#80: SQL vs dbt Models (& the value of CTEs)
Feb 19, 2025There's a difference between writing SQL and designing a well structured dbt model.
A lot of these nuances can be subtle.
But when combined, make a big difference in the success of your project.
So in today's video I want to talk about one of those nuances in particular.
The usage of CTEs, or Common Table Expressions.
The use (or lack thereof) of these in a dbt model can serve as a key indicator of how a team thinks about & uses dbt.
And perhaps modern analytics in general.
Not necessarily because it will drastically increase performance...
But rather because it indicates a level of understanding around the underlying ways cloud databases operate.
And how dbt helps to take advantage of it.
You'll learn how they can:
- Be used to provide functionality similar to Python
- Improve the cleanliness and structure of your query
- Simplify the process of de-bugging code
Enjoy.
When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you further:
1. The Modern Engineer Playbook (Online Course): Master the art of building modern data architectures. Get an end-to-end blueprint for building simple, structured & scalable data pipelines with modern tools.Â
2. The Playbook for dbt™ (Online Course): Learn to build, automate & scale dbt™ with confidence. Discover common strategies teams follow, avoid costly rookie mistakes & get actionable tips based on real-world experience, not a textbook.
3. Consulting Services:Â Request to work 1:1 with Michael Kahan to help you and your team implement a modern data architecture with a simple, scalable structure.