--- title: Snowflake dbt Data Vault description: Snowflake dbt Data Vault generates a Stage, Raw Vault and Business Vault for Snowflake as a dbt project. --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/snowflake-dbt-data-vault#main-content) [Contact us](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Go to Customer Portal](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/customer-portal?hsLang=en) [![TRI\_Logo\_biGENIUS\_2020\_RGB\_s](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing/TRI_Logo_biGENIUS_2020_RGB_s.png?width=150&height=42&name=TRI_Logo_biGENIUS_2020_RGB_s.png)](https://www.bigenius-x.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Contact us](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/kb-tickets/new) - [Go to Customer Portal](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/customer-portal) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [biGENIUS-X Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Generators](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/generators?hsLang=en) 3. [Snowflake dbt](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/generators?hsLang=en#snowflake-dbt) # Snowflake dbt Data Vault **Applies to** Platform: Snowflake dbt Architecture: Data Vault Snowflake dbt Data Vault generates a Stage, Raw Vault and Business Vault for Snowflake as a dbt project. Select the Generator Configuration `Snowflake Dbt DataVault` when you add a project and want to load your Data Vault with dbt on Snowflake. This article lists what the configuration supports and where it differs from [Snowflake Data Vault](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/snowflake-data-vault?hsLang=en). The configuration offers no load control, no deployment scripts and no data quality checks. The full list of features that are not available is under [Capabilities and limitations](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/snowflake-dbt-data-vault#capabilities-and-limitations). ### Scope and output - Platform: Snowflake. The configuration is available since Generator 2.4. It is the only Snowflake dbt configuration. - Layers: Source, Stage, Raw Vault and Business Vault. See [Understand the Layering concept](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/understand-the-layering-concept?hsLang=en). - Output: one dbt project with SQL models, model YAML files and macros, described in [dbt - Artifacts](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/dbt-artifacts?hsLang=en). dbt creates and loads the tables, see [dbt - Deployment](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/dbt-deployment?hsLang=en). ### Prerequisites - A Snowflake account, dbt Core with the adapter dbt-snowflake, and a connection profile, as described in [Snowflake dbt - Target environment](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/snowflake-dbt-target-environment?hsLang=en). dbt 2 is not supported with Snowflake dbt. - The values in `dbt_project.yml`, listed in [dbt - Placeholder values](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/dbt-placeholder-values?hsLang=en). ### Sources Source systems have the type `Snowflake`, as with Snowflake Data Vault. To create source model objects from Snowflake tables, see [Discover a Snowflake database](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/discover-a-snowflake-database?hsLang=en). The database and schema of each source system are variables in `dbt_project.yml`. ### Supported model objects #### Source and Stage - [Source](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/source?hsLang=en) - [Stage](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/stage?hsLang=en) #### Raw Vault - [Hub](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hub?hsLang=en) - [Link](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/link?hsLang=en) - [Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/satellite?hsLang=en) - [Link Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/link-satellite?hsLang=en) - [Multi-Active Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/multi-active-satellite?hsLang=en) - [Same As Link](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/same-as-link?hsLang=en) - [Hierarchical Link](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hierarchical-link?hsLang=en) - [Driving Key Link](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/driving-key-link?hsLang=en) - [Record Tracking Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/record-tracking-satellite?hsLang=en) - [Effectivity Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/effectivity-satellite?hsLang=en) - [Record Tracking Link Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/record-tracking-link-satellite?hsLang=en) - [Effectivity Link Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/effectivity-link-satellite?hsLang=en) - [Non-Historized Link Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/non-historized-link-satellite?hsLang=en) - Non-Historized Satellite (no article yet) - [PIT](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/pit?hsLang=en) - [Reference Table](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/reference-table?hsLang=en) - [RawVault Composite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/rawvault-composite?hsLang=en) - [Current View](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/current-view?hsLang=en) - [History View](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/history-view?hsLang=en) #### Business Vault - [Business Hub](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/business-hub?hsLang=en) - [Business Link](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/business-link?hsLang=en) - [Business Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/business-satellite?hsLang=en) - [Business Link Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/business-link-satellite?hsLang=en) - [Same As Business Link](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/same-as-business-link?hsLang=en) - [Hierarchical Business Link](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hierarchical-business-link?hsLang=en) - [Business Driving Key Link](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/business-driving-key-link?hsLang=en) - [Effectivity