Basics of Docker

Docker is an open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of applications using containerization technology. Containers allow you to package your application along with all its dependencies, ensuring consistency across different environments.

Table of Contents

• What is Docker?
• Why Use Docker?
• Installing Docker
• Basic Docker Concepts
• Common Docker Commands
• Creating a Dockerfile
• Running Docker Containers
• Conclusion

What is Docker?

Docker is a platform for developing, shipping, and running applications in containers. A container is a lightweight, portable, and self-sufficient unit that includes everything required to run an application – including the code, runtime, system tools, libraries, and settings.

Why Use Docker?

• Portability: Docker containers can run consistently across different environments (e.g., development, staging, production).
• Efficiency: Containers share the host system’s kernel, making them lighter and faster than traditional virtual machines.
• Isolation: Each container runs independently, which ensures that one application’s issues won’t affect others.
• Scalability: Docker works well with orchestration tools like Kubernetes to scale applications.

Installing Docker

To install Docker, follow the instructions specific to your operating system:

• Docker Installation Guide

After installing, you can verify your Docker installation by running:

docker --version