How to: dotenv in Express.js
Managing configuration settings securely is a cornerstone of building applications that are not only scalable, but also maintainable. In the Node.js ecosystem, particularly when using frameworks like Express.js, the dotenv package is a tool that allows developers to manage environment variables in a cleaner and more secure manner. In this post, we will explore how to effectively integrate dotenv in an Express app, ensuring our sensitive configurations remain safe and our codebase clear. dotenv is a zero-dependency npm package that loads environment variables from a .env file into process.env . This file is typically excluded from version control (like Git) using a .gitignore file to prevent sensitive data, such as API keys and database credentials, from being publicly exposed. Now, let’s dive into how to set up and use dotenv within an Express.js application.