Externalized Configuration
Externalized Configuration is a software development practice where configuration settings (such as database URLs, API keys, and environment-specific parameters) are stored outside the application code, typically in external files, environment variables, or configuration servers. This approach separates configuration from the codebase, allowing the same application to run in different environments (e.g., development, testing, production) without modification. It enhances flexibility, security, and maintainability by centralizing and managing configurations independently.
Developers should use Externalized Configuration to avoid hardcoding sensitive or environment-specific values, which reduces security risks and simplifies deployment across multiple environments. It is essential in modern cloud-native and microservices architectures, where applications need to scale dynamically and adapt to different runtime conditions, such as in DevOps pipelines or containerized deployments like Docker and Kubernetes. This practice also facilitates compliance with security standards by keeping secrets out of source control.