PHP Dotenv
Loads environment variables from .env files to PHP's getenv(), $_ENV and $_SERVER automatically.
What is PHP Dotenv?
PHP dotenv is a PHP library that loads environment variables from `.env` files into PHP's superglobals (`$_ENV`, `$_SERVER`) and optionally `getenv()`. It enables developers to follow the twelve-factor app methodology by keeping sensitive configuration like API keys and database credentials out of code and in environment-specific files, ensuring portability across different deployment environments and simplifying configuration management.
PHP developers building applications that require secure, environment-specific configuration management, such as web applications, APIs, or CLI tools that need to separate sensitive credentials from source code.
Developers choose PHP dotenv because it provides a standardized, simple way to manage environment variables without modifying server configurations like Apache or Nginx virtual hosts, works across all PHP runtimes (Apache, Nginx, CLI, built-in webserver), and includes robust features like validation, nested variables, and immutability control.
Overview
Loads environment variables from .env to getenv(), $_ENV and $_SERVER automagically.
Use Cases
Best For
- Securely managing API keys and database credentials in PHP applications without hardcoding them in source files.
Related Projects
Found a gem we're missing?
Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.
