Which command is used to compile dbt models without executing them?

The command used to compile dbt models without executing them is indeed "dbt compile." When you run this command, dbt processes the SQL code within your model files, applies any Jinja templating, and turns it into a plain SQL query without actually running it against your database. This allows you to check the SQL syntax and see the final generated SQL that would be executed, which is useful for debugging or understanding transformations without affecting the database state.

In contrast, the other commands serve different purposes. For instance, "dbt preview" would typically be used to run a model and view the results, while "dbt generate" is involved in generating documentation or artifacts related to your models. "dbt review" is not a standard dbt command, and it may pertain to concepts outside of the operation of dbt itself. By understanding the distinction of the "dbt compile" command, you can better utilize dbt in your analytics workflow.