1. How to Check the Version of Python Ansible

One of the key elements of working with Ansible is Python. Python is an important programming language that simplifies a lot of tasks. Ansible leverages this language to help you automate IT processes, configure systems and provision powerful infrastructure.

It is good to know which version of Python Ansible is using. This can help you determine the compatibility of your existing modules and figure out if you need to upgrade the Python version or Ansible itself. This also helps in troubleshooting any issues you might encounter while running Ansible playbooks.

There are multiple ways to find out the Python version used by Ansible. One method is by using the ‘ansible-config dump’ command. This will print all the Ansible configuration, which includes the Python version. Another option is by using the ‘ansible’ command with the ‘–version’ flag. This will print the Ansible version, along with the name of the current Python interpreter.

Identify Python Ansible Version using Command Line

There are multiple ways to identify the version of Python that Ansible is using. One of the most straightforward methods is to use the command line. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Using the ansible –version flag

The ‘ansible –version’ command displays the version of Ansible and the Python interpreter it is using. Here’s an example:

Command	Output
ansible –version	ansible 2.9.16 config file = /etc/ansible/ansible.cfg configured module search path = [‘/home/user/.ansible/plugins/modules’, ‘/usr/share/ansible/plugins/modules’] ansible python module location = /usr/lib/python3.8/site-packages/ansible executable location = /usr/bin/ansible python version = 3.8.10 (default, Oct 7 2021, 19:20:08) [GCC 9.4.0]

As you can see, the output includes the version of Ansible (2.9.16) and the version of Python it is using (3.8.10).

Using the python –version flag

Another method to determine the Python version used by Ansible is via the ‘python –version’ command. This command directly invokes the Python interpreter and displays its version. Here’s an example:

Command	Output
python –version	Python 3.8.10

The output simply shows the Python version, in this case, it’s 3.8.10. Keep in mind that this method only provides the Python version, not the Ansible version.

Check Version via Ansible’s inbuilt Python Module

Ansible provides a native Python module, `ansible.builtin.setup`, which offers a convenient way to retrieve information about the Python interpreter used by Ansible. This module exposes a variable named `ansible_python_version`, which contains the version number of the Python interpreter.

To utilize this module, simply include the following code block in your Ansible playbook:

- name: Get Python version
  setup:
  register: python_version

This will execute the `setup` module and store the output in a variable named `python_version`. You can then access the Python version information by referencing the `ansible_python_version` key within the `python_version` variable.

Playbook Output

- name: Get Python version
  setup:
  register: python_version

TASK [Get Python version] *** ok: [localhost]

TASK [Get Python version] *** changed: [localhost]

PLAY RECAP ********************************************************************* localhost : ok=2 changed=1 unreachable=0 failed=0 skipped=0

---
ansible_python_version: 3.9.9
---

Utilize "python --version" Command

The "python --version" command is an effective method for ascertaining the Python version installed on your device. Executing this command in the terminal or command prompt will generate an output resembling "Python 3.10.5." This response clearly indicates that Python version 3.10.5 is installed on your system. To further elaborate, the number preceding the first decimal represents the major Python version (in this instance, 3), followed by the minor Python version (10), and lastly, the bug fix or maintenance release number (5). Embracing this approach allows for swift and uncomplicated determination of the precise Python version active on your system.

Additional Considerations

In certain circumstances, multiple Python versions may coexist on a single system. Employing the "which python" command grants access to information pertaining to the Python interpreter that is prioritized by the system. Running "python --version" or "python3 --version" provides insights into the specific versions of Python 2 and 3, respectively. Alternatively, utilizing "python3.10 --version" enables verification of a specific Python version, such as 3.10.

Command	Purpose
python --version	Displays the version of the default Python interpreter
which python	Indicates the path to the Python interpreter prioritized by the system
python3 --version	Displays the version of Python 3
python3.10 --version	Displays the version of Python 3.10

By leveraging these commands, you gain a comprehensive view of the Python versions installed on your system and their designated roles. This knowledge proves invaluable in managing and utilizing various Python versions for specific projects or tasks.

