TA-002-P Question #401: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

The correct answer is D: file("id_rsa.pub"). The file() function reads a local file and returns its contents as a string, making it ideal for importing public keys or other text files into Terraform configurations.

Read, generate, and modify configuration

Question

You're writing a Terraform configuration that needs to read input from a local file called id_rsa.pub. Which built-in Terraform function can you use to import the file's contents as a string?

Options

Afileset("id_rsa.pub")
Bfilebase64("id_rsa.pub")
Ctemplatefile("id_rsa.pub")
Dfile("id_rsa.pub")

Explanation

The file() function reads a local file and returns its contents as a string, making it ideal for importing public keys or other text files into Terraform configurations.

Common mistakes.

A. fileset() returns a set of file paths matching a glob pattern within a directory, not the contents of a single file.
B. filebase64() reads a file and returns its contents encoded as a Base64 string, not a plain string.
C. templatefile() renders a template file by substituting variable expressions and requires a variables map as a second argument; it is not used for simple file import.

Concept tested. Terraform file() built-in function usage

Reference. https://developer.hashicorp.com/terraform/language/functions/file

Topics

#Terraform functions#Local file access#Configuration syntax

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