Version Details and Security Vulnerabilities

Version 16.4.0 of the dotenv package introduces subtle yet impactful changes compared to its predecessor, version 16.3.2. Both versions share the core functionality of loading environment variables from a .env file, along with identical development dependencies, including tools for testing (tap, sinon), linting (standard, standard-markdown), and TypeScript support. The license, repository URL, and funding link also remain consistent between the two versions, ensuring continuity for existing users.

The primary differences lie within the dist metadata and the releaseDate. Version 16.4.0 boasts a slightly larger unpacked size of 74347 bytes compared to 16.3.2's 72078 bytes, suggesting potential code additions, optimizations, or dependency updates within the packed library. While the number of files remains constant at 11, the increased size could imply enhanced features or bug fixes. The release date also highlights a key difference; version 16.4.0 was released on January 23, 2024, while version 16.3.2 was released a few days earlier on January 19, 2024. This timeframe suggests that version 16.4.0 could incorporate recent fixes, improvements, or security patches since the 16.3.2 release, making it the preferred choice for developers seeking the most up-to-date and potentially more robust version of dotenv. Developers should consider these nuances when selecting the package version for their projects.