Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
Ansible vs Apache Ant: What are the differences?
- Execution Method: The key difference between Ansible and Apache Ant lies in their execution methods. Ansible follows a push-based model, where the control machine pushes tasks and commands to be executed on remote hosts. On the other hand, Apache Ant uses a pull-based model, where the build file is executed on the control machine, pulling the required tasks and targets for execution.
- Language: Another significant difference is the language used for scripting. Ansible uses YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language), which is a human-readable data serialization format. In contrast, Apache Ant uses XML (Extensible Markup Language) for scripting build files.
- Orchestration vs Build Tool: Ansible is primarily used as an orchestration tool, focusing on automating and managing the configuration of systems. It handles tasks like provisioning, software deployment, and configuration management. Apache Ant, on the other hand, is mainly used as a build tool, specifically for Java projects, to automate the building and deployment process.
- Platform Independence: Ansible offers platform independence, as it can manage and automate the configuration of systems across different operating systems and cloud platforms. Apache Ant, on the other hand, is more focused on Java projects and is primarily used for building and deploying Java applications.
- Learning Curve: Ansible, with its simpler YAML syntax and easier learning curve, is considered more accessible for beginners. Apache Ant, while powerful, has a steeper learning curve due to its XML-based syntax and complex configuration.
- Interoperability: Ansible provides extensive support for various plugins and integrations, enabling interoperability with other tools and systems. Apache Ant also offers integration with external tools but is more limited in terms of its interoperability capabilities compared to Ansible.
In summary, Ansible and Apache Ant differ in their execution methods, scripting languages, usage as either an orchestration tool or build tool, platform independence, learning curve, and interoperability capabilities.
I'm just getting started using Vagrant to help automate setting up local VMs to set up a Kubernetes cluster (development and experimentation only). (Yes, I do know about minikube)
I'm looking for a tool to help install software packages, setup users, etc..., on these VMs. I'm also fairly new to Ansible, Chef, and Puppet. What's a good one to start with to learn? I might decide to try all 3 at some point for my own curiosity.
The most important factors for me are simplicity, ease of use, shortest learning curve.
I have been working with Puppet and Ansible. The reason why I prefer ansible is the distribution of it. Ansible is more lightweight and therefore more popular. This leads to situations, where you can get fully packaged applications for ansible (e.g. confluent) supported by the vendor, but only incomplete packages for Puppet.
The only advantage I would see with Puppet if someone wants to use Foreman. This is still better supported with Puppet.
If you are just starting out, might as well learn Kubernetes There's a lot of tools that come with Kube that make it easier to use and most importantly: you become cloud-agnostic. We use Ansible because it's a lot simpler than Chef or Puppet and if you use Docker Compose for your deployments you can re-use them with Kubernetes later when you migrate
Pros of Ansible
- Agentless284
- Great configuration210
- Simple199
- Powerful176
- Easy to learn155
- Flexible69
- Doesn't get in the way of getting s--- done55
- Makes sense35
- Super efficient and flexible30
- Powerful27
- Dynamic Inventory11
- Backed by Red Hat9
- Works with AWS7
- Cloud Oriented6
- Easy to maintain6
- Vagrant provisioner4
- Simple and powerful4
- Multi language4
- Simple4
- Because SSH4
- Procedural or declarative, or both4
- Easy4
- Consistency3
- Well-documented2
- Masterless2
- Debugging is simple2
- Merge hash to get final configuration similar to hiera2
- Fast as hell2
- Manage any OS1
- Work on windows, but difficult to manage1
- Certified Content1
Pros of Apache Ant
- Flexible4
- Simple1
- Easy to learn1
- Easy to write own java-build-hooks1
Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions
Cons of Ansible
- Dangerous8
- Hard to install5
- Doesn't Run on Windows3
- Bloated3
- Backward compatibility3
- No immutable infrastructure2
Cons of Apache Ant
- Slow1
- Old and not widely used anymore1
Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions
What is Ansible?
What is Apache Ant?
Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
What companies use Ansible?
What companies use Apache Ant?
Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions
What tools integrate with Ansible?
What tools integrate with Apache Ant?
Sign up to get full access to all the tool integrationsMake informed product decisions
Blog Posts
+14
+13
+30
+33
+23+42+37+26