- A
Use the stat module to check package file existence
Why wrong: stat checks files, not package manager state.
- B
Use the command module to check package status
Why wrong: Command module is not idempotent and requires parsing output.
- C
Use ansible_facts.packages
Why wrong: ansible_facts.packages is available only if package facts have been gathered via setup or package_facts; relying solely on it may not work if facts are not cached.
- D
Use the package_facts module
package_facts gathers installed package information and is designed for this purpose.
Question 11 of 528
Check Package Installation in Ansible Conditional Tasks — package_facts Best Practice | Red Hat Certified Engineer Explained
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of manage task execution and roles. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An administrator is designing a role that needs to execute a set of tasks conditionally based on whether a package is installed. Which approach is best practice?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the package_facts module
Option D is correct because the `package_facts` module is the best practice for gathering package installation status in Ansible. It populates the `ansible_facts.packages` variable with structured data about installed packages, allowing you to conditionally execute tasks using `when` statements without relying on external commands or file checks. This approach is idempotent, efficient, and aligns with Ansible's declarative philosophy.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use the stat module to check package file existence
Why it's wrong here
stat checks files, not package manager state.
- ✗
Use the command module to check package status
Why it's wrong here
Command module is not idempotent and requires parsing output.
- ✗
Use ansible_facts.packages
Why it's wrong here
ansible_facts.packages is available only if package facts have been gathered via setup or package_facts; relying solely on it may not work if facts are not cached.
- ✓
Use the package_facts module
Why this is correct
package_facts gathers installed package information and is designed for this purpose.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse `ansible_facts.packages` (which is a variable that must be populated by `package_facts`) with a pre-existing fact, leading them to choose option C without realizing the module is required first.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Command module is not idempotent and requires parsing output.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `package_facts` module uses the system's native package manager (e.g., `rpm` on RHEL/CentOS, `dpkg` on Debian) to query the package database and returns a dictionary of packages with version, architecture, and source. This data is cached in memory for the playbook run, enabling efficient conditional checks like `when: '"httpd" in ansible_facts.packages'`. A subtle behavior is that the module must be run before the facts are available, and it does not automatically refresh on subsequent plays unless explicitly called again.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the EX294 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX294 question test?
Manage task execution and roles — This question tests Manage task execution and roles — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the package_facts module — Option D is correct because the `package_facts` module is the best practice for gathering package installation status in Ansible. It populates the `ansible_facts.packages` variable with structured data about installed packages, allowing you to conditionally execute tasks using `when` statements without relying on external commands or file checks. This approach is idempotent, efficient, and aligns with Ansible's declarative philosophy.
What should I do if I get this EX294 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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