What are environment variables?

What are environment variables?

Environment variables are dynamic values that can affect the behavior of processes on a computer. They are often used to configure settings for applications.

Can you give me an example of how to use them?

Sure! In a Node.js application, you might use the process.env object to access environment variables. For example, const dbPassword = process.env.DB_PASSWORD; retrieves the database password.

How do I set environment variables on Windows?

On Windows, you can set environment variables through the System Properties. Right-click on 'This PC', select 'Properties', then 'Advanced system settings', and click on 'Environment Variables'.

Are there any security concerns with using environment variables?

Yes, storing sensitive information like API keys in environment variables is safer than hardcoding them, but you should still ensure they are not exposed in logs or version control.