State modules are more structured than most other kinds of modules, but as you'll soon see, that actually makes them easier to write.
There is a set of operations that a state module must take in order to perform its job, and as those operations are done, there is certain data that is stored. Let's start off with a pseudo piece of code, and explain each component in turn:
def __virtual__():
'''
Only load if the necesaary modules available in __salt__
'''
if 'module.function' in __salt__:
return True
return False
def somestate(name):
'''
Achieve the desired state
nane
The name of the item to achieve statefulness
'''
ret = {'name': name,
'changes': {},
'result': None,
'comment': ''}
if <item is already in the desired state>:
ret['result'] = True
ret['comment'] = 'The item is already in the desired state'
return ret
if __opts__...