Upgrade Terraform: How to upgrade Terraform version 0.11 to latest

Upgrading your Terraform code from version 0.11 to the latest version is a crucial & necessary step for leveraging latest features for this powerful infrastructure as code tool. Terraform has undergone significant enhancements since version 0.11, introducing new features, syntax improvements, and more robust functionality.

This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to upgrade your Terraform code from version 0.11 to the latest version, complete with practical examples and key differences highlighted.

Why Upgrade Terraform?

Upgrading to the latest version of Terraform brings several benefits:

• Access to New Features: Each new release of Terraform includes additional features and improvements that enhance usability and functionality.
• Improved Syntax and Clarity: Newer versions often refine the configuration language, making scripts easier to write and maintain.
• Enhanced Security: Keeping up with the latest version ensures you have the most recent security fixes and updates.
• Better Community Support: As the community moves forward, more resources, plugins, and third-party tools target newer versions.

Preparing for the Upgrade

Before starting the upgrade process, it’s essential to prepare to ensure a smooth transition:

1. Backup Your Code: Always back up your existing Terraform configurations and state files.
2. Use Version Control: If not already in use, implement a version control system to track changes and facilitate rollbacks if necessary.
3. Review the Changelog: Familiarize yourself with the changes in each version between 0.11 and the latest. This knowledge will help you understand the adjustments needed.

Step-by-Step Upgrade Process

Step 1: Incremental Upgrades

Terraform does not support direct upgrades from 0.11 to the latest version. You need to upgrade incrementally through each major version to ensure compatibility and functionality.

The path to upgrade is first the Terraform from 0.11 to 0.12 , then from 0.12 to 0.13 & then from 0.13 to latest.

• Upgrade to 0.12: Start by upgrading from 0.11 to 0.12. This version introduced significant changes in syntax and was the last version to support the older syntax style.
• • Use the terraform 0.12upgrade command to automatically update your code to be compatible with Terraform 0.12.
  • Then, you can run terraform init --upgrade,plan & applycommand to apply the changes & update your state file.
  • Review and test your code thoroughly after this step.

We also have a detailed tutorial on how to upgrade terraform from 0.11 to 0.12.

• Upgrade to 0.13: Next step is to upgrade the version from 0.12 from 0.13

1. • Use the terraform 0.13upgrade command to automatically update your code to be compatible with Terraform 0.12.
   • Then, you can run terraform init --upgrade,plan & applycommand to apply the changes & update your state file.
   • Review and test your code thoroughly after this step

We also have a detailed tutorial on how to upgrade terraform from 0.12 to 0.13.

• Upgrade to the latest version: The final step is to upgrade the code from 0.13 to latest.

1. • Use the terraform upgrade command for latest version to automatically update your code to be compatible with Terraform 0.12.
   • Then, you can run terraform init --upgrade, plan & applycommand to apply the changes & update your state file.
   • Review and test your code thoroughly after this step

We also have a detailed tutorial on how to upgrade terraform from 0.13 to latest.

Step 3: Test at Each Stage

After upgrading each version, use terraform plan to detect any potential issues or adjustments needed. This step is crucial to ensure that your infrastructure will not face unexpected changes.

Conclusion

Upgrading your Terraform code from version 0.11 to the latest version is a meticulous but rewarding process. By taking an incremental approach and utilizing the tools and documentation provided by HashiCorp, you can ensure a successful upgrade. This not only enhances your infrastructure's manageability and security but also allows you to take full advantage of the latest features and improvements in Terraform.

Remember, keeping your Terraform configurations up-to-date is key to maintaining an efficient and secure infrastructure management workflow.