Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
What is Docker? 
3.
Why do you need Docker?
4.
Features of Docker 
5.
Use Of Docker in Web Development
6.
Setting Up a Docker
6.1.
Step 1: Install Docker
6.1.1.
For Ubuntu/Debian:
6.2.
Step 2: Add the Docker repository to APT sources
6.3.
Step 3: Update the package index and install Docker
6.4.
Step 4: Start and enable the Docker service to start on boot
6.5.
Step 5: Verify that Docker is installed and running
6.6.
Step 6: Sample Running First Container
6.7.
Output
7.
Frequently Asked Questions
7.1.
What is Docker Compose?
7.2.
Is Docker Secure?
7.3.
Can I Share My Docker Images?
8.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Feb 5, 2025
Easy

Introduction to Docker for Web Development

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Introduction

Docker is an open-source platform that runs applications and makes the process easier to develop and distribute. The applications that are built in the docker are packaged with all the supporting dependencies into a standard form called a container. 

Docker Hello World

These containers keep running in an isolated way on top of the operating system’s kernel. The extra layer of abstraction might affect in terms of performance. In this article, we will learn about Docker Hello World.

What is Docker? 

Docker provides a facility to automate the applications when deployed into Containers. In a Container environment where the applications are virtualized and executed, docker adds up an extra layer of the deployment engine. 

Docker is designed to give a quick and lightweight environment where code can be run efficiently. Moreover, it provides an additional facility for the proficient work process to take the code from the computer for testing before production. 

Docker logo

Russell confirms that, as quickly as possible, docker allows you to test your code and deploy it into the production environment. Turnbull concludes by saying that docker is amazingly simple. Certainly, you can begin with a docker with a simple configuration system, a docker binary with Linux kernel.

Also see,  Install Homebrew

Why do you need Docker?

Docker wraps the code and the necessary libraries and packages in a container and makes sure that the code that was built and tested on the developing team’s machines is the same that gets plugged and played on VMs, on cloud and on the user’s machine. With Docker, the web developer has the option of segregating the services he wants to use for his application in different containers.

Features of Docker 

  • Consistency: Packs apps, libraries, and configs into containers, eliminating "works on my machine" issues
     
  • Scalability: Scales horizontally with ease, managed by tools like Kubernetes and Docker Swarm
     
  • Microservices: Ideal for microservices architecture, each service in its container
     
  • Security: Isolation through containers, reduced attack surface, and user namespaces
     
  • Docker Hub: Central repository for sharing and accessing images, fostering collaboration

Use Of Docker in Web Development

1. Cross-Platform Production and Testing: When the developers are building and testing the application, often they have to optimise their applications for it to work on different platforms. With docker, testing and deployment become a boon for the developer. The deployment gets automated, the testing becomes simpler and hence time, efforts and money are saved. 

2. Docker Images: Docker images are readymade templates which will be acting as a container for your final web application. Docker’s Hub has images for PHP, HTTPd, Apache, Ubuntu, Mongo, MySQL, Node etc. You can find the docker image you need which resonates with your technical stack by visiting the page. 

3. Community: Docker has one of the best developer communities where people can engage, contribute and grow with each other.

Setting Up a Docker

Step 1: Install Docker

For Ubuntu/Debian:

Update the package

sudo apt update


Install required packages to allow apt to use repositories over HTTPS and add Docker's official GPG key:

sudo apt install -y apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common

curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg

Step 2: Add the Docker repository to APT sources

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null

Step 3: Update the package index and install Docker

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io

Step 4: Start and enable the Docker service to start on boot

sudo systemctl start docker
sudo systemctl enable docker

Step 5: Verify that Docker is installed and running

docker --version

Step 6: Sample Running First Container

sudo docker run hello-world

Output

output

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Docker Compose?

Docker Compose is a tool for creating and running multi-container applications using a single configuration file. The process of managing numerous connected containers is made simpler.

Is Docker Secure?

User namespaces, resource restrictions, and the capability to define security policies are security features offered by Docker. Security must be ensured, though, and best practices and proper configuration are crucial.

Can I Share My Docker Images?

Yes, you can share Docker images with others. Use Docker push to upload images to a Docker registry; others can then pull those images using Docker pull.

Conclusion

Docker Hello World" example provides a fundamental understanding of how Docker can revolutionize how we develop, deploy, and manage applications. Through a concise yet powerful demonstration, we have witnessed the features of the docker too.

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