On Jan 20, 6:39 am, jcbollinger <john.bollin...@stjude.org> wrote: > On Jan 20, 3:00 am, Dan Bode <d...@puppetlabs.com> wrote: > > > * the big reason I keep on leaning on it is for package dependencies. Often > > something needs an additional package installed (and it is possible that > > other modules may have that same package dependency, and I don't want to > > have to create a new class every time that I need another package > > (especially for something complicated that may have tons of package > > dependencies) > > You describe one of the core use cases for virtual resources. Instead > of relying on the defined() function, you can > 1) define virtual Package resources in some central place(s) for all > the packages your nodes might want to manage, > 2) include that class wherever needed, and > 3) *realize* Packages as appropriate wherever you know you need > certain ones. > > That avoids parse-order issues, doesn't require you to keep multiple > definitions of the same resource synchronized, and makes it easier to > find specific Package definitions among your manifests. In some cases > you might even be able to leverage collections with selection > predicates to simplify and clarify your manifests. I don't see a > single reason to prefer use of 'defined' for this case.
Defining all somewhat common packages in a central location becomes unrealistic when you no longer "control" the code that is in every module you use. If you obtain five modules from the forge and they all require a specific package and so all define that package your not going to convince, nor is it a good design to require everyone to move the package definitions from that collection of modules. They need to function as a collection out of the box. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Puppet Users" group. To post to this group, send email to puppet-users@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to puppet-users+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/puppet-users?hl=en.
