Developing Data Models with LookML (DDMLML) – Outline

Detailed Course Outline

Module 1 - Introducing Looker and LookML

Topics

  • Looker and LookML
  • The Looker user interface
  • Example 1: The Looker IDE
  • LookML project version control
  • Example 2: Git workflow in Looker
  • How Looker writes SQL

Objectives

  • Articulate the benefits of using LookML for data modeling and analysis.
  • Identify the primary components of the Looker user interface.
  • Identify the target users and functions of key Looker UI elements.
  • Define core Looker platform and LookML terminology.
  • Understand the basic integration between Looker and Git for version control.
  • Describe the LookML development lifecycle, including writing, validation, merging, and deployment processes.
  • Recognize how Looker reads, parses, and writes SQL.
  • Explain the relationship between SQL and the LookML modeling language.

Activities

  • 2 demos
  • 1 quiz

Module 2 - Data Modeling Using LookML

Topics

  • Anatomy of a LookML project
  • Modeling dimensions
  • Example 3: Creating dimensions using LookML
  • Modeling measures
  • Example 4: Modeling measures using LookML
  • Dimension and measure modeling logic
  • LookML dashboards
  • Lab 1: Creating dimensions and measures with LookML

Objectives

  • Detail the hierarchical layers contained within a LookML project.
  • Convert between user-defined and LookML dashboards.
  • Construct dimensions and measures within a Looker Explore, defining appropriate data types, formats, and calculations.
  • Locate dimensions, measures, and dashboards in the Looker IDE.
  • Understand how dimensions and measures connect IDE development to Explore usage.
  • Model complex dimensions for enhanced user experience in Looker.
  • List the features and basic functionality of a LookML dashboard.
  • Convert between user-defined and LookML dashboards.

Activities

  • 1 quiz
  • 2 demos
  • 1 lab

Module 3 - Modeling Explores for Your Users

Topics

  • Modeling new Explores
  • Using LookML to filter Explores
  • Understanding symmetric aggregation

Objectives

  • Create new Explores and filters in the Looker IDE.
  • Connect Explores and filters to end-user data exploration.
  • Understand symmetric aggregation for data analysis in Looker.

Activities

  • 1 quiz

Module 4 - Working with Derived Tables

Topics

  • Introducing derived tables
  • Types of derived tables
  • Example 5: Using SQL derived tables
  • Example 6: Using native derived tables
  • Native derived table parameters
  • Using persistent derived tables
  • Caching and datagroups
  • Implementing datagroups in Looker
  • Lab 2: Creating Derived Tables with LookML

Objectives

  • Understand derived tables, including SQL, native, and persistent types, and their respective purposes.
  • Identify appropriate use cases for derived tables and select the optimal type based on specific requirements.
  • Explain how derived tables enhance data analysis efficiency and effectiveness in Looker.
  • Locate the creation points for SQL, native, and persistent derived tables within the Looker UI.
  • Describe the process of creating SQL, native, and persistent derived tables in Looker.
  • Identify the two key parameters used in native derived tables.
  • Identify optional parameters for optimizing native derived table performance and functionality.
  • Define caching and datagroups in the context of Looker.
  • Determine when to implement caching and datagroups for query optimization.
  • Evaluate the impact of caching and datagroups on overall Looker performance and user experience.

Activities

  • 2 demos
  • 1 quiz
  • 1 lab