Environment
A separate copy of the app, like development or production, each with its own settings and data.
Development
- Fake data
- Test keys
- Break things freely
Staging
- Copy of real setup
- Final checks
Production
- Real customers
- Live keys
- Handle with care
What it is
An environment is one running copy of your app. Most apps have at least two: development, where changes are made and tested with fake data, and production, the live app real customers use. Many add staging in between.
Environments keep experiments away from customers. Testing a "delete all" button in development is fine; in production it's a disaster.
Each environment usually has its own database and its own secret keys (test payment keys in development, live ones in production).
How to ask for it
“I don't want my testing to mess up the real customers.”
“Keep separate development and production environments: development uses its own database with seed data and Stripe test keys; production uses live keys. Never copy development data into production.”
The weak prompt states a worry; naming environments and what differs between them (data and keys) is the actual safeguard.
You've seen this in
- SStripe's test mode vs live mode
- AA "Preview" link before publishing
- PSandbox accounts in payment tools