Where are credentials (login and password) usually stored when creating automated tests?

Credentials (login and password) for automated tests are usually stored in secure locations to prevent leaks and ensure ease of use. Commonly used methods include:

• Configuration files outside the code repository (e.g., .env files) that are not committed to version control.
• Secret managers (e.g., HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager) for centralized and secure storage.
• Environment variables set at the system or CI/CD pipeline level.

Example of using environment variables in JavaScript tests:

const username = process.env.TEST_USERNAME;
const password = process.env.TEST_PASSWORD;

// Use username and password for authentication in tests