How to convert a dict into key-val args to be passed to a module

[Vineet Naik]

Hi,

I am using the pip module to install python dependencies. What I am trying to achieve is -

To be able to define the dependencies in one of the vars_files as follows

```
pydeps:
  - name: requests
    virtualenv: /tmp/testvenv
  - name: boto
    editable: yes
  - requirements: /tmp/requirements.txt
    virtualenv: /tmp/anothertestenv
```

Basically, the fields in the above list of dicts can be any valid options accepted by the pip module - http://docs.ansible.com/pip_module.html.
Those options that are not required can be omitted just like they can be omitted when specifying the args to the module.

And then in tasks,

```
    - name: Install using pip
      pip: "{% for k, v in item.items() %}{{ k }}={{ v }} {% endfor %}"
      with_items: pydeps
```

However, this fails with the following error:

```
TASK: [Install using pip] *****************************************************
fatal: [localhost] => A variable inserted a new parameter into the module args. Be sure to quote variables if they contain equal signs (for example: "{{var}}").

FATAL: all hosts have already failed -- aborting
```

None of the fields contain an equal sign.

I have also tried the following:

```
    - name: Install using pip
      pip: >
        name={{ item.name }}
        {{ 'chdir='~item.chdir if item.get('chdir') else '' }}
        {{ 'virtualenv='~item.virtualenv if item.get('virtualenv') else '' }}
        # ... and so on
      with_items: pydeps
```

But it also fails with the same error if any of the key is missing for an item.
   
What's the correct way to do this?

Thanks

[Mehul Ved]

You seem to be running into this issue
https://github.com/ansible/ansible/issues/8233

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Ansible Project" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to ansible-proje...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to ansible...@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ansible-project/be3a5ed3-cdc9-493b-90ae-5d0916b8a505%40googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.



--
With Regards,
Mehul Ved

[Brian Coca]

what you want is:

- name: Install using pip

pip: name="{{ item.name}}" chdir="{{item.chdir|default(omit)}}"
virtualenv="{{item.virtualenv|default(omit)}}"
with_items: pydeps

--
Brian Coca

[Vineet Naik]

Thanks Brian, default(omit) works for me.