DevOps & CloudBeginner
Environment Variable
Pronunciationen-VY-run-ment VAIR-ee-uh-bul
Definition
A setting stored outside the code, such as a database URL or an API key, so each environment can use different values.
Where you hear it
Deployment guides and .env files.
Examples
Put the API key in an environment variable, not in the code.
The app crashed because
DATABASE_URLwas not set.
Common mistake
Committing the .env file to Git. That leaks secrets to everyone who can see the repo.