A dbt model is a single .sql file that contains one select statement. dbt turns that query into a table or view in your warehouse. You write the transformation logic, and dbt handles the create table as / create view as boilerplate, dependency ordering, and environment-specific naming.
-- models/staging/stg_orders.sql select id as order_id, user_id as customer_id, order_date, status from {{ source('shop', 'raw_orders') }}
Key rules:
One model = one select statement = one file.
The file name is the model name (stg_orders.sql creates stg_orders).
Models are written in SQL plus Jinja ({{ ... }} and {% ... %}).
Models live in the models/ directory (configurable in dbt_project.yml).
2. Building blocks inside a model
{{ source('src', 'table') }} Points at a raw table loaded outside dbt.
{{ ref('model') }} Points at another dbt model and creates a dependency.
{{ config(...) }} Sets options for this model at the top of the file.
