DBT Core Concepts & Architecture Flashcards

What is the purpose of the `target` key in a dbt profile?

Answer: Defines the default environment (e.g., dev or prod) to use when running dbt

The `target` key in `profiles.yml` specifies which named environment configuration (such as dev or prod) dbt uses by default when executing commands.

What does the node selection syntax `dbt run --select +my_model` do?

Answer: Runs my_model and all its upstream parent models

The `+` prefix in the selector syntax means 'include all upstream parents,' so `+my_model` runs my_model and every model it depends on.

Which command is used to install dbt packages listed in `packages.yml`?

Answer: dbt deps

`dbt deps` reads `packages.yml` and downloads all listed dbt packages into the `dbt_packages/` directory.

What does `dbt docs generate` produce?

Answer: A catalog.json and manifest.json used to serve the documentation site

`dbt docs generate` creates `catalog.json` (column metadata from the warehouse) and `manifest.json` (project graph), which are used by `dbt docs serve` to render the documentation site.

In dbt, what is an 'ephemeral' materialization?

Answer: A model that is never written to the database and exists only as a CTE in downstream models

Ephemeral models are not materialized in the database at all; dbt inlines them as CTEs in any downstream model that references them.

What does `dbt debug` do?

Answer: Validates the project configuration and database connection

`dbt debug` checks that the project configuration is valid and that dbt can successfully connect to the target data warehouse using the current profile.

Which dbt selector syntax runs a model and all models downstream of it?

Answer: my_model+

The trailing `+` syntax (`my_model+`) selects the specified model and all models downstream of it in the DAG.