CDK for Terraform
The Cloud Development Kit for Terraform (CDKTF) is designed to help developers define and manage cloud infrastructure using popular programming languages. This means that users can provision cloud resources via HashiCorp Terraform without the need to intimately understand HashiCorp's Configuration Language (HCL). By employing familiar programming languages, developers can seamlessly integrate cloud infrastructure management into their existing workflows, benefiting from the extensive Terraform ecosystem while utilizing their preferred tools for testing and dependency management.
Supported Programming Languages
CDKTF supports a variety of popular programming languages, making it accessible to a wide range of developers:
- TypeScript
- Python
- Java
- C#
- Go
Key Components
CDKTF offers two main components:
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cdktf-cli: This command-line interface (CLI) tool aids users in initializing, importing, and managing CDK for Terraform projects through simple commands.
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cdktf Library: This library provides a way to define Terraform resources using standard programming language constructs, making it easier to integrate infrastructure as code into everyday software development processes.
Getting Started
To get started with CDKTF, developers can choose from a variety of language-specific tutorials provided by HashiCorp. These tutorials offer step-by-step guidance on building CDKTF applications and are available for TypeScript, Python, Java, C#, and Go.
Documentation
For more detailed guidance, the CDKTF documentation provides comprehensive resources on building and managing applications. Some key areas covered include:
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Application Architecture: This section explains how CDKTF integrates with the broader Terraform ecosystem, converting code into Terraform configuration files and describing the major components within a CDKTF application.
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Project Setup: Learn to create new projects using pre-built or custom templates, or convert existing HCL projects to CDKTF applications.
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Unit Tests: Tutorials cover testing methodologies, including how to use jest for application testing in TypeScript.
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Examples: Reference projects in various languages and access additional resources like explanatory videos.
Community and Contributions
The development team actively encourages community involvement. They are eager for feedback and contributions to enhance the project. Users can contribute by following the CONTRIBUTING.md guide, participate in discussions on the HashiCorp Discuss platform, report bugs, or request new features.
Building the Project
To start with the project development, users need to follow these pre-requisites:
-
Clone the CDK for Terraform repository.
git clone https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform-cdk.git -
Navigate to the project directory and install the necessary dependencies using Yarn.
cd terraform-cdk/ yarn install -
Finally, build the project and its packages.
yarn build
CDK for Terraform stands out as a versatile tool bridging the gap between cloud infrastructure and common programming languages, making it easier for developers to manage their cloud environments effectively.