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Terraform for absolute beginners

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Saurabh Dhingra

Saurabh Dhingra

Terraform allows infrastructure to be expressed as code. The desired state is expressed in a simple human-readable language. Terraform uses this language to provide an execution plan of changes, which can be reviewed for safety and then applied to make changes. Extensible providers allow Terraform to manage a broad range of resources, including hardware, IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS services.

In this 1-hour long project-based course, you will get

Understanding of Infrastructure as code

Understanding of Terraform basics and its execution flow

Read more

Terraform allows infrastructure to be expressed as code. The desired state is expressed in a simple human-readable language. Terraform uses this language to provide an execution plan of changes, which can be reviewed for safety and then applied to make changes. Extensible providers allow Terraform to manage a broad range of resources, including hardware, IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS services.

In this 1-hour long project-based course, you will get

Understanding of Infrastructure as code

Understanding of Terraform basics and its execution flow

Understanding HCL language (Harshicorp Language System) syntax

Creating infrastructure using Terraform

Defining variables in Terraform

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What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of Terraform or infrastructure as code

Taught by industry experts, providing practical and up-to-date knowledge

Provides a strong foundation for understanding the fundamentals of Terraform

Covers essential concepts such as Terraform basics, HCL syntax, and infrastructure creation

Includes hands-on exercises for practical application of Terraform

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Reviews summary

Terraform essentials for newcomers

According to students, this course is a highly effective and largely positive introduction for absolute beginners to Terraform and Infrastructure as Code. Learners consistently commend the instructor's clear explanations and the practical, project-based approach with hands-on labs in Azure. This course effectively demystifies core concepts like HCL syntax and fundamental commands. While praised for its quick start and foundational clarity, some note its limited depth, making it unsuitable for intermediate users. A few also mentioned minor initial Azure setup challenges, though the course content itself remains highly regarded.

Instructor's explanations are clear, concise, and easy to follow.

"The instructor explains complex concepts simply and the hands-on lab in Azure was very helpful."

"The instructor is very clear and the steps are easy to follow. It gives you just enough to get started without overwhelming you."

"The instructor is clear and the exercises are practical... The instructor explains everything so well..."

Emphasizes learning through guided projects and lab exercises.

"...the hands-on lab in Azure was very helpful. I now feel ready to explore more advanced topics. I really liked the practical approach."

"The guided project format works well... The exercises are practical... ideal for me to grasp the core concepts quickly."

"The hands-on project solidified my understanding. Perfect for getting your feet wet."

Provides a strong foundational start for newcomers to Terraform.

"This course is exactly what I needed to get started with Terraform. I had no prior experience with IaC and felt confident..."

"A fantastic short project to learn the very basics of Terraform... Great for someone truly new to IaC."

"As an absolute beginner, this course demystified Terraform for me. The instructor's guidance was superb..."

Some learners found the initial Azure environment setup difficult.

"Setup for Azure was a bit tricky but manageable."

"The only challenge was setting up the Azure account, which took a bit more time than anticipated..."

"The instructions for Azure setup were not always straightforward. For someone truly new to cloud, it might be overwhelming to get started..."

Focuses strictly on basics, not suitable for advanced learners.

"If you're looking for something that goes beyond the absolute basics, this isn't it. I already had some cloud experience and found it a bit too slow and superficial."

"It covers the basics... My only minor feedback is that it could benefit from a bit more depth on error handling or best practices..."

"It truly is a beginner's course, so don't expect advanced topics... The short duration means it can't cover much beyond the very basics."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Terraform for absolute beginners with these activities:

Review Infrastructure as code concepts

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Reviewing IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS infrastructure as a code concepts will solidify your understanding of Terraform's capabilities.

Show steps

Read articles or blog posts about Infrastructure as a code
Watch videos or tutorials on Infrastructure as a code
Try out a hands-on lab or exercise on Infrastructure as a code

Follow a Terraform tutorial for beginners

Show steps

Following a guided tutorial will provide a structured approach to learning the basics of Terraform.

Show steps

Find a reputable tutorial or course on Terraform
Follow the tutorial step-by-step
Complete the exercises or assignments provided in the tutorial

Practice writing Terraform HCL code

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Practicing writing HCL code will enhance your understanding of Terraform syntax and how to define infrastructure resources.

Show steps

Find examples or templates of Terraform HCL code
Create your own Terraform HCL code files
Experiment with different options and settings in Terraform HCL code

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Terraform configuration for a simple infrastructure

Show steps

Creating a simple Terraform configuration will reinforce your understanding of how to define and provision infrastructure using Terraform.

Show steps

Choose a simple infrastructure scenario (e.g., creating a virtual machine or a database)
Design the Terraform configuration to provision the infrastructure
Deploy the Terraform configuration to create the infrastructure

Write a blog post or article about your experience with Terraform

Show steps

Writing about your Terraform experience will help you consolidate your knowledge and share it with others.

Show steps

Choose an aspect of Terraform that you want to write about
Research and gather information on the topic
Write a draft of the blog post or article
Edit and revise your writing
Publish your blog post or article

Volunteer on a project that involves Terraform

Show steps

Volunteering on a Terraform project will provide hands-on experience and contribute to a real-world project.

