In puppet manifests, what does the 'contain' function do?

The 'contain' function in Puppet manifests is used to include a class within another class while ensuring that the order of execution is preserved. When you use 'contain', it effectively scopes the resources of the included class, which helps in managing dependencies and maintaining a clear structure in your Puppet code. This scoping ensures that resources defined within the contained class are executed in the sequence they are called, preventing any potential conflicts that can arise from the order of execution.

By employing the 'contain' function, Puppet enforces a structured approach to resource declaration and execution, allowing for better maintainability and clarity in larger configurations. This makes it particularly useful in scenarios where one class relies on resources declared in another. The option reflects the foundational principle of Puppet's declarative approach, where order can impact the overall configuration management process.