Terraform.tfvars file - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of a terraform.tfvars file?

It is used to set variable values for a Terraform configuration, allowing you to customize deployments without changing the main code.

beginner

How does Terraform use the terraform.tfvars file during deployment?

Terraform automatically loads terraform.tfvars to assign values to variables when you run commands like terraform apply.

intermediate

Can you have multiple .tfvars files? How do you specify which one to use?

Yes, you can have multiple .tfvars files. Use the -var-file option with Terraform commands to specify which file to load.

beginner

What is the correct format to assign a string variable in terraform.tfvars?

Use variable_name = "value" with quotes around the string value.

intermediate

Why is it a best practice to exclude terraform.tfvars from version control?

Because it often contains sensitive or environment-specific data like passwords or keys, excluding it helps keep secrets safe.

What file does Terraform automatically load to set variable values?

A variables.tf

B main.tf

C terraform.tfvars

D outputs.tf

Terraform automatically loads terraform.tfvars to assign variable values.

How do you specify a different variable file when running Terraform commands?

A -config-file option

B -var-file option

C -input option

D -state option

Use the -var-file option to specify a different variable file.

Which of these is the correct way to assign a number variable in terraform.tfvars?

A count = 3

B count = "3"

C count = true

D count = '3'

Numbers are assigned without quotes, like count = 3.

Why might you want to keep terraform.tfvars out of version control?

A It contains sensitive data

B It slows down Terraform

C It is not needed for deployment

D It causes syntax errors

Because it often contains sensitive or environment-specific data.

If you have a variable region, how do you set it in terraform.tfvars?

A region => "us-west-2"

B region: us-west-2

C region = us-west-2

D region = "us-west-2"

Strings must be in quotes: region = "us-west-2".

Explain what a terraform.tfvars file is and why it is useful.

Think about how you tell Terraform what values to use without changing the main code.

Describe best practices for managing sensitive data in terraform.tfvars files.

Consider how to keep passwords or keys safe when using Terraform.