How do I set environment variables in Node.js?

How do I set environment variables in Node.js?

You can set environment variables in Node.js using the process.env object. You can also use a .env file with the dotenv package.

Can you show me an example of using a .env file?

Sure! First, install the dotenv package using npm install dotenv. Then, create a .env file with your variables, like DB_HOST=localhost. In your Node.js file, require dotenv and call config().

What if I want to set environment variables directly in the terminal?

You can set environment variables directly in the terminal by using the command export VAR_NAME=value on Unix systems or set VAR_NAME=value on Windows before running your Node.js application.

Are there any best practices for managing environment variables?

Yes, keep sensitive information out of your codebase, use a .env file for local development, and consider using a secrets management tool for production.