Docker
Docker is an open source platform that allows developers to create, share, and run applications in so-called containers.
Functionality and Use
The platform uses containers to run applications in isolated environments. A container bundles all the necessary components of an application, such as code, runtime environment and dependencies, so that it can run independently of the underlying infrastructure. This makes it easier to develop, test and run software in various environments such as local computers, servers or the cloud.
Applications and their dependencies are packed into so-called images in docker. When a container is started, the image is executed and runs isolated from the rest of the system. Since containers do not need their own complete operating system, they start significantly faster and consume fewer resources than virtual machines.
Examples
- Starting a database in a container
- Deploy a web application in a container
- Testing an application in an isolated environment
- Deploying a microservice in the cloud