Ansible Lineinfile Module : Managing Lines in Text Files

The article discusses the use of Ansible's lineinfile module for managing specific changes to lines in a file on an Ansible host's configuration files. It explains how the module works as a precise editor, allowing users to search for and modify particular lines or add new ones if they don't exist. The article also covers various options available with the lineinfile module, such as path, line, regexp, insertafter, insertbefore, state, create, and backup. It further differentiates between the replace and lineinfile modules, highlighting that the former is used for bulk substitutions while the latter offers more control over individual lines. The article provides examples of how to use the Ansible lineinfile module in various scenarios, such as writing to log files, backing up changed files, verifying changes, checking if a line is present in a file, and setting file permissions. It also discusses how Spacelift can assist in managing and orchestrating Ansible by providing a centralized place for running playbooks, combining IaC with configuration management, and offering insights into what ran and where.