Version pinning and updates in dbt - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Version pinning and updates

Start: Define dbt project

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Specify dbt version in packages.yml

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Run dbt commands

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dbt uses pinned version

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Check for updates

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Update version

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Run dbt with new version

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End

This flow shows how you set a specific dbt version, run commands using that version, check for updates, and optionally update the version.

Execution Sample

dbt

packages:
  - package: dbt-labs/dbt_utils
    version: 0.8.0

# Run dbt deps to install pinned versions

This code pins the dbt_utils package to version 0.8.0 and installs it.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Version Specified	Command Run	Result
1	Read packages.yml	dbt_utils 0.8.0	N/A	Version pinned for dbt_utils
2	Run 'dbt deps'	dbt_utils 0.8.0	dbt deps	Installs dbt_utils 0.8.0
3	Run 'dbt run'	dbt_utils 0.8.0	dbt run	Runs models using pinned version
4	Check for newer version	dbt_utils 0.8.0	Check online	Newer version 0.9.0 available
5	Decide to update	dbt_utils 0.8.0	Update packages.yml to 0.9.0	Version updated to 0.9.0
6	Run 'dbt deps' again	dbt_utils 0.9.0	dbt deps	Installs dbt_utils 0.9.0
7	Run 'dbt run' again	dbt_utils 0.9.0	dbt run	Runs models using updated version
8	End	dbt_utils 0.9.0	N/A	Process complete

💡 Process ends after running dbt with updated version or continuing with pinned version.

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 2	After Step 5	After Step 6	Final
dbt_utils_version	Not set	0.8.0	0.9.0	0.9.0	0.9.0
dbt_command	None	dbt deps	None	dbt deps	dbt run

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why does dbt use the version specified in packages.yml instead of the latest?

dbt uses the pinned version to ensure consistent behavior and avoid unexpected errors from newer versions, as shown in step 2 and 3 where version 0.8.0 is used.

What happens if you update the version in packages.yml but forget to run 'dbt deps'?

The old version remains installed and used because 'dbt deps' installs the specified versions. This is why step 6 reruns 'dbt deps' after updating the version.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what version of dbt_utils is installed after step 2?

A 0.9.0

B Not installed

C 0.8.0

D Latest available

💡 Hint

Check the 'Version Specified' and 'Result' columns at step 2.

At which step does the dbt_utils version get updated to 0.9.0?

A Step 5

B Step 3

C Step 7

D Step 2

💡 Hint

Look for the step where 'Update packages.yml to 0.9.0' happens.

If you skip running 'dbt deps' after updating the version, what will happen when you run 'dbt run'?

A It will use the new version anyway

B It will use the old version still installed

C It will fail to run

D It will prompt to install dependencies

💡 Hint

Refer to the key moment about forgetting to run 'dbt deps' after update.

Concept Snapshot

Version pinning in dbt means specifying exact package versions in packages.yml.
Run 'dbt deps' to install these versions.
This ensures consistent runs and avoids surprises.
To update, change version in packages.yml and rerun 'dbt deps'.
Always run 'dbt deps' after changing versions.

Full Transcript

In dbt, version pinning means you fix the version of packages you use by writing it in packages.yml. When you run 'dbt deps', dbt installs exactly those versions. This keeps your project stable and predictable. If a new version is available, you can update the version number in packages.yml and run 'dbt deps' again to install the new version. Without running 'dbt deps', dbt will keep using the old version. This process helps you control when and how you update your tools.