What is the purpose of the `dbt compile` command?

The purpose of the dbt compile command is to convert your dbt models and their respective configurations into raw SQL code without actually executing that code against your database. When you run this command, dbt processes all your models, macros, and configurations and generates the final SQL that would be sent to the database when you run the dbt run command. This is particularly useful for debugging, understanding the generated SQL, or verifying that your models are set up correctly according to your configurations and business logic.

This command helps ensure that any issues with the SQL logic can be identified early in the development process, as developers can inspect the generated SQL and ensure it aligns with their expectations. The ability to view the compiled SQL without executing it provides a layer of safety and clarity in the data transformation process.