What is the purpose of the .env file in Laravel?

In Laravel, the .env file is used to store environment-specific configuration variables. These variables include sensitive information like database credentials, API keys, mail server settings, and other settings that vary depending on the environment (development, testing, production).

The purpose of the .env file is to:

1. Keep sensitive data secure: Instead of hardcoding sensitive information in your application’s codebase, you can store it in the .env file, which should not be committed to version control (e.g., Git).

2. Simplify configuration management: You can define environment-specific settings without altering your codebase. For example, you can use different database credentials for development and production.

3. Ease of access: Laravel automatically loads the variables defined in the .env file using the env() helper function or through configuration files, allowing easy access to configuration values across the application.

By storing environment configurations in the .env file, you ensure better security, scalability, and flexibility in managing different deployment environments.