What is a CloudFormation template?

A CloudFormation template serves as a structured, declarative means to describe and provision the resources needed for an application in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud. By utilizing JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) or YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) formats, these templates specify the configuration of a variety of AWS resources, such as EC2 instances, S3 buckets, IAM roles, and more.

This format allows for the automation of infrastructure provisioning and management by defining the desired state. With CloudFormation, users can create or modify a stack of resources efficiently, as they can deploy everything defined in the template with a single command. Templates also support parameters and output values, enhancing their reusability and flexibility for various environments.

Other choices do not capture the full scope and function of a CloudFormation template. While a formatted document that defines application infrastructure might suggest an outline or structure, it lacks the technical specificity regarding JSON or YAML formatting that is critical to CloudFormation. Describing it as a database schema is misleading, as CloudFormation templates are not limited to database definitions and encompass a wide array of AWS resource types. Lastly, while serverless applications utilize services like AWS Lambda, CloudFormation itself is not simply a programming model but a provisioning