What is a ConfigMap used for in Kubernetes?

A ConfigMap in Kubernetes is primarily designed to store non-confidential data in key-value pairs. This capability allows developers to separate configuration data from application code, making it easier to manage and modify configurations without changing the application itself. By using ConfigMaps, you can inject configuration data into various contexts, such as environment variables, command-line arguments, or directly into the application’s settings.

This feature is essential for maintaining the flexibility and scalability of applications running in Kubernetes, as it supports dynamic updates to configurations without requiring redeployment of the applications. Options that mention storage management or security settings do not accurately describe the role of a ConfigMap, as these functions are handled by other Kubernetes resources, such as PersistentVolumes and NetworkPolicies, respectively.