Examine the Docker Image

If you're utilizing Ansible within a Docker container, you can inspect the image to determine the Python version. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Pull the Docker Image

Begin by pulling the Ansible Docker image using the following command:

```
docker pull registry.redhat.io/ansible/ansible
```

2. Run the Docker Container

Next, run the Docker container with the `-it` flag to enter interactive mode and the `--rm` flag to clean up the container upon exit:

```
docker run -it --rm registry.redhat.io/ansible/ansible
```

3. Check the Python Version

Within the container, you can now check the Python version using the following command:

```
python --version
```

This will display the Python version installed within the container, which corresponds to the Ansible version being utilized.

4. Inspect the Docker Image Using Ansible-Lint

Ansible-Lint is a static code analyzer that can provide additional insights into your Ansible environment, including the Python version used.

To install Ansible-Lint, run the following command:

```
pip install ansible-lint
```

Once installed, you can inspect the Docker image using Ansible-Lint with the following command:

```
ansible-lint -vv /path/to/image.tar
```

This will provide a detailed report of your Ansible environment, including information about the Python version. The report will contain a section titled "Python interpreter," which will specify the Python version used by the Ansible image.

Inspecting Environment Variables

Inspecting environment variables is a common way to determine the version of Python used by Ansible. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Open a Terminal or Command Prompt

Open a terminal window or command prompt on the server or workstation where Ansible is installed.

2. Type the Following Command

Enter the following command to display the Python version:

``` bash
which python
```

3. Check the Output

The command will output the path to the Python executable. The first line of the output typically includes the Python version:

Output	Version
/usr/bin/python3.8	3.8
/usr/bin/python3.6	3.6

4. Verify the Ansible Python Version

To confirm that the Python version displayed matches the version used by Ansible, type the following command:

``` bash
ansible --version
```

5. Check the Output

The output of the command will include the Python version used by Ansible. If it differs from the version displayed in Step 3, you may need to update Ansible or your Python installation:

``` bash
ansible --version
ansible 2.13.0
config file = /etc/ansible/ansible.cfg
configured module search path = ['/home/user/.ansible/plugins/modules', '/usr/share/ansible/plugins/modules']
ansible python module location = /usr/lib/python3.9/site-packages/ansible
executable location = /usr/bin/ansible
python version = 3.9.7 (default, Oct 15 2021, 04:36:39) [GCC 10.3.0]
```

Reading the Ansible Configuration File

The Ansible configuration file is located at /etc/ansible/ansible.cfg. It contains a variety of settings that control how Ansible behaves. To determine the Python version used by Ansible, open the configuration file and locate the following line:

python_interpreter = /usr/bin/python

The path specified after python_interpreter indicates the Python interpreter that Ansible will use. In this example, Ansible will use the Python interpreter located at /usr/bin/python.

To determine the version of Python that is installed at this path, run the following command:

/usr/bin/python --version

This command will output the version of Python that is installed at the specified path.

Using Python Virtual Environments

If you are using Python virtual environments, you can specify a different Python interpreter for Ansible to use. To do this, add the following line to your Ansible configuration file:

virtualenv_python = /path/to/python

Replace /path/to/python with the path to the Python interpreter that you want to use.

Using the Ansible Interpreter Plugin

Starting with Ansible 2.9, you can use the ansible.builtin.interpreter plugin to explicitly specify the Python interpreter that Ansible will use. To do this, add the following line to your Ansible configuration file:

interpreter_python = /path/to/python

Replace /path/to/python with the path to the Python interpreter that you want to use.

Reviewing the Python Package Manager (pip)

The Python Package Manager (pip) is a versatile tool used to install, update, and manage Python packages. It offers a convenient way to access a vast repository of pre-built software packages, simplifying the installation process and ensuring compatibility with various Python environments.

Installing Pip for Various Python Versions

To determine the version of Python that Ansible is using, it's crucial to first ensure that pip is installed and configured properly. Here are the steps to install pip for different Python versions:

Python Version	Installation Command
Python 2	`sudo apt-get install python-pip`
Python 3 (Windows)	Download the pip installer from `www.python.org/downloads/` and run the executable.
Python 3 (Linux)	`sudo apt-get install python3-pip`

Verifying Pip Installation

Once pip is installed, verify its successful installation by running the following command:

pip --version

This command should output the version of pip installed on your system.

#### Using Pip to Check Python Version

To determine the version of Python that Ansible is using, run the following command:

python --version

This command will display the version of Python used by Ansible, allowing you to confirm and troubleshoot any potential compatibility issues.

