Docker for Web Developers

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.

Why Docker for Web Development?

• Consistent Environments: Ensure your app runs the same way everywhere.
• Isolation: Package applications with their dependencies.
• Simplified Dependency Management: No more “works on my machine” issues.
• Easy Scaling: Scale your applications up or down easily.

Basic Docker Concepts

• Dockerfile: A text document that contains all the commands a user could call on the command line to assemble an image.
• Image: A lightweight, standalone, executable package of software that includes everything needed to run an application: code, runtime, system tools, system libraries and settings.
• Container: A runtime instance of an image.

Getting Started with Docker

1. Install Docker Desktop for your OS.

2. Create a Dockerfile in your project root.

   Example Dockerfile for a Node.js app:

   FROM node:18-alpine
   
   WORKDIR /app
   
   COPY package*.json ./
   
   RUN npm install
   
   COPY . .
   
   EXPOSE 3000
   
   CMD [ "npm", "run", "dev" ]

3. Build your Docker image:

   docker build -t my-node-app .

4. Run your Docker container:

   docker run -p 3000:3000 my-node-app

This is a basic introduction. Docker offers much more for complex applications and microservices architectures.