> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sdf.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Macro Processing Overview

> SDF supports several macro processing features out of the box that enable compilation of queries containing Jinja and SQL Variables.

Macro Processing is critical to implementing DRY patterns, simplifying query writing, and enabling dynamic query generation.

SDF supports two types of macros:

1. **Jinja Macros** - Similar to other frameworks like DBT and Airflow, SDF supports Jinja macros for templating and dynamic query generation.
2. **SDF Variables** - Modeled after SQL Variables common in SQL dialects like [BigQuery](https://cloud.google.com/bigquery/docs/reference/standard-sql/procedural-language), SDF supports SQL Variables for parameterizing queries. SDF variables can be used anywhere as SQL variables or Jinja variables

Both of these are preprocessed before compilation and execution.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Jinja" icon="square-1" href="/guide/macro-processing/jinja">
    Jinja unlocks the full power of Python for dynamic query generation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="SDF Variables" icon="square-2" href="/guide/macro-processing/sdf-variables">
    SDF SQL Variables are the simplest way to parameterize your queries per-command.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

To get familiar with Jinja templating, check out our [Introduction to Jinja](/guide/macro-processing/intro-to-jinja) guide.