Different environments have separate setup of application with its own:

• Configuration
• Database
• API keys
• Servers
• Logging level
• Access control

DEV vs TEST vs PROD

Development (Dev)

• For developers to build and test features locally.
• Runs on own laptop Or shared dev server
• Debug logging enabled
• Test database (can be local MySQL / Docker DB)
• Mock APIs allowed
• Frequent code changes
• Data can be fake