What is a "macro" in dbt?

In dbt, a "macro" is indeed a reusable piece of code written in Jinja. Macros allow users to define functions or patterns that can be reused across various models, making it easier to manage and maintain code. By leveraging Jinja, macros can be dynamic, allowing for the inclusion of logic that generates different SQL depending on the variables or arguments passed to them. This promotes efficiency and consistency in coding practices, as developers can avoid repetition and standardize common computations or SQL patterns.

Utilizing macros can greatly simplify complex transformations or repetitive tasks, as they encapsulate functionality that would otherwise need to be rewritten in multiple places. This contributes to cleaner and more maintainable SQL code within dbt projects, ultimately enhancing overall productivity.