This error typically arises within JavaScript environments, particularly when developers attempt to access environment variables using `import.meta`. `import.meta` provides metadata about the current module, but standard JavaScript does not include environment variables within this object. Attempting to access a non-existent property, such as `env`, results in this error message. A common scenario involves developers migrating from Node.js, where `process.env` provides access to environment variables, to browser-based environments or other JavaScript runtimes where this approach is not directly available.
Understanding the distinction between server-side and client-side environments is crucial for resolving this issue. Server-side environments like Node.js have direct access to system environment variables. However, for security and architectural reasons, client-side JavaScript running in a web browser does not have this direct access. Exposing environment variables directly to the client-side could pose security risks. Properly managing environment variables is vital for application security and configuration. Different approaches exist for handling environment variables in client-side JavaScript, including build-time injection, server-side APIs, and dedicated client-side libraries.