose of metrics in a dbt project?

Answer 11

Defining metrics for your project

Metrics provide quantifiable measures for analysis.

Question 12

What do groups enable in a dbt project?

Answer 12

Collaborative node organization in restricted collections

Groups facilitate teamwork and organization.

Question 13

What is the analysis resource in a dbt project used for?

Answer 13

Organizing analytical SQL queries in the project

This includes queries like the general ledger from QuickBooks.

Question 14

What do semantic models define in a dbt project?

Answer 14

Foundational data relationships in MetricFlow and the Semantic Layer

They enable querying metrics using a semantic graph.

Question 15

What are saved queries in a dbt project?

Answer 15

Organizing reusable queries by grouping metrics, dimensions, and filters into nodes

Saved queries enhance efficiency by reducing repetitive query writing.

Question 16

What should be considered when building the structure of a dbt project?

Answer 16

Impacts on workflow such as command execution paths, navigation, and model configuration

These factors influence usability for developers and stakeholders.

Question 18

What is the purpose of the dbt_project.yml file?

Answer 18

It defines the directory of the dbt project and other project configurations.

This file is essential for managing dbt project settings and ensuring proper functionality.

Question 19

What does the YAML key ‘name’ represent in dbt_project.yml?

Answer 19

Your project’s name in snake case.

This key is used to identify the project uniquely.

Question 20

What does the YAML key ‘version’ signify in dbt_project.yml?

Answer 20

Version of your project.

This helps track changes and manage project updates.

Question 21

What is the purpose of the ‘require-dbt-version’ key in dbt_project.yml?

Answer 21

Restrict your project to only work with a range of dbt Core versions.

This ensures compatibility with specific dbt versions.

Question 22

What does the ‘profile’ key in dbt_project.yml specify?

Answer 22

The profile dbt uses to connect to your data platform.

This key configures the connection settings for the data source.

Question 23

What information do ‘model-paths’ provide in dbt_project.yml?

Answer 23

Directories to where your model and source files live.

This structure organizes model files for better management.

Question 24

What is indicated by the ‘seed-paths’ key in dbt_project.yml?

Answer 24

Directories to where your seed files live.

Seed files are CSV data files that dbt can load into the database.

Question 25

What is the purpose of the 'test-paths' key in dbt_project.yml?

Answer 25

Directories to where your test files live. ## Footnote This allows for organized placement of testing scripts.

Question 26

What do 'analysis-paths' refer to in dbt_project.yml?

Answer 26

Directories to where your analyses live. ## Footnote This structure is used for analytical queries or reports.

Question 27

What is the function of the 'macro-paths' key in dbt_project.yml?

Answer 27

Directories to where your macros live. ## Footnote Macros are reusable SQL snippets that simplify code writing.

Question 28

What does the 'snapshot-paths' key indicate in dbt_project.yml?

Answer 28

Directories to where your snapshots live. ## Footnote Snapshots capture the state of data at a point in time.

Question 29

What is defined by the 'docs-paths' key in dbt_project.yml?

Answer 29

Directories to where your docs blocks live. ## Footnote This helps in organizing documentation associated with the project.

Question 30

What does the 'vars' key represent in dbt_project.yml?

Answer 30

Project variables you want to use for data compilation. ## Footnote These variables can be referenced throughout the project for dynamic configurations.

Question 31

Fill in the blank: The dbt_project.yml file is essential for _______.

Answer 31

[managing dbt project settings]

Question 32

True or False: The 'version' key in dbt_project.yml is optional.

Answer 32

True. ## Footnote While it is recommended to set a version, it is not strictly required.

Question 33

Which dbt YAML file does not support Jinja?

Answer 33

dependencies.yml

Question 34

In which dbt YAML files can you use vars?

Answer 34

Any YAML file that supports Jinja, like schema.yml and snapshots.yml

Question 35

How do you pass vars to dbt_project.yml, packages.yml, and profiles.yml?

Answer 35

Through the CLI using --vars

Question 36

Why can't you define vars inside dbt_project.yml, packages.yml, and profiles.yml?

Answer 36

These files are parsed before Jinja is rendered

Question 37

Can you use env_var() in YAML files that support Jinja?

Answer 37

Yes

Question 38

Which dbt YAML files support secure environment variables with DBT_ENV_SECRET_?

Answer 38

profiles.yml and packages.yml

Question 39

Which dbt package generates YML and SQL files for models and sources?

Answer 39

dbt_codegen

Question 40

Which dbt package provides macros like date_spine for development?

Answer 40

dbt_utils

Question 41

Which package evaluates your dbt project against best practices?

Answer 41

dbt_project_evaluator

Question 42

Which package offers additional tests beyond dbt's built-in ones?

Answer 42

dbt_expectations

Question 43

Which package helps compare outputs of two queries for refactoring?

Answer 43

dbt_audit_helper

Question 44

Which package tracks dbt run performance over time?

Answer 44

dbt_artifacts

Question 45

Which package ensures your dbt project is tested and documented?

Answer 45

dbt_meta_testing

Question 46

What is a resilient way to select models in dbt?

Answer 46

Use folder structure, e.g., dbt build --select marts.marketing

Question 47

How should you group dbt jobs?

Answer 47

By build cadences and SLAs (hourly, daily, weekly)

Question 48

How can you test a subset of records in dbt?

Answer 48

Use the 'where' config for tests

Question 49

How can you examine failing test records in dbt?

Answer 49

Use 'store_failures'

Question 50

How do you set acceptable failure thresholds for dbt tests?

Answer 50

Use severity thresholds

Question 51

What config optimizes incremental model behavior?

Answer 51

'incremental_strategy'

Question 52

Where do you set global defaults in dbt?

Answer 52

In dbt_project.yml using vars

Question 53

How can you avoid repetition in Jinja code?

Answer 53

Use for loops

Question 54

What is a better way to apply grants than post-hooks?

Answer 54

Use the grants config

Question 55

How do you prevent reprocessing already transformed data?

Answer 55

Set source-freshness thresholds

Question 56

How do you run a model and its upstream dependencies?

Answer 56

Use '+' on the left, e.g., dbt build --select +model_name

Question 57

How do you run a model and its downstream dependencies?

Answer 57

Use '+' on the right, e.g., dbt build --select model_name+

Question 58

How do you run all models in a directory?

Answer 58

Use the directory name, e.g., dbt build --select dir_name

Question 59

What does the '@' operator do in dbt CI setups?

Answer 59

Runs selection’s parents, children, and children’s parents

Question 60

How do you exclude models from a dbt selection?

Answer 60

Use the --exclude flag

Question 61

What flag rebuilds an incremental model completely?

Answer 61

--full-refresh

Question 62

What are dbt seeds used for?

Answer 62

Creating lookup tables from CSVs

Question 63

How can you change logic based on the dbt environment?

Answer 63

Use target.name