44 lines
2.1 KiB
Markdown
44 lines
2.1 KiB
Markdown
---
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layout: "intro"
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page_title: "Introduction"
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sidebar_current: "what"
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description: |-
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Learn what Terraform is, what problems it can solve, and how it compares to existing software.
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---
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# Introduction to Terraform
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Terraform is an infrastructure as code (IaC) tool that allows you to build, change, and version infrastructure safely and efficiently. This includes low-level components such as compute instances, storage, and networking, as well as high-level components such as DNS entries, SaaS features, etc. Terraform can manage both existing service providers and custom in-house solutions.
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Below, HashiCorp co-founder and CTO Armon Dadgar describes how Terraform can help solve common infrastructure challenges.
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<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h970ZBgKINg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="315" ></iframe>
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## Key Features
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### Infrastructure as Code
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You describe your infrastructure using Terraform's high-level [configuration language](/docs/language/index.html) in human-readable, declarative configuration files. This allows you to create a blueprint that you can version, share, and reuse.
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### Execution Plans
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Terraform generates an _execution plan_ describing what it will do and asks for your approval before making any infrastructure changes. This allows you to review changes before Terraform creates, updates, or destroys infrastructure.
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### Resource Graph
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Terraform builds a resource graph and creates or modifies non-dependent resources in parallel. This allows Terraform to build resources as efficiently as possible and gives you greater insight into your infrastructure.
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### Change Automation
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Terraform can apply complex changesets to your infrastructure with minimal human interaction. When you update configuration files, Terraform determines what changed and creates incremental execution plans that respect dependencies.
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## Next Steps
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- Learn about common [Terraform use cases](/intro/use-cases.html).
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- Learn [how Terraform compares to and complements other tools](/intro/vs/index.html).
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- Try the [Terraform: Get Started](https://learn.hashicorp.com/collections/terraform/aws-get-started) tutorials on HashiCorp Learn.
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