Introduction to Terraform

Terraform is a popular Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tool that allows developers and system administrators to define and manage cloud resources using a declarative configuration language called HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language). Terraform supports multiple cloud providers like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, and Oracle Cloud, making it a versatile tool for automating infrastructure provisioning.

In this guide, we will explore essential Terraform commands (init, plan, apply, destroy), HCL syntax, and the process of creating EC2 instances using Terraform.

Understanding Terraform's Working Model

Terraform operates on a client-server model where the user runs commands from their local system, which then interacts with cloud providers to create, modify, and destroy resources.

Terraform Workflow ⇒

1. Terraform (Local System/Laptop) → Downloads Plugins → Connects to AWS (or another cloud provider)
2. Terraform → Logs in to AWS using Access Key & Secret Key
3. Terraform → Uses HCL scripts to create cloud resources (e.g., EC2 instances)

Diagram representation:

Terraform (Laptop/System) → Downloads Plugins → AWS (Providers)

Terraform → Authenticates via AWS Credentials (Access Key & Secret Key)

Terraform → Deploys EC2 Instances & Other Cloud Resources

Terraform Commands & Execution Process

Terraform provides several important commands to manage cloud resources efficiently. These commands help in initializing, validating, planning, applying, and destroying infrastructure.

Understanding Terraform Providers ⇒