How can I use environment variables to manage secrets in my application?

How can I use environment variables to manage secrets in my application?

Using environment variables is a secure way to manage secrets like API keys and database passwords. You can set them in your operating system or use a .env file.

What is a .env file and how do I create one?

.env files are simple text files that store environment variables. You can create one in your project root and define variables like this: API_KEY=your_api_key.

How do I access these variables in my code?

In most programming languages, you can access environment variables using built-in libraries. For example, in Node.js, you can use process.env.API_KEY.

Are there any security best practices I should follow?

Yes, avoid hardcoding secrets in your code, use .gitignore to prevent .env files from being committed, and consider using secret management tools.