Understanding Docker

This particular page is to help you build the previous file if you're new to Docker and are struggling to install dependencies on your machine.

Let's start by understanding Docker

First off, a quick recap.

Think of Docker as a shipping container for your app. Just as a shipping container can hold all sorts of goods (clothes, electronics, etc.) and can be transported anywhere in the world, Docker bundles your app and everything it needs to run into a 'container.' This makes it easy to share and run your app on any computer.

Given the complexities and manual effort involved in resolving dependency issues in your system, Docker can be a beneficial tool to standardize the development environment among all students.

Why Use Docker?

• Standardized Environment: Everyone gets the same set of dependencies, reducing "it works on my machine" issues.

• Isolated: Doesn't interfere with other projects or system-wide settings.

• Ease of Use: Once set up, running the project becomes much simpler.

Understanding Key Docker Terminologies

• Docker Image: Think of this as a blueprint or a snapshot of a container, including the application and its dependencies. You build an image once and use it to create multiple containers.

• Docker Container: A container is a running instance of an image. It's a lightweight, stand-alone, executable software package that includes everything needed to run the code.

• CMD: In Docker, the CMD instruction specifies the command that will be executed when the container starts up.

• Docker Compose: A tool for defining and running multi-container Docker applications. Using a YAML file (docker-compose.yml), it allows you to specify how different containers interact with each other, making it easier to manage multiple containers as a single service.

Resources to Understand Docker Better

• Basic Tutorial on Dockerfile: Here

• Basic Tutorials on Docker Compose: Part 1 using (Single Container), Part 2 (using 2 Containers)

• Blog on using ChatGPT to build an optimized Docker Image: 3-Minute Read

Now let's see the step-by-step implementation.