What Is a Docker Container? Understanding the Basics

Docker containers solve one of computing’s most persistent problems: “It works on my machine.” Containers package applications with everything they need to run consistently anywhere. But what exactly is a Docker container?

A Docker container is a lightweight, standalone, executable software package that includes everything needed to run an application: code, runtime, system tools, libraries, and settings. Unlike virtual machines, containers virtualize the operating system rather than the hardware, sharing the host system’s kernel while maintaining complete isolation. This makes them significantly more efficient.

Developed by Docker Inc. and built on Linux container technology, Docker containers have revolutionized how developers build, ship, and run applications. The containerization approach eliminates environment inconsistencies between development and production, accelerates deployment cycles, and enables microservices architecture.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how Docker containers work, their key components, and practical implementation strategies. We’ll explore container architecture, lifecycle management, networking options, and storage solutions. By the end, you’ll understand how to leverage Docker‘s portable environment for your development workflows and production deployments.

Whether you’re a developer seeking consistent environments, an operations engineer streamlining deployments, or an architect designing scalable systems, Docker containers provide the foundation for modern application development and delivery.

What Is a Docker Container?

A Docker container is a lightweight, standalone, and executable package that includes everything needed to run a piece of software—code, runtime, libraries, and system tools. Containers are isolated from each other and the host system, making them ideal for consistent and portable application deployment.

Core Container Concepts

Container Architecture

The foundational structure of containerization revolves around the container runtime, which serves as the execution environment for containers. Unlike virtual machines that virtualize an entire operating system, container technology provides lightweight virtualization by sharing the host kernel. Docker engine, developed by Docker Inc., stands as the popular implementation that manages these containers.

Each container runs as an isolated process on the host system. The container ecosystem relies heavily on this relationship with the host system to achieve both efficiency and security. Container isolation happens through Linux namespaces and cgroups, two key technologies that Docker leverages to create boundaries between containerized applications.

Docker daemon constantly monitors containers, handling their lifecycle events through the Docker platform. This differs significantly from traditional deployment methods – containers are ephemeral by design, supporting the immutable infrastructure approach popular in modern DevOps practices.

Container Lifecycle

Creating containers starts with a Docker image, the blueprint containing everything needed to run an application. The Docker CLI makes this process straightforward:

docker run nginx

This simple command pulls the official Nginx image and creates a running container. Starting and stopping containers follows a consistent workflow managed by the container runtime. You can pause operations temporarily or resume them as needed, giving you flexible container management options.

Container portability means the same containerized application works identically across different environments. This solves the classic “it works on my machine” problem that has plagued software development teams for years.

When their purpose is fulfilled, removing containers is equally simple:

docker rm container_id

The ephemeral nature of containers reinforces microservices architecture patterns where services can be quickly created and destroyed based on demand.

Isolation and Resource Management

Process isolation forms the cornerstone of container security. Each container has its own process namespace, preventing visibility into processes running in other containers or the host. This container specification detail makes Docker implementation particularly useful for multi-tenant applications.

File system isolation works through a layered approach. Container layers are built on top of read-only image layers, with a writable layer added for runtime changes. This design supports Docker best practices like keeping containers stateless whenever possible.

Network isolation allows containers to communicate through defined channels while remaining protected from unwanted access. Docker networking provides several default network types to accommodate various use cases:

1. Bridge networks for container-to-container communication
2. Host networks for removing network isolation
3. None networks for complete isolation
4. Overlay networks for multi-host communication

Resource limits and constraints prevent any single container from consuming excessive system resources. The containerization benefits extend to resource efficiency – you can precisely allocate CPU, memory, and other resources:

docker run --memory=512m --cpus=2 nginx

This container advantage enables dense application packing on hosts while maintaining performance predictability.

Docker Container Components

Docker Images

What makes up a Docker image? At its core, a Docker image contains everything needed to run an application: code, runtime, system tools, libraries, and settings. The portable environment created by images ensures consistent application behavior across any system running Docker.

