What does setting the TF_LOG environment variable to DEBUG impact?

Setting the TF_LOG environment variable to DEBUG instructs Terraform to generate detailed logs that include debug messages related to its operations. This means that all debugging information will be logged, helping developers and operators understand the intricate details of Terraform's inner workings and diagnose any issues that may arise during execution.

When TF_LOG is set to DEBUG, messages are typically sent to standard error (stderr), which is the default behavior for many command-line applications to allow users to see debug output directly in the terminal. This level of logging is primarily intended for in-depth troubleshooting and should be used during development or when investigating specific problems.

The other options do not accurately describe the behavior of the TF_LOG variable when set to DEBUG. Logs are not sent to syslog, only error messages are not logged as DEBUG captures a broader range of log levels, and logging is not disabled when this variable is set; rather, it enhances logging verbosity.