add dbt_valid_to_current

website/docs/docs/build/snapshots.md

@@ -36,12 +36,6 @@
 
 ## Configuring snapshots
 
-:::info Previewing or compiling snapshots in IDE not supported
-
-It is not possible to "preview data" or "compile sql" for snapshots in dbt Cloud. Instead, [run the `dbt snapshot` command](#how-snapshots-work) in the IDE.
-
-:::
-
 <VersionBlock lastVersion="1.8" >
 
 - To configure snapshots in versions 1.8 and earlier, refer to [Configure snapshots in versions 1.8 and earlier](#configure-snapshots-in-versions-18-and-earlier). These versions use an older syntax where snapshots are defined within a snapshot block in a `.sql` file, typically located in your `snapshots` directory. 
@@ -70,7 +64,7 @@
       [updated_at](/reference/resource-configs/updated_at): column_name
       [invalidate_hard_deletes](/reference/resource-configs/invalidate_hard_deletes): true | false
       [snapshot_meta_column_names](/reference/resource-configs/snapshot_meta_column_names): dictionary
-
+      [dbt_valid_to_current](/reference/resource-configs/dbt_valid_to_current): string
 ```
 
 </File>
@@ -87,13 +81,14 @@
 | [check_cols](/reference/resource-configs/check_cols) | If using the `check` strategy, then the columns to check | Only if using the `check` strategy | ["status"] |
 | [updated_at](/reference/resource-configs/updated_at) | If using the `timestamp` strategy, the timestamp column to compare | Only if using the `timestamp` strategy | updated_at |
 | [invalidate_hard_deletes](/reference/resource-configs/invalidate_hard_deletes) | Find hard deleted records in source and set `dbt_valid_to` to current time if the record no longer exists | No | True |
+| [dbt_valid_to_current](/reference/resource-configs/dbt_valid_to_current) | Set a custom future date for `dbt_valid_to` in new snapshot columns. When set, dbt will use this specified value instead of `NULL` for `dbt_valid_to` in the snapshot table. | No | string |
 | [snapshot_meta_column_names](/reference/resource-configs/snapshot_meta_column_names) | Customize the names of the snapshot meta fields | No | dictionary |
 
+
 - In versions prior to v1.9, the `target_schema` (required) and `target_database` (optional) configurations defined a single schema or database to build a snapshot across users and environment. This created problems when testing or developing a snapshot, as there was no clear separation between development and production environments.  In v1.9, `target_schema` became optional, allowing snapshots to be environment-aware. By default, without `target_schema` or `target_database` defined, snapshots now use the `generate_schema_name` or `generate_database_name` macros to determine where to build. Developers can still set a custom location with [`schema`](/reference/resource-configs/schema) and [`database`](/reference/resource-configs/database)  configs, consistent with other resource types.
 - A number of other configurations are also supported (for example, `tags` and `post-hook`). For the complete list, refer to [Snapshot configurations](/reference/snapshot-configs).
 - You can configure snapshots from both the `dbt_project.yml` file and a `config` block. For more information, refer to the [configuration docs](/reference/snapshot-configs).
 
-
 ### Add a snapshot to your project
 
 To add a snapshot to your project follow these steps. For users on versions 1.8 and earlier, refer to [Configure snapshots in versions 1.8 and earlier](#configure-snapshots-in-versions-18-and-earlier). 
@@ -112,6 +107,7 @@
           unique_key: id
           strategy: timestamp
           updated_at: updated_at
+          dbt_valid_to_current: "to_date('9999-12-31')" # Specifies that current records should have `dbt_valid_to` set to `'9999-12-31'` instead of `NULL`.
 
     ```
     </File>
@@ -172,6 +168,15 @@
 
 </Expandable>
 
+
+<Expandable alt_header="Use dbt_valid_to_current for easier date range queries">
+
+By default, `dbt_valid_to` is `NULL` for current records. However, if you set the [`dbt_valid_to_current` configuration](/reference/resource-configs/dbt_valid_to_current) (available in Versionless and 1.9 and higher), `dbt_valid_to` will be set to your specified value (such as `9999-12-31`) for current records.
