What does the default 'local' Terraform backend store?

What does the default 'local' Terraform backend store?

• A. tfplan files
• B. Terraform binary
• C. Provider plugins
• D. State file

Answer: (D)

The thing being tested is how Terraform keeps track of what it manages when using the local backend. The default local backend stores Terraform’s state on the local disk, so Terraform can remember which resources exist and how they map to real-world infrastructure across runs. This state is kept in a file named terraform.tfstate in the working directory (with a backup file terraform.tfstate.backup created as a safeguard). The state file contains the mapping of resources, their IDs, and metadata Terraform uses to plan and apply changes. It does not store plan outputs like tfplan files, nor does it store the Terraform binary or provider plugins (those are handled by Terraform itself and its plugin cache). Therefore, the correct answer is the state file.

The thing being tested is how Terraform keeps track of what it manages when using the local backend. The default local backend stores Terraform’s state on the local disk, so Terraform can remember which resources exist and how they map to real-world infrastructure across runs. This state is kept in a file named terraform.tfstate in the working directory (with a backup file terraform.tfstate.backup created as a safeguard). The state file contains the mapping of resources, their IDs, and metadata Terraform uses to plan and apply changes. It does not store plan outputs like tfplan files, nor does it store the Terraform binary or provider plugins (those are handled by Terraform itself and its plugin cache). Therefore, the correct answer is the state file.