Docker tutorial: Learn from Scratch

Docker is a free, open source containerisation platform classified as a software set (Platform as a Service). Containerisation allows developers to bundle programmes into executable components, including the application source code, the libraries and the dependencies necessary for code execution. Docker’s reputation has grown significantly through transforming conventional software development into a quick, easy and simple operation. A dedicated server or VM may execute several Docker containers simultaneously, owing to the small size and weight of Docker containers.

Docker has a flexible configuration to run on any architecture without a virtual machine. In addition, Docker enables compiling configuration files into code, passing the same variables for multiple environments, and deploying it. Therefore you can use the same Docker files in different environments without modification, negating the need for hefty infrastructure.

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Installing Docker on your Computer

The first step of the Docker tutorial to learn Docker basics is installation.

Install Docker on your computer through: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/windows/install/

Or, visit the given link for installation on a mac device: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/mac/install/ 

The Docker Dashboard

The Docker Dashboard is a simple graphical user interface to handle or administer your apps, images, and containers directly from your computer, eliminating the lengthy Docker Command Line Interface usage.

• The Container view gives a real-time view of all containers and apps in the current execution state, enabling better communication and control of your applications. In addition, an easy interface is provided to examine, interact and control your Docker objects.
• The Images view allows inspection and alliteration to the list of your Docker images. Additionally, the Images view provides clean-up options to eliminate undesirable images from the disk to free space on your computer.

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How to work with Containers in Docker

The Container View in Docker has Logistics, Inspect and Statistics options to perform various operations.

• Choose Stats from the drop-down menu to examine the container’s resource information. For example, CPU, disc usage, RAM, and network I/O usage are present under the Performance tab.
• Select Logs from the container’s menu bar to see log information. You may also search for specific events and save the logs to your clipboard using the search function.
• By selecting the Inspect option, you can access low-level container information.
• Execute everyday tasks using fast action buttons on the top bar like opening a Command Line Interface to run operations in a container and performing container lifespan operations such as starting your container, restarting, stopping it, or deleting it.

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Working with Images on Docker

The Images view provides a simple graphical user interface to administer Docker images without the Command Line Interface. Docker Desktop enables connectivity and direct control of pictures as a significant advantage. The Images view also facilitates image search on your local device to find and organise images as desired.

Inspecting and Removing an Image

Inspected image shows a complete description, including the image history, ID, image generation date, and the image’s size, among other things.

Follow the steps below to inspect an image:

• Select Dashboard > Images from the Docker drop-down menu
• Click the More Options icon after selecting the picture from the list
• Click on the ‘Inspect’ Button

To remove an image, follow the steps below:

• Select Dashboard > Images from the Docker drop-down menu
• Click the More Options icon after selecting the picture from the list
• Click on the ‘Remove’ option

Advantages of using Docker

Almost all conglomerates use Docker in application deployment due to substantial advantages such as:

• Reduced deployment time due to Docker’s ability to establish containers for every process without booting an Operating System.
• Total control over the traffic and administration while keeping the application operations segregated and separated through containers for security.
• Effective work in conjunction with technologies such as Jenkins and Travis as part of its pipelines towards integration.
• Providing an Application Programming Interface to manage containers and enabling remote registry services to share containers through Docker’s API in an image format.

Where is Docker used?

Docker has numerous use-cases in application deployment. We have listed a few of them below:

• Managing the Code Pipeline: Docker influences code pipeline management to simplify configuration. Docker ensures an application’s consistency from development to production, making the deployment process easy.
• Consolidation of the Servers: Docker’s application isolation capabilities help combine servers as a cost-effective method to eliminate hefty infrastructure and save memory. Compared to virtual machines, Docker consolidates servers significantly.
• Use in Multi-tenant Applications: Docker can be used in multi-tenant systems to prevent substantial rewrites of a programme. For example, IoT application development where multi-tenancy is quickly and easily implemented. 

Although multi-tenant applications’ codebases are more complex, inflexible, and harder to maintain, Docker’s isolated environment runs several instances of the same app layer cost-efficiently.

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Conclusion:

Docker is a game-changing technology to isolate and run applications in any environment. Docker is currently used in development and testing settings, and it can also run in production settings.

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