> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://notes.kodekloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Demo Output Variables

> Learn to configure, apply, and manage output variables in OpenTofu using the random provider through a hands-on lab experience.

In this hands-on lab, you’ll learn how to configure, apply, and manage output variables in OpenTofu using the `random` provider. By the end, you’ll be able to expose resource attributes and query them on demand.

## 1. Setup and Resource Configuration

1. Change into the sample project directory:
   ```bash theme={null}
   cd /root/OpenTofu-projects/data
   ```

2. Examine the HCL files defining nine resources with the *random* provider:

   ```hcl theme={null}
   # random_integer resources
   resource "random_integer" "order1" {
     min = 1
     max = 99999
   }

   resource "random_integer" "order2" {
     min = 1
     max = 222222
   }

   # random_uuid resources
   resource "random_uuid" "id1" {}
   resource "random_uuid" "id2" {}
   resource "random_uuid" "id3" {}
   resource "random_uuid" "id4" {}
   resource "random_uuid" "id5" {}
   resource "random_uuid" "id6" {}
   resource "random_uuid" "id7" {}
   ```

3. Open the accompanying `output.tf` to see how each resource is exposed as an output variable.

## 2. Initialize, Plan, and Apply

Initialize the working directory, preview the plan, and apply the configuration.

| Command      | Description                                          |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `tofu init`  | Download providers and initialize the working folder |
| `tofu plan`  | Generate and display the execution plan              |
| `tofu apply` | Apply changes to create resources                    |

```bash theme={null}
tofu init
tofu plan
tofu apply
# Type "yes" to confirm
```

After a successful apply, you should see:

```text theme={null}
Apply complete! Resources: 9 added, 0 changed, 0 destroyed.

Outputs:
id1     = "82b3b221-136c-88c6-88c2-e9f878d86a"
id2     = "9687669a-73d4-9717-52a2-6497826815a1"
id3     = "23982b58-763d-49ae-af62-45a7856ac42c"
id4     = "890c9540-59e1-4b28-8fba-9a4f418c0c86"
id5     = "e2171b2e-1ff0-40a6-8fdb-c472f017c5b5"
id6     = "2212bac2-d5c1-ecac-2490-012bcab1f19a"
id7     = "b4e83b80-46c8-4efb-bd73-3a7865d647d6"
order1  = 16106
order2  = 16106
```

<Callout icon="lightbulb" color="#1CB2FE">
  You can learn more about OpenTofu and output variables in the official [Terraform Output Variables documentation](https://developer.hashicorp.com/terraform/language/values/outputs).
</Callout>

## 3. Querying Individual Outputs

Test your understanding:

1. **What is the value of `id2`?**\
   From the example above, `id2 = "9687669a-73d4-9717-52a2-6497826815a1"`.

2. **What is the value of `order1`?**\
   It is `16106`.

You can also fetch specific outputs:

```bash theme={null}
tofu output id2
tofu output order1
# => 16106
```

## 4. Inspecting a New Configuration

Switch to the second lab directory and review `main.tf`:

```bash theme={null}
cd /root/OpenTofu-projects/data/output
```

In `main.tf`, you’ll find:

```hcl theme={null}
resource "random_pet" "my_pet" {
  length = var.length
}

output "pet-name" {
  value       = random_pet.my_pet.id
  description = "Record the value of pet ID generated by the random pet"
}
```

<Callout icon="lightbulb" color="#1CB2FE">
  If the image below doesn’t render, use the code snippet above to verify your setup.
</Callout>

<Frame>
  ![The image shows a coding environment with a task about inspecting configuration files in a directory. It includes a code editor displaying Terraform code and a terminal window, along with a multiple-choice question about the value of a variable.](https://kodekloud.com/kk-media/image/upload/v1752882824/notes-assets/images/OpenTofu-A-Beginners-Guide-to-a-Terraform-Fork-Including-Migration-From-Terraform-Demo-Output-Variables/coding-environment-terraform-inspection-task.jpg)
</Frame>

Confirm the output:

```bash theme={null}
tofu output pet-name
# => "marlin"
```

## 5. Adding a New Output Variable

The same `main.tf` defines a `local_file` resource:

```hcl theme={null}
resource "local_file" "welcome" {
  filename = "/root/message.txt"
  content  = "Welcome to Kodekloud."
}
```

Add an output block below it to capture the file’s `content`:

```hcl theme={null}
output "welcome_message" {
  value = local_file.welcome.content
}
```

Save your changes, then re-run the workflow:

```bash theme={null}
tofu init
tofu plan
tofu apply
# Type "yes" to confirm
```

Finally, verify the new output:

```bash theme={null}
tofu output welcome_message
# => "Welcome to Kodekloud."
```

Congratulations! You’ve successfully configured and managed OpenTofu output variables.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Watch Video" icon="video" cta="Learn more" href="https://learn.kodekloud.com/user/courses/opentofu-a-beginners-guide-to-a-terraform-fork-including-migration-from-terraform/module/c3586b29-e450-4c95-bad9-91bdf332eb24/lesson/a2d9bdb7-87a2-4673-a0d4-7518747333b7" />

  <Card title="Practice Lab" icon="installation" cta="Learn more" href="https://learn.kodekloud.com/user/courses/opentofu-a-beginners-guide-to-a-terraform-fork-including-migration-from-terraform/module/c3586b29-e450-4c95-bad9-91bdf332eb24/lesson/40fc97ef-10f3-440f-b969-23f948ee508e" />
</CardGroup>