Can someone explain when to add dashes and when not to in YAML?

tim.poth

Can someone explain when to add dashes and when not to? For example the following YAML works but if you look at the docs for net policies at no point do they use a - before port. https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/services-networking/network-policies/
if you take the - out the yaml fails. Why are they there and how would i know they should be outside of finding examples on the web and trial and error.

apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: NetworkPolicy
metadata:
name: netblock
spec:
podSelector:
matchLabels:
app: nginx
ingress:
- ports:
- port: 80
from:

chrispokorni

Hi @tim.poth,

In the network policy definition found in the official documentation (referenced by your link above), the hyphens are used for different purposes.

Hyphens used as part of a default construct, such as:

  ingress:
  - from:

  egress:
  - to:

Hyphens used for the grouping of properties part of a condition, and to separate conditions from other conditions. In addition, the hyphens below have the meaning of "OR" when conditions are evaluated:

    - ipBlock:
        cidr: 172.17.0.0/16
    - namespaceSelector:
        matchLabels:
          project: myproject
    - podSelector:
        matchLabels:
          role: frontend

For the purpose of grouping of relevant properties, or to separate objects that are part of an array. Keep in mind that single object arrays also require the use of hyphens:

Multi-container pod definitions

Init containers pod definitions

Volumes with associated volume mounts definitions

Ports of a multi-port container definition

While properties are typically listed in alphabetical order, they may be arranged differently based on personal preference:

  ports:
    - port: 80
      protocol: TCP
      name: http
      targetPort: 9376
    - name: https
      port: 443
      targetPort: 9377
      protocol: TCP

Regards,
-Chris

tim.poth

Thanks for your input Chris, such a frustrating structure to try to learn.