Docker has been one of the most talked-about technologies of 2016 and for a good reason. But what is docker really? Docker’s adoption rate is continuously increasing as it’s developed and now prime for production use. For developers and system administrators Docker might sound scary and daunting but once you get into it you realise the learning curve is not very steep. In this post we explain what Docker is, then walk through why it’s beneficial to use for development and operations.
What is Docker really?
Docker is an open-source project that automates the development, deployment and running of applications inside isolated containers. Containers allow developers to bundle up an application with all of the parts it needs, such as libraries and other dependencies, and ship it as one package.
At this point you might be wondering what a Container is. Docker explains the concept;
Using containers, everything required to make a piece of software run is packaged into isolated containers. Unlike VMs, containers do not bundle a full operating system – only libraries and settings required to make the software work are needed. This makes for efficient, lightweight, self-contained systems and guarantees that software will always run the same, regardless of where it’s deployed.
Using Docker, developers can focus on writing code without worrying about the system on which their code will run. Applications become truly portable. You can repeatably run your application on any other machine running Docker with confidence. On the operations side of things, Docker is lightweight, easily allowing the running and management of applications with different requirements side by side in isolated containers. This flexibility can increase resource use per server and may reduce the number of systems needed because of its lower overhead, which in turn reduces cost.
What Can I Gain By Using Docker?
The three main reasons to use docker are; isolation, consistency and speed.
1. Isolation
Each Docker container that’s running is isolated from the network, the file system and other running processes. Docker allows you to isolate an application and its dependencies into a self-contained unit that can run anywhere. If you want to know what docker container is, you can read What is Docker Container and What is docker in AWS.
2. Consistency
Docker provides a consistent environment for your application from development all the way through production. A Docker Image used for development can be deployed in production without any changes and will perform as expected.
3. Speed
Because Docker Images are pre-configured with all the pieces of software, the application and it’s dependencies. This means there’re no further configuration changes required once deployed to production.
Conclusion.
When you have your application in a Docker container, you can be sure that the code you’re testing locally is exactly the same build artifact that goes into production. There are no changes in application runtime environments. That makes Docker an exceptional tool all the way from development through production. In conclusion, if we ask ourselves ‘what is docker?’, docker has emerged as a groundbreaking technology that simplifies the development, deployment, and management of applications within isolated containers. With Docker, developers can focus on writing code without worrying about the underlying system, as applications become truly portable and consistently perform from development to production.
The benefits of Docker, including enhanced isolation, consistency, and deployment speed, make it an invaluable tool throughout the entire software development lifecycle. Embrace Docker’s power to ensure seamless transitions, eliminate variations in runtime environments, and unleash the full potential of your applications. Consider leveraging OSO’s expert DevOps services to optimise your operations and propel your product development without the need for internal DevOps hires. Contact us today to explore how we can help you maximise the benefits of Docker and streamline your DevOps platform.
At OSO, our experts can maintain your DevOps platform and be responsible for day-to-day operational issues, allowing you to develop and ship your product without the need for internal DevOps hires. Get in touch today to talk about how we can help.
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