Terraform CLI: fmt, taint & import

Terraform fmt (format)

• Format Terraform code for readability.

• Helps in keeping code consistent.

• Safe to run at any time

• Command Syntax: "terraform fmt"

Scenario:

• Before pushing your code to version control

• After upgrading Terraform or its modules

• Any time you've made changes to the code

Terraform Taint

• Taints a resource, forcing it to be destroyed or created

• Modifies the state file, which causes the creation workflow

• Tainting a resource may cause other resources to be modified

• Command Syntax: "terraform taint RESOURCE_ADDRESS"

Scenario:

• To cause provisioners to run

• Replace misbehaving resources forcefully

• To mimic the side effects of recreation not modeled by any attributes of the resource.

Terraform import

• Map existing resources to Terraform using an "ID"

• "ID" is dependent on the underlying vendor, for example, to import an AWS EC2 instance you'll need to provide it with instance ID

• Importing the same resource to multiple Terraform resources can cause unknown behavior and is not recommended

• Command Syntax: "terraform import RESOURCE_ADDRESS_ID"

Scenario:

• When you need to work with existing resources

• Not allowed to create new resources

• When you are not in control of the creation process of infrastructure.