Running tests with dbt test - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Running tests with dbt test

📖 Scenario: You are working on a data project using dbt (data build tool). You want to make sure your data models are correct by running tests that check for missing values and uniqueness.

🎯 Goal: Learn how to set up simple tests in dbt and run them using the dbt test command to validate your data models.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a dbt model file with sample data

Add schema tests for not_null and unique constraints

Run dbt test to execute the tests

View the test results output

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Data analysts and engineers use dbt tests to ensure their data models are accurate and reliable before using them for reports or dashboards.

💼 Career

Knowing how to run and interpret dbt tests is essential for roles in data engineering, analytics engineering, and data quality assurance.

1

Create a dbt model with sample data

Create a dbt model file called models/sample_model.sql with the following SQL code exactly: select 1 as id, 'Alice' as name union all select 2, 'Bob' union all select 3, 'Charlie'

dbt

# Create the file models/sample_model.sql with the exact SQL query
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Write a SQL query that returns three rows with columns id and name.

2

Add schema tests for not_null and unique

In the models/schema.yml file, add tests for the sample_model model to check that the id column is unique and not null, and the name column is not null. Use the exact keys models, name, columns, tests, and test names unique and not_null.

dbt

# Add schema tests in models/schema.yml
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use YAML format to define tests under models for your model and columns.

3

Run dbt test to execute the tests

Run the command dbt test in your terminal to execute the tests defined in models/schema.yml for the sample_model.

dbt

# Run `dbt test` in your terminal
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use your terminal or command line to run dbt test.

4

View the test results output

After running dbt test, print the test results summary that shows how many tests passed and failed. For example, print All tests passed! if no tests failed.

dbt

# Print the test results summary below
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Simply print the message All tests passed! to show success.