What is the purpose of 'dbt archive' in model configuration?

The purpose of 'dbt archive' in model configuration is to specify that old data should be preserved in an archive table rather than deleted. This functionality is particularly useful in scenarios where maintaining historical data is necessary for analysis or auditing purposes. When you implement an archival strategy, rather than discarding outdated records, dbt will move them to a designated archive table. This approach ensures that you can keep your dataset clean and current for operational needs while still retaining access to historical data for retrospective insights.

This preservation of data not only helps in maintaining a comprehensive data lineage but also facilitates compliance with data governance policies that might require historical data retention. By using 'dbt archive', teams can create a systematic approach to handle data lifecycle management within their analytics environment, ensuring that important historical context is not lost.