The dbt run command executes compiled dbt models. To specify which models to run, you use the --select flag (or its alias -s). The source: selector is used to select nodes based on their source dependencies. When you use dbt run --select source:sourcename.tablename, dbt leverages its understanding of the project's dependency graph (DAG) to identify and run only the models that directly depend on the specified source table. This is the standard and correct method for achieving the desired outcome.

A. dbt run --filter source:sourcename

The --filter flag is not a valid command-line option for the dbt run command for node selection. The correct flag is --select.

B. dbt run --models table:tablename

The selector syntax table:tablename is not a valid method for selecting models based on a source. The correct selector for sources is source:.

C. dbt run --model source:sourcename

While --model is a functional alias for --select, the official dbt documentation recommends using --select in new projects as it is the canonical and more explicit flag.

1. dbt Labs Official Documentation

"Node selection syntax": This document details the source: selector. It states

"The source: selector will select a source. When used with dbt run

this will run all of the models that select from this source."

Source: dbt Labs Documentation

docs.getdbt.com

"Reference" -> "Node selection" -> "Syntax". Section: "The source: selector".

2. dbt Labs Official Documentation

"dbt run command": This page lists the valid arguments for the dbt run command

showing --select as the primary flag for specifying models to run.

Source: dbt Labs Documentation

docs.getdbt.com

"Reference" -> "dbt Commands" -> "run". Section: "Arguments".

3. dbt Labs Official Documentation

"About command line options": This page clarifies that --models is an alias for --select and explicitly recommends using --select for clarity and future compatibility.

Source: dbt Labs Documentation

docs.getdbt.com

"Reference" -> "Node selection" -> "About command line options". Section: "Full flag list".