What is the difference between environment variables and system properties?

What is the difference between environment variables and system properties?

Environment variables are key-value pairs set outside of the application, while system properties are set within the application using JVM options.

Can you give me an example of when to use each?

Sure! Use environment variables for configuration that may change between environments, like database URLs. Use system properties for application-specific settings that are constant.

Are there any security implications I should be aware of?

Yes, environment variables can expose sensitive information if not managed properly, while system properties are generally safer as they are not easily accessible outside the application.

How can I set environment variables in a Linux system?

You can set environment variables in Linux using the export command, like this: export VAR_NAME=value. You can also add them to your profile files for persistence.