Configuration Files
Configuration files are text-based files used to define settings, parameters, and options for software applications, systems, or tools. They separate configuration from code, allowing developers to adjust behavior without modifying source code, which enhances maintainability and flexibility. Common formats include JSON, YAML, XML, INI, and TOML, each with specific syntax and use cases.
Developers should learn and use configuration files to manage application settings, environment-specific variables, and deployment configurations, enabling consistent behavior across different environments (e.g., development, testing, production). They are essential for tasks like setting database connections, API keys, logging levels, and feature flags, reducing hard-coded values and simplifying updates. This practice supports DevOps principles, such as infrastructure as code and continuous integration/deployment.