replace_patterns

This promise refers to arbitrary text patterns in a file. The pattern is expressed as a PCRE regular expression.

       replace_patterns:

        "search pattern"

           replace_with => replace_body,
           ...;

In replace_patterns promises, the regular expression may match a line fragment, that is, it is unanchored.

    bundle edit_line upgrade_cfexecd
    {
      replace_patterns:

        "cfexecd" replace_with => value("cf-execd");
    }

    body replace_with value(x)  # defined in cfengine_stdlib.cf
    {
    replace_value => "$(x)";
    occurrences => "all";
    }

This is a straightforward search and replace function. Only the portion of the line that matches the pattern in the promise will be replaced; the remainder of the line will not be affected. You can also use PCRE look-behind and look-ahead patterns to restrict the lines upon which the pattern will match.

Attributes

replace_with

Type: body replace_with

Common Body Attributes

Common body attributes are available to all body types. Full details for common body attributes can be found in the Common Body Attributes section of the Promise Types and Attributes page. The common attributes are as follows:

inherit_from

meta

occurrences

Description: Defines which occurrences should be replaced.

Using "first" is generally unwise, as it will change a different matching string each time the promise is executed, and may not "catch up" with whatever external action is altering the text the promise applies to.

Type: (menu option)

Allowed input range:

• all

Replace all occurrence.

• first

Replace only the first occurrence. Note: this is non-convergent.

Default value: all

Example:

     body replace_with example
     {
     occurrences => "first";        # Warning! Using "first" is non-convergent
     }

replace_value

Description: Value used to replace regular expression matches in search

Type: string

Allowed input range: .*

Example:

     body replace_with example(s)
     {
     replace_value => "$(s)";
     }