Custom Node Types in Coalesce: Unlocking Flexibility and Reusability
Nodes are the foundational building blocks in Coalesce, serving as database objects like tables or views. Each node belongs to a specific type, equipped with a predefined user interface, create template, and run template. While Coalesce provides four standard node types, custom node types allow users to adapt and extend these capabilities for unique requirements.
In this article:
What Are Custom Node Types?
Custom node types enable users to define reusable database object patterns. By specifying a user interface (UI), Data Definition Language (DDL), and Data Manipulation Language (DML), users can create tailored solutions for patterns such as stages, dimensions, facts, hubs, and links. Parameters and macros make these custom types even more adaptable and reusable.
Why Create Custom Node Types?
Custom node types address two key needs:
- Custom Needs: Standard node types may not cover specific use cases.
- Reusability: Custom node types eliminate the redundancy of repeatedly creating similar nodes, saving time and effort.
Key Components of Custom Nodes
Node Definition and UI Configuration
The node definition specifies the UI elements, such as materialization selectors, toggles, dropdowns, and text boxes. These components define how users interact with and configure the custom node.
Create Template
The create template includes SQL logic for generating tables or views. It supports column transformations, comments, clustering keys, and all Snowflake DDL features.
Run Template
The run template defines DML operations, such as inserting data, applying incremental or merge strategies, and performing transformations. These operations are executed exclusively for table-based nodes and utilize all Snowflake DML features.
Get Started with Custom Node Types
Custom node types in Coalesce empower teams to design reusable, scalable solutions tailored to specific needs. By leveraging their flexibility, you can streamline development, reduce repetitive tasks, and maximize efficiency in your data workflows.
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Meet the Speakers
Tim Kirschke
Senior Consultant
Tim has a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and has been working as a BI consultant for Scalefree since the beginning of 2021. He’s an expert in the design and implementation of BI solutions, with focus on the Data Vault 2.0 methodology. His main areas of expertise are dbt, Coalesce, and BigQuery.
Deniz Polat
Consultant
Deniz is working in Business Intelligence and Enterprise Data Warehousing (EDW), supporting Scalefree International since the beginning of 2022. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems. He is a Certified Data Vault 2.0 Practitioner, Scrum Master and Product Owner and has experience in Data Vault modeling, Data Warehouse Automation and Data warehouse transformation with the tools dbt and coalesce.
