Say it like this
- We need to update the config
- Check the config file
- Push this to config management
Use it at work
Debugging
- It works locally. Maybe the production config is different.
- Check the config file for the API URL.
Changing settings
- I'll update the config and redeploy.
- Let's move this value into config instead of hardcoding it.
Reviewing
- Can you review my config change?
- Don't commit secrets to the config.
Don't say this
Use configure or set up for the action; use config as a noun for the settings themselves.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. You need to tell your team that the application needs different settings for production. What do you say?
2. Before we deploy, make sure to review the _______ to confirm all API keys are set correctly.
3. Which sentence uses 'config' incorrectly?
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.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We need to update the config"
We don't save your recording. The word check uses your browser's speech recognition.
More about config
Real examples(3)
- 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."
More mistakes(2)
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.
- ✕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(3)
- config noun
"The database config is stored in environment variables."
- configuration noun
"The full configuration is defined in the YAML file."
- configure verb
"We need to configure the server before launching."
Often used with(5)
- config file · A file containing configuration settings, commonly seen in phrases like config.yml or config.json
- config management · The practice of managing configs across systems and environments
- update the config · To modify settings in a configuration
- config value · An individual setting or parameter within a config
- load config · To read or activate a configuration when an application starts
Similar words(3)
- configuration · The formal, full version of config; used in more formal documentation
- settings · A more general term; config is more specific to technical systems
- parameters · Individual values passed to a system; config is a collection of parameters
Questions(5)
- 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.
