The statement reverses the correct order of operations. A Terraform backend must first be configured in the Terraform configuration files (e.g., main.tf) within a terraform block. After the configuration is written, the terraform init command is executed to initialize the working directory. During initialization, Terraform reads the backend configuration and prepares to use the specified remote location for state storage.

The statement "True" is incorrect because the terraform init command requires the backend configuration to be present in the code to know which backend to initialize and how to connect to it. Without a configuration, terraform init cannot set up a specific remote backend; it would default to using the local backend.

1. HashiCorp Developer: Terraform Documentation

"Backend Configuration": The documentation explicitly states the required sequence. "To configure a backend

you add a backend block within the top-level terraform block. ... After configuring a backend

you must run terraform init. This command will validate and configure the backend

and in some cases will prompt for migration of existing state." This shows configuration precedes initialization.

Source: HashiCorp

Terraform Language Documentation

"Settings - Backends - Configuration"

https://developer.hashicorp.com/terraform/language/settings/backends/configuration

2. HashiCorp Developer: Terraform Documentation

"Command: init": This page details the actions of the init command. Under the "Backend Initialization" section

it explains: "During init

the root module's backend configuration is consulted. If a backend is configured

Terraform will verify that the configuration is syntactically valid...". This confirms that init consults an existing configuration

meaning the configuration must be defined before initialization can occur.

Source: HashiCorp

Terraform CLI Documentation

"Commands - init"

https://developer.hashicorp.com/terraform/cli/commands/init#backend-initialization