What is dbt - Visual Explanation

Concept Flow - What is dbt

Write SQL models

↓

dbt compiles models

↓

dbt runs models on warehouse

↓

Transforms raw data

↓

Produces clean tables/views

↓

Enables analysis & reporting

dbt takes your SQL code, prepares it, runs it on your data warehouse, and creates clean tables for analysis.

Execution Sample

dbt

model.sql:
SELECT * FROM raw_data
WHERE status = 'active';

This SQL model selects only active records from raw_data to create a clean table.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Input	Output	Notes
1	Write SQL model	SQL code selecting active rows	SQL model file created	User writes transformation logic
2	Compile model	SQL model file	Compiled SQL query	dbt prepares SQL for warehouse
3	Run model	Compiled SQL query	New table/view in warehouse	dbt runs SQL to transform data
4	Transform data	Raw data in warehouse	Filtered active data table	Data is cleaned and ready
5	Use output	Clean table	Reports and dashboards	Analysts use clean data
6	End	All steps done	Clean data available	Process complete

💡 All models run and data transformed successfully

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	Final
SQL Model	None	SQL code written	Compiled SQL query	Executed query	Clean table created	Clean table ready for use
Data Warehouse	Raw data only	Raw data only	Raw data only	New clean table added	Clean table updated	Clean table available

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why does dbt compile SQL models before running them?

dbt compiles models to convert user-friendly SQL with variables and references into plain SQL that the data warehouse can understand, as shown in step 2 of the execution_table.

What happens to raw data during dbt run?

Raw data stays in the warehouse but dbt creates new clean tables or views based on transformations, shown in steps 3 and 4 of the execution_table.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the output after step 3?

A New table/view in warehouse

B SQL model file created

C Compiled SQL query

D Clean table ready for use

💡 Hint

Check the 'Output' column for step 3 in the execution_table.

At which step does dbt transform raw data into clean tables?

A Step 1

B Step 2

C Step 4

D Step 5

💡 Hint

Look for the step where 'Filtered active data table' appears in the Output column.

If the SQL model is not written correctly, which step will fail?

A Step 1

B Step 2

C Step 3

D Step 5

💡 Hint

Compilation of SQL happens at step 2; errors in SQL show up there.

Concept Snapshot

dbt (data build tool) lets you write SQL models
It compiles your SQL into queries
Runs them on your data warehouse
Transforms raw data into clean tables
These tables are ready for analysis and reporting

Full Transcript

dbt is a tool that helps you transform raw data into clean, usable tables by writing SQL models. First, you write SQL code that describes how to transform your data. Then, dbt compiles this code into plain SQL that your data warehouse understands. Next, dbt runs these queries on your warehouse, creating new tables or views with the transformed data. Finally, these clean tables can be used for analysis and reporting. This process makes data easier to work with and more reliable.