Test file structure in Terraform - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Test file structure

Create test file

↓

Write test blocks

↓

Define resources and variables

↓

Run terraform test command

↓

Check test results

↓

Pass or Fail

This flow shows how a Terraform test file is created, written with test blocks, run, and checked for results.

Execution Sample

Terraform

terraform {
  required_version = ">= 1.5"
}

resource "null_resource" "example" {}

test "example_test" {
  check "basic" {
    assert {
      condition = true
      error_message = "Test failed"
    }
  }
}

This sample defines a simple Terraform configuration with a test block to check resource behavior.

Process Table

Step	Action	File Content	Command Run	Result
1	Create test file	test_example.tf with resource and test block		File created
2	Write test blocks	test block with checks added		Test defined
3	Run terraform test		terraform test	Tests executed
4	Check test results			Tests pass or fail
5	Exit	N/A	N/A	Testing complete

💡 All test steps completed, test results determine pass or fail

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	Final
test_file	none	created	written	executed	results checked
test_result	none	none	none	running	pass/fail

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why do we need a separate test file in Terraform?

Terraform separates test files to keep configuration and tests organized, as shown in step 1 and 2 of the execution_table.

What happens when we run 'terraform test'?

The command executes all test blocks in test files, shown in step 3, producing pass or fail results in step 4.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the file content after step 2?

A Only resource definitions

B Test block with checks added

C Empty file

D Test results

💡 Hint

Refer to the 'File Content' column in row for step 2 in execution_table

At which step does the test execution happen?

A Step 1

B Step 4

C Step 3

D Step 5

💡 Hint

Check the 'Command Run' column in execution_table for the step running 'terraform test'

If the test file was not written correctly, what would change in the execution_table?

A Step 3 would show test execution failure

B Step 1 would fail to create file

C Step 5 would be skipped

D Step 2 would show empty file

💡 Hint

Look at step 3 and 4 results in execution_table for test execution and results

Concept Snapshot

Terraform test files are separate .tf files
They contain test blocks with checks
Run tests using 'terraform test' command
Tests show pass or fail results
Keep tests organized and separate from main config

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows how to create and run a Terraform test file. First, a test file is created and written with test blocks that define checks. Then, the 'terraform test' command runs these tests. Finally, results are checked to see if tests pass or fail. This separation helps keep configuration and tests organized.