In recent developments, Oracle has decided to abandon the use of Terraform in favor of OpenTofu, while IBM CEO Arvind Krishna has emphasized the importance of real open source. This shift in technology choices has significant implications for both programs.
Terraform, a cloud infrastructure management tool introduced in 2014 by HashiCorp, quickly gained popularity due to its open source and cloud-agnostic approach. However, the company later switched from the Mozilla Public License to the Commercial Source License, causing backlash from the open source community. This led to the creation of OpenTofu as a fork of Terraform, which introduced additional features like end-to-end encryption.
The emergence of OpenTofu attracted support from the Linux Foundation and former HashiCorp customers, but also sparked legal accusations from Terraform’s creators. The situation took a surprising turn when IBM acquired HashiCorp for $6.4 billion, putting an end to the legal dispute. With IBM now in control, questions arise about the future of Terraform and the possibility of returning to open source.
Krishna’s statements about the importance of genuine open source licenses, such as the Apache license, suggest that IBM may consider transitioning Terraform back to open source. This move could align with IBM’s focus on real open source initiatives, like the Granite Large Language Models project. Additionally, IBM’s acquisition of HashiCorp is strategic as it aims to address the competition from OpenTofu and retain former Terraform customers.
One notable example is Oracle’s adoption of OpenTofu for its Oracle E-Business Suite Cloud Manager, marking a significant shift for the company’s IT infrastructure. This decision reflects Oracle’s confidence in OpenTofu as a viable alternative to Terraform and suggests that OpenTofu is gaining traction in the industry.
As the situation unfolds, there is a potential for a reconciliation between Terraform and OpenTofu, as indicated by OpenTofu’s willingness to collaborate with a more open source-oriented Terraform. This reunification could benefit both projects and the community as a whole, fostering innovation and cooperation in the IT landscape.
In conclusion, the transition from Terraform to OpenTofu, along with IBM’s acquisition of HashiCorp, signals a shift towards real open source principles in the tech industry. The future holds possibilities for collaboration and synergy between Terraform and OpenTofu, paving the way for enhanced development and user experience.
Article Source
https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/24/opinion_column_terraform/
