Test file structure in Terraform - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Architecture

intermediate

Identify the correct Terraform file structure for a multi-environment setup

You want to organize Terraform files for two environments: dev and prod. Which file structure below correctly separates environment-specific configurations while sharing common resources?

A root/main.tf, root/variables.tf, root/dev/main.tf, root/prod/main.tf

B root/main.tf, root/variables.tf, root/environments/dev.tf, root/environments/prod.tf

C root/dev/main.tf, root/dev/variables.tf, root/prod/main.tf, root/prod/variables.tf

D root/main.tf, root/dev.tf, root/prod.tf, root/variables.tf

💡 Hint

Think about how to keep environment files separate and complete with their own variables.

Option C correctly places environment-specific files in separate folders with their own main and variables files, allowing isolated configurations per environment.

❓ Configuration

intermediate

Determine which Terraform file will load variables for the production environment

Given this file structure:

root/
  main.tf
  variables.tf
  prod/
    main.tf
    variables.tf
  dev/
    main.tf
    variables.tf

When running Terraform in the prod folder, which variables.tf file is loaded?

A Both root/variables.tf and prod/variables.tf

B prod/variables.tf

C dev/variables.tf

D root/variables.tf

💡 Hint

Terraform loads variables from the current working directory.

Terraform loads variables.tf from the current directory where the command runs, so prod/variables.tf is used when running in the prod folder.

❓ service_behavior

advanced

What happens if Terraform files are duplicated in root and environment folders?

You have main.tf files in both the root folder and the dev folder. You run Terraform commands inside the dev folder. What will Terraform do?

A Terraform only uses the main.tf in the current <code>dev</code> folder

B Terraform merges both main.tf files automatically

C Terraform throws an error about duplicate main.tf files

D Terraform uses the root main.tf and ignores the dev folder

💡 Hint

Terraform works with files in the current directory only.

Terraform loads configuration files only from the current working directory. It does not merge files from parent directories.

❓ security

advanced

Which file should NOT contain sensitive data in a Terraform project?

In a Terraform project with multiple files, which file is the least appropriate place to store sensitive information like passwords or API keys?

A main.tf

B terraform.tfvars

C variables.tf

D secret.auto.tfvars

💡 Hint

Think about which files are meant for configuration vs. variable values.

main.tf defines resources and should not contain sensitive values directly. Sensitive data belongs in variable files or separate secure files.

✅ Best Practice

expert

Choose the best Terraform file structure for reusable modules and environment configs

You want to create reusable Terraform modules and separate environment configurations. Which file structure below follows best practices?

A

root/
  main.tf
  variables.tf
  dev_main.tf
  prod_main.tf

B

root/
  network_module.tf
  compute_module.tf
  dev.tf
  prod.tf

C

root/
  modules/
    main.tf
  dev/
    main.tf
  prod/
    main.tf

D

root/
  modules/
    network/
      main.tf
    compute/
      main.tf
  envs/
    dev/
      main.tf
    prod/
      main.tf

💡 Hint

Think about separating reusable code and environment-specific configs clearly.

Option D cleanly separates reusable modules under modules/ and environment configs under envs/, which is a recommended best practice.