Leveraging the Virtual Environment Configuration

To accurately determine the Python version used by Ansible in a virtual environment, follow these steps:

1. Activate the Virtual Environment

Activate the virtual environment where Ansible is installed using the command:
source /path/to/virtualenv/bin/activate

2. Check the Python Version

Run the python --version command to display the Python version used by your virtual environment.

3. Verify Using Ansible

To further verify, execute the following Ansible command:
ansible --version

4. Inspecting System Directories

Locate the Python executable in /usr/bin, which may be named python, python3, or similar. Run /usr/bin/python --version to check its version.

5. Searching the PATH

Use the which python command to find the Python executable in the $PATH environment variable. It will display the path to the Python interpreter.

6. Inspecting the File

Locate the Ansible binary, typically named ansible, and check its version using:
file /path/to/ansible

7. Relying on Python Virtual Environments

If using Python virtual environments, the Python version for Ansible will match the version for the environment. Activate the environment and follow the steps above.

8. Additional Verification Techniques

If the aforementioned methods don't provide clear results, consider these additional techniques:

Technique	Description
`python -c "import ansible; print(ansible.__version__)"`	Prints the Ansible version directly using Python.
`python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"`	Displays the path to the Python interpreter used for Ansible.
`pip freeze \| grep ansible`	Presents the installed Ansible package and its version.
`ansible-config list`	Lists configuration variables, including the path to the Python executable (under `ansible_python_interpreter`).

Checking the Ansible Module File

The Ansible module file is located in the /usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/ansible/modules/ directory. To check the version of Python used by Ansible, you can open the module file and look for the following line:

```python
#!/usr/bin/python3
```

If the module file starts with this line, it indicates that the module is using Python 3. You can also check the version of Python used by Ansible by running the following command:

```bash
ansible --version
```

This command will print the version of Ansible, as well as the version of Python used by Ansible.

Determining the Version of Python Used by a Specific Ansible Module

To determine the version of Python used by a specific Ansible module, you can use the following steps:

Open the module file located in the /usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/ansible/modules/ directory.
Locate the #!/usr/bin/python3 line at the beginning of the file.
The version of Python used by the module is specified after the /usr/bin/python3 line. For example, the following line indicates that the module is using Python 3.8:

```python
#!/usr/bin/python3.8
```

Here is a table summarizing the steps involved in checking the version of Python used by Ansible and a specific Ansible module:

Task	Command
Check the version of Python used by Ansible	`ansible --version`
Determine the version of Python used by a specific Ansible module	Open the module file and locate the `#!/usr/bin/python3` line

Determining Version in Poetry-based Ansible Environment

In a Poetry-based Ansible environment, you can use the following steps to determine the version of Ansible:

Create a new virtual environment.
Install Poetry.
Install the Ansible package.
Activate the virtual environment.

Run the following command:

poetry show ansible

This will display the version of Ansible that is installed in the virtual environment.

Method	Description
`ansible --version`	Prints the Ansible version.
`poetry show ansible`	Displays the version of Ansible installed in the Poetry-based environment.
`conda list ansible`	Lists the installed Ansible version in a Conda environment.
`pip freeze \| grep ansible`	Displays the Ansible version installed with pip.
`python -c "import ansible; print(ansible.__version__)"`	Prints the Ansible version using the Python interpreter.
`ansible-config dump \| grep version`	Retrieves the Ansible version from the configuration file.
`ansible-galaxy -v`	Displays the version of Ansible Galaxy.
`ansible-playbook --version`	Prints the version of Ansible Playbook.
`ansible-inventory --version`	Displays the version of Ansible Inventory.
`ansible-doc -V`	Shows the version of Ansible documentation.

How To Tell Which Version Of Python Ansible

There are a few ways to tell which version of Python Ansible is installed on your system. One way is to use the `ansible --version` command. This command will print the version of Ansible that is installed, as well as the version of Python that it is using.

Another way to tell which version of Python Ansible is installed is to look at the `requirements.txt` file. This file is located in the Ansible installation directory and it lists the versions of Python and other dependencies that are required to run Ansible.

If you are using a virtual environment to run Ansible, you can use the `pip freeze` command to see which version of Python Ansible is installed in the virtual environment. The `pip freeze` command will list the versions of all of the packages that are installed in the virtual environment, including Ansible.