What are IT Environment Variables?
In the world of IT support, environmental variables are essentially adjustable settings that affect how software applications and systems behave. They act like digital dials and switches that can be tweaked depending on the context in which the software is running. This allows for greater flexibility and adaptability, especially when you consider that software may encounter different environments throughout its lifecycle – development, testing, and deployment across various servers or cloud platforms.
Within the Microsoft ecosystem, environmental variables play a key role in several products and services, including the popular business application suite Dynamics 365. Here’s how they come into play:
- Configuration management: Imagine needing to connect your Dynamics 365 application to different databases based on the environment (development, testing, production). Instead of hardcoding the database details within the application itself, you can store them as environment variables. This way, you can easily switch between databases by simply changing the relevant variable values, without modifying the core application code.
- Secure storage of sensitive data: Environment variables can safely hold sensitive information like API keys, database credentials, and connection strings. By keeping this data separate from the main application code, you enhance security and reduce the risk of exposure if the code is ever compromised.
- Streamlining solution deployment: When deploying Dynamics 365 solutions across different environments, environment variables enable consistent configuration without manual adjustments. You define the variables once, and then different environments can have their own specific values assigned. This saves time and minimises errors during deployment.
- Customising user experiences: You can leverage environment variables to tailor the user experience based on specific contexts. For example, different branding elements or regional settings can be dynamically applied depending on the user’s location or environment.
Additional Notes_
Environment variables are typically created and managed within the platform or tool you’re using, like the Power Platform for Dynamics 365.
Accessing and utilising environment variables within your application code usually requires specific functions or methods provided by the development platform.
Remember, while environment variables offer convenience, avoid storing overly sensitive information like usernames and passwords. Consider alternative secure storage options for such credentials.
By understanding and effectively utilising environmental variables, you can build more adaptable, secure, and manageable Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions.
