What are the advantages of using Terraform and Ansible for IAC?

What are the advantages of using Terraform and Ansible for Infrastructure as Code?

Terraform and Ansible both offer unique advantages for Infrastructure as Code. Terraform is great for managing infrastructure lifecycle, while Ansible excels in configuration management and application deployment.

Can you explain how Terraform's state management works?

Sure! Terraform uses a state file to keep track of the resources it manages. This state file allows Terraform to determine what changes need to be applied to reach the desired state.

How does Ansible handle dependencies between tasks?

Ansible manages task dependencies through its playbook structure, where tasks are executed in the order they are defined. You can also use 'when' conditions to control task execution based on the results of previous tasks.

Are there any scenarios where one tool is better than the other?

Yes, Terraform is often preferred for provisioning infrastructure, while Ansible is better suited for configuration management and application deployment. It depends on the specific use case.