Hello,
Among enhanced backend types, one of the backends is “local” which is the default configuration. If I understand correctly one thing that separates the enhanced backend from the standard is it supports remote operations. I can understand how terraform cloud can be used for remote operations, but how “local” backend is used for remote operations? Am I missing something?
A “backend” in Terraform determines how state is loaded and how an operation such as apply is executed.
The local backend stores state on the local filesystem, locks that state using system APIs, and performs operations locally.
For larger infrastructures or certain changes, terraform apply can take a long, long time. Some backends support remote operations which enable the operation to execute remotely. You can then turn off your computer and your operation will still complete.