HCL

HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language) is a declarative configuration language developed by HashiCorp for defining infrastructure as code (IaC). It is primarily used with HashiCorp tools like Terraform, Vault, and Nomad to specify cloud resources, policies, and services in a human-readable format. HCL supports variables, expressions, and functions to enable dynamic and reusable configurations.

Also known as: HashiCorp Configuration Language, HashiCorp HCL, Terraform HCL, HCL2, HCL syntax

Why learn HCL?

Developers should learn HCL when working with HashiCorp's infrastructure tools, especially Terraform, for automating cloud provisioning and management across providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. It is essential for implementing IaC practices to ensure consistency, version control, and scalability in DevOps workflows, reducing manual errors and enabling collaboration in team environments.

Learning Resources

• docs: HCL Language Documentation
• tutorial: Terraform Tutorial - Learn HCL Basics
• course: Infrastructure as Code with Terraform (Coursera)
• video: HCL for Beginners - YouTube Tutorial