node.js - Splitting production/development databases -

i'm working on mongodb backed expressjs app. i've used express generator create it.

i work on development database through mongolab, , deploy heroku (which backed mongolab database).

what best practices splitting these 2 when start app in development mode uses development mongo instance, , when deploy heroku in production mode use production db?

thanks!

heroku's 12factor architecture document great job of explaining both best practices of config management, , rationale behind them:

• http://12factor.net/config

the tldr is, "pull in config environment variables , use explicit configuration instead of named environments 'development' or 'production.'"

heroku provide environment variables need connecting mongolab db, have sort out providing same variables app locally. 1 common solution .env file:

• https://devcenter.heroku.com/articles/heroku-local#copy-heroku-config-vars-to-your-local-env-file

this file don't check in, provides list of key-value pairs local environment variables. can run through heroku local or, more generally, via tools node-foreman or docker-compose.

disclosure: i'm node.js platform owner @ heroku