Pros of azure-cli

• Provides a command-line interface for managing Azure resources
• Allows for automation and scripting of Azure operations
• Offers cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Cons of azure-cli

• Limited to CLI functionality, lacking comprehensive documentation
• Requires command-line knowledge and may be less user-friendly for beginners
• Updates may lag behind new Azure features compared to documentation

Code Comparison

azure-cli:

from azure.cli.core import get_default_cli

az_cli = get_default_cli()
az_cli.invoke(['vm', 'create', '--name', 'myVM', '--resource-group', 'myRG'])

azure-docs:

# Create a virtual machine

To create a new virtual machine using the Azure portal:

1. Sign in to the Azure portal
2. Click "Create a resource"
3. Search for and select "Virtual Machine"
4. Follow the wizard to configure your VM

Summary

azure-cli is a powerful tool for managing Azure resources via command-line, offering automation capabilities and cross-platform support. However, it may be less accessible for beginners and lacks comprehensive documentation. azure-docs, on the other hand, provides extensive documentation and user-friendly guides but doesn't offer direct interaction with Azure resources. The choice between the two depends on the user's needs and expertise level.

Pros of azure-powershell

• Focused on PowerShell cmdlets for Azure management
• Provides direct access to Azure services via command-line
• Enables automation of Azure tasks and workflows

Cons of azure-powershell

• Limited to PowerShell users and environments
• Requires more technical knowledge compared to documentation
• May not cover all Azure services or features comprehensively

Code Comparison

azure-powershell:

# Create a new Azure VM
New-AzVM -ResourceGroupName "myResourceGroup" -Name "myVM" -Location "East US" -VirtualNetworkName "myVNet" -SubnetName "mySubnet" -SecurityGroupName "myNSG" -PublicIpAddressName "myPublicIp"

azure-docs:

# Create a virtual machine

1. In the Azure portal, search for and select **Virtual machines**.
2. On the Virtual machines page, select **Add**.
3. In the Basics tab, under Project details, make sure the correct subscription is selected and then choose to **Create new** resource group.

The azure-powershell repository focuses on providing PowerShell cmdlets for Azure management, while azure-docs offers comprehensive documentation for all Azure services. azure-powershell is more suitable for automation and scripting, whereas azure-docs serves as a general reference and guide for Azure users across various skill levels and preferences.

Pros of terraform-provider-azurerm

• Enables infrastructure as code for Azure resources
• Provides a declarative approach to resource management
• Supports version control and collaboration for infrastructure

Cons of terraform-provider-azurerm

• Steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with Terraform
• Limited to infrastructure management, not general Azure documentation
• May require additional tools for a complete Azure management solution

Code Comparison

azure-docs (PowerShell):

New-AzResourceGroup -Name myResourceGroup -Location "East US"
New-AzVm -ResourceGroupName myResourceGroup -Name myVM -Location "East US" -VirtualNetworkName "myVnet" -SubnetName "mySubnet" -SecurityGroupName "myNetworkSecurityGroup" -PublicIpAddressName "myPublicIpAddress"

terraform-provider-azurerm (HCL):

resource "azurerm_resource_group" "example" {
  name     = "myResourceGroup"
  location = "East US"
}

resource "azurerm_virtual_machine" "example" {
  name                  = "myVM"
  location              = azurerm_resource_group.example.location
  resource_group_name   = azurerm_resource_group.example.name
  network_interface_ids = [azurerm_network_interface.example.id]
  vm_size               = "Standard_DS1_v2"
  # Additional configuration...
}

Pros of Bicep

• Focused on Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for Azure, providing a more specialized and streamlined experience
• Offers a domain-specific language (DSL) that is easier to read and write compared to ARM templates
• Provides better tooling support, including IntelliSense and type checking

Cons of Bicep

• Limited scope compared to azure-docs, which covers a broader range of Azure topics and services
• Smaller community and fewer contributors, potentially resulting in slower updates and less diverse content
• Steeper learning curve for those already familiar with ARM templates or other IaC tools

Code Comparison

azure-docs (ARM template):

{
    "resources": [
        {
            "type": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts",
            "name": "[variables('storageAccountName')]",
            "location": "[resourceGroup().location]",
            "sku": {
                "name": "Standard_LRS"
            }
        }
    ]
}

Bicep:

resource storageAccount 'Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts@2021-04-01' = {
  name: storageAccountName
  location: resourceGroup().location
  sku: {
    name: 'Standard_LRS'
  }
}

Pros of azure-quickstart-templates

• Provides ready-to-use ARM templates for quick Azure resource deployment
• Allows users to learn best practices for Azure infrastructure as code
• Offers a wide variety of templates covering numerous Azure services

Cons of azure-quickstart-templates

• May require more technical knowledge to understand and modify templates
• Templates might not cover all possible deployment scenarios
• Less comprehensive documentation compared to azure-docs

Code Comparison

azure-quickstart-templates (ARM template snippet):

{
  "$schema": "https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2019-04-01/deploymentTemplate.json#",
  "contentVersion": "1.0.0.0",
  "parameters": {
    "storageAccountName": {
      "type": "string",
      "metadata": {
        "description": "Specify the storage account name."
      }
    }
  }
}

azure-docs (Markdown documentation snippet):

# Create a storage account

This article shows you how to create a storage account using the Azure portal, Azure PowerShell, or Azure CLI.

## Create a storage account using the Azure portal

1. In the Azure portal, select **Create a resource**.
2. Under **Categories**, select **Storage**.
3. Under **Storage account**, select **Create**.