Everything is Python

Although you don’t need to know Python to use the pyATS ecosystem, it might help you to understand the structure of the Python-based commands described in this guide.

Tip

Remember, you can use the Library command line for network automation and never have to enter a Python command!

The following example explains the statements used to connect to a device and parse output from the show inventory command.

Structure of a pyATS statement
Number	Statement	Description
1	`from genie.testbed import load`	Get the``genie.testbed``library and its``load`` function.
2	`tb = load('tb.yaml')`	Load the``tb.yaml``testbed and store it in the``tb`` variable.
3	`dev = tb.devices['nx-osv-1']`	Find the``nx-osv-1``device and store it in the variable``dev``. In this example,``nx-osv-1``is the hostname of the device as defined in the testbed``tb.yaml``file. You could also define a device alias, such as``’uut’``, in the Testbed YAML file, and use that instead of the hostname.
4	`dev.connect()`	Connect to the device you defined as``dev``.
5	`p1 = dev.parse('show inventory')`	Parse the``show inventory``output for``dev``, and store the output in the variable``p1``.
6	`print('Slot 1 serial number:' + p1['name']['Slot 1']['serial_number'])`	Print a meaningful message and the serial number for Slot 1.

Tip

If you want to know more about how to use Python, you can find many good online tutorials.