---
title: "Infrastructure as Code — Resizes"
url: "https://resiz.es/blog/iac"
description: "The Backbone of Modern DevOps Infrastructure as Code (IaC) has revolutionized the way organizations manage and provision their IT infrastructure. Emerging from the needs of agile development and th…"
---

[← All articles](https://resiz.es/blog)

31 January 2024 · 5 min read

# Infrastructure as Code

[![](https://resiz.es/assets/blog/authors/rober.png)Rober JunqueraStrategy & Product](https://resiz.es/blog/authors/rober)

<a id="the-backbone-of-modern-devops"></a>

## The Backbone of Modern DevOps

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) has revolutionized the way organizations manage and provision their IT infrastructure. Emerging from the needs of agile development and the rise of cloud computing, IaC stands as a pivotal element in the DevOps toolbox, automating the provisioning of servers, storage, and networking in a reliable and repeatable manner.

<a id="why-infrastructure-as-code"></a>

## Why Infrastructure as Code?

<a id="consistency"></a>

### Consistency

IaC allows you to provision infrastructure in a consistent manner. This means that you can provision infrastructure in the same way every time, ensuring that your infrastructure is always consistent and predictable. Uniformity across environments is essential to avoid configuration drift.

<a id="speed"></a>

### Speed

IaC's automated nature means infrastructure can be spun up in minutes, not days. This rapid deployment is key for businesses scaling up or requiring quick rollouts, like e-commerce platforms during high-traffic events.

<a id="safety"></a>

### Safety

Automating infrastructure setup reduces the risk of human error. IaC's use of version control ensures changes are trackable and reversible, leading to safer and more secure environments.

<a id="cost"></a>

### Cost

By automating the infrastructure, companies save on the labor costs associated with manual setup and maintenance. IaC also optimizes resource utilization, reducing overall expenses.

<a id="infrastructure-as-code-tools"></a>

## Infrastructure as Code Tools

Some of the most popular IaC tools include Terraform, Pulumi, AWS CloudFormation, and OpenTofu.

<a id="terraform"></a>

### Terraform

Terraform is an open-source infrastructure as code software tool that enables you to safely and predictably create, change, and improve infrastructure. Terraform can manage existing and popular service providers as well as custom in-house solutions.

<a id="pulumi"></a>

### Pulumi

Pulumi is unique in its support for mainstream programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and C#. This approach allows developers to use familiar syntax and tools for infrastructure management.

<a id="aws-cloudformation"></a>

### AWS CloudFormation

AWS CloudFormation, specifically designed for AWS services, offers seamless integration and management for AWS deployments. It uses JSON or YAML templates for resource description, catering to AWS-centric environments.

<a id="opentofu"></a>

### OpenTofu

OpenTofu is a lesser-known but emerging tool in the IaC space. It’s known for being a fork of Terraform. OpenTofu is also open-source, allowing for community contributions and improvements.

<a id="overcoming-iac-challenges"></a>

## Overcoming IaC Challenges

While IaC offers numerous benefits, it's not without challenges. Common issues include managing complex dependencies and maintaining state files in tools like Terraform. Best practices, such as modularizing code and using state backends, can mitigate these issues.

<a id="terraform-a-getting-started-guide"></a>

## Terraform: A Getting Started Guide

<a id="step-1-install-terraform"></a>

### Step 1: Install Terraform

Terraform is available for download on Windows, Mac, and Linux. You can download the latest version of Terraform from the [Terraform website](https://www.terraform.io/downloads.html).

Unzip and Install: Extract the downloaded file and install it. Ensure that the `terraform` binary is available in your system's PATH.

<a id="step-2-set-up-your-first-terraform-project"></a>

### Step 2: Set Up Your First Terraform Project

Create a directory for your Terraform project. This directory will contain all the Terraform files for your project. Navigate to the directory:

```bash
mkdir my-terraform-project
cd my-terraform-project
```

Create a file named `main.tf`. This file will contain the Terraform code for your project. Open the file in your favorite text editor and add the following code:

```terraform
provider "aws" {
  region = "us-east-1"
}

resource "aws_instance" "example" {
  ami           = "ami-0c55b159cbfafe1f0"
  instance_type = "t2.micro"
}
```

This code will create an AWS EC2 instance in the `us-east-1` region. The instance will use the `ami-0c55b159cbfafe1f0` AMI and will be of type `t2.micro`.

<a id="step-3-initialize-terraform"></a>

### Step 3: Initialize Terraform

Initialize Terraform in your project directory:

```bash
terraform init
```

This command will download the AWS provider plugin and initialize your Terraform project.

<a id="step-4-create-a-terraform-plan"></a>

### Step 4: Create a Terraform Plan

Create a Terraform plan for your project:

```bash
terraform plan
```

This command will create an execution plan for your project. It will show you what Terraform will do when you apply your project. It will also show you any errors or warnings in your project.

<a id="step-5-apply-your-terraform-project"></a>

### Step 5: Apply Your Terraform Project

Apply your Terraform project:

```bash
terraform apply
```

This command will apply your Terraform project. It will create the AWS EC2 instance in the `us-east-1` region. It will also create a state file for your project.

<a id="step-6-destroy-your-terraform-project"></a>

### Step 6: Destroy Your Terraform Project

Destroy your Terraform project:

```bash
terraform destroy
```

This command will destroy your Terraform project. It will delete the AWS EC2 instance in the `us-east-1` region. It will also delete the state file for your project.

<a id="terraform-a-best-practices-guide"></a>

## Terraform: A Best Practices Guide

<a id="use-a-version-control-system"></a>

### Use a Version Control System

Use a version control system like Git to manage your Terraform code. This will allow you to track changes to your code and revert to previous versions if needed.

<a id="terraform-versions"></a>

### Terraform Versions

Always be aware of the version of Terraform you are using, as syntax can change between versions.

<a id="provider-documentation"></a>

### Provider Documentation

Always refer to the provider documentation when writing Terraform code. This will ensure that you are using the correct syntax and that your code will work as expected.

<a id="terraform-modules"></a>

### Terraform Modules

Use Terraform modules to organize your code into reusable components. This will make your code more readable and maintainable.

<a id="state-file-security"></a>

### State File Security

Always keep your state file secure. This file contains sensitive information about your infrastructure, so it should not be accessible to anyone except you.

<a id="future-trends-and-conclusion"></a>

## Future Trends and Conclusion

IaC is continually evolving, with trends pointing towards more integration with AI and machine learning for predictive analysis and enhanced security measures. The future of IaC is not just automation, but intelligent automation.

In summary, IaC is an indispensable part of modern IT infrastructure, pivotal for organizations aiming for efficiency, speed, and consistency. As technology evolves, so will the tools and practices of IaC, further embedding it into the fabric of DevOps and Platform Engineering.

[PlatformEngineering](https://resiz.es/blog/tags/platform-engineering)[InfrastructureAsCode](https://resiz.es/blog/tags/infrastructure-as-code)[IaC](https://resiz.es/blog/tags/ia-c)[DevOps](https://resiz.es/blog/tags/dev-ops)[Terraform](https://resiz.es/blog/tags/terraform)