HashiCorp Terraform-Associate-004 Exam - Topic 7 Question 9 Discussion

Actual exam question for HashiCorp's Terraform-Associate-004 exam

Question #: 9
Topic #: 7

You corrected a typo in a resource name, changing it from aws_s3_bucket.photoes to aws_s3_bucket.photos. You want to update the Terraform state so that the existing resource is recognized under the new name, without destroying and recreating it. Which configuration should you use?

ARemove the old resource from your configuration and re-import it.

BRun terraform apply -refresh-only.

CDo nothing --- Terraform will automatically update the state.

DAdd a moved block to your configuration.

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: D

Rationale for Correct Answer: A moved block tells Terraform that an object's address in state has changed (renamed/refactored) and it should move the state from the old address to the new address. This preserves the existing real resource and prevents unnecessary destroy/recreate.

Analysis of Incorrect Options (Distractors):

A: Works but is unnecessarily risky/extra work; moved is the intended refactoring mechanism for renames.

B: Incorrect---refresh-only updates state to match real infrastructure, but it does not remap an object from one address to another.

C: Incorrect---Terraform will treat the new name as a new resource address and the old one as removed unless you explicitly move/rename state.

Key Concept: Refactoring addresses safely using moved blocks (state address migration).

====================

by Chu at May 04, 2026, 10:08 PM

Limited Time Offer

25%

Off

Get Premium Terraform-Associate-004 Questions as Interactive Web-Based Practice Test or PDF

Contribute your Thoughts:

Submit Cancel

Catalina

3 days ago

I think I remember that when you rename a resource, you might need to tell Terraform about the change explicitly.

upvoted 0 times

...