[Bug] The --empty argument doesn't work on models with table aliases

[armandduijn]

Is this a new bug in dbt-core?

• I believe this is a new bug in dbt-core
• I have searched the existing issues, and I could not find an existing issue for this bug

Current Behavior

I get a Database Error when I use the --empty argument on a model that uses table aliases.

Expected Behavior

I expect dbt to materialize the empty model.

Steps To Reproduce

1. Create a model my_model. Alias the referenced model.

   SELECT e.*
   FROM {{ source("atomic", "events") }} e

2. Run dbt with the --empty argument.

   dbt --debug run --select my_model --empty

I get the same error if I add AS in front of the alias name.

Relevant log output

10:25:16  On model.snowplow.my_model: /* {"app": "dbt", "dbt_version": "1.8.0", "profile_name": "studyportals", "target_name": "staging", "node_id": "model.snowplow.my_model"} */


  create view studyportals.dbt_test.my_model__dbt_tmp as (
    SELECT e.*
FROM (select * from studyportals.atomic.events where false limit 0) _dbt_limit_subq_events e
  ) with no schema binding;
10:25:16  Redshift adapter: Redshift error: syntax error at or near "e"
10:25:16  On model.snowplow.my_model: ROLLBACK
10:25:16  On model.snowplow.my_model: Close
10:25:16  Database Error in model my_model (models\my_model.sql)
  syntax error at or near "e"
  compiled Code at target\run\snowplow\models\my_model.sql

Environment

- OS: Windows
- Python: 3.10.11
- dbt: 1.8.0

Which database adapter are you using with dbt?

redshift

Additional Context

No response

[jtcohen6]

@armandduijn This is a known limitation on data platforms that require aliases for subqueries (e.g. Postgres):

• [Feature] Support contextual table aliasing  dbt-adapters#199

However, it looks like you're using Redshift, so I'm surprised to hear you're hitting this error —

• Stop adding aliases to render_limited output #782

It looks like that PR was merged to main but wasn't backported to 1.8.latestfor inclusion in v1.8.0. As soon as we merge that backport and include it in adbt-redshift` patch release, I hope this will start working for you:

• [Backport 1.8.latest] Stop adding aliases to render_limited output #817

In the meantime, I'm going to transfer this issue to dbt-redshift.

[github-actions]

This issue has been marked as Stale because it has been open for 180 days with no activity. If you would like the issue to remain open, please comment on the issue or else it will be closed in 7 days.

[github-actions]

Although we are closing this issue as stale, it's not gone forever. Issues can be reopened if there is renewed community interest. Just add a comment to notify the maintainers.