How to version control config files pragmatically?

Question

Suppose we have a config file with sensitive passwords. I\'d like to version control the whole project, including the config file as well, but I don\'t want to share my pass

Answer 1

Create a local overrides file that contains the user specific info as PHP variables.

For instance create a file called local_overrides.php which contains the following:

$local_password = 'qUzaEAFK13uK2KHy';

Then in the file that includes your DB password do something like this

$overrides = 'local_overrides.php';

if (file_exists($overrides)) {
   #include_once($overrides);
   $db_password = $local_password;
} else {
   // perform appropriate action: set default? echo error message? log error?    
   $db_password = 'l1m1t3d!'
}

The local overrides file would never has to be seen by source control.