Which of the following is essential for computer management using Ansible?

For managing computers and automating tasks using Ansible, having Python installed on each node is essential. Ansible is designed to work by connecting to nodes via SSH (for Unix-like systems) or WinRM (for Windows systems) and relies heavily on Python for executing its modules and tasks.

Most of the Ansible modules are written in Python, and having Python available allows these modules to execute natively on the managed nodes. This is particularly important for the automation of deployment, configuration, and orchestration, as Python provides the necessary environment for the associated libraries and tools that Ansible requires.

While other programming languages like Java, Ruby, and Node.js may be useful or beneficial in certain contexts or applications, they are not required for Ansible to function effectively. Thus, the pivotal role of Python in facilitating Ansible's operations makes it a fundamental requirement for effective computer management.