Image layers and caching represent one of the most important Docker fundamentals. Each instruction in a Dockerfile creates a new layer, and unchanged layers are cached for faster builds:

Layer 1: Base OS (Ubuntu) Layer 2: Install Web Server Layer 3: Copy Application Code Layer 4: Configure Settings

This layered approach optimizes both storage and build time in the Docker workflow.

Official vs. custom images present different options for teams. Docker Hub Registry hosts thousands of official images maintained by software vendors, providing trusted starting points. Custom images built with specific application requirements often extend these official bases.

Image registries and repositories like Docker Hub, Harbor Registry, and cloud provider registries (Amazon ECS, Google Kubernetes Engine, Azure Container Instances) serve as centralized storage locations. These container image libraries simplify sharing and deployment across development teams.

Dockerfile

The purpose and structure of a Dockerfile define how images are built. This simple text file contains instructions that the Docker platform follows to assemble an image. Each line represents a layer in the final image, following a declarative infrastructure-as-code approach.

Common instructions include:

• FROM: Specifies the base image
• RUN: Executes commands in the container
• COPY/ADD: Adds files from host to container
• WORKDIR: Sets the working directory
• EXPOSE: Documents which ports the container listens on
• CMD/ENTRYPOINT: Defines the default command to run

Best practices for writing Dockerfiles include minimizing layer count, ordering instructions by change frequency, and removing unnecessary files. Following these Docker best practices results in smaller, more secure container images that load faster.

Solomon Hykes, Docker’s founder, emphasized these patterns when establishing the project under the Open Container Initiative standards that now guide container specification development.

Container Networking

Default network types in Docker provide flexible communication options. The bridge network connects containers on the same host, while overlay networks (managed by tools like Docker Swarm mode) enable multi-host communication. This container networking foundation supports complex distributed systems.

Exposing and publishing ports allows containerized applications to accept external connections:

docker run -p 8080:80 nginx

This command maps port 80 in the container to port 8080 on the host, making the web server accessible.

Container-to-container communication typically happens through internal networks. Services can discover each other by name when placed on the same network:

docker network create mynetwork
docker run --network=mynetwork --name=database postgres
docker run --network=mynetwork --name=webapp nginx

In this example, the webapp container can reach the database using the hostname “database.”

Container-to-host communication occurs through special network addresses or host port mappings. This flexibility in container isolation and connectivity makes Docker implementation suitable for diverse application architectures.

Tools like Portainer and Rancher simplify visualizing and managing these network configurations across container environments. The Docker ecosystem continues to expand with solutions that address networking complexity in containerized deployments.

Working with Docker Containers

Basic Docker Commands

Docker CLI provides straightforward commands for managing containerized applications. Running containers happens with a simple docker run command, which pulls an image (if needed) and creates a container instance. This command forms the foundation of the Docker workflow.

docker run -d --name web nginx

The command above runs an Nginx container in detached mode. Docker commands are intuitive yet powerful.

Managing container state involves starting, stopping, and restarting containers. Container management becomes routine with these basic operations:

docker stop web
docker start web
docker restart web

Need details about your containers? Inspecting containers reveals configuration, networking, and runtime information. The containerd runtime, used by Docker, maintains this metadata for every running container.

docker inspect web

This outputs container specifications in JSON format, displaying everything from container layers to network settings.

Executing commands in containers lets you interact with running applications. This container advantage proves essential for debugging and administration:

docker exec -it web bash

The command starts an interactive bash session within the Nginx container. Container technology makes these operations consistent across any Docker environment, from Docker Desktop to cloud providers like Amazon ECS or Google Kubernetes Engine.

Data Management

Volumes provide persistent storage for containers. Data persistence strategies typically start here since volumes exist independently of container lifecycles:

docker volume create mydata
docker run -v mydata:/app/data nginx

This creates dedicated storage managed by Docker. Portable applications often use volumes to maintain state between container rebuilds.

