lineinfile behavior replace line if found, add line if not found?

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1

Struggling with lineinfile behavior.

The general question: can lineinfile be used to replace a line in a file if it’s found and if it’s not found add the line to the file?

I’ve seen posts saying yes, same saying no, same saying don’t use lineinfile, use a template.

Here’s the recipe I’ve been trying:

lineinfile: >
dest=“/tmp/testfile”
regexp=“(.){{ item.param }}(.)?$”
line=‘{{ item.param }} {{ item.value }}’
backrefs=“yes”
state=“present”
with_items:

  • { param: ‘testparam’, value: ‘testvalue’ }

The contents of /tmp/testfile

blah blahvalue
foo foovalue
ugh ughvalue

I run the task and “testparam testvalue” does not get added to /tmp/testfile

blah blahvalue
foo foovalue
ugh ughvalue

testvalue wrongvalue

Run the task again and I get what I think is the right output

blah blahvalue
foo foovalue
ugh ughvalue

testvalue testvalue

2

Using “insertafter=EOF” should do the trick.

s,

3

Hi Bob,

The general question: can lineinfile be used to replace a line in a file if it’s found and if it’s not found add the line to the file?

I’ve used it successfully like this, but I didn’t template my regexp.

Cheers,
Paul