HashiCorp Terraform Associate 003 glossary of IaC, state, variables, modules, and workflow terms.
Use this glossary when Terraform nouns start to blur together. Keep it beside the cheat sheet and resources instead of using it as a substitute for the lessons.
| Term | Short meaning | Why it matters here |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Plugin Terraform uses to manage an external platform | Core Terraform noun |
| Resource | Managed object declared in configuration | Core config noun |
| Data source | Read-only lookup of existing information | Commonly confused with resource |
| Module | Reusable configuration unit | Core reuse noun |
| Root module | Top-level configuration you run Terraform against | Commonly confused with child module |
| Variable | Input value passed into configuration | Commonly confused with output |
| Output | Value exposed from configuration | Commonly confused with variable |
| State | Terraform’s tracked record of managed reality | Central Terraform concept |
| Backend | State-storage and collaboration configuration boundary | Commonly confused with provider |
| Workspace | Separate state instance for a configuration | Commonly confused with module or project |
| Plan | Proposed change set Terraform calculates before apply | Workflow-critical noun |
| Drift | Difference between real infrastructure and Terraform’s tracked intent | Maintenance noun |
| Import | Bring an existing object under Terraform management | Does not mean Terraform created it |
| HCP Terraform | HashiCorp hosted Terraform platform for remote operations and governance | Current crossover noun |
| Pair | Keep this distinction clear |
|---|---|
| provider vs backend | integration layer versus state-storage boundary |
| resource vs data source | managed object versus read-only lookup |
| variable vs output | input versus exposed result |
| state vs configuration | tracked reality versus declared intent |
| module vs workspace | reusable config versus separate state instance |
| plan vs apply | preview versus execution |
| import vs create | management adoption versus infrastructure creation |
| Topic family | Best page to revisit |
|---|---|
| workflow and state pickers | Cheat Sheet |
| current active-version facts | Resources |
| pacing and legacy transfer order | Study Plan |
| overall exam framing | Guide root |