Software and apps
Environment variable
A setting stored outside the code, like a password, an API key or a database address. The code reads it at startup, so secrets never sit in the source files and the same app can run in test and live modes with different settings.
Why it matters for your business
You will hear this term when a developer asks for "the Stripe key" or when something breaks after a move. Keys kept this way can be rotated without touching code and are not exposed if the code is shared. Ask where yours are kept and who has access.
In practice
A painting company's site uses one Twilio key for texting in the test version and a different one in production. Swapping is a settings change in Vercel, not a code change.
Related terms
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