What is the purpose of specifying a scope for an environment variable?

Specifying a scope for an environment variable is crucial because it directly determines the accessibility of that variable within the system. Scoping a variable allows you to define where and how the variable can be accessed, whether it's in specific environments, projects, or components within your application. This ensures that sensitive data or configuration settings are only available where they are needed, preventing unintended exposure or modifications in other areas of the system.

For example, if a variable is scoped to a particular environment (like a development, test, or production environment), only those components running in that environment can access it. This enhances security and helps maintain clean configurations, as developers can establish clear boundaries around which variables should be utilized where.