What is Terraform?
⚡
Quick Answer
Terraform is an open-source Infrastructure-as-Code tool that provisions and manages cloud and on-prem resources declaratively using HCL, with a state file that tracks what it manages.
Detailed Answer
You describe desired resources; terraform plan shows the diff against state and terraform apply reconciles it. It is provider-based (AWS, Azure, GCP, and hundreds more) and multi-cloud, with modules for reuse and remote state for team collaboration. State management is the concept that most distinguishes it operationally.
💡
Interview Tip
Bring up plan/apply and the state file — the state is where most real Terraform complexity and interview follow-ups live.
terraformiaccloud