This page provides a basic overview of correct YAML syntax, which is how Ansible
playbooks (our configuration management language) are expressed.
playbooks (our configuration management language) are expressed.
We use YAML because it is easier for humans to read and write than other common
data formats like XML or JSON. Further, there are libraries available in most
@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ is used in practice.
YAML Basics
-----------
For Ansible, nearly every YAML file starts with a list.
For Ansible, nearly every YAML file starts with a list.
Each item in the list is a list of key/value pairs, commonly
called a "hash" or a "dictionary". So, we need to know how
to write lists and dictionaries in YAML.
@ -40,21 +40,21 @@ A dictionary is represented in a simple ``key: value`` form (the colon must be f
# An employee record
martin:
name: Martin D'vloper
job: Developer
skill: Elite
name: Martin D'vloper
job: Developer
skill: Elite
More complicated data structures are possible, such as lists of dictionaries, dictionaries whose values are lists or a mix of both::
# Employee records
- martin:
- martin:
name: Martin D'vloper
job: Developer
skills:
- python
- perl
- pascal
- tabitha:
- tabitha:
name: Tabitha Bitumen
job: Developer
skills:
@ -80,6 +80,8 @@ Ansible doesn't really use these too much, but you can also specify a boolean va
likes_emacs: TRUE
uses_cvs: false
Use lowercase 'true' or 'false' for boolean values in dictionaries if you want to be compatible with default yamllint options.
Values can span multiple lines using ``|`` or ``>``. Spanning multiple lines using a "Literal Block Scalar" ``|`` will include the newlines and any trailing spaces.
Using a "Folded Block Scalar" ``>`` will fold newlines to spaces; it's used to make what would otherwise be a very long line easier to read and edit.
In either case the indentation will be ignored.
@ -117,18 +119,18 @@ This really has nothing to do with Ansible, but will give you a feel for the for
skill: Elite
employed: True
foods:
- Apple
- Orange
- Strawberry
- Mango
- Apple
- Orange
- Strawberry
- Mango
languages:
perl: Elite
python: Elite
pascal: Lame
perl: Elite
python: Elite
pascal: Lame
education: |
4 GCSEs
3 A-Levels
BSc in the Internet of Things
4 GCSEs
3 A-Levels
BSc in the Internet of Things
That's all you really need to know about YAML to start writing `Ansible` playbooks.
@ -152,7 +154,7 @@ Because of this, the following is going to result in a YAML syntax error::
You will want to quote hash values using colons followed by a space or the end of the line::
foo: 'somebody said I should put a colon here: so I did'
windows_drive: 'c:'
...and then the colon will be preserved.
@ -160,7 +162,7 @@ You will want to quote hash values using colons followed by a space or the end o
Alternatively, you can use double quotes::
foo: "somebody said I should put a colon here: so I did"
windows_drive: "c:"
The difference between single quotes and double quotes is that in double quotes