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Start from a question
A model has no edge until a question gives it one. Model only what the question touches, and name who owns each meaning first.
Topics › Analytics engineering › In the weeds of data crafting
Declare it, then build it: the model, the building work, and four phases
The opening film of a technical series for analytics engineers. Declare the data model beside the code, then build it with dbt: layer by layer, domain by domain, in four phases (ask, promise, build, keep) and ten steps, from a question to tested, versioned and documented tables. A blueprint lays no bricks, and dbt calls every query a model: the model is what you declare.
Builds on the series From words to data, and where it ends: Keeping it true
Watch the film
Press Play, or pick a chapter. Turn on Pause and think to stop for one question at the end of chapters.
Download the videoCaption filesRead the script
Where next?
You've seen the blueprint and the building work. Now tell them apart yourself.
See it in the project
Every card in the film shows a real file from the example dbt project. Open the ones each chapter shows, on GitHub, or run the whole project yourself.
- The building work
models/staging/student_system/stg_student_system__learners.sqlmodels/intermediate/student/int_learners.sqlmodels/intermediate/student/_int_student__models.yml - The name that misleads
models/staging/student_system/stg_student_system__learners.sql - Three hundred models
models/ - Where the model lives
models/core/student/_core_student__models.ymlmodels/core/student/_student__conceptual.mdmodels/core/student/_student__decisions.yml
Think it through
The four Pause and think questions, for a class or a team. Open one to see the answer.
In the series: In the weeds of data crafting
Film 1 of 10.