Why is Config directory important in Laravel applications, and what problem does it solve for developers?

Why is Config directory important in Laravel applications, and what problem does it solve for developers? The key reason to understand config directory is that Laravel applications are usually composed of several layers that must work together predictably. The config directory contains application configuration files that read values and expose settings to the framework. Ignoring that boundary can lead to duplicated logic, poor security, unnecessary database work, or code that is difficult to test. Why it matters in practice: Laravel projects use a conventional directory structure so application code, configuration, resources, routes, database files and runtime storage have predictable locations. The specific focus here is config directory: The config directory contains application configuration files that read values and expose settings to the framework. This question is designed to test not only terminology, but also how the concept fits into Laravel's request, application, database, security, or deployment workflow.