# A n00b question about sections in configuration files

**URL:** <https://discuss.elastic.co/t/a-n00b-question-about-sections-in-configuration-files/87286>\
**Category:** Logstash\
**Created:** [May 26, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/a-n00b-question-about-sections-in-configuration-files/87286 "2017-05-26T18:10:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![LinuxDan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/839c29/32.png) [@LinuxDan](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/LinuxDan)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/a-n00b-question-about-sections-in-configuration-files/87286/1 "2017-05-26T18:10:50Z")

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I have seen examples with input, filter, and output sections in separate files and others with them grouped into fewer files.

Does the behavior change when you group config sections into one file ?

... when you separate sections into separate files ?

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Charles.w](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/charles.w/32/15486_2.png) [@Charles.w](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Charles.w)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/a-n00b-question-about-sections-in-configuration-files/87286/2 "2017-05-28T19:29:59Z")

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Logstash merges all the config files before starting up, so you could split input, filters and outputs into multiple files with no problem 😉

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**Author:** ![warkolm](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/warkolm/32/39224_2.png) [@warkolm](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/warkolm)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2017, 9:49pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/a-n00b-question-about-sections-in-configuration-files/87286/3 "2017-05-28T21:49:19Z")

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If you have multiple files then make sure you use conditionals, so that only the appropriate filters and outputs are applied.

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**Author:** ![LinuxDan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/839c29/32.png) [@LinuxDan](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/LinuxDan)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 1:37pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/a-n00b-question-about-sections-in-configuration-files/87286/4 "2017-05-29T13:37:35Z")

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Thanks, Charles. That helps

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**Author:** ![LinuxDan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/839c29/32.png) [@LinuxDan](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/LinuxDan)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 1:38pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/a-n00b-question-about-sections-in-configuration-files/87286/5 "2017-05-29T13:38:25Z")

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Thanks, Mark  
Both responses, together, help tremendously

Thanks to everyone.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2017, 1:38pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/a-n00b-question-about-sections-in-configuration-files/87286/6 "2017-06-26T13:38:33Z")

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Closed on June 26, 2017, 1:38pm UTC

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