Introduction to Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

In this introductory lesson, we will focus on Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and explore why it is crucial for managing modern cloud-based applications. To start, let's break down the concept of IaC using an analogy to help illustrate its importance.

Imagine we are constructing a building. Traditionally, we would create a blueprint detailing the design and components of the building, such as the layout, materials, and structural features. The blueprint acts as a guide for construction, ensuring that the building is built accurately, efficiently, and according to the plan.

Similarly, in the world of software development, IaC serves as a blueprint for creating, configuring, and managing infrastructure. It involves writing code to automate the process of provisioning and managing infrastructure, rather than manually configuring resources. This code becomes a single source of truth, which is easy to understand, version, and share among team members.

Working as a team on infrastructure management without using IaC can introduce a multitude of challenges and inefficiencies. Let's explore some of the key reasons why manual infrastructure management is not an ideal approach for teams, along with examples to illustrate these drawbacks.

What happens when we don't use IaC

Lack of consistency: When team members manually configure infrastructure, ...