🔒 .env Failure

[uneven gorge]

(I tried the !close command on my last post and didn't know it locked me out, my bad.)

I'm creating a discorcd bot in VScode and all is going well. Aside the fact it wont allow me to store my bot's key in a .env. I've tried many online way's and it always outputs "None". All needed libraries are downloaded. Screenshot below to see layout.

Test Python Code:

import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

key = "TEST_VAR"
value = os.environ.get(key)

print(value)

Test .env Code:

TEST_VAR=aaah

Output:

None

[lyric pollen]

@uneven gorge

Python help channel opened

Remember to:

• Ask your Python question, not if you can ask or if there's an expert who can help.
• Show a code sample as text (rather than a screenshot) and the error message, if you've got one.
• Explain what you expect to happen and what actually happens.

:warning: Do not pip install anything that isn't related to your question, especially if asked to over DMs.

Closes after a period of inactivity, or when you send !close.

[sudden granite]

You need to call load_dotenv()

import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()

key = "TEST_VAR"
value = os.environ.get(key)

print(value)

[uneven gorge]

Just did so. Still had an output of "None"

[sudden granite]

it loads the .env from the current directory

Did you cd to Python first?

[uneven gorge]

I had that originally but I saw online someone not using it so I tried their way and I guess I forgot to add that back.

[uneven gorge]

cd?

I'm a bit new to Python

[sudden granite]

Otherwise you need to provide the path to the .env file

cd is an os concept

easiest fix is to move the .env file up one directory

[uneven gorge]

I've provided the path for a test and it still didn't work. I'm willing to try again though.

[sudden granite]

I mean load_dotenv("./Python/.env")

[uneven gorge]

output: None

[sudden granite]

You saved, right?

[uneven gorge]

Yuh

You think it'd be safe to store my key straight up in my .py 💀

It works like that but ik it's probably not safe...

[hollow sigil]

No, don't do that. The point of the .env file is it's not committed, so it won't be shared with the code.

If you put the key in the code, you have to commit it with the code, which causes security problems.

[uneven gorge]

but the .env quite literally doesn't work

I've tried basically everything

Maybe it's my computer

[sudden granite]

Share the new code you have

[hollow sigil]

Unlikely. Make sure you saved the env file, and try using an absolute path to rule out relative path issues.

[sudden granite]

looks like dotenv.find_dotenv (used by load_dotenv) will actually start looking starting at the caller.

[uneven gorge]

hmmm

[uneven gorge]

do do absolute path I found it through os.path.abspath but where would I put it?

[sudden granite]

You can also check the value of os.getcwd() by printing it

If you launched with vscode, it should be the project folder

[uneven gorge]

alright.

[uneven gorge]

It is

[sudden granite]

Can you post a screenshot of your entire vscode window?

[sudden granite]

Those white circles in the tabs mean you haven't saved.

[uneven gorge]

mmMMmmm, I'm BRAND new to VSc (WEnt from android studio) so I didn't realize that saving saved only 1 tab.

Oh well it's somewhat working now.

[hollow sigil]

We almost need to put "make sure you saved the file" as a pre-ask instruction. I've seen like 5+ issues on here and Reddit over the past couple of days that boil down to unsaved files.

[uneven gorge]

Only issue is it isn't printing "aaah"

It's printing quite literally "TEST_VAR"

import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()

key = "TEST_VAR"
value = os.getenv("TEST_VAR")


print(key)

[hollow sigil]

print(key)

[uneven gorge]

oh lord

😭

W thanks for the help, wasn't a PC or code problem, just new to VSC problem 🤦‍♂️

!close

[lyric pollen]

Python help channel closed

This help channel has been closed and it's no longer possible to send messages here. If your question wasn't answered, feel free to create a new post in #1035199133436354600. To maximize your chances of getting a response, check out this guide on asking good questions.