Show steps

Find a volunteer opportunity that involves Terraform
Contact the organization and express your interest
Attend training or onboarding sessions provided by the organization
Participate in the project and contribute to the Terraform implementation

Mentor someone who is new to Terraform

Show steps

Mentoring others will reinforce your Terraform knowledge and help others succeed with the technology.

Show steps

Find someone who is new to Terraform and would like to be mentored
Establish a mentoring schedule and plan
Provide guidance and support to your mentee
Answer questions and help your mentee troubleshoot issues

Career center

Learners who complete Terraform for absolute beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cloud Architect

A Cloud Architect designs, builds, and manages cloud computing solutions. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then design and implement cloud solutions that meet those needs. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Cloud Architect because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer works with both development and operations teams to ensure that software is developed and deployed efficiently. They use tools and techniques to automate and streamline the software development process. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a DevOps Engineer because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Infrastructure Engineer

An Infrastructure Engineer designs, builds, and maintains the infrastructure that supports an organization's IT systems. They work with a variety of technologies, including hardware, software, and networking. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become an Infrastructure Engineer because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for Infrastructure Engineer

IT Consultant

An IT Consultant provides advice and guidance to organizations on how to use technology to improve their business operations. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then recommend and implement technology solutions. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become an IT Consultant because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant

Network Engineer

A Network Engineer designs, builds, and maintains computer networks. They work with a variety of technologies, including routers, switches, and firewalls. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Network Engineer because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Security Engineer

A Security Engineer designs, implements, and maintains security measures to protect an organization's IT systems. They work with a variety of technologies, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access control systems. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Security Engineer because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Engineer

Software Architect

A Software Architect designs and develops the overall architecture of a software system. They work with a variety of technologies, including programming languages, databases, and operating systems. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Software Architect because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Systems Engineer

A Systems Engineer designs, builds, and maintains computer systems. They work with a variety of technologies, including hardware, software, and networking. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Systems Engineer because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Technical Project Manager

A Technical Project Manager leads and manages the development and deployment of software projects. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including developers, testers, and business users. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Technical Project Manager because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Project Manager

Cloud Developer

A Cloud Developer develops and deploys applications to the cloud. They work with a variety of technologies, including programming languages, databases, and cloud platforms. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Cloud Developer because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Developer

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains data pipelines. They work with a variety of technologies, including databases, data warehouses, and big data platforms. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Data Engineer because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

IT Manager

An IT Manager plans, directs, and coordinates the IT activities of an organization. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including senior management, IT staff, and end users. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become an IT Manager because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Manager

Security Analyst

A Security Analyst monitors and analyzes security data to identify and mitigate threats. They work with a variety of technologies, including security software, intrusion detection systems, and access control systems. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Security Analyst because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Web Developer

A Web Developer designs, develops, and maintains websites. They work with a variety of technologies, including programming languages, databases, and web frameworks. This course may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Web Developer because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

IT Auditor

An IT Auditor reviews and evaluates an organization's IT systems to ensure that they are operating in accordance with established policies and procedures. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including senior management, IT staff, and external auditors. This course may be helpful for someone who wants to become an IT Auditor because it provides a foundation in infrastructure as code, Terraform basics, and HCL language syntax.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Auditor

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Terraform for absolute beginners.

Cover image

Cover image

Cloud Native DevOps with Kubernetes

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of the capabilities of Terraform, making it an ideal choice for readers who want to understand the power and potential of infrastructure automation.

Cloud Native DevOps with Kubernetes: Building,...

Cloud Native DevOps with Kubernetes: Building,...

(Deutsch) Cloud Native DevOps mit Kubernetes: Bauen, Deployen...

Cover image

Cover image

Terraform: Up and Running

Save

Serves as an excellent reference manual for someone who wants to learn more about Terraform and how to use it in a professional setting.

Terraform: Up and Running

Terraform: Up and Running

Cover image

Cover image

Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Services for...

Save

Provides a comprehensive guide to using Azure to manage infrastructure as code. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about Azure.

Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Services for...

Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Services for...

Cover image

Cover image

HashiCorp Packer in Production

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Is the official guide to the HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL), the language used by Terraform. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about HCL.

HashiCorp Packer in Production: Efficiently manage...

Cover image

Cover image

Cloud Computing

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud computing, including its concepts, technologies, and architectures. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about cloud computing.

Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &...

(中文) Cloud Computing: Concepts. Technology and...

Cloud Computing: Concepts, Technology &...

Cover image

Cover image

Cisco A Beginner's Guide, Fifth Edition

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Provides a practical guide to cloud computing, covering everything from basic concepts to advanced topics. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about cloud computing.

Cisco A Beginner's Guide, Fifth Edition

Cisco A Beginner's Guide, Fifth Edition

Cover image

Cover image

A First Course on Cloud-Based Microservices

Save

Provides a hands-on approach to learning about cloud computing. It covers a variety of cloud computing topics, including infrastructure as code.

A First Course on Cloud-Based Microservices

A First Course on Cloud-Based Microservices

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Effort

2 Hours

Level

Introductory

Via

Coursera

Institution

Coursera Project Network

Instructor

Saurabh Dhingra

Language

English

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of Terraform or infrastructure as code

Taught by industry experts, providing practical and up-to-date knowledge

Provides a strong foundation for understanding the fundamentals of Terraform

Covers essential concepts such as Terraform basics, HCL syntax, and infrastructure creation

Includes hands-on exercises for practical application of Terraform

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