DBT DBT Core Concepts & Architecture

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of the `ref()` function in dbt?

Accepted Answer

To reference another dbt model and build the DAG dependency graph

Answer

To reference external database tables not managed by dbt

Answer

To define a variable that can be reused across models

Answer

To call a dbt macro within a SQL model

Question 2

Which file defines top-level project configuration such as model paths, project name, and version in dbt?

Accepted Answer

dbt_project.yml

Answer

profiles.yml

Answer

schema.yml

Answer

packages.yml

Question 3

What does the `dbt compile` command do?

Accepted Answer

Generates compiled SQL files without executing them against the database

Answer

Executes all models and writes results to the data warehouse

Answer

Validates tests defined in schema.yml files

Answer

Installs all packages listed in packages.yml

Question 4

In dbt, what does a DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) represent?

Accepted Answer

The dependency relationships and execution order between models

Answer

The hierarchy of database schemas used in the project

Answer

The order of test execution across all models

Answer

The branching strategy used for version control

Question 5

Which command executes all dbt models in a project?

Accepted Answer

dbt run

Answer

dbt execute

Answer

dbt build

Answer

dbt deploy

Question 6

What is the default materialization type for dbt models when none is explicitly configured?

Accepted Answer

view

Answer

table

Answer

ephemeral

Answer

incremental

Question 7

Where are dbt connection credentials and target environment settings typically stored?

Accepted Answer

profiles.yml

Answer

dbt_project.yml

Answer

.env file in the project root

Answer

schema.yml