Description: A Pre-Task is a task that runs before the main tasks in an automation Playbook. Its purpose is to prepare the environment or perform necessary configurations to ensure that subsequent tasks execute effectively. Pre-Tasks are particularly useful for setting up prerequisites, such as installing required packages, checking connectivity to servers, or configuring variables that will be used later. These tasks are defined in the ‘pre_tasks’ section of a Playbook, allowing system administrators and developers to automate processes more efficiently. By including Pre-Tasks, the robustness of the Playbook is enhanced, as errors or unforeseen situations can be handled before the main tasks begin. This not only optimizes the workflow but also minimizes the risk of failures in executing critical tasks, ensuring that the environment is in the desired state before proceeding with implementing changes or more complex configurations.
