# $env() variables in normal flows - checking
**URL:** https://discourse.nodered.org/t/env-variables-in-normal-flows-checking/76793
**Category:** General
**Created:** [21 March 2023 23:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/env-variables-in-normal-flows-checking/76793 "2023-03-21T23:36:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [21 March 2023 23:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/env-variables-in-normal-flows-checking/76793/1 "2023-03-21T23:36:37Z")
(I'm a gluten for punishment.)
I've decided to make more subflows.
But while making them it is sometimes better to have them _in the real world_ so I can watch what is going on in/with them.
`env$()` that would be ..... equivalent to `global` or `flow` context?
I'm guessing `flow` but want to check before the hole gets too big. 😉
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### Author:  [@ralphwetzel](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ralphwetzel)
#### Post date: [22 March 2023 07:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/env-variables-in-normal-flows-checking/76793/2 "2023-03-22T07:03:04Z")
> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> I've decided to make more subflows.
While I have the impression, you _love_ subflows 😉 ... there's really no need (anymore) to use them that intensively.
You may use the `link-call` nodes to do **almost** the same - but (from my perspective) easier to implement & to maintain. If you like to have these (called) flows being separated, just put them on a separate tab. The `link-call` node is able to call (`link-in` nodes on) other tabs as well.
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### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [22 March 2023 08:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/env-variables-in-normal-flows-checking/76793/3 "2023-03-22T08:27:02Z")
Subflows and I are only new acquaintances.
Originally I wrote EVERYTHING on the tab level.
But when I have things like:
Each of those columns of indicator and .... 7 buttons. It was a LOT of code and if I changed one: I had to change them all.
This became painful after a few months of trial and error in my early days.
Then I have things like these:
(not all but they are used a lot)
_Event lists_ - as I shall call them.\*
This one they are mostly collapsed. But you can see their similarity.
Those EVENT lists are somewhat big.
And if I change one: (you guessed it) they all need updating.
For the most that is not too hard, but some are subtly different and can cause grief if I forget that when _rolling out updates_.
I am NOT a programmer, but am learning how to better structure code. (Well, I hope I am)
I don't think the `link call` would work as there are a few _parameters_ sent to the EVENT list.
Then thre are the controls.:
Displaying / Logging / Clearing the list / _filtering_ and so on.
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### Author:  [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)
#### Post date: [22 March 2023 09:30 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/env-variables-in-normal-flows-checking/76793/4 "2023-03-22T09:30:43Z")
> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> I don't think the `link call` would work as there are a few _parameters_ sent to the EVENT list.
How do you send the parameters and events?
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### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [22 March 2023 09:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/env-variables-in-normal-flows-checking/76793/5 "2023-03-22T09:33:34Z")
Complicated message structures for _inputs_ for things like buttons, etc.
But for _fixed_ things like .... say: computer names..... I will use `env()` in the subflow's node settings.
But I want to check how I can test that at the flow level.
Where do I set the `env()`?
I know that is an obvious question, but I just want to be sure before I start spending too much time on it learning.
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### Author:  [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)
#### Post date: [22 March 2023 09:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/env-variables-in-normal-flows-checking/76793/6 "2023-03-22T09:42:36Z")
> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> But I want to check how I can test that at the flow level.
> Where do I set the `env()`?
You can set environment variables on a flow via the flow's own edit dialog:
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### Author:  [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)
#### Post date: [22 March 2023 15:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/env-variables-in-normal-flows-checking/76793/7 "2023-03-22T15:18:25Z")
> [@Trying\_to\_learn](#):
>
> Complicated message structures for _inputs_ for things like buttons, etc.
Those would be exactly the same using a link call rather than a subflow. It is the configurable env vars you would lose, those would have to be passed in the message too.
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### Author:  [@Trying\_to\_learn](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Trying_to_learn)
#### Post date: [3 April 2023 21:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/env-variables-in-normal-flows-checking/76793/8 "2023-04-03T21:54:36Z")
Sorry Nick, but I am exploring things and have fallen into another _Rabbit hole_ with this.
After recent events and subflows, and `getenv()` I am referring back to this and things don't make sense.
I'm asking you only because ........ I am now at a loss to whom I can ask and get a helpful reply.
If I am reading what you said (and can see) how to set `env$()` variables, I seem unable to test accessing the values.
At this stage, I am using the `change` node to test recent things told to me.
But the whole thing seems _wrong_.
When I move to the tab and am about to double click I see confusing information - but that's another thing. Sorry.
I open the window as you show and set the environment variable.
But I'm stuck how to access it.
I'll shut up here, as I fear I am now only typing words/characters and not really helping my situation.
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### Author:  [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [17 April 2023 21:54 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/env-variables-in-normal-flows-checking/76793/9 "2023-04-17T21:54:50Z")
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