topic Re: pyATS Learning "config" feature in Code Exchange

pyATS Learning "config" feature

toeknee2120 — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:29:24 GMT

I noticed that when you do a

device.learn("all") or device.learn("config"), the config dictionary seems to be built strangely. It seems if a value has over 80 characters, its string is carried over to the next key. My guess is it has something to do with terminal width, but it's a little annoying. Has anyone noticed this, or is there a way around it?

{
"some setting": "...some long value ov"
"er 80 characters": {}
}

Re: pyATS Learning "config" feature

balaji.bandi — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:08:58 GMT

never tried all - may be when i get access to Lab will try.

But I used the code below get information it works. what is the use case of get all information.

device.learn("interface")
device.learn("routing")

Alternatively you can try below :

device.execute("terminal length 0")
cfg = device.execute("show running-config")

Re: pyATS Learning "config" feature

toeknee2120 — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 17:00:26 GMT

what is the use case of get all information.

One reason to learn all would be to create a mock device.

But I used the code below get information it works.
device.learn("interface")
device.learn("routing")

Yes, device.learn("all") and device.learn("config") both work and get the information, it's just weird how the data is parsed.
I did notice if you do the following, it seems to parse fine.

device.execute("terminal length 0") device.execute("terminal width 200") config = device.learn("config") # or config = device.learn("all").config print(config)

Alternatively you can try below :
device.execute("terminal length 0")
cfg = device.execute("show running-config")

Thanks. I was just trying to use .learn() instead of executing the command myself because of what the docs mention:

Why use learn instead of a parser? The parsed output for different devices can result in different data structures. The learn function, by contrast, results in a consistent set of keys, which means that you can write one script that works on different devices.

Re: pyATS Learning "config" feature

balaji.bandi — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:12:32 GMT

ok, on what device are you trying? Nexus or IOS XE?

Let me test when I get a chance on my Lab,

Re: pyATS Learning "config" feature

toeknee2120 — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 18:18:26 GMT

NXOS