dbt Core SQL-model boundary

Evidence-backed facts

1. dbt SQL models define select statements and configuration that can be materialized as views, tables, incremental models, or ephemeral relations. informative
2. Parsing and compiling are distinct from dbt run or build operations that execute warehouse SQL and create or change relations. informative
3. Warehouse credentials, target, role, schema, grants, materialization, macros, packages, and CI or deployment policy bound actual writes. informative
4. A compiled model does not prove it ran, source data is correct, tests passed, lineage is complete, or production relations were updated. informative

Primary sources