Read from environment variable for CLOUD_VISION_API_KEY

[arvindpdmn]

CLOUD_VISION_API_KEY is coded within the file CloudVisionUtils.java. This is okay for dev I guess but I want to know how to move this value to an environment variable and read the value at runtime. Thanks. Not really an "issue". Rather, looking for guidance.

[jdkoren]

A common solution is to define it in a properties file (like gradle.properties)

cloud_vision_api_key="some_value_here"

Then in the build.gradle file, you apply it and create a BuildConfig field:

apply from: 'filename.properties' // Note: not required if using the default gradle.properties file

android {
  ...
  defaultConfig {
    ...
    buildConfigField("String", "CLOUD_VISION_API_KEY", "\"${cloud_vision_api_key}\"")
  }
}

Finally in the Java code, you reference the value in the generated BuildConfig:

new VisionRequestInitializer(BuildConfig.CLOUD_VISION_API_KEY);