#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.
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