Technology Fundamentals
Docker
Definition
Docker is an open platform for developing, shipping, and running applications. Docker enables you to separate your applications from your infrastructure so you can deliver software quickly. It does this by using containerization.
Why It Matters
Docker simplified the process of creating and managing containers, making containerization accessible to the masses. It has become an essential tool for modern software development and DevOps.
Contextual Example
A developer defines their application environment in a `Dockerfile` (e.g., which OS to use, which libraries to install). They use Docker to build this into an "image", and then run that image as a container on their machine or in the cloud.
Common Misunderstandings
- Docker is a company and a technology. The technology is the containerization platform.
- A Docker "image" is the blueprint (like a class), and a Docker "container" is a running instance of that image (like an object).