What does config mean in software engineering?

Config is short for configuration and refers to the set of parameters and settings that control how a software system operates. It includes things like database connections, API endpoints, feature flags, and logging levels. Configs allow you to change system behavior without modifying the source code.

How do you use config in a sentence at work?

You can use it as a noun in sentences like: 'Check the config file before deploying,' 'We need to update the production config,' or 'The config includes all database settings.' It is commonly used in casual conversation among engineers.

Is config formal or informal?

Config is informal and casual. It is widely used in everyday tech conversations, code reviews, and Slack messages. In formal documentation, you may see the full word configuration used instead, but config is perfectly acceptable in most professional tech settings.

What is the difference between config and configure?

Config is a noun referring to the settings themselves (e.g., 'Update the config'). Configure is a verb meaning to set up or adjust (e.g., 'Configure the server'). You configure a system by adjusting its config.

Where are configs typically stored?

Configs are typically stored in files (like YAML, JSON, or .env files), in environment variables, in databases, or in external configuration management tools. The storage method depends on the application and team practices.

config meaning in tech — Speak Tech English

Commonness	5/5
Versatility	5/5
Formality	CasualFormalCasual
Spoken ↔ Written	SpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ Diplomatic	DirectDiplomaticDirect
Region	US and UK

Say it like this

✓We need to update the config

✓Check the config file

✓Push this to config management

Real examples

in a standup

"I spent this morning debugging why the API timeout was too short, so I adjusted the config."

in a code review

"Instead of hardcoding this URL, we should move it to the config file so it changes per environment."

in a team meeting

"Before we go live, DevOps needs to validate the production config with the database team."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Config is a shortened form of configuration and should not be used in highly formal documentation. Do not confuse with the verb configure, which means to set up.

✕We configured the system yesterday.

✓We set up the config yesterday.— Use configure or set up for the action; use config as a noun for the settings themselves.

✕The config is very difficulty to understand.

✓The config is very difficult to understand.— Spelling error; the correct adverb is difficult, not difficulty.

✕I need to config this value.

✓I need to change this config value.— Config is typically a noun; use configure or change when describing the action.

Other forms

noun

config

"The database config is stored in environment variables."

noun

configuration

"The full configuration is defined in the YAML file."

verb

configure

"We need to configure the server before launching."

Often used with

config fileA file containing configuration settings, commonly seen in phrases like config.yml or config.json

config managementThe practice of managing configs across systems and environments

update the configTo modify settings in a configuration

config valueAn individual setting or parameter within a config

load configTo read or activate a configuration when an application starts

Similar words

configurationThe formal, full version of config; used in more formal documentation

settingsA more general term; config is more specific to technical systems

parametersIndividual values passed to a system; config is a collection of parameters

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. You need to tell your team that the application needs different settings for production. What do you say?

We need to adjust the config for production.We need to adjust the configuration for production.We need to adjust the settings for production.All of these are acceptable, but option A is most common in casual conversation.

Complete the sentence

2. Before we deploy, make sure to review the _______ to confirm all API keys are set correctly.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses 'config' incorrectly?

The config file is located in the root directory.We need to config the database connection.I just updated the production config.The config values are defined in environment variables.

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this in natural tech English: 'The settings that control how the database connects need to be changed before we send the code to the live server.'

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "config" in a standup this week?

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