title: AWS Parameter store - how to access values using Linux in Node App
body: <p>I am using the AWS parameter store to save enviroment variables such as my database password. I have also set up an IAM role so that the user can access these parameters.</p>
  
  <p>What I am not sure about is how to access these values in my node JS application (also to note I am running Ubuntu).</p>
  
  <p>I have tried to use the AWS-cli using the following the command to access my variables: <code>aws --region=ap-southeast-2 ssm get-parameter --name "DatabasePass" --with-decryption</code></p>
  
  <p>Unfortunately I get a list of help commands using this.</p>
  
  <p>So I really have two questions:</p>
  
  <p>1) How should I access my parameters, do I need to use the aws-cli as I am trying to do so above?</p>
  
  <p>2) Once I manage to get these variables, how do I pass them to my node JS application? Do I need to run a bin/bash script on startup and set variables? I have never used bin/bash before, how should I approach this?</p>
  
  <p>Any pointers to get me headed in the right line are appreciated, thanks.</p>