simpenv 1.0.1

Minimalist environment variable access: env.VAR or env('VAR', default=...)

simpenv

simpenv is a minimalist Python library for accessing environment variables. It lets you read variables as attributes or via function calls – no more repetitive os.getenv().

Features

• Two ways to access: env.VAR or env("VAR")
• Optional default values when a variable is missing
• Automatically loads .env file from current directory (if exists)
• Lightweight, zero external dependencies

Installation

pip install simpenv

Usage

Just import env – no need for from simpenv import env.

1. Import

import env

The env object is ready to use immediately.

2. Access environment variables

As an attribute

# Assume DATABASE_URL is set in the environment or .env file
db_url = env.DATABASE_URL

# Returns None if the variable does not exist
api_key = env.API_KEY

As a function call

db_url = env("DATABASE_URL")
api_key = env("API_KEY")

3. Provide a default value

Use the default parameter with the function form to avoid None values.

port = env("PORT", default=8080)
debug = env("DEBUG", default=False)

Note: The attribute style (env.VAR) does not support defaults – use the function style when you need a fallback value.

4. Using a .env file

Create a .env file in your project directory:

DATABASE_URL=postgresql://user:pass@localhost/db
PORT=3000
API_KEY=secret123

Then run your Python code:

import env

print(env.DATABASE_URL)        # postgresql://user:pass@localhost/db
print(env("PORT"))             # 3000
print(env("API_KEY"))          # secret123
print(env("NON_EXISTENT", default="no-value"))  # no-value

Environment variables set in your shell take precedence over those in .env.

5. Complete example

Set an environment variable in your shell:

export DATABASE_URL="postgresql://user:pass@localhost/db"
export PORT=3000

Then run your Python code:

import env

print(env.DATABASE_URL)        # postgresql://user:pass@localhost/db
print(env("PORT"))             # 3000
print(env("API_KEY"))          # None
print(env("API_KEY", default="no-key"))  # no-key

License

MIT