AWS has recently launched a new feature called Console-to-Code, which allows users to generate automation scripts from the actions they perform in the AWS console. Console-to-Code uses generative AI to suggest code in different infrastructure-as-code (IaC) formats, such as AWS CDK and CloudFormation, based on the recorded console actions, including default values and compatible parameters.
Console-to-Code is designed to help users get started with automation code, especially those who are new to IaC or who prefer to use the console for prototyping and testing. Users can use the generated code as a starting point, and customize it to make it production-ready for their specific use cases. Users can also copy the code to their code development tool or download it to share.
Console-to-Code is currently in preview, and supports only Amazon EC2. Users can access the feature by clicking on the Console-to-Code icon in the EC2 console, and selecting the actions they want to use in their automation scripts. Users can choose the IaC format and the programming language they want for the generated code.
Console-to-Code aims to bridge the gap between the console and the code
The console and the code are two different ways of interacting with AWS services and resources. The console provides a graphical user interface that guides users through the creation and configuration of resources, while the code provides a programmatic way of defining and deploying resources using IaC tools, such as AWS CDK and CloudFormation.
The console and the code have their own advantages and disadvantages. The console is easy to use and intuitive, but it can be time-consuming and error-prone to repeat the same actions for multiple resources or environments. The code is fast and scalable, but it can be complex and challenging to write and maintain, especially for users who are not familiar with the syntax and semantics of the IaC tools.
Console-to-Code aims to bridge the gap between the console and the code, by enabling users to leverage the best of both worlds. Users can use the console to explore and experiment with the resources, and then use Console-to-Code to generate the code that reflects their actions. Users can then use the code to automate and standardize the creation and configuration of the resources, and to apply the best practices of IaC, such as version control, testing, and validation.
Console-to-Code is part of AWS’s efforts to democratize and simplify IaC
Console-to-Code is one of the latest efforts by AWS to democratize and simplify IaC, which is becoming a key skill and practice for cloud developers and operators. AWS has been investing in developing and improving its IaC tools, such as AWS CDK and CloudFormation, to make them more accessible and user-friendly.
AWS CDK, which was launched in 2019, is a framework that allows users to define and deploy cloud resources using familiar programming languages, such as Java, Python, and TypeScript. AWS CDK abstracts away the low-level details of the cloud infrastructure, and provides high-level constructs and patterns that users can use to model and provision their resources.
CloudFormation, which was launched in 2011, is a service that allows users to define and deploy cloud resources using declarative templates, written in JSON or YAML. CloudFormation automates the creation and management of the resources, and ensures the consistency and compliance of the configurations.
Console-to-Code complements these IaC tools, by providing a new way of generating the code or the templates from the console actions. Console-to-Code can help users to learn and adopt IaC, by showing them how the console actions translate into the code, and by providing them with a starting point for their automation scripts.