Business Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/effectivity-business-satellite?hsLang=en) - [Record Tracking Business Link Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/record-tracking-business-link-satellite?hsLang=en) - [Effectivity Business Link Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/effectivity-business-link-satellite?hsLang=en) - [Non-Historized Business Link Satellite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/non-historized-business-link-satellite?hsLang=en) - Non-Historized Business Satellite (no article yet) - [Business PIT](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/business-pit?hsLang=en) - [BusinessVault Composite](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/businessvault-composite?hsLang=en) - [Business Current View](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/business-current-view?hsLang=en) - [Business History View](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/business-history-view?hsLang=en) - [Hierarchy Flatten](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hierarchy-flatten?hsLang=en) - [Vault Out](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/vault-out?hsLang=en) ### Capabilities and limitations - Loading: dbt runs the models in the order of their references. A model object with more than one dataflow gets one loader model per dataflow. - Incremental reads: a model reads only new source rows when `BG_IncrementalFilter` is mapped to the source's `BG_LoadTimestamp`, see [Configure an incremental load](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/configure-an-incremental-load?hsLang=en). - Keys: the model YAML files declare primary keys, unique constraints on business keys and, with [Foreign Key Mode](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/foreign-key-mode-model-object?hsLang=en) `Create Disabled` (default), foreign keys. Foreign Key Mode offers `None` and `Create Disabled`. Snowflake creates these constraints as not enforced; only NOT NULL is enforced. - Tables: Stage models and `Cached` model objects are transient tables, see [dbt - Artifacts](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/dbt-artifacts?hsLang=en). - Hashes: [Hash Algorithm](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hash-algorithm-project?hsLang=en) offers `HASH`, `SHA2-256` and `MD5`. Hash keys and row hashes have the data type `BINARY(32)`. - Data quality: data quality checks are not available. - Reference Table: the table has no unknown-member row. Implementation Type offers these values per model object type: - Hubs, Links, all satellite types and Reference Table: `Permanent` - PIT and Business PIT: `Permanent` or `Cached` - Stage: `Cached` (default) or `Virtual` - RawVault Composite, BusinessVault Composite and Vault Out: `Cached` or `Virtual` (default) - Hierarchy Flatten: `Cached` - Current View, History View and their Business counterparts: `Virtual` These properties of Snowflake Data Vault are not available: - Model object: [Load Caching](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/load-caching-model-object?hsLang=en), Use Embryo Loader (see [Embryo Loader](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/embryo-loader?hsLang=en)), [Increment Management Type](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/increment-management-type-model-object?hsLang=en) - Dataflow: [Use Stream](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/use-stream-model-object?hsLang=en), [Warehouse Placeholder Variable Name](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/warehouse-placeholder-variable-name-dataflow?hsLang=en), [Ignore Downstream Dependencies](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/ignore-downstream-dependencies-dataflow-model-object?hsLang=en) - Project: [Configure LoadControl](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/configure-loadcontrol-project?hsLang=en), [LoadControl Options](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/loadcontrol-options-project?hsLang=en), [Deployment Options](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/deployment-options-project?hsLang=en), [Artifact Output Mode](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/artifact-output-mode-project?hsLang=en) ### Project properties Project Settings shows these properties in the groups Governance, Hashing, Historization and Implementation, with their defaults: - [Apply Sensitivity Level Tags](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/apply-sensitivity-level-tags-project?hsLang=en): off - [Sensitivity Level Tag Name](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/sensitivity-level-tag-name-project?hsLang=en): `SENSITIVITY_LEVEL` - [Hash Algorithm](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hash-algorithm-project?hsLang=en): `SHA2-256`; also `HASH` and `MD5` - [Hash Casing](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hash-casing-project?hsLang=en): `None`; also `Upper` and `Lower` - [Hash Concatenation Separator](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hash-concatenation-separator-project?hsLang=en): `_` - [Hash Null Placeholder](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hash-null-placeholder-project?hsLang=en): `_NULL_` - [Hash Trim](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hash-trim-project?hsLang=en): off - [Begin of Universe](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/begin-of-universe-project?hsLang=en): `1900-01-01` - [End of Universe](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/end-of-universe-project?hsLang=en): `9999-12-31` - [Persist Validity](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/persist-validity-project?hsLang=en): on - [Create Result Views](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/create-result-views-project?hsLang=en): off - [Target Object Comment Type](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/target-object-comment-type-project?hsLang=en): `None`; also `Tables and Views` Model object properties: [Deduplication Method](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/deduplication-method-dataflow?hsLang=en), [Sort Order within Partition](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/sort-order-within-partition-dataflow?hsLang=en), [Implementation