Key Characteristics of an Anteater Recipe

1. XML-Based Structure: Recipes are written in XML format with a .recipe extension, providing a structured way to define tasks, commands, and their relationships.
2. Commands: Commands are the core building blocks of recipes. They represent specific actions, such as defining variables, manipulating data, removing inputs, or generating outputs.
3. Variables: Recipes support variables of different types (e.g., text, array, map, JSON), which are used to store intermediate or final values during execution.
4. Dynamic Execution: Recipes allow for dynamic inputs, outputs, and operations, enabling flexible and reusable workflows.
5. Extensibility: New commands can be added to extend Anteater’s functionality, allowing customization for specific use cases.

Example of an Anteater Recipe

Below is a simplified example of an Anteater recipe:

<Recipe name="Example Recipe">
  <!-- Define a text variable -->
  <Var name="WelcomeMessage" type="text" init="console">
    Welcome to Anteater Recipes!
  </Var>
  <Out name="WelcomeMessage" />

  <!-- Define an array -->
  <Var name="Items" type="array">
    <item>Item 1</item>
    <item>Item 2</item>
    <item>Item 3</item>
  </Var>
  <Out name="Items" />

  <!-- Define a map -->
  <Var name="Config" type="map">
    <item key="host">localhost</item>
    <item key="port">8080</item>
  </Var>
  <Out name="Config" />

  <!-- Remove a variable -->
  <Remove name="WelcomeMessage" />
</Recipe>

What Can an Anteater Recipe Do?

1. Data Transformation: Recipes can manipulate and transform data into the desired format, such as slicing strings, mapping keys, or converting formats.
2. Configuration Management: Recipes can define and manage configuration data for applications or systems.
3. Workflow Automation: Automate tasks such as data processing, file generation, or API integration using predefined commands.
4. Dynamic Inputs and Outputs: Handle dynamic user inputs and generate outputs based on the recipe's logic.
5. Integration: Recipes can integrate with external systems, APIs, or plugins to extend functionality.

Notes on Anteater Commands

• The example recipes above showcase only a small subset of commands.
• Anteater includes a wide range of commands to handle:
  • Conditional Logic: Commands like if and else for decision-making.
  • Loops: Iterating over arrays, maps, or other collections.
  • File Operations: Reading, writing, or manipulating files.
  • Network Operations: Sending HTTP requests or interacting with web services.
  • Advanced Data Manipulation: Performing regex operations, string transformations, and more.

For more examples of basic commands, visit the Anteater-CLI Project Recipes Repo Page (Download Zip).

Why Use Anteater Recipes?

1. Flexibility: Recipes are highly configurable and can be tailored to specific use cases.
2. Reusability: Recipes can be reused across different projects or workflows, saving time and effort.
3. Automation: Anteater recipes automate repetitive tasks, reducing manual effort and improving efficiency.
4. Extensibility: New commands and plugins can be added to extend Anteater’s capabilities, ensuring it adapts to evolving needs.

Documentation Reference

For a complete list of supported commands and advanced features, refer to the official Anteater documentation:
Anteater Plugins and Commands Documentation

This documentation provides detailed information about all available commands, their parameters, and how to use them effectively in your recipes.