parse_config_file resource

Use the parse_config_file Chef InSpec audit resource to test arbitrary configuration files. It works in the same way as parse_config. Instead of using a command output, this resource works with files.

Availability

Install

This resource is distributed with Chef InSpec and is automatically available for use.

Version

This resource first became available in v1.0.0 of InSpec.

Syntax

A parse_config_file Chef InSpec audit resource block declares the location of the configuration file to be tested, and then which settings in that file are to be tested.

describe parse_config_file('/path/to/file', { data_config_option: value } ) do
  its('setting') { should eq 1 }
end

or:

options = {
  assignment_regex: /^\s*([^:]*?)\s*:\s*(.*?)\s*$/,
  multiple_values: true
}

describe parse_config_file('path/to/file', options) do
  its('setting') { should eq 1 }
end

where each test

Must declare the location of the configuration file to be tested
Must declare one (or more) settings to be tested
May run a command to stdout, and then run the test against that output
May use options to define how configuration data is to be parsed

Option Names Containing Periods

A possible behavior may occur when attempting to access option names containing periods with its(). There are two ways to work around it:

Access the option by using the params attribute of the returned resource object
Since 4.24.5, its can be used by passing the option name in a single-element array. See the parse config file examples.

Options

This resource supports multiple options to parse configuration data. Use the options in an options block stated outside of (and immediately before) the actual test. For example:

options = {
    assignment_regex: /^\s*([^:]*?)\s*:\s*(.*?)\s*$/,
    multiple_values: true
  }
describe parse_config_file('path/to/file',  options) do
  its('setting') { should eq 1 }
end

assignment_regex

Use assignment_regex to test a key value using a regular expression:

'key = value'

may be tested using the following regular expression, which determines assignment from key to value:

assignment_regex: /^\s*([^=]*?)\s*=\s*(.*?)\s*$/

comment_char

Use comment_char to test for comments in a configuration file:

comment_char: '#'

key_values

Use key_values to test how many values a key contains:

key = a b c

contains three values. To test that value to ensure it only contains one, use:

key_values: 1

multiple_values

Use multiple_values if the source file uses the same key multiple times. All values will be aggregated in an array:

# # file structure:
# key = a
# key = b
# key2 = c
params['key'] = ['a', 'b']
params['key2'] = ['c']

To use plain key value mapping, use multiple_values: false:

# # file structure:
# key = a
# key = b
# key2 = c
params['key'] = 'b'
params['key2'] = 'c'

standalone_comments

Use standalone_comments to parse comments as a line, otherwise inline comments are allowed:

'key = value # comment'
params['key'] = 'value # comment'

Use standalone_comments: false, to parse the following:

'key = value # comment'
params['key'] = 'value'

Examples

The following examples show how to use this Chef InSpec audit resource.

Test A Configuration Setting

describe parse_config_file('/path/to/file.conf') do
 its('PARAM_X') { should eq 'Y' }
end

Use Options And Then Test A Configuration Setting

describe parse_config_file('/path/to/file.conf', { multiple_values: true }) do
 its('PARAM_X') { should include 'Y' }
end

Test A File With An INI File Structure

yum.conf is one example of an INI file structure type.

describe parse_config_file('/path/to/yum.conf') do
 its('main') { should include('gpgcheck' => '1') }
end

Test A Configuration Setting Containing Periods

describe parse_config_file('/etc/sysctl.conf') do
 its(['kernel.domainname']) { should eq 'example.com' }
end

Matchers

For a full list of available matchers, see our Universal Matchers page.