Answer
dotenv loads environment variables from a .env file, keeping secrets out of source code.
Quick Answer
dotenv loads environment variables from a .env file into process.env. Instead of setting environment variables in your OS or CI pipeline for local development, you create a .env file with DATABASE_URL=xxx, add it to .gitignore (never commit it), and dotenv makes them available as process.env.DATABASE_URL when the app starts.
S
SugharaIQ Editorial Team
Verified Answer
This answer has been peer-reviewed by industry experts holding senior engineering roles to ensure technical accuracy and relevance for modern interview standards.
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Source: SugharaIQ