+
+This simplifies your SQL queries by avoiding `NULL` checks and allowing for straightforward date range filtering. 
+
+</Expandable>
+
 <Expandable alt_header="Ensure your unique key is really unique">
 
 The unique key is used by dbt to match rows up, so it's extremely important to make sure this key is actually unique! If you're snapshotting a source, I'd recommend adding a uniqueness test to your source ([example](https://github.com/dbt-labs/jaffle_shop/blob/8e7c853c858018180bef1756ec93e193d9958c5b/models/staging/schema.yml#L26)).
@@ -204,12 +209,14 @@
 ### How snapshots work
 
 When you run the [`dbt snapshot` command](/reference/commands/snapshot):
-* **On the first run:** dbt will create the initial snapshot table — this will be the result set of your `select` statement, with additional columns including `dbt_valid_from` and `dbt_valid_to`. All records will have a `dbt_valid_to = null`.
+* **On the first run:** dbt will create the initial snapshot table — this will be the result set of your `select` statement, with additional columns including `dbt_valid_from` and `dbt_valid_to`. All records will have a `dbt_valid_to = null` or the value specified in [`dbt_valid_to_current`](/reference/resource-configs/dbt_valid_to_current) (available in Versionless and 1.9 and higher) if configured.
 * **On subsequent runs:** dbt will check which records have changed or if any new records have been created:
-  - The `dbt_valid_to` column will be updated for any existing records that have changed
-  - The updated record and any new records will be inserted into the snapshot table. These records will now have `dbt_valid_to = null`
+  - The `dbt_valid_to` column will be updated for any existing records that have changed.
+  - The updated record and any new records will be inserted into the snapshot table. These records will now have `dbt_valid_to = null` or the value configured in `dbt_valid_to_current` (available in Versionless and 1.9 and higher).
 
-Note, these column names can be customized to your team or organizational conventions using the [snapshot_meta_column_names](#snapshot-meta-fields) config.
+#### Note 
+- These column names can be customized to your team or organizational conventions using the [snapshot_meta_column_names](#snapshot-meta-fields) config.
+- If you have set the `dbt_valid_to_current` configuration option, then instead of `NULL`, the `dbt_valid_to` field in future records will be set to your specified value (such as `9999-12-31`).
 
 Snapshots can be referenced in downstream models the same way as referencing models — by using the [ref](/reference/dbt-jinja-functions/ref) function.
 
@@ -394,12 +401,14 @@
 
 Snapshot <Term id="table">tables</Term> will be created as a clone of your source dataset, plus some additional meta-fields*.
 
-Starting in 1.9 or with [dbt Cloud Versionless](/docs/dbt-versions/upgrade-dbt-version-in-cloud#versionless), these column names can be customized to your team or organizational conventions via the [`snapshot_meta_column_names`](/reference/resource-configs/snapshot_meta_column_names) config.
+Starting in 1.9 or with [dbt Cloud Versionless](/docs/dbt-versions/upgrade-dbt-version-in-cloud#versionless):
+- These column names can be customized to your team or organizational conventions using the [`snapshot_meta_column_names`](/reference/resource-configs/snapshot_meta_column_names) config. 
+- Use the [`dbt_valid_to_current`](/reference/resource-configs/dbt_valid_to_current) config to set a custom future date for `dbt_valid_to` in new snapshot columns. When set, dbt will use this specified value instead of `NULL` for `dbt_valid_to` in the snapshot table.
