Add option to process.loadEnvFile to not throw if no .env was found

[simhnna]

What is the problem this feature will solve?

Most of my uses are for local development where I have a .env file. When actually deployed to production all variables are configured by prefixing the command, configuring k8s/docker variables, ... but almost never with a .env file. I think most people would want it to fail silently if no file was found. I'm not sure if you want to change that default in the next major version, but IMO at least a flag should be added

Also that's how dotenv behaved where I guess most node users would be switching from...

What is the feature you are proposing to solve the problem?

change signature to

function loadEnvFile(path?: string, { ignoreMissingFile?: boolean })

What alternatives have you considered?

No response

[simhnna]

I'm happy to contribute the change if you'd accept it

[avivkeller]

Couldn’t you achieve the same behavior with just a few extra lines of code?

try {
  process.loadEnvFile();
} catch (e) {
  if (e.code !== 'ENOENT') {
    throw e;
  }
}

I understand your concern, but if the issue can be addressed with seven lines of code, modifying the function signature may not be the most appropriate solution.