Introduction to Docker

Using Docker and Container Management

This article provides a basic introduction to Docker, covering the creation of Dockerfiles and the management of containers and images.

Introduction to Docker

Using Docker

Docker is a platform designed to make it easier to create, deploy, and run applications by using containers.

Do You Know?

Docker uses containerization, making it lightweight and efficient compared to virtual machines.

Writing Dockerfile for containerized apps

A Dockerfile is a set of instructions used to build a Docker image. It specifies the base image, dependencies, and commands to run your application.

# Use an official Python runtime as a parent image

FROM python:3.9-slim-buster

WORKDIR /app

COPY requirements.txt requirements.txt

RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt

COPY . .

CMD ["python", "app.py"]

Important Note

Always keep your Dockerfiles concise and efficient to reduce image size and build time.

Once your image is built, you can run it as a container. You can also manage existing images and containers using Docker commands.

# Build the image from the Dockerfile

docker build -t my-app .

# Run the container in detached mode

docker run -d -p 8000:8000 my-app

# List running containers

docker ps

# List all images

docker images

Avoid This

Avoid using root in your Dockerfile unless absolutely necessary for security reasons.

Summary

  • Docker simplifies application deployment through containerization.
  • Dockerfiles automate the creation of images.
  • Efficient image management is key for optimal resource usage.

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