EX294 Transform data with filters and plugins Practice Question
Which TWO filters are commonly used for list manipulation in Ansible? (Select exactly two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse filters that operate on strings (like `regex_replace`) or single values (like `default` and `ternary`) with those designed for list iteration, leading them to select incorrect options that are not list-specific.
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
✓
`map`
The `map` filter is specifically designed for list manipulation in Ansible, allowing you to apply a transformation (such as extracting a specific attribute) to every element in a list. Option D is correct because the `select` filter is used to filter list items based on a condition, returning only those elements that match. Both are core Jinja2 filters commonly used in Ansible playbooks for processing lists.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
`default`
Why it's wrong here
default supplies a fallback value when a variable is undefined or empty; it does not iterate, filter, or reshape list contents. It tempts because it is ubiquitous in role variable files, and it would be correct for guarding optional variables, but list manipulation needs filters such as map, select, flatten, or unique.
- ✓
`map`
Why this is correct
The map filter applies a function to every element of a list, returning a transformed list of equal length. It is a core Jinja2 list-manipulation filter in Ansible, satisfying the stem by enabling element-wise transformation within playbooks and templates.
- ✗
`ternary`
Why it's wrong here
ternary returns one of two values based on a boolean condition, so it selects between scalars rather than transforming list elements. It tempts because it appears in conditional task examples, and it would be correct for toggling a setting, but list manipulation requires filters such as map, select, or unique.
- ✓
`select`
Why this is correct
The select filter tests each list element against a condition, returning only those that pass. It is a standard Jinja2 list-manipulation filter in Ansible, satisfying the stem by enabling filtering of lists within playbooks and templates.
- ✗
`regex_replace`
Why it's wrong here
regex_replace performs string substitution on text, returning a modified string rather than transforming list elements or structure. It tempts because it appears in Jinja2 templating examples, and it would be correct when rewriting a hostname or path pattern, but list manipulation requires filters such as map, select, or unique.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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