What is the name of the default file where Terraform stores the state?

Terraform uses a default file named terraform.tfstate to store its state information. The state file is crucial because it defines the current infrastructure's status and configuration as understood by Terraform.

Whenever changes are made to your infrastructure using Terraform, it updates this state file to reflect those changes. It acts as a source of truth, ensuring that Terraform knows what resources exist, their attributes, and the relationships between them. This enables Terraform to plan and apply changes accurately, maintaining the desired configuration of your environment.

The file is stored in the root directory of the Terraform configuration unless specified otherwise through backend configuration. This default behavior helps users manage their infrastructure efficiently without needing to specify a state management strategy. The proper management of the state file is essential for collaboration and consistent deployments, as it enables teams to track infrastructure changes over time.

Other options listed, such as terraform.config, terraform.output, and terraform.state, do not represent the standard naming convention or function of the state file within Terraform's architecture.