Data source vs resource difference in Terraform - Quick Revision & Key Differences

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a resource in Terraform?

A resource is an infrastructure object that Terraform creates, updates, or deletes. It represents real cloud services like servers, databases, or networks.

beginner

What is a data source in Terraform?

A data source lets Terraform read or fetch information from existing infrastructure or external sources without changing them.

beginner

How does a resource differ from a data source in Terraform?

Resources create or manage infrastructure, while data sources only read existing information without making changes.

intermediate

Why use a data source instead of a resource?

Use a data source to get details about existing infrastructure you did not create or want to keep unchanged.

intermediate

Give an example of when to use a resource vs a data source.

Use a resource to create a new virtual machine. Use a data source to get the IP address of an existing database.

What does a Terraform resource do?

A Runs Terraform commands

B Only reads existing infrastructure

C Creates or manages infrastructure

D Deletes data sources

Resources create, update, or delete infrastructure objects.

What is the main purpose of a Terraform data source?

A To read existing infrastructure information

B To create new cloud resources

C To delete resources

D To run scripts

Data sources fetch information from existing infrastructure without changing it.

Which Terraform block would you use to get the IP of an existing server?

A resource

B data

C variable

D output

Data blocks read existing information like IP addresses.

If you want to create a new database, which Terraform block do you use?

A resource

B data

C output

D provider

Resources create new infrastructure components.

Can a data source modify infrastructure?

A Yes, it can update resources

B Yes, it can create resources

C Yes, it can delete resources

D No, it only reads data

Data sources only read existing infrastructure; they do not modify it.

Explain the difference between a Terraform resource and a data source.

Think about who controls the infrastructure changes.

When would you choose to use a data source instead of a resource in Terraform?

Consider scenarios where infrastructure is already set up.