iferate.yaml

# ansible uses jinja templates for variable substitution
# because of this, you are free to use all of jinja anywhere ansible templates
# for example the arguments to modules

- name: pattern or antipattern? you decide
  hosts: local
  connection: local

  vars:
    iferate: no
    messages:
      - puters
      - editors
      - woah
    message: peas and potatoes

  tasks:
    - shell: >
        {% if iferate %} # do stupid things
          {% for message in messages %} echo {{ message }}; {% endfor %}
        {% else %}
          echo {{ message }}
        {% endif %}