# Parameter "role\_names" in playbooks

**URL:** <https://forum.ansible.com/t/parameter-role-names-in-playbooks/17856>\
**Category:** Ansible Project\
**Created:** [March 27, 2015, 10:43am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/parameter-role-names-in-playbooks/17856 "2015-03-27T10:43:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Anand\_Buddhdev2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Anand\_Buddhdev2](https://forum.ansible.com/u/Anand_Buddhdev2)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 10:43am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/parameter-role-names-in-playbooks/17856/1 "2015-03-27T10:43:48Z")

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I was looking at the code for playbooks, and noticed that it can take a parameter called “role\_names”. This parameter isn’t documented, or at least, I can’t find it. What is its purpose, and how is it meant to be used?

Regards,  
Anand

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**Author:** ![James\_Cammarata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7c8e57/32.png) [@James\_Cammarata](https://forum.ansible.com/u/James_Cammarata)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2015, 12:53pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/parameter-role-names-in-playbooks/17856/2 "2015-03-27T12:53:36Z")

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Hi Anand,

It is a special internal variable, which can be used to show the roles present in the current play.