Models

Question 2

Which dbt YAML file does not support Jinja?

Answer 2

dependencies.yml

Question 3

In which dbt YAML files can you use vars?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Through the CLI using –vars

Question 5

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

Answer 5

These files are parsed before Jinja is rendered

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Yes

Question 7

Which dbt YAML files support secure environment variables with DBT_ENV_SECRET_?

Answer 7

profiles.yml and packages.yml

Question 8

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

Answer 8

dbt_codegen

Question 9

Which dbt package provides macros like date_spine for development?

Answer 9

dbt_utils

Question 10

Which package evaluates your dbt project against best practices?

Answer 10

dbt_project_evaluator

Question 11

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

Answer 11

dbt_expectations

Question 12

Which package helps compare outputs of two queries for refactoring?

Answer 12

dbt_audit_helper

Question 13

Which package tracks dbt run performance over time?

Answer 13

dbt_artifacts

Question 14

Which package ensures your dbt project is tested and documented?

Answer 14

dbt_meta_testing

Question 15

What is a resilient way to select models in dbt?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

How should you group dbt jobs?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

How can you test a subset of records in dbt?

Answer 17

Use the ‘where’ config for tests

Question 18

How can you examine failing test records in dbt?

Answer 18

Use ‘store_failures’

Question 19

How do you set acceptable failure thresholds for dbt tests?

Answer 19

Use severity thresholds

Question 20

What config optimizes incremental model behavior?

Answer 20

‘incremental_strategy’

Question 21

Where do you set global defaults in dbt?

Answer 21

In dbt_project.yml using vars

Question 22

How can you avoid repetition in Jinja code?

Answer 22

Use for loops

Question 23

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

Answer 23

Use the grants config

Question 24

How do you prevent reprocessing already transformed data?

Answer 24

Set source-freshness thresholds

Question 25

How do you run a model and its upstream dependencies?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

How do you run a model and its downstream dependencies?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

How do you run all models in a directory?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

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

Answer 28

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

Question 29

How do you exclude models from a dbt selection?

Answer 29

Use the --exclude flag

Question 30

What flag rebuilds an incremental model completely?

Answer 30

--full-refresh

Question 31

What are dbt seeds used for?

Answer 31

Creating lookup tables from CSVs

Question 32

How can you change logic based on the dbt environment?

Answer 32

Use target.name

Question 33

What is a SQL model in dbt?

Answer 33

A select statement defined in a .sql file.

Question 34

How is the model name determined in dbt?

Answer 34

It is inherited from the filename and must match exactly, including case sensitivity.

Question 35

Why is it recommended to use underscores instead of dots in model names?

Answer 35

To avoid issues with filename conventions and ensure consistency.

Question 36

What happens when you execute `dbt run`?

Answer 36

dbt builds the model in the data warehouse by wrapping it in a `create view as` or `create table as` statement.

Question 37

What is the default materialization for dbt models?

Answer 37

Views.

Question 38

Where are models built by default in dbt?

Answer 38

In a target schema defined by the user.

Question 39

How can you change the materialization of a model in dbt?

Answer 39

By using configurations in `dbt_project.yml` or in the model file using a `config` block.

Question 40

What is the purpose of the `ref` function in dbt models?

Answer 40

To reference other models, create dependencies, and manage execution order through a DAG.

Question 41

How does the `ref` function help with environment management in dbt?

Answer 41

It replaces the referenced model with the appropriate database name based on the target schema, making it environment-aware.

Question 42

What is the benefit of using the `ref` function for modular transformations?

Answer 42

It encourages re-use of models and reduces repeated code.

Question 43

Where can you set configurations for dbt models?

Answer 43

In `dbt_project.yml` or in the model file using a `config` block.

Question 44

What is an example of a model configuration in dbt?

Answer 44

Changing the materialization, setting a schema, or applying tags.

Question 45

How are configurations applied in dbt when there are subdirectories?

Answer 45

Hierarchically, with subdirectory configurations overriding general ones.

Question 46

What is the purpose of the DAG in dbt?

Answer 46

To determine the order in which models are run based on their dependencies.

Question 47

What type of models does dbt support besides SQL models?

Answer 47

Python models (starting from version 1.3).

Question 48

What does a dbt project consist of?

Answer 48

A directory with a `.yml` configuration file and `.sql` or `.py` model files.