Ask for variable value if variable not defined.

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1

Hi,

Have question whether is possible (ansible 1.4.2 >) setup prompt for volue for variable in variable is not defined.

For example:
First run of playbook:

  • variable is not defined
  • ask for value
  • task write value of variable to some ansible vars file

… Do other tasks…

Next run of playbook:

  • variable is read from ansible vars file
  • no prompt for value

… Do other tasks …

Tried find this in ansible help, but so far no luck.

Best regards,
Marcin Praczko

2

There’s no mechanism for this.

vars_prompt always prompts for the variable.

3

The following is pseudo code, parts of it may not be entirely correct.
But the real trick is to use when.

4

Hi Micheal,
Do you have any advice for it? It doesn’t accept when condition.
Best.

5

As politely as possible… Please don’t share made-up syntax on this list, it confuses everyone :slight_smile:

6

Nope, it doesn’t do this. Simple as that :slight_smile:

I’d suggest setting a role default instead, or putting a good default value in group_vars/all, and you can override that on the CLI with “-e”.

vars_prompt in Ansible is not usually a good idea as it limits the ability of someone to automate a workflow in Ansible, since it’s interactive.

7

Hi,
You’re right, i was using default variables and extra parameters to override but i thought that maybe i can also use it for basic system playbooks.
Thanks.