dbt-labs / dbt-labs/docs.getdbt.com
[Core] Explain how using the `graph` does (or doesn't!) affect the visualization of the DAG
- Dominant language
- JavaScript
- Stars
- 215
- Forks
- 1.2k
- Avg merge
- 1d 15h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 130
Description
### Link to the page(s) on docs.getdbt.com requiring updates
Maybe one or both of:
- https://docs.getdbt.com/reference/dbt-jinja-functions/graph
- https://docs.getdbt.com/reference/dbt-jinja-functions/execute
### Tell us more about this update
The big idea is that there's a scenario in which a node can be missing in the visualization of the DAG in dbt Explorer but actually work as intended when building a dbt model. But it's actually not a bug! 🤯
i.e., the compiled query reflects all the intended references but the generated docs is missing some or all.
One of the ways this can happen is when using the `graph` in the transformation code for a model (like [here](https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt-core/issues/10665)).
In that scenario, users can compile and run models that use `ref` and `source` macros but without those references being reflected in the visualization of the DAG in dbt Explorer or the generated documentation website.
This can be surprising, so we want to explain it the best we can.
---
A suggested improvement would be to show or discuss an example similar to https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt-core/issues/10665, either within the [`graph`](https://docs.getdbt.com/reference/dbt-jinja-functions/graph) or [`execute`](https://docs.getdbt.com/reference/dbt-jinja-functions/execute) documentation pages.
And/or add a section that could illustrate all the caveats of `graph` (by comparing when `execute==False` and `execute==True`).
### Reviewers/Stakeholders/SMEs
Dougie Fresh 😎
### Related GitHub issues
https://github.com/dbt-labs/dbt-core/issues/10665
### Additional information
_No response_
Contributor guide
No contributing guide indexed for this repository
Assessment
This issue has not been assessed yet.