Which file extension is typically associated with Terraform configuration files?

The file extension that is typically associated with Terraform configuration files is .tf. This extension is specifically designed for Terraform's human-readable configuration syntax, which allows users to define infrastructure as code. Each .tf file contains the necessary instructions and definitions that Terraform uses to understand how to provision and manage resources in a cloud environment.

Configuration files, designated with the .tf extension, allow practitioners to write declarative statements about resources they want to create, manage, or destroy. The Terraform engine reads these files to derive the desired infrastructure state and plans actions accordingly.

The .tfstate file is a different component of Terraform that contains the state of the infrastructure managed by Terraform, reflecting the actual resources that have been deployed. It plays a crucial role in allowing Terraform to manage changes but is not utilized for defining configurations.

JSON is also a valid format for writing Terraform configurations, but it is less commonly used when compared to the more user-friendly HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language) which involves using the .tf extension.

YAML is a data serialization format that is not natively related to Terraform configurations, as Terraform does not support YAML for defining resources or configurations. Therefore, .tf stands out as the primary and correct choice for Terraform configuration files.