What is Docker and what is its benefits?

Whiffle

Whiffle

Whiffle

Associate
Joined
27 Jul 2009
Posts
381
Hi there.

I am a long-terms user of Linux and keep coming across references to Docker.

I have done some reading on it and I still don't quite understand what it is and when to use it - all the articles seem a bit over my head.

I would be really grateful if someone might explain, in basic terms, what it is.

Even if I do not end up using it, I am really interested to know what all hype is about.
 

mid_gen

mid_gen

mid_gen

Soldato
Joined
20 Dec 2004
Posts
15,834
Whiffle said:
Hi there.

I am a long-terms user of Linux and keep coming across references to Docker.

I have done some reading on it and I still don't quite understand what it is and when to use it - all the articles seem a bit over my head.

I would be really grateful if someone might explain, in basic terms, what it is.

Even if I do not end up using it, I am really interested to know what all hype is about.
Click to expand...

In simplest terms...you understand what a Virtual Machine is? It's a virtual software host for an operating system.

Docker (containers) are virtual hosts for applications.

So you don't install an application into an operating system. You create a version of the application that exists inside a container, and isn't aware at all of the host operating system. Now your application can be spun up, duplicated, zipped around, destroyed etc inside datacenters across a huge array of host servers as and when it's needed.
 
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