DBT DBT Core Concepts & Architecture 2

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Runs my_model and all its upstream parent models

Answer

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

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

dbt deps

Answer

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

Question 4

What does `dbt docs generate` produce?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

`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.

Question 5

In dbt, what is an 'ephemeral' materialization?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

DBT - Certified Data Build Tool Developer Practice Test

DBT - Certified Data Build Tool Developer Practice Test

DBT DBT Core Concepts & Architecture 2