The Drawbacks of Using Imperative Languages for Infrastructure as Code

TLDRUsing imperative languages like Python or JavaScript to define infrastructure is not recommended due to the lack of consistency, standardization, and unnecessary complexity. DSLs provide a better alternative for infrastructure definition.

Key insights

🚧Imperative languages lack consistency and standardization in defining infrastructure.

💡Using a DSL for infrastructure definition ensures consistency and easier maintenance.

🔀Different teams and organizations may choose different imperative languages, leading to inconsistency.

⌛️Infrastructure changes do not occur as frequently as software changes, making DSLs more suitable.

Using an imperative language for infrastructure may lead to unnecessary complexity and overthinking.

Q&A

Why are imperative languages not recommended for infrastructure definition?

Imperative languages lack consistency, standardization, and may introduce unnecessary complexity to infrastructure definition.

What is the benefit of using a DSL for infrastructure definition?

A DSL provides consistency, easier maintenance, and ensures that infrastructure is defined in a uniform manner.

What are the drawbacks of using different imperative languages within an organization?

Using different imperative languages within an organization can lead to inconsistency and make it difficult for teams to understand and maintain each other's code.

Why is infrastructure less likely to change quickly compared to software?

Infrastructure changes typically occur at a slower pace than software changes, making imperative languages less necessary for infrastructure definition.

Does using an imperative language for infrastructure definition add unnecessary complexity?

Yes, using an imperative language can introduce unnecessary complexity and overthinking, especially when simpler alternatives like DSLs are available.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The speaker introduces the topic of using imperative languages for infrastructure definition and their disagreement with this approach.

02:00The first key insight is that imperative languages lack consistency and standardization in defining infrastructure.

05:00The speaker discusses the issue of choosing standards when using an imperative language for infrastructure definition.

08:00The third key insight highlights the lack of consistency that arises from different teams and organizations using different imperative languages.

09:58The speaker points out that infrastructure changes do not occur as frequently as software changes, making DSLs a more suitable choice for infrastructure definition.

13:41The final key insight emphasizes that using an imperative language for infrastructure may lead to unnecessary complexity and overthinking.