Type](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/implementation-type-model-object?hsLang=en), [Version Valid From Term](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/version-valid-from-term-dataflow-model-object?hsLang=en), [Delete Detection Method](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/delete-detection-method-model-object?hsLang=en), Foreign Key Mode, [Custom Singleton Values](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/custom-singleton-values-model-object?hsLang=en), [Driving Key](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/driving-key-relationship?hsLang=en), [Calculate Effectivity End From Begin](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/calculate-effectivity-end-from-begin-model-object?hsLang=en) and [Excluded from Delta Detection](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/excluded-from-delta-detection-model-object?hsLang=en). ### Platform differences Compared with Snowflake Data Vault of the same release: - Output: a dbt project with SQL models instead of deployment scripts and stored procedures. - Loading: dbt runs the models; there is no load control and no Apache Airflow option. - Create Result Views: off by default; on by default in Snowflake Data Vault. - Target Object Comment Type: no value `Tables`. Compared with [Databricks dbt Data Vault](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/databricks-dbt-data-vault?hsLang=en): - Each layer in `dbt_project.yml` has a warehouse, `+snowflake_warehouse`. - Hash Algorithm offers three values instead of `SHA-256` only. - The properties Use Unique Constraints, File Format, Optimization Method and Optimization Method Columns are not available. The unique constraints are always declared. ### Example A Hub `common_customer` with the business key term `CUSTOMER_ID` gives the models `rdv_hub_common_customer_source` and `rdv_hub_common_customer`. The excerpt of `models/rawvault/models_rawvault.yml` declares its keys: ``` - name: rdv_hub_common_customer constraints: - type: primary_key columns: [HUB_HK] name: PK_RDV_HUB_COMMON_CUSTOMER - type: unique columns: [CUSTOMER_ID] name: UC_RDV_HUB_COMMON_CUSTOMER columns: - name: BG_LOADTIMESTAMP data_type: TIMESTAMP_TZ - name: BG_SOURCESYSTEM data_type: VARCHAR - name: CUSTOMER_ID data_type: INTEGER - name: HUB_HK data_type: BINARY(32) ``` The excerpt leaves out descriptions, the `not_null` constraints and `warn_unsupported: false`. After the run, `INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLE_CONSTRAINTS` of the target database lists both constraints of the table with `ENFORCED` = `NO`. ### Related articles - Previous: [Snowflake dbt - Target environment](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/snowflake-dbt-target-environment?hsLang=en) - Next: [Generate artifacts](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/generate-artifacts?hsLang=en), [dbt - Placeholder values](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/dbt-placeholder-values?hsLang=en), [dbt - Deployment](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/dbt-deployment?hsLang=en) - Reference: [dbt - Artifacts](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/dbt-artifacts?hsLang=en), [Foreign Key Mode (Model Object)](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/foreign-key-mode-model-object?hsLang=en), [Implementation Type (Model Object)](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/implementation-type-model-object?hsLang=en), [Create Result Views (Project)](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/create-result-views-project?hsLang=en), [Hash Algorithm (Project)](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/hash-algorithm-project?hsLang=en) - See also: [Available Generator Configurations](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/available-generator-configurations?hsLang=en), [Source systems per generator configuration](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/source-systems-per-generator-configuration?hsLang=en), [Snowflake Data Vault](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/snowflake-data-vault?hsLang=en), [Databricks dbt Data Vault](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/databricks-dbt-data-vault?hsLang=en), [How biGENIUS-X builds hash values](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/how-bigenius-x-builds-hash-values?hsLang=en) - [Getting started](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Guidelines](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#guidelines) - [Start working](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#start-working) - [Account](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#account) - [General overview](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/general-overview?hsLang=en) - [Artificial Intelligence](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/artificial-intelligence?hsLang=en) - 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[Deployment with an Azure DevOps pipeline](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/generators?hsLang=en#deployment-with-an-azure-devops-pipeline) - [Delta Deployment](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/generators?hsLang=en#delta-deployment) - [Load control environment](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/generators?hsLang=en#load-control-environment) - [Load data with a native load control](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/generators?hsLang=en#load-data-with-a-native-load-control) - [Load data with Apache Airflow](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/generators?hsLang=en#load-data-with-apache-airflow) - [Model Object Type](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/generators?hsLang=en#model-object-type) - [Properties](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/generators?hsLang=en#properties) - [Default Terms](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/generators?hsLang=en#default-terms) - [Discovery application](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/discovery-application?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Discovery configurations](https://knowledge.bigenius-x.com/discovery-application?hsLang=en#discovery-configurations) - 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