What are the trade-offs between Terraform state management and GKE?

When managing infrastructure with Terraform and Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), there are various trade-offs regarding state management. Below are a few key considerations:

• State Management: Terraform maintains a state file that keeps track of the current state of the infrastructure. In contrast, GKE abstracts this management by relying on Google Cloud's infrastructure.
• Concurrency: GKE allows for multiple clusters and deployments, which can lead to a complex state if using Terraform. Terraform has limitations on concurrent operations, which can become a bottleneck.
• Resource Discovery: In GKE, resources are automatically discovered, while Terraform requires explicit definitions which may lead to configuration drift if not managed correctly.
• Version Control: Terraform state files can be versioned using remote backends, allowing teams to collaborate effectively. GKE provides its own versioning, but managing those versions with Terraform introduces complexity.
• State File Security: Terraform state files should be secured, especially when storing sensitive information. Using GKE may reduce the number of places to secure sensitive credentials directly, but Terraform needs to be managed carefully to avoid leaks.

The choice between maintaining Terraform state and leveraging GKE effectively depends on the specific needs of your development operations and the complexity of your infrastructure.