How do you test and debug your infrastructure as code and configuration management scripts and templates?

1 Choose the right tools

The first step to test and debug your IaC and CM scripts and templates is to choose the right tools for your specific needs and preferences. There are many tools available for IaC and CM, such as Terraform, Ansible, Chef, Puppet, and CloudFormation. Each tool has its own syntax, features, and limitations, so you need to select the one that suits your infrastructure design goals, workflow, and budget. You also need to consider the compatibility and integration of the tools with your cloud platform, operating system, version control system, and testing framework.

2 Use a code editor

A code editor is a software application that helps you write, edit, and format your code. A code editor can also provide you with features such as syntax highlighting, auto-completion, error checking, debugging, and code formatting. These features can help you avoid common mistakes, identify potential issues, and improve the readability and quality of your code. Some popular code editors for IaC and CM are Visual Studio Code, Atom, Sublime Text, and Vim. You can also use plugins or extensions to enhance the functionality of your code editor for specific tools or languages.

3 Write unit tests

Unit tests are small pieces of code that test the functionality of a single unit of your code, such as a function, a module, or a resource. Unit tests can help you verify that your code behaves as expected, catch errors early, and refactor your code with confidence. You can write unit tests using various frameworks and libraries, such as Test Kitchen, InSpec, Serverspec, or Pester. You can also use mock objects or stubs to simulate the behavior of external dependencies or services that are not available or accessible during testing.

4 Write integration tests

Integration tests are larger pieces of code that test the interaction and integration of multiple units of your code, such as a group of resources, a stack, or an environment. Integration tests can help you validate that your code works well together, meets the requirements, and complies with the standards. You can write integration tests using the same frameworks and libraries as unit tests, but you need to run them against real or simulated instances or environments. You can also use tools such as Vagrant, Docker, or Testinfra to create and manage these instances or environments.

5 Use a linter

A linter is a tool that analyzes your code for syntax errors, style issues, and code quality problems. A linter can help you enforce coding standards, improve code consistency, and avoid potential bugs. You can use a linter as a standalone tool or as a plugin or extension for your code editor or version control system. Some examples of linters for IaC and CM are Terraform Lint, Ansible Lint, Chef Cookstyle, Puppet Lint, and cfn-lint.

6 Use a debugger

A debugger is a tool that allows you to run your code step by step, inspect the state of your variables and resources, and modify the code on the fly. A debugger can help you find and fix logical errors, runtime errors, and performance issues. You can use a debugger as a standalone tool or as a plugin or extension for your code editor or testing framework. Some examples of debuggers for IaC and CM are Terraform Debug, Ansible Debug, Chef Shell, Puppet Debugging Kit, and AWS CloudFormation Designer.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?