Advanced level · Module 4: Deployment and Operations · Lesson 1 of 4
Environments and Hosting Choices
Separate development, staging and production, and choose hosting for the front end, API and database.
In this lesson you will
- Configure separate environments
- Compare hosting options for full-stack applications
Key concepts
environmentsconfiguration per environmentplatform as a servicevirtual private server
The lesson
Use separate environments: development on your machine, staging for testing a release with production-like settings and production for real users. Each has its own database and secrets.
Platform services deploy from Git and manage servers, certificates and scaling for you. A virtual private server gives full control but you must handle updates, security and backups yourself.
Consider cost in USD per month, location relative to users, backup options, support and how a client could take over the account later.
Step by step
- Define the settings that differ between environments.
- Create a staging environment.
- Compare two hosting options for the booking platform.
- Write a hosting recommendation with monthly costs.
Practice activity
Choose and justify the hosting for the booking platform.
Expected result: A recommendation comparing options on cost, effort, reliability and handover.
Check your understanding
-
Why have a staging environment?
Show answer
To test releases with production-like settings before real users see them.
-
What is a trade-off of a virtual private server?
Show answer
Full control, but you must manage updates, security and backups yourself.
Taught live by an instructor — online or in person. Free course lessons are for self-study and do not lead to a certificate — see registration options.