Understanding Configuration

Configuration is a fundamental aspect of customizing and controlling the behavior of My Awesome App. It allows you to tailor various settings, from database connections to UI preferences, without altering the core codebase.

Types of Configuration

We support several methods for configuring the application:

  • Environment Variables: Ideal for production environments and sensitive information like API keys and secrets. They are typically set outside the application's runtime.
  • Configuration Files: Useful for more complex or structured settings. We support JSON, YAML, and TOML formats.
  • Command-Line Arguments: Provides flexibility for overriding settings during application startup.
  • In-App Settings UI: A user-friendly interface for managing certain runtime configurations.

Environment Variables

Environment variables are read by default. The naming convention typically uses uppercase letters with underscores separating words. For example, to set the application port:

export APP_PORT=8080

Or in a Windows environment:

set APP_PORT=8080

Sensitive information, such as database passwords or API keys, should always be managed via environment variables.

Configuration Files

Configuration files offer a structured way to manage settings. The application automatically searches for files named config.json, config.yaml, or config.toml in the root directory or a specified configuration path.

Example: config.json

{
  "database": {
    "host": "localhost",
    "port": 5432,
    "username": "user",
    "password": "supersecretpassword",
    "dbName": "appdb"
  },
  "server": {
    "port": 3000,
    "loggingLevel": "info"
  },
  "features": {
    "betaEnabled": true,
    "maxUsers": 1000
  }
}

Loading Order and Precedence

Settings are loaded in the following order, with later sources overriding earlier ones:

  1. Default values (built into the application)
  2. Configuration files (JSON, YAML, TOML)
  3. Environment variables
  4. Command-line arguments

Best Practices

  • Separate configuration from code.
  • Use environment variables for sensitive data and production-specific settings.
  • Keep configuration files clean and well-organized.
  • Document all configuration options clearly.
  • Utilize the precedence rules to your advantage for managing different environments (development, staging, production).

Effective configuration management is key to maintaining a flexible, secure, and adaptable application. For detailed examples and advanced techniques, please refer to our Advanced Configuration Guide.