Introduction to HCL and HCL tooling

HashiCorp Configuration Language (HCL) is a versatile configuration language initially designed for use with HashiCorp tools like Terraform, but its applications have expanded to a broader range of projects. HCL2, an updated version of the language, integrates the HashiCorp Interpolation Language (HIL), enhancing its capabilities with string interpolation and functional operations, making it more powerful and flexible than JSON. Its syntax supports features like variable assignments, arrays, and conditional logic, allowing for complex configurations that are easy to understand and maintain. HCL is compatible with several programming languages, offering parsers and tools in Go, Java, and Python, facilitating its integration into various environments. Editors like Visual Studio Code and Atom provide extensions for syntax highlighting and validation, further supporting HCL's use in development workflows. The language's evolution reflects its growing popularity for managing complex configurations, and its built-in templating and ease of use continue to make it a preferred choice for developers and organizations.