Resolving Inconsistent Conditional Result Types in Terraform: A Simplified Guide

Learn how to resolve the 'inconsistent conditional result types' error in Terraform when using boolean values. Simplify your code with effective solutions.
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Resolving Inconsistent Conditional Result Types in Terraform: A Simplified Guide

Working with Terraform can sometimes lead to confusing error messages, especially when dealing with conditional statements. One such error you might encounter is the Inconsistent conditional result types, which occurs when the "true" and "false" outcomes of a conditional expression have different types. This guide aims to break down this error and provide a clear solution.

Understanding the Problem

Imagine you are working on a Terraform configuration and you have the following variables defined in your locals block:

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Now, you may want to print out certain values based on the combination of test and non_test variables. Here is a potentially faulty conditional expression you might write:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

When you try to run this, you get the following error:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

So, what's causing this error? In essence, it stems from the fact that the true part of your conditional returns a string (the name of the domain), while the false part returns a list (tuple) of strings.

The Solution

To resolve this inconsistency, you need to make sure that both the true and false parts of your conditional expression return the same type. Here’s how you can adjust your code:

Using Lists for Both Outcomes

Instead of returning a single string when the condition is true, you can return a list that contains that string. Here’s how the corrected line should look:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation of the Solution:

Consistent Return Types: By wrapping the result of the true condition in square brackets [ ], Terraform understands that it is also returning a list. This ensure both results are lists, thus eliminating the inconsistency.

Benefits of the Solution

Clarity: By ensuring both outcome types are the same, your conditional logic becomes easier to understand and debug.

Flexibility: List type returns allow more flexibility for future modifications, enabling you to easily add or manipulate multiple values.

Conclusion

The error regarding inconsistent conditional result types is a common pitfall when getting started with Terraform. However, resolving it can be straightforward when you ensure that both branches of your conditional expression return the same data type. By implementing our suggested fix, you can enjoy a smoother Terraform experience and avoid unnecessary roadblocks in your configurations.

Feel free to share your experiences or any additional tips on handling similar issues in Terraform!