What are the differences between Rails credentials and environment variables?

What are the differences between Rails credentials and environment variables?

Rails credentials are encrypted and stored in a file, while environment variables are set in the system and can be accessed directly.

Which one is more secure for storing sensitive information?

Rails credentials are generally considered more secure because they are encrypted, whereas environment variables can be exposed in logs.

Can I use both in my Rails application?

Yes, you can use both. Rails credentials for sensitive data and environment variables for configuration settings.

What are some best practices for managing these credentials?

Use Rails credentials for sensitive data, avoid hardcoding secrets, and regularly rotate your keys.