# Environment

Concept · [Cloud, hosting and security](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/cloud)

Also called: environments, staging, staging environment, dev environment, development environment, test environment, preview, preview deployment

A separate copy of a system used for one purpose. Development is where changes are made. Staging is for final [testing](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/testing) and should match [production](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/production) closely. Production is the live system real users see.

**For example:** A [developer](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/software-engineer) changes the checkout page in development, a tester tries it in staging, and customers see it only after it reaches [production](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/production).

## Connects to (8)

- [Production](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/production): The live version of your app that real customers use.
- [Deployment](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/deployment): Putting the latest version of your app onto the live servers where real users can reach it.
- [Testing](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/testing): Checking that software does what it should, before your users find the problems for you.
- [Secrets](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/secrets): Passwords, API keys and other credentials that software needs to run.
- [Agent environment](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/agent-environment): Everything outside the agent's own software that it can look at or change: your files, terminal, browser, databases and connected services.
- [Sandbox](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/sandbox): A walled-off space where an agent can run commands and change files without reaching the rest of your computer, your accounts or the open…
- [Container](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/container): A package that holds an app together with everything it needs to run, so it behaves the same on a laptop and on a server.
- [Docker](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/docker): Software for packaging an app and everything it needs into a container that runs the same way on any computer or server.

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/environment