Add .env File

[s-arika]

This PR references #60

Added:

• .env.example file. So far it has a few environment variables for PORT, NODE_ENV and login for nodemailer
• config file. Creates a module with all the variables added and it maps and exports them. Now all files can import the config.js module and use it to access our environment variables using
  const { port } = require('../config/config'); also wouldn't need to write process.env before the variable

[humphd]

We also need some info in the README or CONTRIBUTING that explains the need to copy env.example to .env.

Lastly, please rename .env.example to env.example so it isn't a hidden file. We want people to see it, since it serves as our template.

[humphd]

Above each line, please add a comment

# NODE_ENV should be one of "development" or "production"
NODE_ENV=development

# PORT is the port used by the web server
PORT=8080

...

This example file can serve as both a template, and documentation.

[s-arika]

• renamed .env.example to env.example
• added instructions in contributing.md
• added comments in env.example

[humphd]

I wonder about this vs. just letting people use process.env everywhere. If we go with this approach, then every file has to require this file. If we leave it all on process.env.* we don't.

I'd suggest we remove this and export nothing from config.js, and just make sure we require('./config') early in the code.

[s-arika]

ok, do you want me to add

const dotenv = require('dotenv');
dotenv.config();

at the very beginning of index.js for now ?

[humphd]

Let's leave your config.js file as is, but remove the exports. Then if we have multiple processes, they can all read from the same config using that code.

[humphd]

Combine these first 2 lines into one: 1. Copy env.example to .env to create a new environment configuration

[s-arika]

Combined first 2 lines into one

[humphd]

Let's remove the NODE_EMAILER_* config until we need it (e.g., future PR can add it if necessary)

[s-arika]

removed NODE_EMAILER_* config

[humphd]

Looks good to me, thank you.

[manekenpix]

LGTM 👍