Bind mounts link container directories to host locations. This approach helps during local development with containers:

docker run -v /host/path:/container/path nginx

Your local code changes appear instantly inside the container. Docker implementation details ensure proper isolation while allowing this controlled access.

tmpfs mounts create memory-only storage, perfect for sensitive information:

docker run --tmpfs /app/cache nginx

Temporary data disappears when the container stops, supporting secure containerized deployment practices.

Data persistence strategies vary by application type. Databases need stable persistence while web servers might need temporary caching. The Docker platform accommodates these requirements through flexible storage options. Container security best practices include carefully planning data access patterns.

Environment Configuration

Environment variables configure containerized applications without rebuilding images:

docker run -e DATABASE_URL=postgres://localhost nginx

This approach follows Docker best practices by separating configuration from code. The immutable infrastructure concept works best when images remain unchanged across environments.

Configuration files offer another approach to container configuration:

docker run -v /host/config.yml:/app/config.yml nginx

Using configuration files aligns with the infrastructure as code philosophy promoted by Docker Inc. and the broader DevOps community.

Secrets management handles sensitive values in containerized environments. Docker provides dedicated features:

docker secret create db_password secret.txt
docker service create --secret db_password myapp

This container security feature keeps credentials safe in orchestrated environments.

Runtime configuration happens when containers start. The flexibility of Docker environments comes from combining these configuration methods to suit specific application needs. Container benefits include these adaptable configuration options that work consistently across deployment platforms.

Docker Container Ecosystem

Container Orchestration

What is orchestration? Simply put, it manages multiple containers as a unified application. Container orchestration automates deployment, scaling, and networking when running dozens or thousands of containers. Docker Swarm mode provides built-in orchestration capabilities for simple multi-container apps:

docker swarm init
docker service create --replicas 3 nginx

This creates three replicas of an Nginx container, distributed across the swarm. The containerized deployment automatically handles load balancing and basic health checks.

An overview of Kubernetes and Swarm reveals different approaches to container management. Kubernetes, developed initially by Google, offers a more feature-rich platform for large-scale deployments. Red Hat OpenShift extends Kubernetes with additional enterprise features. Both systems manage container portability across diverse environments.

Tools like Helm simplify application deployment on Kubernetes clusters. The container ecosystem continues expanding with specialized tools addressing orchestration challenges.

Development Workflows

Local development with containers brings production environments to developer machines. Docker Desktop makes this seamless across Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. The advantages of containers shine in development scenarios:

docker-compose up

With a single command, developers can start complex multi-service applications. This consistency eliminates “works on my machine” problems that plagued previous development approaches.

Testing in containers provides isolated, reproducible environments for automated tests. CI/CD integration with tools like GitHub Actions, CircleCI, and Travis CI becomes straightforward:

jobs:
  test:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v2
      - run: docker build -t myapp .
      - run: docker run myapp npm test

This pipeline builds a container image and runs tests within it. Continuous integration and continuous deployment workflows benefit tremendously from container technology’s consistency.

Docker implementation in development teams often follows standardized patterns. Container benefits include faster onboarding, consistent testing, and eliminating environment discrepancies between team members.

Container Security

Container isolation limits provide security boundaries, but understanding these limits is crucial. Linux containers rely on kernel-level features rather than hardware virtualization. Docker security scanning tools like Docker Security Scanning help identify vulnerabilities in container images.

Image scanning and verification has become standard practice:

docker scan myapp:latest

This command, powered by Snyk integration, identifies vulnerabilities in your container images. The Open Container Initiative established standards for container security that influence these tools.

Security best practices include:

1. Using minimal base images like Alpine Linux
2. Running containers as non-root users
3. Implementing read-only file systems where possible
4. Regularly updating base images

Common vulnerabilities to avoid include overly permissive configurations, outdated packages, and exposed secrets. The containerized deployment model shifts security focus from hosts to applications.

Tools from the container ecosystem like Portainer and Rancher include security features to manage these concerns at scale. Container security remains an evolving field as Docker environments become increasingly common in production.

Buildah and Podman offer alternative approaches to building and running containers with enhanced security models. These tools, along with containerd and runC, form part of the broader container technology landscape focused on secure, standardized container operations.

