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Docker ​

Docker is a tool that lets engineers package applications and their dependencies into isolated environments called containers. Think of a container as a lightweight, standalone package that includes everything the app needs to run—code, runtime, system tools, libraries, and settings—making it highly portable and consistent across different environments.

Why Engineers need Docker ​

  • Consistency Across Environments
    Docker makes sure that what works on your laptop works the same in staging and production. By packaging an app with all its dependencies, you can avoid issues like “it works on my machine” during team collaborations.

  • Running Isolated Services Easily
    Docker lets engineers run separate services, like a frontend, backend, and database, in isolated containers that won’t interfere with each other.

  • Effortless Local Development
    Engineers can run the backend or API in a Docker container without needing all the backend tools on their computer. Just “pull” the image, start it up, and the API works on your machine! For instance:

    • If your backend team provides a .NET API image, you can run it in Docker without needing .NET installed.
    • You can then connect your frontend to this containerized API, so the two apps (frontend and backend) work together seamlessly.

Key Concepts in Docker ​

Docker

Dockerfile: A script with instructions on how to build a Docker image.

Image: A template for creating containers, often including an operating system and app code. Think of it as a blueprint.

Container: A running instance of an image. It’s the actual environment where the application runs.

Docker Compose: A tool for defining and running multi-container Docker applications. It uses a YAML file to configure the application’s services, networks, and volumes.

Registry: A place to store and share images, like Docker Hub.

Volumes: Persistent storage for containers to store data outside their environment.

Networks: Allow containers to communicate with each other, either on the same host or across different hosts.

Hands-on Tutorials ​

Follow a comprehensive guide on the basics of Docker here