Which environment is characterized as the live setting where applications are deployed for end users?

The production environment is where applications are deployed for end users and is considered the live setting. This environment is crucial because it is the final stage in the application lifecycle, where all routines, updates, and deployments must ensure stability and performance since it directly impacts the end user experience.

In contrast, the development environment is where developers create and build applications. It allows for coding, debugging, and generating initial prototypes but is not intended for use by end users. The sandbox environment provides a safe space for testing new features or software processes without affecting the main production system, allowing for experimentation. The test environment is specifically set up for quality assurance testing before applications are moved to production; tests are performed here to identify bugs or issues. Each of these environments plays a vital role in software development, but it is the production environment that serves the end user directly.