feature request: inverse targeting / exclude

[shubhambhartiya]

Is there anything that can be done such that db_instance - RDS formed by the terraform files can be saved if we destroy the whole state?

[phinze]

Hi @shubhambhartiya - we have prevent_destroy which provides protection against accidental destruction, but it sounds like perhaps you're asking about "destroy everything but this" feature.

Can you elaborate on the behavior you're looking for?

[shubhambhartiya]

Considering an example.
I have a set of tf files which creates vpc, subnets, ASG, sg, instances in various subnets, nat instances and databases (RDS). I want to plan in this way such that when I destroy the plan, I want the RDS to be there (VPC and subnets would be needed), rest all the things would get destroy.

[phinze]

Ah okay I get it now. I think I'd call what you're looking for "inverse targeting".

# Destroy everything except aws_db_instance.foo and its dependencies
terraform plan -destroy -exclude=aws_db_instance.foo

^^ If that looks like what you're asking for I'll edit the title and we can track that feature request with this thread.

[shubhambhartiya]

Yes, that would be a great thing.

[glerchundi]

yes please! 👍

[josephholsten]

this is related to #4515