How to Read Environment Variables from a .env File in a Bash Script Using Python

Learn how to read environment variables from a .env file within a bash script using Python. Combine the power of Python's dotenv library with shell scripting.
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When working on projects that need to manage sensitive data like API keys, environment variables can be an essential part of your workflow. You might need to handle these environment variables in a .env file and access them from a bash script using Python. This article will guide you through the process of doing just that.

Why Use .env File?

.env files are a common method to manage environment variables in development and production environments. They allow you to store key-value pairs where you can manage configuration details without hardcoding them into your scripts or applications.

Prerequisites

To read environment variables from a .env file in a bash script using Python, you'll need the following:

Python installed on your machine.

python-dotenv package, which can be installed using pip:

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Step-by-Step Process

Create a .env File:

You can start by creating a .env file in the root directory of your project. Add your environment variables in the following format:

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Write a Python Script to Load the .env File:

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Invoke the Python Script from a Bash Script:

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Make Your Bash Script Executable:

Ensure your bash script has executable permissions:

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Run Your Bash Script:

Execute your bash script:

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This will print the values of the API_KEY and DATABASE_URL that were stored in the .env file.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can read environment variables from a .env file in a bash script using Python. This setup keeps your sensitive information secure and separate from your main codebase, promoting a cleaner and more maintainable project structure. Whether you're working on a simple script or a complex project, this approach is scalable and professional.