Containerization Basics

1. Introduction

Containerization is a lightweight alternative to full machine virtualization that involves encapsulating an application and its dependencies into a container. This allows for consistent and efficient deployment across different environments.

2. Key Concepts

• **Container:** A lightweight, standalone, executable package that includes everything needed to run a piece of software.
• **Image:** A read-only template used to create containers, containing the application code, libraries, and dependencies.
• **Docker:** The most popular platform for developing, shipping, and running applications in containers.

3. Docker Overview

Docker provides a standardized unit of software, packaging up code and all its dependencies so the application runs quickly and reliably from one computing environment to another.

4. Installation

Follow these steps to install Docker:

1. Go to the Docker website and download the appropriate installer for your OS.
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Verify the installation by running the following command in your terminal:

docker --version

5. Basic Commands

Here are some essential Docker commands:

# Pull an image from Docker Hub
docker pull 

# Run a container from an image
docker run -d 

# List running containers
docker ps

# Stop a running container
docker stop 

# Remove a container
docker rm 
            

6. Best Practices

• Use a minimal base image to reduce the image size.
• Keep your Dockerfile simple and readable.
• Group commands in your Dockerfile to reduce layers and improve build performance.

7. FAQ