process.env vs app.get('env') on getting the express.js environment

Question

So, in my node.js 5.2.0 / express.js 4.2.0 I can do

if (app.get('env') === 'development') {   app.use(//etc 

or

var env = process.env.NODE_ENV || 'development'; if (env === 'development') {   app.use(//etc 

So process.env.NODE_ENV and app.get('env') both get the environment's value. Is there any significant difference besides the syntax?

Thanks

Answer 1

There is no significant difference.

Express app.get('env') returns 'development' if NODE_ENV is not defined. So you don't need the line to test its existence and set default.