After applying VLANs with Terraform, an engineer deletes the state file and runs apply again against the same HCL. What role does state play that this action risks breaking?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
State is Terraform’s notebook of what it already owns—lose the notebook and the next plan may try to recreate objects that already exist. It is not a Git commit note or an Ansible/Puppet file.
Full Explanation
Terraform compares desired HCL to its state (and the device) to compute the next plan. Deleting state and applying again can recreate or conflict with existing objects—a workflow consideration for 5.3.b. State is not a Git internals topic, not Ansible inventory, and not a Puppet catalog.