If you are just starting out in IT, you may have heard the term “Infrastructure as Code” or “IaC.” Maybe someone mentioned it in a meeting or you saw it in a job description. But what does it actually mean? And why is it important?
Let’s walk through it in simple terms.
Traditional IT Compared to Modern IT
Before cloud engineering and automation became mainstream, managing infrastructure usually meant doing everything manually. You would log into a server, install the software, configure the network settings, and make sure everything worked. Every step had to be repeated for each system. Often, there were small differences each time, which could lead to errors or inconsistencies.
This worked for small setups but became a challenge as systems grew. Repeating those steps over and over takes time and increases the chance of mistakes. That is where Infrastructure as Code comes in.
What Does Infrastructure as Code Actually Mean?
Infrastructure as Code is the practice of using configuration files to define and create infrastructure. Instead of clicking through setup menus, you write a file that describes what you want.
This file could include things like:
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How large the virtual machine should be
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What operating system to use
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Which firewall ports to allow
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What software to install
Once written, that file is sent to a tool that reads the instructions and creates everything for you automatically. The result is a reliable, repeatable process that can be shared, stored, and updated just like application code. Organizations looking to adopt this approach can benefit from professional infrastructure as code services to accelerate their journey.
Why It Matters
1. Consistency You get the same result every time. No more wondering why something worked in one environment but not in another.
2. Speed What used to take hours can now be done in minutes. You can even automate it to run without manual input.
3. Version Tracking Since it is code, you can store it in Git and see exactly who changed what and when.
4. Collaboration Teams can work on infrastructure together, review each other’s updates, and test changes in a safe way. This is a core principle behind modern DevOps and infrastructure services.
5. Easy to Rebuild If something breaks, you can delete and rebuild it using the same file. There is no need to remember every step.
A Simple Example
Let’s say your team needs a new virtual machine in Azure.
Without Infrastructure as Code: You log into the Azure portal, set all the options by hand, and hope you remember them next time.
With Infrastructure as Code: You write a file that includes all the settings. You can reuse it anytime and share it with your team.
Common Tools Used for Infrastructure as Code
There are a few tools you might hear about as you learn more:
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Terraform – Works with many cloud providers including Azure and AWS
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Bicep – Microsoft’s tool for defining Azure environments
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ARM Templates – Also for Azure, though written in a different format
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Ansible – Often used for configuring systems after they are built
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Pulumi – Lets you use programming languages like Python or JavaScript for defining infrastructure
How to Start Learning
Here is one way to get started:
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Choose a cloud provider like Azure
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Create a free or test environment
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Try building a virtual machine through the portal first
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Learn how to do the same thing using a tool like Bicep or Terraform
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Store your configuration file in Git and make small updates over time
There are free learning paths available through Microsoft Learn and other training platforms that cover these steps.
Final Thoughts
Infrastructure as Code is not just for advanced engineers. It is a powerful concept that can help you be more efficient, avoid mistakes, and grow your skills. By learning it early, you will be in a strong position as your responsibilities grow.
At Exodata, we work with teams of all sizes to adopt these practices through our managed IT services in a way that is secure, scalable, and aligned with their business goals. Whether you are just starting or looking to build more advanced environments, we are here to help.
Your journey into IT starts with understanding the tools that power the modern cloud—and Infrastructure as Code is one of the most important.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is infrastructure as code? Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is the practice of defining and managing IT infrastructure — such as servers, networks, and cloud resources — through machine-readable configuration files rather than manual processes. This approach brings software development practices like version control, code review, and automated testing to infrastructure management, resulting in more consistent, repeatable, and reliable deployments.
What are the best IaC tools? The most widely used IaC tools include Terraform (multi-cloud, open-source), Bicep and ARM Templates (Azure-specific), AWS CloudFormation (AWS-specific), and Pulumi (multi-cloud, uses general-purpose programming languages). The right tool depends on your cloud provider, team expertise, and project requirements.
Is Terraform free? Yes, the core Terraform CLI is open-source and free to use under the Business Source License (BSL). HashiCorp also offers Terraform Cloud with a free tier for small teams, as well as paid plans with additional features like remote state management, policy enforcement, and team collaboration capabilities. For enterprise-scale deployments, Terraform Enterprise provides self-hosted options with advanced governance features.
Do I need to know programming to use IaC? Not necessarily. Many IaC tools use declarative configuration languages that are designed to be readable without deep programming knowledge. For example, Terraform uses HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language) and Bicep uses its own simplified syntax, both of which describe the desired state of infrastructure rather than step-by-step instructions. However, having a basic understanding of concepts like variables, loops, and conditionals will help you write more effective configurations as your skills develop.
Ready to bring Infrastructure as Code into your environment? Exodata helps organizations of all sizes automate and manage their cloud infrastructure with confidence. Whether you need guidance getting started or support scaling an existing IaC practice, our team is here to help. Get in touch with us today to discuss your goals.