Definition
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is the practice of managing and provisioning IT infrastructure through machine readable definition files, rather than physical hardware configuration or interactive configuration tools. This approach treats infrastructure like software, allowing for automated deployment, management, and updates. IaC enables teams to define their infrastructure in code, which is then version controlled, tested, and deployed using automated pipelines. This practice significantly improves consistency, reduces manual errors, and accelerates the deployment of resources, making IT operations more efficient and reliable. For example, using tools like Terraform, developers can define virtual machines, networks, and databases in code, which are then automatically provisioned in cloud environments. Unlike traditional manual configuration, IaC ensures that infrastructure can be replicated exactly, preventing 'it works on my machine' scenarios. Concepts related to IaC are frequently tested in cloud certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect and CompTIA Cloud+.