The easiest, quickest, and most popular way to extend Ansible is to copy or write a module or a plugin for local use. You can store local modules and plugins on your Ansible control node for use within your team or organization. You can also share a local plugin or module by embedding it in a role and publishing it on Ansible Galaxy. If you've been using roles off Galaxy, you may have been using local modules and plugins without even realizing it. If you're using a local module or plugin that already exists, this page is all you need.
@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ Modules and plugins: what's the difference?
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If you're looking to add local functionality to Ansible, you may be wondering whether you need a module or a plugin. Here's a quick overview of the differences:
* Modules are reusable, standalone scripts that can be used by the Ansible API, the :command:`ansible` command, or the :command:`ansible-playbook` command. Modules provide a defined interface, accepting arguments and returning information to Ansible by printing a JSON string to stdout before exiting.
* Plugins are shared code that can be used by any module. They provide abilities like caching information or copying files that are useful for many modules.
* Modules are reusable, standalone scripts that can be used by the Ansible API, the :command:`ansible` command, or the :command:`ansible-playbook` command. Modules provide a defined interface, accepting arguments and returning information to Ansible by printing a JSON string to stdout before exiting. Modules execute on the target system (usually that means on a remote system) in separate processes.
* :ref:`Plugins <plugins_lookup>` augment Ansible's core functionality and execute on the control node within the ``/usr/bin/ansible`` process. Plugins offer options and extensions for the core features of Ansible - transforming data, logging output, connecting to inventory, and more.
Alicia Cozine
5 years ago
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