konfig

Konfig is a term used in software development to denote configuration data and the tools that manage it. It refers to the collection of settings that control the behavior and features of a software system, typically loaded at startup or during runtime. The term, a shorthand form of configuration, is used across languages and platforms to name libraries, utilities, or components that handle such data.

Configuration data is usually stored outside the application code in files, environment variables, or external services. Common formats include YAML, JSON, TOML, INI, and XML, as well as custom formats. A konfig may specify application parameters, database connections, feature flags, and locale settings. Config structures are often hierarchical, support defaults, and allow environment-specific overrides.

Config loaders and managers provide parsing, validation, type coercion, and merging of multiple sources. They support layering of sources (base defaults, environment-specific overrides, and runtime changes), and may offer dynamic reloading or caching. In practice, konfig enables flexible deployment across development, staging, and production without changing code.

Best practices include validating inputs, protecting sensitive data, and documenting configuration schemas. Security considerations cover secret handling and access controls, while performance considerations include minimizing reload costs and caching configuration where appropriate. See also configuration file, environment variable, and feature flag.