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ansible
Kevin C
Kevin C

Reputation: 5720

Ansible - Append variable in line

I want to append attribute to a file, instead of replacing or setting it on a new line.

Content of file:

PATH = "/a/path"

The variable which attributes has to append in the file: 

"{{ key.values() | map(attribute='hi') | list | join(' ') }}"

The output of the variable is:

/hi1 /hi2 /hi3

Trying to append with lineinfile, but the parameter insertafter places the attributes on a new line, instead of the same line.

- lineinfile:
    dest: /file
    state: present
    insertafter: 'PATH = "'
    line: "{{ mounts.values() | map(attribute='mountpoint') | list | join(' ') }}"

Expected result:

PATH = "/a/path /hi1 /h2 /hi3"

Actual result:

PATH = "/a/path"
/hi1 /hi2 /hi3

Receiving syntax errors if I use the method described here: Ansible: insert a single word on an existing line in a file

Which module should I use for this particular use case?

Using Ansible v2.1.2.0

edit

The backrefs option gives the same result, which is not expected:

 - lineinfile:
     dest: /file
     backrefs: yes
     regexp: 'PATH = "'
     line: "{{ key.values() | map(attribute='hi') | list | join(' ') }}"

Upvotes: 1

Views: 5904

Answers (2)

Kevin C
Kevin C

Reputation: 5720

Thanks for helping @Mir. Final solution:

 - lineinfile:
    dest: /file
    backrefs: yes
    regexp: '(^PATH\s+\=\s+)(?:")([\w+\s/]+)(?<!{{ hi }})(?:")'
    line: '\1"\2 {{ hi }}"'

Where hi is the variable.

Upvotes: 2

Mir
Mir

Reputation: 1613

Lineinfile module has the backrefs option that goes in pair with the regexp option and allows you to match an existing line and change only parts of it.

Something like (not tested)

- lineinfile:
  [...]
  regexp: ^PATH = "(.*)"$
  line: PATH="\1 {{ your_variable_here}}"
  backrefs: yes

Is probably what you need.

Upvotes: 0

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