- A
- set_fact: server_list: "{{ server_list | map('combine', {'ports': item.ports | split(',')}) }}" loop: "{{ server_list }}"
Why wrong: fails if ports is already a list because split is a string method.
- B
- set_fact: server_list: "{{ server_list | map('combine', {'ports': [item.ports] | flatten}) }}" loop: "{{ server_list }}"
Why wrong: Wraps existing list in another list, causing nested structure.
- C
- set_fact: server_list: "{{ server_list | map('combine', {'ports': item.ports}) }}" loop: "{{ server_list }}"
Why wrong: Does not normalize; ports remains as is.
- D
- set_fact: server_list: "{{ server_list | map('combine', {'ports': (item.ports is string) | ternary(item.ports | split(','), item.ports)}) }}" loop: "{{ server_list }}"
Correctly uses ternary to conditionally split string or keep list.
EX294 Transform data with filters and plugins Practice Question
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of transform data with filters and plugins. 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 Ansible role uses a variable "server_list" which is a list of dictionaries. Each dictionary has a key "ports" which should be a list of integers. However, due to inconsistent input, "ports" could be a comma-separated string (e.g., "80,443") or already a list of integers (e.g., [80,443]). The engineer wants to normalize "ports" to always be a list of integers for further processing. Which of the following tasks correctly normalizes the "ports" field?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"always"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
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
- set_fact: server_list: "{{ server_list | map('combine', {'ports': (item.ports is string) | ternary(item.ports | split(','), item.ports)}) }}" loop: "{{ server_list }}"
Option D is correct because it uses the `ternary` filter to check if `item.ports` is a string; if true, it splits the string by commas into a list, otherwise it keeps the existing list. This ensures the `ports` field is always normalized to a list of integers, handling both inconsistent input formats.
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.
- ✗
- set_fact: server_list: "{{ server_list | map('combine', {'ports': item.ports | split(',')}) }}" loop: "{{ server_list }}"
Why it's wrong here
fails if ports is already a list because split is a string method.
- ✗
- set_fact: server_list: "{{ server_list | map('combine', {'ports': [item.ports] | flatten}) }}" loop: "{{ server_list }}"
Why it's wrong here
Wraps existing list in another list, causing nested structure.
- ✗
- set_fact: server_list: "{{ server_list | map('combine', {'ports': item.ports}) }}" loop: "{{ server_list }}"
Why it's wrong here
Does not normalize; ports remains as is.
- ✓
- set_fact: server_list: "{{ server_list | map('combine', {'ports': (item.ports is string) | ternary(item.ports | split(','), item.ports)}) }}" loop: "{{ server_list }}"
Why this is correct
Correctly uses ternary to conditionally split string or keep list.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "always" 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 often overlook the need to conditionally handle both string and list inputs, picking options that either always split (breaking lists) or never split (breaking strings), rather than using a conditional filter like `ternary`.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `ternary` filter in Ansible evaluates a condition and returns one of two values, making it ideal for conditional data normalization. Under the hood, `split(',')` returns a list of strings, so to ensure integers, one might additionally apply `map('int')` if the input could contain numeric strings; however, the question focuses on normalizing to a list, not type coercion. In real-world scenarios, such as parsing dynamic inventory or user-provided configuration, this pattern prevents runtime errors when iterating over ports.
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?
Transform data with filters and plugins — This question tests Transform data with filters and plugins — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: - set_fact: server_list: "{{ server_list | map('combine', {'ports': (item.ports is string) | ternary(item.ports | split(','), item.ports)}) }}" loop: "{{ server_list }}" — Option D is correct because it uses the `ternary` filter to check if `item.ports` is a string; if true, it splits the string by commas into a list, otherwise it keeps the existing list. This ensures the `ports` field is always normalized to a list of integers, handling both inconsistent input formats.
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: "always". Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This EX294 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the EX294 exam.
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