 
 | Field          | Meaning | Usage |
 | -------------- | ------- | ----- |
 | dbt_valid_from | The timestamp when this snapshot row was first inserted | This column can be used to order the different "versions" of a record. |
-| dbt_valid_to   | The timestamp when this row became invalidated. | The most recent snapshot record will have `dbt_valid_to` set to `null`. |
+| dbt_valid_to   | The timestamp when this row became invalidated. <br /> For current records, this is `NULL` by default <VersionBlock firstVersion="1.9"> or the value specified in `dbt_valid_to_current`.</VersionBlock> | The most recent snapshot record will have `dbt_valid_to` set to `NULL` <VersionBlock firstVersion="1.9"> or the specified value. </VersionBlock> |
 | dbt_scd_id     | A unique key generated for each snapshotted record. | This is used internally by dbt |
 | dbt_updated_at | The updated_at timestamp of the source record when this snapshot row was inserted. | This is used internally by dbt |
 

website/docs/docs/dbt-versions/release-notes.md

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ Release notes are grouped by month for both multi-tenant and virtual private clo
 \* The official release date for this new format of release notes is May 15th, 2024. Historical release notes for prior dates may not reflect all available features released earlier this year or their tenancy availability.
 
 ## November 2024
+- **New**: Use the [`dbt_valid_to_current`](/reference/resource-configs/dbt_valid_to_current) config to set a custom future date for `dbt_valid_to` in new snapshot columns. When set, dbt will use this specified value instead of `NULL` for `dbt_valid_to` in the snapshot table.
 - **Fix**: This update improves [dbt Semantic Layer Tableau integration](/docs/cloud-integrations/semantic-layer/tableau) making query parsing more reliable. Some key fixes include:
   - Error messages for unsupported joins between saved queries and ALL tables.
   - Improved handling of queries when multiple tables are selected in a data source.
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ Release notes are grouped by month for both multi-tenant and virtual private clo
   - [Python SDK](https://docs.getdbt.com/docs/dbt-cloud-apis/sl-python) is now generally available 
 
 </Expandable>
- 
+
 - **Behavior change:** [Multi-factor authentication](/docs/cloud/manage-access/mfa) is now enforced on all users who log in with username and password credentials. 
 - **Enhancement**: The dbt Semantic Layer JDBC now allows users to paginate `semantic_layer.metrics()` and `semantic_layer.dimensions()` for metrics and dimensions using `page_size` and `page_number` parameters. Refer to [Paginate metadata calls](/docs/dbt-cloud-apis/sl-jdbc#querying-the-api-for-metric-metadata) for more information.
 - **Enhancement**: The dbt Semantic Layer JDBC now allows you to filter your metrics to include only those that contain a specific substring, using the `search` parameter. If no substring is provided, the query returns all metrics. Refer to [Fetch metrics by substring search](/docs/dbt-cloud-apis/sl-jdbc#querying-the-api-for-metric-metadata) for more information.

website/docs/reference/resource-configs/dbt_valid_to_current.md

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+---
+resource_types: [snapshots]
+description: "Snapshot dbt_valid_to_current custom date"
+datatype: "{<dictionary>}"
+default_value: {NULL}
+id: "dbt_valid_to_current"
+---
+
+Available in 1.9 or with [Versionless](/docs/dbt-versions/upgrade-dbt-version-in-cloud#versionless) dbt Cloud.
+
+<File name='snapshots/schema.yml'>
+
+```yaml
+snapshots:
+  my_project:
+    +dbt_valid_to_current: "to_date('9999-12-31')"
+
+```
+
+</File>
+
+<File name='snapshots/<filename>.sql'>
+
+```sql
+{{
+    config(
+        unique_key='id',
+        strategy='timestamp',
+        updated_at='updated_at',
+        dbt_valid_to_current='to_date('9999-12-31')'
+    )
+}}
+```
+
+</File>
+
+<File name='dbt_project.yml'>
+
+```yml
+snapshots:
+  [<resource-path>](/reference/resource-configs/resource-path):
+    +dbt_valid_to_current: "to_date('9999-12-31')"
+```
+
+</File>
+
+## Description
+
+Use the `dbt_valid_to_current` config to set a custom future date for `dbt_valid_to` in new snapshot columns. When set, dbt will use this specified value instead of `NULL` for `dbt_valid_to` in the snapshot table.