Real-World Applications

Microservices Architecture

How containers enable microservices is straightforward: they provide natural boundaries for service isolation. Each microservice runs in its own container with specific dependencies and configurations. This approach eliminates the “dependency hell” that plagued monolithic applications.

Service isolation and scaling become simple operations with containerized deployment:

docker service scale api=5 frontend=3 database=1

This command scales different components independently based on load patterns. Container technology makes these operations consistent and predictable.

Deployment patterns vary based on application needs:

• Blue-green deployments: Run two identical environments and switch traffic
• Canary releases: Gradually shift traffic to new container versions
• Rolling updates: Replace containers one by one with zero downtime

Docker Swarm mode and Kubernetes both support these patterns natively. The container ecosystem continues evolving with tools that simplify these deployment strategies.

Cloud Deployment

Containers in major cloud platforms have become the standard deployment model. Amazon ECS, Google Kubernetes Engine, and Azure Container Instances all provide managed container services. Docker implementation details remain consistent across these platforms, delivering on the container portability promise.

Serverless containers blend container benefits with managed infrastructure:

aws lambda create-function --package-type Image --code ImageUri=account-id.dkr.ecr.region.amazonaws.com/hello-world:latest

This approach eliminates the need to manage container orchestration while retaining Docker’s packaging benefits. Container advantages in cloud environments include efficient resource utilization and simplified scaling.

Hybrid cloud approaches often leverage containers as the common deployment format across environments. A containerized application can move between on-premises Docker environments and cloud platforms with minimal changes. The portable environment provided by Docker makes these migrations significantly easier.

Common Container Use Cases

Web applications represent the most widespread container use case. The Nginx image alone has over 1 billion pulls from Docker Hub. Modern web frameworks work seamlessly in containerized environments:

docker run -p 3000:3000 node-app

This simplicity drives container adoption across development teams.

Database containerization has gained popularity for development and testing. PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and other database systems offer official images on Docker Hub Registry. While stateful workloads present unique challenges, container orchestration platforms now provide solid solutions for production database deployments.

Big data and analytics frameworks like Apache Spark and Hadoop increasingly adopt containerization. The isolated runtime environment ensures consistent processing across distributed systems. The immutable infrastructure approach pairs well with data processing jobs that need reproducible environments.

Machine learning workloads benefit from Docker’s ability to package complex dependencies:

docker run -it --gpus all tensorflow/tensorflow:latest-gpu

This command provides a GPU-accelerated TensorFlow environment without complex setup. Container technology simplifies the deployment of these specialized workloads across different infrastructure.

Getting Started with Docker Containers

Setting Up Docker

Installation on different platforms follows straightforward processes. Docker Desktop provides the easiest setup for Windows and Mac users, bundling all necessary components in one package. Linux installations typically involve adding repositories and installing the Docker engine directly.

For Ubuntu users, the process looks like:

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

Post-installation configuration typically involves adding your user to the docker group:

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

This allows running Docker commands without sudo. Container management becomes more convenient with this simple configuration change.

Verifying your installation confirms everything works correctly:

docker version
docker run hello-world

The Docker platform should respond with version information, and the hello-world container tests the complete workflow from pulling images to running containers.

Creating Your First Container

Choosing a base image represents your first important decision. Alpine Linux offers minimal footprint (around 5MB), while Ubuntu containers provide familiarity. The Docker Hub contains thousands of official images to use as starting points.

Writing a simple Dockerfile creates your custom image:

FROM node:14-alpine
WORKDIR /app
COPY package*.json ./
RUN npm install
COPY . .
EXPOSE 3000
CMD ["npm", "start"]

This example containerizes a Node.js application. The Dockerfile syntax follows a logical progression from base system to application configuration.

Building and running your container requires just two commands:

docker build -t myapp .
docker run -p 3000:3000 myapp

These commands build an image tagged as “myapp” and start a container that maps port 3000 to the host. The Docker workflow is consistent regardless of the application type.

