Docker – Definition & Detailed Explanation – Virtual Computer Glossary Terms

I. What is Docker?

Docker is an open-source platform that allows developers to easily build, ship, and run applications in containers. Containers are lightweight, standalone, and executable packages that contain everything needed to run a piece of software, including the code, runtime, system tools, libraries, and settings. Docker simplifies the process of managing and deploying applications by packaging them into containers that can run on any machine with Docker installed.

II. How does Docker work?

Docker uses a client-server architecture where the Docker client communicates with the Docker daemon, which is responsible for building, running, and distributing containers. The Docker client sends commands to the Docker daemon, which then executes them. Containers are created from Docker images, which are read-only templates that contain the application code and all its dependencies. When a container is run, it creates a writable layer on top of the image, allowing changes to be made without affecting the original image.

III. What are the benefits of using Docker?

There are several benefits to using Docker, including:
– Portability: Containers can run on any machine with Docker installed, making it easy to move applications between environments.
– Scalability: Docker allows for easy scaling of applications by spinning up multiple containers to handle increased traffic.
– Efficiency: Containers are lightweight and use fewer resources than traditional virtual machines, making them more efficient to run.
– Isolation: Containers provide a level of isolation for applications, ensuring that changes made to one container do not affect others.
– Consistency: Docker ensures that applications run the same way in any environment, reducing the risk of issues caused by differences in development and production environments.

IV. What are containers in Docker?

Containers in Docker are lightweight, standalone, and executable packages that contain everything needed to run a piece of software. Containers are created from Docker images, which are read-only templates that contain the application code and all its dependencies. Containers run on a shared operating system kernel but are isolated from each other, providing a level of security and isolation for applications.

V. How is Docker different from virtual machines?

Docker containers are often compared to virtual machines, but there are key differences between the two. Virtual machines emulate a physical computer and run a full operating system, while containers share the host operating system kernel and only contain the application code and its dependencies. This makes containers more lightweight, faster to start up, and more efficient to run than virtual machines. Containers also provide a level of isolation for applications, ensuring that changes made to one container do not affect others.

VI. What are some common Docker commands and terminology?

– docker run: This command is used to run a container from a Docker image.
– docker build: This command is used to build a Docker image from a Dockerfile.
– docker pull: This command is used to pull a Docker image from a registry.
– docker push: This command is used to push a Docker image to a registry.
– docker ps: This command is used to list running containers.
– docker exec: This command is used to run a command in a running container.
– Dockerfile: This is a text file that contains instructions for building a Docker image.
– Registry: This is a repository where Docker images are stored and can be pulled from or pushed to.
– Volume: This is a way to persist data outside of a container, allowing data to be shared between containers or stored on the host machine.
– Network: This is a way to connect containers together or to the outside world, allowing communication between containers or with external services.