Overview

Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach — your interactive learning companion that helps you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress. Build a strong foundation in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with this hands-on introduction to managing cloud environments using Terraform. Designed for beginners, this course guides you step by step through automating infrastructure provisioning, writing configurations in HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL), and deploying real resources on AWS. You’ll begin by setting up your environment, configuring AWS with multi-factor authentication, installing Terraform, and preparing Visual Studio Code for an efficient workflow. Once your tools are ready, you’ll explore Terraform’s core concepts, including providers, resources, variables, and state management — the building blocks of reliable and repeatable cloud automation. As you progress, you’ll apply your skills to practical AWS projects, creating EC2 instances, provisioning S3 buckets, and managing configurations through the Terraform CLI. Each module blends explanation with hands-on tasks so you gain not just theoretical understanding, but real experience building cloud infrastructure the professional way. By the end of this course, you will have: - Automated cloud provisioning using Terraform and AWS. - Written clean, reusable configurations using HCL. - Managed Terraform state effectively for safe, collaborative workflows. - Gained practical experience using AWS CLI and Terraform CLI. - Developed the confidence to support IaC projects in real environments. This course is ideal for beginners who want to learn cloud automation. No Terraform experience is required, but basic cloud knowledge is helpful. Whether you’re pursuing a DevOps path or strengthening your cloud fundamentals, this course gives you the skills to get started with Infrastructure as Code.

Syllabus

Getting Started

In this module, we will introduce the course's structure and objectives, ensuring a clear understanding of what to expect. We will guide you through how to navigate the course materials, enabling you to make the most out of the learning experience. This section sets the foundation for your journey into mastering Terraform.

Setting Up Your Environment and Tools

In this module, we will walk through the essential steps to prepare your environment for Terraform development. This includes setting up your AWS account, enabling multi-factor authentication, and installing Terraform and the AWS CLI. We will also configure your IDE, specifically Visual Studio Code, and show how to set up WSL for Windows users to optimize your Terraform workflow.

Understanding Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and Terraform

In this module, we will dive into the principles of Infrastructure as Code and its relevance in the modern IT landscape. We will demonstrate how Terraform simplifies infrastructure management, helping you automate processes. You will also explore the core components of Terraform, including providers and state, and practice deploying infrastructure using both manual and automated methods.

Terraform's Core Components

In this module, we will explore the core components of Terraform, focusing on HCL syntax and organization of configuration files. You will learn how to use essential Terraform CLI commands and gain hands-on experience with remote backends and providers. This section will help you build a strong foundation for working with Terraform’s powerful infrastructure-as-code capabilities.

Working with Resources

In this module, we will focus on working with resources in Terraform. You’ll learn how to define and configure essential infrastructure components such as VPCs and EC2 instances. This section also covers how to manage dependencies, use meta-arguments, and secure your infrastructure with security groups. Through hands-on exercises, you’ll apply these concepts to real-world scenarios.

Project - Deploying an S3 Static Website

In this module, we will guide you through the process of deploying a static website using AWS S3 and Terraform. You will set up an S3 bucket, configure it for public access, and enable static website hosting. The project will culminate in automating the file upload process using Terraform, demonstrating the power of IaC in web deployment.

Working with Data Sources

In this module, we will explore how to use data sources in Terraform to dynamically retrieve information about your infrastructure. You will learn to fetch AMI data, VPC details, and account-specific settings, making your configurations more flexible and adaptable. This section also covers using IAM policies to securely manage permissions.