Troubleshooting common issues often involves checking logs:

docker logs container_id

Other common troubleshooting steps include verifying network settings, checking storage permissions, and validating Dockerfile instructions. The Docker ecosystem includes tools like Portainer that provide graphical interfaces for debugging container issues.

Next Steps for Learning

Recommended resources include:

• Official Docker documentation
• “Docker in Action” by Jeff Nickoloff
• Play with Docker – Interactive lab environment
• Docker community forums

Practice projects help solidify container concepts:

1. Containerize a simple web application
2. Create a multi-container setup with Docker Compose
3. Build a CI/CD pipeline using containerized tests
4. Deploy containers to a cloud platform

Community engagement accelerates learning. Docker meetups, GitHub discussions, and Stack Overflow provide valuable insights from experienced users. The containerization community continues growing as more organizations adopt Docker and related technologies.

The Open Container Initiative provides standards ensuring compatibility across different container runtimes. This standardization means skills learned with Docker transfer to other container technologies in the ecosystem.

Advanced topics to explore include:

• Multi-stage builds for optimized images
• Custom Docker networks for complex applications
• Volume plugins for specialized storage needs
• Container monitoring and logging strategies

The container journey starts with basic concepts but extends to complex orchestration and optimization. Each step builds on Docker fundamentals while introducing new capabilities in the container ecosystem.

FAQ on What Is A Docker Container

How does a Docker container differ from a virtual machine?

A Docker container shares the host operating system’s kernel rather than virtualizing an entire OS. This fundamental difference makes containers significantly more lightweight than virtual machines. While a VM might be gigabytes in size and take minutes to start, containers are typically megabytes and launch in seconds.

Container technology achieves this efficiency through process isolation rather than hardware virtualization. The Docker platform uses Linux namespaces and cgroups to create boundaries between containerized applications without the overhead of a hypervisor. This architectural difference enables higher density deployment – you can run many more containers than VMs on the same hardware.

Docker Inc. designed containers with portable application deployment in mind, focusing on consistent application behavior rather than system replication. The container ecosystem has evolved around this philosophy, with tools optimized for application packaging and deployment rather than infrastructure virtualization.

What are the main components of the Docker architecture?

Docker architecture consists of several key components working together. The Docker engine serves as the core runtime that builds and runs containers. This includes the Docker daemon (dockerd), which manages container objects and listens for API requests.

The container runtime (containerd and runC) handles the actual execution of containers on the host system. Docker CLI provides the command interface that users interact with to control the Docker daemon. Docker Desktop packages these components with a user-friendly interface for Windows and Mac users.

Docker Hub Registry functions as the default public repository for container images, though private registries can also be implemented. The image layers system enables efficient storage and distribution of container components. Together, these elements form a complete platform for containerized application management.

What’s inside a Docker container?

A Docker container includes everything needed to run an application in an isolated environment:

1. Application code
2. Runtime dependencies (like Node.js, Python, etc.)
3. System libraries and tools
4. Configuration files
5. A minimal file system

The container image provides these components in a layered structure. Container layers build upon each other, with a writable layer added at runtime for temporary changes. File system isolation ensures one container cannot access another’s files unless explicitly configured to do so.

Solomon Hykes, Docker’s founder, designed this approach to create a truly portable environment that works consistently across different infrastructure. Everything needed to run the application is packaged together, eliminating “it works on my machine” problems that plague traditional deployment methods.

How do I create and run a Docker container?

Creating and running a Docker container involves several straightforward steps:

# Pull an image from Docker Hub
docker pull nginx

# Run a container from the image
docker run -d -p 8080:80 --name webserver nginx

# Verify the container is running
docker ps

This Docker workflow starts by downloading the Nginx image from Docker Hub. The Docker engine then creates a container, mapping port 80 from the container to port 8080 on the host system. The -d flag runs the container in detached mode (in the background).

Container management continues with additional commands:

# Stop the container
docker stop webserver

# Start it again
docker start webserver

# Remove the container
docker rm webserver

The Docker CLI makes these operations consistent across any environment running Docker, from local development with Docker Desktop to production systems using Amazon ECS or Google Kubernetes Engine.

