accessing nested variable variables in ansible

Question

Here is my group_vars/all file:

app_env: staging

staging:
  app_a:
    db_host: localhost
  app_b:
    db_host: localhost
production:
  app_a:
    db_host: app_         


        

Answer 1

You would make your life easier with your 'environment dict' not being at the root, like so:

app_env: staging

app_environments:
  staging:
    app_a:
      db_host: localhost
    app_b:
      db_host: localhost
  production:
    app_a:
      db_host: app_a-db.example.net
    app_b:
      db_host: app_b-db.example.com

Then, you should be able to use {{app_environments[app_env].app_a.db_host}} or {{app_environments[app_env]['app_a']['db_host']}} everywhere (Jinja templates, tasks).

Watch out for too much "nestiness" though !