Skip to main content
This final module revisits the core concepts covered throughout the course and outlines strategies for integrating them effectively into your infrastructure projects.
The image is a roadmap with two steps: revisiting course concepts and looking at strategies to integrate them. It features a gradient blue background with numbered markers.
We began our journey with an introduction to Infrastructure and Infrastructure as Code. Early in the course, we introduced CDKTF, discussing its advantages and exploring an initial project inspired by Elmer Code’s adventure into TypeScript. This project covered essential topics such as variables, types, classes, literals, and functions.
The image is a flowchart summarizing the relationship between TypeScript, Terraform, and Infrastructure, highlighting key components and concepts for each. It shows how TypeScript elements like variables and classes relate to Terraform and AWS infrastructure components.
In the subsequent project, we followed Arthur as he learned Terraform using CDKTF to set up a local project for file management. During this exercise, we leveraged the CDKTF CLI to generate HashiCorp Language code and explored foundational concepts such as stacks and outputs. The project evolved into deploying various AWS services, including S3 buckets, APIs via API Gateway, DynamoDB tables, Lambda functions, and IAM roles. Ultimately, Arthur successfully deployed an API capable of randomly returning names from a specified list.

​
Revisiting Course Objectives

  • Understand the core concepts of Infrastructure as Code and the benefits of CDKTF.
  • Enhance productivity using familiar programming constructs within CDKTF.
  • Acquire foundational knowledge of both TypeScript and CDKTF.
  • Introduce structure and type safety to your Infrastructure as Code projects using TypeScript.
  • Build and deploy real-world infrastructure on Amazon Web Services, including Lambda, IAM, and S3.
  • Organize code efficiently using Constructs and industry best practices.
The image outlines a learning path with four achievements: understanding IaC and CDKTF concepts, learning TypeScript fundamentals, learning CDKTF fundamentals, and building and deploying real-world infrastructure.

​
Integrating Concepts: The Infrastructure as a Tower Analogy

Imagine your Infrastructure as Code as a tower constructed with individual bricks. Each addition to your codebase represents a new brick. At the foundation of this tower, you have the providers and backends.
The image illustrates an "Infrastructure as a Tower Analogy," depicting a tower with labeled sections such as "Stacks," "Outputs," "Custom Construct," "Imported Modules," "TF Registry," "AWS Provider," and "S3 Backend."
On this foundation, you can layer imported modules—such as those from the Terraform registry—or your custom CDKTF constructs. Above these, stacks and outputs (e.g., an API and its output URL) come into play. When adding new components to your codebase, assess whether they should be an independent “brick” or integrated into the existing structure. Decide if you are better off using a module from the Terraform registry or creating a custom construct based on your specific requirements.
When determining the appropriate structure for your components, consider:
  • Who will use the component.
  • How the component will be utilized.
  • The default and overridable behaviors. For instance, our Lambda function construct comes with sensible defaults for deploying the required role, yet it allows you to override variables, timeouts, and other properties as needed.
It is important to note that you should not develop a new component if an existing one already meets your needs. While a custom construct may be necessary for highly specialized requirements, leveraging common, pre-built modules—like the S3 backend demonstrated in this course—can be more efficient.

​
Final Thoughts

This section has revisited key course concepts and provided strategies for integrating them into a robust, cohesive infrastructure codebase. In the final section of the article, we will cover additional best practices, point you to valuable learning resources, and conclude the course. For further details and advanced topics, keep exploring our resources and stay updated with the latest trends in Infrastructure as Code and CDKTF.

Watch Video