Data Modeling with Snowflake: A practical guide to accelerating Snowflake development using universal modeling techniques
Author:Serge Gershkovich (Author), Joe Reis (Author)
Publisher finelybook 出版社: Packt Publishing
Publication Date 出版日期: 2025-09-02
Edition: 2nd ed.
Language 语言: English
Print Length 页数: 444 pages
ISBN-10: 1837028036
ISBN-13: 9781837028030
Book Description
Learn to build scalable data architecture using Snowflake’s unique features through real-world use cases and SQL recipes that unlock data value for business and engineering teams
Key Features
- Learn core modeling techniques through practical examples using native Snowflake architecture
- Adopt a universal modeling language to communicate business value to functional teams
- Go beyond physical modeling with SQL recipes to transform and shape your Snowflake data
- Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook
Book Description
Struggling with rising Snowflake costs and constant tuning? Poorly aligned data models can lead to bloated expenses, inefficient queries, and time-consuming rework. Data Modeling with Snowflake helps you harness the Snowflake Data Cloud’s scalable, cloud-native architecture and expansive feature set to deliver data solutions faster than ever.
This book introduces simple, practical data modeling frameworks that accelerate agile design and evolve alongside your projects from concept to code. Rooted in decades of proven database design principles, these frameworks are paired, for the first time, with Snowflake-native objects and real-world examples, offering a two-in-one crash course in theory and direct application.
Through real-world examples designed to make learning easy, you’ll leverage Snowflake’s innovative features like Time Travel, Zero-Copy Cloning, and Change Data Capture (CDC) to create cost-efficient solutions. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your architecture, this book will guide you in designing smarter, scaling faster, and cutting costs by aligning timeless modeling principles with the power of Snowflake.
What you will learn
- Master data modeling fundamentals to get your designs right on the first attempt with time-saving benefits
- Discover Snowflake’s cloud-native architecture and unique features
- Apply modeling concepts to achieve higher efficiency by leveraging Snowflake architecture
- Get to grips with modeling concepts like normalization and slowly changing dimensions (SCDs)
- Read and transform semi-structured data, including hierarchies, using pre-built recipes and examples
- Explore organizational frameworks like Data Vault and Data Mesh
- Understand the business metrics that drive scalable, cost-effective data projects
Who this book is for
Whether building data products or managing a data platform at scale, this book serves any developer who jumped into SQL without first establishing modeling best practices and understanding their effective applications to save time and effort.
For analysts or those starting in database design, this book provides practical foundations of data modeling to guide you on your Snowflake data journey.
Those new to Snowflake will discover its core features and learn to incorporate them into universal modeling frameworks.
Table of Contents
- Unlocking the Power of Modeling
- An Introduction to the Four Modeling Types
- Mastering Snowflake’s Architecture
- Mastering Basic Snowflake Objects
- From Logical Concepts to Snowflake Objects
- Mastering Advanced Snowflake Objects
- Seeing Snowflake’s Architecture through Modeling Notation
- Putting Conceptual Modeling into Practice
- Putting Logical Modeling into Practice
- Database Normalization
- Database Naming and Structure
- Putting Physical Modeling into Practice
- Putting Transformational Modeling into Practice
- Modeling Slowly Changing Dimensions
- Modeling Facts for Rapid Analysis
- Modeling Semi-Structured Data
(N.B. Please use the Read Sample option to see further chapters)
Editorial Reviews
Review
“This book brilliantly bridges the gap between technical implementation and business value, offering a framework that’s both immediately actionable and future-proof. Gershkovich’s systematic approach to Snowflake modeling creates the foundation for scalable, intelligent data architectures that adapt to changing business needs.”
Adam Morton, Snowflake Data Superhero and Founder of the Mastering Snowflake Program, author of multiple titles, including Unlock Data Agility with Composable Data Architecture and Designing a Modern Application Data Stack
“A fantastic read for everyone focusing on effectively combining the latest advancements in Snowflake technology with the ground knowledge of data modelling. My go-to book for diving deeper into intricacies of Snowflake’s recent updates: Iceberg, dynamic and hybrid tables, and combining it with advanced modeling techniques. Delighted to see the evolution of the first edition with new concepts emerging, such as semantic models.”
Anastasiia Stefanska, Senior Data Analyst at TUI, Co-Founder of Women on Snowflake, Snowflake Data Superhero 2025
“By combining proven modeling principles with Snowflake’s most powerful capabilities, this book takes readers from concept to fully deployed, production-ready data models, while clearly conveying their value in business terms, supported by hands-on code examples. The result is stronger alignment between technical teams and decision makers, leading to models that are adopted, trusted, and used to deliver real business impact.”
Piers Batchelor, Snowflake Data Superhero, Senior Product Manager (AI/ML, Visualisation) at Astrato Analytics
“This new edition of Data Modeling with Snowflake masterfully unites data modeling fundamentals, Snowflake architecture essentials, and advanced data modeling techniques…. This book is a must-read for anyone serious about mastering both data modeling and Snowflake.”
Hamid Mahmood Qureshi, Sr. Data Architect/Lead Engineer at EY, Author of Snowflake Cookbook
“The second edition of Data Modeling with Snowflake is a book you’ll find yourself going back to again and again for insights and inspiration. In addition to excellent technical content, the author provides practical explanations and shares best practices for data modeling and deployment within the Snowflake environment.”
Joyce Kay Avila, Advisory Council Member of Harvard Business Review, Author of O’Reilly Snowflake Definitive Guide
“Serge’s second edition book did not disappoint, and I recommend it to anyone new to Snowflake setup, not just when they’re creating their data model or learning about data modeling. It’s a great introduction to Snowflake itself. The book is filled with valuable details about the platform and how to make effective use of it.”
Augusto Rosa, Head of Data, Cloud and Security Architecture, Snowflake Data SuperHero
“What makes this book stand out is its practical focus on applying modeling principles within the Snowflake platform. Serge highlights the role of data modeling in today’s AI-driven era, underscoring why strong modeling foundations remain as critical as ever.”
Tomáš Sobotík, Senior Data Platform & Data Engineer at Norlys, Snowflake Data Superhero
“Fully updated, this second edition of Data Modeling with Snowflake includes Snowflake’s latest features and highlights how data modeling can drive real business value by helping decision-makers understand its impact. It’s a detailed, practical guide for modern cloud data teams.”
Maja Ferle, Senior Consultant at In516ht, Snowflake Data Superhero, Author of Snowflake Data Engineering and SnowPro™ Core Certification Companion
“What sets this book apart is its deep integration with Snowflake’s architecture. Serge shows you how to design data models that work, not just in theory, but in the real world. He arms you with the verbal, visual, and technical skills to articulate, design, and implement robust, scalable, and cost-effective systems.”
Joe Reis, Instructor at DeepLearning.AI, Owner of ThinkQuick, LLC, Co-author of the bestselling Fundamentals of Data Engineering
About the Author
Serge Gershkovich is a seasoned data architect with decades of experience designing and maintaining enterprise-scale data warehouse platforms and reporting solutions. He is a leading subject matter expert, speaker, content creator, and Snowflake Data Superhero. Serge earned a bachelor of science degree in information systems from the State University of New York (SUNY) Stony Brook. Throughout his career, Serge has worked in model-driven development from SAP BW/HANA to dashboard design to cost-effective cloud analytics with Snowflake. He currently serves as product success lead at SqlDBM, an online database modeling tool.
