# About source function

```sql
select * from {{ source("source_name", "table_name") }}
```

## Definition

This function:

* Returns a [Relation](../dbt-classes.md#relation) for a [source](../../docs/build/sources.md)
* Creates dependencies between a source and the current model, which is useful for documentation and [node selection](../node-selection/syntax.md)
* Compiles to the full object name in the database

## Related guides

* [Using sources](../../docs/build/sources.md)

## Arguments

* `source_name`: The `name:` defined under a `sources:` key
* `table_name`: The `name:` defined under a `tables:` key

## Example

Consider a source defined as follows:

models/\<filename>.yml

```yaml

sources:
  - name: jaffle_shop # this is the source_name
    database: raw

    tables:
      - name: customers # this is the table_name
      - name: orders
```

Select from the source in a model:

models/orders.sql

```sql
select
  ...

from {{ source('jaffle_shop', 'customers') }}

left join {{ source('jaffle_shop', 'orders') }} using (customer_id)
```

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