Data Modeling with Snowflake: A practical guide to accelerating Snowflake development using universal modeling techniques, Edition 2

Serge Gershkovich

Sep 2025 · Packt Publishing Ltd

About this ebook

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 teamsKey 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 DescriptionStruggling 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.

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.