HashiCorp Terraform and AWS Cloudformation are two of the most popular infrastructure as code (IaC) tools available today. Both tools allow you to define your infrastructure in code, which can then be used to automate the creation, update, and destruction of infrastructure.
So, which tool is right for you? In this article, we will compare and contrast Terraform and Cloudformation to help you decide which tool is the best fit for your needs.
Terraform
Terraform is an open-source IaC tool that can be used to manage infrastructure across a wide range of cloud providers and on-premises systems. Terraform is a declarative language, which means that you define your infrastructure in terms of what you want, rather than how you want it to be created. This makes Terraform very flexible and easy to use.
Terraform also has a number of other features that make it a powerful IaC tool, including:
- State management: Terraform stores the state of your infrastructure in a central location, which allows you to track changes to your infrastructure and roll back changes if necessary.
- Version control: Terraform supports version control, which allows you to track changes to your infrastructure code and to revert to previous versions if necessary.
- Extensibility: Terraform is extensible, so you can write custom providers to manage the infrastructure that is not natively supported by Terraform.
AWS Cloudformation
Cloudformation is a managed IaC service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). Cloudformation is a non-declarative language, which means that you define your infrastructure in terms of how you want it to be created. This makes Cloudformation more rigid than Terraform, but it can also be easier to use for some people.
Cloudformation also has a number of features that make it a powerful IaC tool, including:
- Template validation: Cloudformation validates your templates before they are executed, which helps to prevent errors.
- Rollback support: Cloudformation supports rollbacks, which allows you to revert to a previous state of your infrastructure if necessary.
- Integration with other AWS services: Cloudformation integrates with other AWS services, such as CodePipeline and CodeBuild, which can help you to automate the deployment of your infrastructure.
Comparison
So, which tool is right for you? Terraform and Cloudformation are both powerful IaC tools, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. Terraform is more flexible and extensible, but Cloudformation is easier to use for some people.
If you are looking for a tool that is flexible and extensible, then Terraform is a good choice. If you are looking for a tool that is easy to use, then Cloudformation is a good choice.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which tool is right for you is to try both of them and see which one you prefer.
Conclusion
HashiCorp Terraform and AWS Cloudformation are both powerful IaC tools that can help you to automate the creation, update, and destruction of infrastructure. The best tool for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you are looking for a flexible and extensible tool, then Terraform is a good choice. If you are looking for an easy-to-use tool, then Cloudformation is a good choice.