TF-004 Implement and maintain state Practice Question
Which three of the following are valid command-line operations that modify the Terraform state? (Choose three.)
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mistake is confusing read-only state inspection commands (like `terraform state list` and `terraform show`) with commands that actually mutate the state file, leading candidates to incorrectly select `terraform plan` as a state-modifying operation.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
`terraform apply -auto-approve`
`terraform apply -auto-approve` modifies the Terraform state by creating, updating, or destroying resources as defined in the configuration, and then writing the resulting state to the state file. The `-auto-approve` flag skips the interactive approval prompt but does not change the fundamental behavior of applying changes and updating state.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
`terraform plan`
Why it's wrong here
Read-only operation; does not modify state.
- ✓
`terraform apply -auto-approve`
Why this is correct
Applies changes and updates state.
- ✓
`terraform state rm`
Why this is correct
Removes resources from state.
- ✗
`terraform state list`
Why it's wrong here
Reads state; does not modify it.
- ✓
`terraform import`
Why this is correct
Imports resources and adds them to state.
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