+
+This approach makes it easier to assign a custom date date, work in a join, or perform range-based filtering that require an end date.
+
+### Considerations
+
+- **Date expressions** &mdash; Provide a hardcoded date expression compatible with your data platform, such as to_date`('9999-12-31')`. Note that syntax may vary by warehouse (for example, `to_date('YYYY-MM-DD'`) or `date(YYYY, MM, DD)`).
+
+- **Jinja limitation** &mdash; `dbt_valid_to_current` only accepts static SQL expressions. Jinja expressions (like `{{ var('my_future_date') }}`) are not supported.
+
+- **Deferral and `state:modified`** &mdash; Changes to `dbt_valid_to_current` are compatible with deferral and `--select state:modified`. When this configuration changes, it'll appear in `state:modified` selections, raising a warning to manually make the necessary snapshot updates.
+
+## Default
+
+By default, `dbt_valid_to` is set to `NULL` for current (most recent) records in your snapshot table. This means that these records are still valid and have no defined end date.
+
+If you prefer to use a specific value instead of `NULL` for `dbt_valid_to` in current and future records, you can use the `dbt_valid_to_current` configuration option. For example, setting a date in the far future, `9999-12-31`.
+
+The value assigned to `dbt_valid_to_current` should be a string representing a valid date or timestamp, depending on your database's requirements. Use expressions that work within the data platform.
+
+### Managing records
+- **For existing records** &mdash; To avoid any unintentional data modification, dbt will _not_ automatically adjust the current value in the existing `dbt_valid_to` column. Existing current records will still have `dbt_valid_to` set to `NULL`.
+
+- **For new records** &mdash;  Any new records inserted after applying the `dbt_valid_to_current` configuration will have `dbt_valid_to` set to the specified value (for example, '9999-12-31'), instead of `NULL`.
+
+This means your snapshot table will have current records with `dbt_valid_to` values of both `NULL` (from existing data) and the new specified value (from new data). If you'd rather have consistent `dbt_valid_to` values for current records, you can either manually update existing records in your snapshot table where `dbt_valid_to` is `NULL` to match your `dbt_valid_to_current` value or rebuild your snapshot table.
+
+## Example
+
+<File name='snapshots/schema.yml'>
+
+```yaml
+snapshots:
+  - name: my_snapshot
+    config:
+      strategy: timestamp
+      updated_at: updated_at
+      dbt_valid_to_current: "to_date('9999-12-31')"
+    columns:
+      - name: dbt_valid_from
+        description: The timestamp when the record became valid.
+      - name: dbt_valid_to
+        description: >
+          The timestamp when the record ceased to be valid. For current records,
+          this is either `NULL` or the value specified in `dbt_valid_to_current`
+          (like `'9999-12-31'`).
+```
+
+</File>
+
+The resulting snapshot table contains the configured dbt_valid_to column value:
+
+| id | dbt_scd_id           |    dbt_updated_at    |       dbt_valid_from |     dbt_valid_to     |
+| -- | -------------------- | -------------------- | -------------------- | -------------------- |
+|  1 | 60a1f1dbdf899a4dd... | 2024-10-02 ...       | 2024-10-02 ...       | 9999-12-31 ...       |
+|  2 | b1885d098f8bcff51... | 2024-10-02 ...       | 2024-10-02 ...       | 9999-12-31 ...       |

website/sidebars.js

@@ -978,6 +978,7 @@ const sidebarSettings = {
             "reference/resource-configs/updated_at",
             "reference/resource-configs/invalidate_hard_deletes",
             "reference/resource-configs/snapshot_meta_column_names",
+            "reference/resource-configs/dbt_valid_to_current",
           ],
         },
         {