Introduction to Docker

Introduction

Docker is an open-source platform designed to automate the deployment, scaling, and management of applications using containerization. Containers allow you to package an application with all its dependencies and run it consistently across different computing environments.

What is Docker?

Docker provides a standard format for packaging and distributing applications. It uses container technology to isolate applications from the underlying infrastructure. Each container includes the application code, runtime, libraries, and dependencies, making it portable and consistent across various environments.

Key Concepts

Understanding Docker involves familiarizing yourself with some key concepts:

  • Images: Docker images are read-only templates used to create containers. They contain the application code and dependencies.
  • Containers: Containers are instances of Docker images. They run the application in an isolated environment.
  • Dockerfile: A Dockerfile is a script that contains a series of instructions on how to build a Docker image.
  • Docker Hub: Docker Hub is a cloud-based repository where Docker images can be stored and shared.

Installing Docker

Docker can be installed on various operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows. Follow the installation instructions specific to your OS from the official Docker documentation:

Basic Commands

Here are some basic Docker commands to get you started:

  • docker --version: Check the Docker version installed.
  • docker pull : Download a Docker image from Docker Hub.
  • docker run : Run a Docker container from an image.
  • docker ps: List running containers.
  • docker stop : Stop a running container.
  • docker rm : Remove a stopped container.

Example: 

docker run -d -p 80:80 nginx

This command runs an Nginx container in detached mode and maps port 80 of the host to port 80 of the container.

Conclusion

Docker simplifies application deployment and management by using containerization technology. By understanding its key concepts and basic commands, you can start leveraging Docker to build, run, and manage applications more efficiently.