.env

.env is a file format and tool used to store environment variables, which are key-value pairs that configure application settings like API keys, database URLs, and other sensitive or environment-specific data. It allows developers to separate configuration from code, making applications more secure and portable across different environments (e.g., development, testing, production). Tools like dotenv in Node.js or python-dotenv in Python parse .env files to load these variables into the application's environment at runtime.

Also known as: dotenv, env file, environment file, config file, env vars

Why learn .env?

Developers should use .env files to manage configuration securely and avoid hardcoding sensitive information in source code, which prevents accidental exposure in version control systems like Git. It's essential for applications that need to run in multiple environments, such as web apps using different API endpoints or database connections, and it simplifies deployment by allowing environment-specific settings without code changes.

Learning Resources

• docs: dotenv documentation
• docs: The Twelve-Factor App: Config
• tutorial: Python-dotenv tutorial
• tutorial: Managing Environment Variables in Node.js