Module structure and conventions in Terraform - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a Terraform module?

A Terraform module is a folder with Terraform files that work together to create a part of your infrastructure. It helps organize and reuse code.

beginner

Name the four common files in a Terraform module.

main.tf (resources), variables.tf (inputs), outputs.tf (outputs), and README.md (documentation).

beginner

Why should you use variables in a Terraform module?

Variables let you customize the module without changing its code. They make modules flexible and reusable.

beginner

What is the purpose of outputs.tf in a Terraform module?

outputs.tf defines values that the module sends back after deployment, so other modules or users can use them.

intermediate

How do you call a module inside another Terraform configuration?

Use the 'module' block with a source path to the module folder and provide required variables.

Which file in a Terraform module usually contains resource definitions?

A main.tf

B variables.tf

C outputs.tf

D README.md

main.tf contains the resource definitions that create infrastructure.

What is the main benefit of using modules in Terraform?

A To replace variables

B To speed up Terraform installation

C To organize and reuse infrastructure code

D To store secrets

Modules help organize and reuse code, making infrastructure easier to manage.

Where do you define input variables for a Terraform module?

A variables.tf

B outputs.tf

C main.tf

D terraform.tfstate

variables.tf is where input variables are declared.

How do you specify the source of a module when calling it?

A By placing the module in the root folder

B By naming the module folder 'source'

C By setting an environment variable

D Using the 'source' argument inside the module block

The 'source' argument tells Terraform where to find the module code.

What file should you add to explain how to use a Terraform module?

A variables.tf

B README.md

C outputs.tf

D main.tf

README.md is used for documentation and usage instructions.

Describe the typical structure of a Terraform module and the purpose of each main file.

Think about how you organize code to make it reusable and clear.

Explain why using modules and variables in Terraform helps manage infrastructure better.

Consider how you would build something once and use it many times with different settings.