environment variable

noun

UK /ɪnˈvaɪ.rən.mənt ˈveə.ri.ə.bəl/

US /ɪnˈvaɪ.rən.mənt ˈver.i.ə.bəl/

A setting stored in a computer that programs can read to know how to behave.

The program reads the environment variable to find where to save your files.

SYNONYMS

system setting configuration value env var shell variable system parameter

RELATED WORDS

operating system command line configuration shell process

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A named value in a shell that scripts and programs can use.

She exported the environment variable so the script could find the database.

3. A key-value pair set outside a program that changes how it runs.

Setting the environment variable DEBUG made the app print extra messages.

4. A stored setting that keeps secrets like passwords out of code.

The API key is kept in an environment variable instead of the source code.