Understanding the Ansible Playbook Error: sanity

When working with Ansible, it's essential to ensure the reliability and quality of your code, especially if you are looking for Red Hat Certification. The sanity rule is a specific check that focuses on maintaining a certain level of consistency and best practices when it comes to managing your Ansible codebase.

The Purpose of the sanity Rule

The sanity rule primarily checks a specific file called ignore-x.x.txt. In this file, Ansible developers define "ignores" for various tests, which means they are explicitly exempting certain rules from being enforced. These exemptions are often necessary for practical reasons, but not all exemptions are allowed.

The purpose of the sanity rule is to validate whether the ignores defined in the ignore-x.x.txt file adhere to specific rules and are in line with the best practices advocated by Ansible and the Red Hat Certification process. It enforces a certain level of standardization in your Ansible codebase, ensuring that code quality is maintained.

Error Messages

The sanity rule can produce different error messages when it encounters issues with the ignores defined in the ignore-x.x.txt file:

1. sanity[cannot-ignore]: This message is triggered when an ignore is defined in the file, but it's not a permitted ignore according to the set of rules.

2. sanity[bad-ignore]: When the format of an ignore entry in the file is incorrect or doesn't follow the required standards, this message is generated.

Currently Allowed Ignores

As of now, the list of allowed ignores for all Ansible versions is relatively limited. These ignores address specific concerns related to Ansible development and best practices. The currently permitted ignores include:

  • validate-modules:missing-gplv3-license
  • action-plugin-docs
  • import-2.6
  • import-2.6!skip
  • import-2.7
  • import-2.7!skip
  • import-3.5
  • import-3.5!skip
  • compile-2.6
  • compile-2.6!skip
  • compile-2.7
  • compile-2.7!skip
  • compile-3.5
  • compile-3.5!skip
  • shellcheck
  • shebang
  • pylint:used-before-assignment

Resolving the sanity Rule Errors

To resolve issues related to the sanity rule, you should carefully review the ignore-x.x.txt file in your Ansible project. Ensure that all the ignores defined in this file are in line with the currently allowed ignores. If you encounter any error messages, make the necessary adjustments to the file so that it complies with the Ansible standards.

It's important to keep in mind that the sanity rule serves as a check to maintain the quality and consistency of your Ansible codebase, especially when pursuing Red Hat Certification. By adhering to these standards, you not only improve the reliability of your Ansible playbooks but also enhance their compatibility with the wider Ansible community and industry best practices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the sanity rule in Ansible is a valuable tool for maintaining