How can you format Terraform HCL code according to standard Terraform style convention?

The proper way to format Terraform HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language) code according to standard Terraform style conventions is to use the terraform fmt command. This command automatically formats your configuration files to align with the canonical style guide that Terraform promotes. It ensures consistency in indentation, spacing, and other syntax elements, making the code more readable and maintainable for everyone involved in the project.

Using terraform fmt is beneficial for teams collaborating on infrastructure as it provides a uniform appearance of the code, which can substantially reduce the cognitive load when reviewing configurations. Additionally, it can help catch common formatting errors that might lead to misinterpretations of the code.

The terraform validate command is primarily used to check the validity of the configuration files and ensure that they are syntactically correct and that required arguments are supplied, but it does not format the code. The terraform apply command is focused on applying the changes specified in the configurations to the infrastructure, which is unrelated to formatting. Editing the code manually for readability is an option, but it is subjective and may lead to inconsistencies across different files and team members, whereas using terraform fmt enforces a consistent standard.