Why Semantic Layers Matter—and How to Build One with DuckDB

Many ask themselves, &ldquo;Why would I use a semantic layer? What is it anyway?&rdquo; In this hands-on guide, we’ll build the simplest possible semantic layer using just a YAML file and a Python script—not as the goal itself, but as a way to understand the value of semantic layers. We’ll then query 20 million NYC taxi records with consistent business metrics executed using DuckDB and Ibis. By…