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Docker Complete Guide

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36 views

Docker Complete Guide

Uploaded by

Devanshi Gudsariya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Docker Guide for Beginners: Terminologies and

Practical Exercises
Introduction to Docker
Docker is an open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of applications
using containerization technology. It allows you to package an application with all of its dependencies into a
standardized unit for software development and deployment.

Fun Fact: The Docker logo, a whale carrying containers, is named "Moby Dock" - a playful reference to the
classic novel "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville.

Key Docker Terminologies


1. Container

A lightweight, standalone, executable package that includes everything needed to run a piece of software,
including the code, runtime, system tools, libraries, and settings.

Interesting Fact: Containers can start and stop in a matter of seconds, making them much faster than
traditional virtual machines.

2. Image
A read-only template used to create containers. It contains a set of instructions for creating a Docker
container.

Did You Know? The official Docker Hub repository hosts over 100,000 public images, providing a vast
ecosystem of pre-built containers for various applications and services.

3. Dockerfile

A text file that contains instructions for building a Docker image.

Pro Tip: Always use a .dockerignore file alongside your Dockerfile to exclude unnecessary files from the
build context, improving build speed and reducing image size.

4. Docker Hub

A cloud-based repository where Docker users can share and manage their images.

Interesting Stat: As of 2021, Docker Hub hosts over 7 million repositories and serves over 13 billion image
pulls per month.

5. Docker Compose

A tool for defining and running multi-container Docker applications using a YAML file.

Fun Fact: Docker Compose was inspired by the Fig project, which was acquired by Docker, Inc. in 2014 and
later integrated into the Docker ecosystem.

6. Docker Swarm
Docker's native clustering and orchestration solution for Docker containers.

Did You Know? While Kubernetes has become more popular for container orchestration, Docker Swarm is
still preferred by some for its simplicity and deep integration with Docker.

7. Volume
A persistent data storage mechanism in Docker that exists outside the lifecycle of a container.

Pro Tip: Use named volumes instead of bind mounts for better portability and easier management of
persistent data.

Practical Exercises for Beginners


Exercise 1: Running Your First Container

1. Open a terminal or command prompt.


2. Run the following command:
docker run hello-world

3. Observe the output. This command downloads the hello-world image and runs it in a container.

What's Happening: Docker checks if the hello-world image exists locally. If not, it pulls the image from
Docker Hub, creates a container from it, and runs the container, which prints a hello message.

Exercise 2: Creating and Running a Custom Container


1. Create a new directory for your project:
mkdir docker-exercise
cd docker-exercise

2. Create a file named app.py with the following content:

print("Hello from my custom Docker container!")

3. Create a file named Dockerfile (no extension) with the following content:

FROM python:3.9-slim
COPY app.py /
CMD ["python", "/app.py"]

4. Build your Docker image:


docker build -t my-python-app .

5. Run your custom container:

docker run my-python-app

What's Happening: You've just created a simple Python application, packaged it into a Docker image, and
run it as a container.

Exercise 3: Working with Docker Compose

1. In the same directory, create a file named docker-compose.yml with the following content:
version: '3'
services:
app:
build: .
volumes:
- .:/app

2. Run your application using Docker Compose:


docker-compose up

What's Happening: Docker Compose reads the YAML file, builds the image if necessary, and starts the
service defined in the file.

Exercise 4: Exploring Docker Commands


Try out these essential Docker commands:

1. List all running containers:


docker ps

2. List all containers (including stopped ones):


docker ps -a

3. List all images:


docker images

4. Stop a running container:


docker stop <container_id>

5. Remove a container:

docker rm <container_id>

6. Remove an image:
docker rmi <image_id>

Pro Tip: Use docker system prune to remove all stopped containers, unused networks, dangling images, and
build cache. Be cautious, as this command will remove a lot of data!

Conclusion
Docker has revolutionized the way we develop, ship, and run applications. By understanding these basic
concepts and practicing with these exercises, you're taking your first steps into the world of containerization.

Final Fun Fact: The name "Docker" was inspired by the concept of dock workers who move shipping
containers. Just as these workers standardized the shipping industry, Docker aims to standardize software
deployment.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Keep experimenting with Docker, try containerizing your own
applications, and explore more advanced features as you become comfortable with the basics. Happy
Dockerizing!

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