What is a collection of tasks in Ansible referred to as?

In Ansible, a collection of tasks is called a playbook. Playbooks are the core way to define automation in Ansible, as they allow users to control and manage systems efficiently. A playbook is written in YAML (Yet Another Markup Language) and outlines the desired state of systems, including the tasks that need to be executed, the configurations to be applied, the order of execution, and any variables needed to execute the tasks.

The use of playbooks is integral to Ansible because they enable users to codify the automation process in a structured and human-readable format. This makes it easy for teams to collaborate, share automation solutions, and maintain the configuration management of their environments.

In contrast, a workflow typically refers to a series of steps or actions taken to achieve a specific outcome but may not be as defined or structured as an Ansible playbook. A script generally refers to any piece of executable script code, which may or may not pertain specifically to Ansible. A procedure could denote a formalized method of doing something, but it doesn't capture the specific definition and functionality that playbooks provide in the context of Ansible automation.