What is the purpose of the 'hiera_array' function in Puppet?

The 'hiera_array' function in Puppet is specifically designed to retrieve all available values from Hiera data as an array. This function allows users to access multiple values that are associated with a specific key in Hiera, providing flexibility for scenarios where an array of data points is required for further processing within Puppet manifests.

By using 'hiera_array', a Puppet user can gather a list of elements that may be defined in the Hiera data structure, benefiting from the data's hierarchical nature. This is particularly useful when dealing with configuration data that may vary by environment or other factors, allowing for a more dynamic and responsive Puppet configuration.

The ability to compile an array of values makes it easier to manage complex configurations that require multiple pieces of data to be handled at once, enhancing Puppet’s capabilities in managing infrastructure effectively.