Terraform Basics

T01 — What problem does Terraform solve?

It makes infrastructure changes repeatable and reviewable by describing the resources you want in configuration.

T02 — How is Terraform different from a Python deployment script?

A script lists steps to run. Terraform compares declared infrastructure with tracked, observed resources and plans changes to reach the declared state.

T03 — What is a provider?

The plugin Terraform uses to talk to an API. The AWS provider knows how to manage AWS resource types.

T04 — What is a resource?

A declaration of something Terraform manages, such as a DynamoDB table, Lambda function or IAM role.

T05 — What is a module?

A group of Terraform configuration managed together. A reusable module can package an API, function and permissions behind inputs and outputs.

T06 — What is an input variable?

A value passed into a module, such as an environment name or region, so the configuration can be reused.

T07 — What is an output?

A value a module exposes, such as a resource identifier or API URL, for a caller or another module to use.

T08 — What does terraform init do?

Prepares the working directory: sets up the backend (where state is stored) and installs required providers and modules. It does not deploy the application.

T09 — What does terraform plan do?

Previews proposed changes, including creates, updates and replacements. Review it before changing infrastructure.

T10 — What does terraform apply do?

Executes a plan and records resulting infrastructure changes in state. An apply can change or delete real resources.

T11 — What is Terraform state actually remembering?

Which real infrastructure objects match the resource names in your configuration, plus tracked attributes and metadata. It is not a database backup.

T12 — How could Terraform improve our old branch/version/alias deployment scripts?

Declare the related infrastructure and permissions in version control, review a plan, and apply consistent changes. Application code and configuration still decide runtime behavior.