dbt-utils package tests - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of the dbt-utils package in dbt?

The dbt-utils package provides a collection of useful macros and tests that simplify common data transformation and testing tasks in dbt projects.

beginner

Name one common test provided by dbt-utils and explain its use.

The unique_combination_of_columns test checks that the combination of specified columns in a model is unique, ensuring no duplicate rows based on those columns.

intermediate

How do you add dbt-utils tests to your dbt project?

You add dbt-utils as a package in your packages.yml file, run dbt deps to install it, then reference its tests in your model's schema.yml file.

beginner

What does the dbt_utils.not_null_proportion test check for?

It checks that the specified column(s) in a model have at least a minimum proportion of non-NULL values (e.g., 1.0 for no NULLs), ensuring data completeness.

intermediate

Explain how the dbt_utils.expression_is_true test works.

This test runs a SQL expression you provide and checks that it evaluates to true for all rows in the model, allowing custom validation logic.

Which file do you update to add dbt-utils as a dependency?

A schema.yml

B dbt_project.yml

C profiles.yml

D packages.yml

The packages.yml file is used to declare external packages like dbt-utils.

What does the unique_combination_of_columns test ensure?

A The combination of specified columns is unique

B Columns have unique values individually

C No NULL values in columns

D Columns contain only numeric data

It ensures that the combination of the specified columns does not have duplicate rows.

Which command installs the dbt-utils package after adding it to packages.yml?

A dbt deps

B dbt run

C dbt test

D dbt compile

dbt deps downloads and installs packages listed in packages.yml.

What does the not_null_proportion test check in dbt-utils?

A That columns have unique values

B That columns have default values

C That columns do not contain NULL values

D That columns contain only numbers

The not_null_proportion test ensures no NULL values exist in the specified columns when the threshold is set to 1.0.

How do you specify a dbt-utils test in your model's schema.yml?

A By writing SQL queries in the model file

B By adding a <code>tests</code> section with the test name and arguments

C By modifying <code>dbt_project.yml</code>

D By running <code>dbt test</code> without configuration

You add tests in schema.yml under the model's columns or at the model level with test names and parameters.

Describe the steps to add and use a dbt-utils test in your dbt project.

Think about package installation and test configuration.

Explain the difference between the not_null_proportion and unique_combination_of_columns tests in dbt-utils.

Focus on what each test validates about the data.