How do I use environment variables in a Node.js Express app?

How do I use environment variables in a Node.js Express app?

You can use the 'dotenv' package to manage environment variables in your Node.js Express app. First, install it using npm.

What is the purpose of using environment variables?

Environment variables help you manage configuration settings separately from your code, making it easier to handle different environments like development and production.

Can you show me an example of how to set up dotenv?

Sure! First, create a .env file in your project root and add your variables like this: PORT=3000. Then, in your app, require 'dotenv' and call dotenv.config() at the top of your main file.

Is it safe to store sensitive information in environment variables?

Yes, it's safer than hardcoding them in your source code, but ensure your .env file is not included in version control.