What are Docker images and how do they relate to containers?

Docker images are read-only templates that contain instructions for creating Docker containers. Think of an image as a snapshot or blueprint, while the container is the running instance created from that blueprint.

Images consist of multiple layers, each representing an instruction in the Dockerfile. The layered approach enables efficient storage and transfer, as common layers can be shared between different images. When you pull an Ubuntu container image, for example, you’re downloading a set of filesystem layers that together form a complete Ubuntu environment.

The image registry ecosystem, including Docker Hub and cloud provider registries, stores these images for distribution. When you run a container, the Docker engine loads the image, adds a writable layer on top, and starts the specified processes. This immutable infrastructure approach improves consistency across environments.

What is Docker Compose and how does it relate to containers?

Docker Compose simplifies working with multi-container applications through a declarative YAML file format. Instead of managing individual containers with separate commands, Compose lets you define a complete application stack:

version: '3'
services:
  web:
    image: nginx
    ports:
      - "8080:80"
  database:
    image: postgres
    environment:
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: example

This approach is ideal for local development with containers and basic production deployments. Container orchestration becomes more manageable as service definitions, networking, and volume configurations are stored in version-controlled configuration files.

For more complex container management needs, tools like Kubernetes and Docker Swarm mode provide advanced features. However, Docker Compose remains popular for simpler use cases and as a stepping stone to more complex orchestration systems.

How does container networking work?

Container networking in Docker provides isolated communication channels between containers and external systems. The Docker platform offers several network types:

1. Bridge networks: The default network mode connecting containers on the same host
2. Host networks: Removing network isolation to use the host’s network directly
3. None networks: Complete network isolation
4. Overlay networks: Connecting containers across multiple hosts

Exposing and publishing ports allows containerized applications to accept connections:

docker run -p 8080:80 nginx

This maps the container’s port 80 to port 8080 on the host. Container-to-container communication happens when containers join the same network:

docker network create appnet
docker run --network=appnet --name=api api-image
docker run --network=appnet --name=frontend frontend-image

In this example, the frontend container can reach the API container using the hostname “api” – Docker provides built-in DNS resolution for containers on the same network. This isolation and connectivity flexibility makes Docker implementation suitable for complex application architectures.

How do containers handle data persistence?

Containers are designed to be ephemeral, but many applications need data persistence. Docker offers several solutions:

Volumes provide the recommended approach for persistent data:

docker volume create mydata
docker run -v mydata:/app/data nginx

Volumes exist independently of containers and are managed by Docker, making them ideal for database storage.

Bind mounts link container directories to host locations:

docker run -v /host/path:/container/path nginx

This approach works well for development, allowing code changes to appear immediately inside containers.

tmpfs mounts create memory-only storage for sensitive information:

docker run --tmpfs /app/temp nginx

These storage options support different containerized application needs, from databases requiring persistent storage to stateless web servers. Proper data persistence strategies are essential for production containerized deployments.

What are the security considerations for Docker containers?

Container security involves multiple layers of protection. While container isolation limits access between applications, containers share the host kernel, creating different security boundaries than virtual machines.

Image scanning and verification, offered by Docker Security Scanning and other tools in the container ecosystem, identify vulnerabilities in container images:

docker scan myapp:latest

Security best practices for Docker implementation include:

1. Running containers as non-root users
2. Using minimal base images like Alpine Linux
3. Implementing read-only file systems where possible
4. Regularly updating base images
5. Setting resource limits to prevent DoS attacks
6. Using secrets management for sensitive data

Container security continues evolving as Docker environments become increasingly common in production. The Open Container Initiative has established standards that influence security practices across the container technology landscape.

How do I get started with Docker containers?

Getting started with Docker involves a few simple steps:

1. Install Docker:
   • Download Docker Desktop for Windows or Mac
   • On Linux, use package managers (apt, yum) to install Docker engine
2. Verify installation:

   docker --version
   docker run hello-world
   

3. Run your first container:

   docker run -d -p 80:80 nginx
   

   Access http://localhost to see Nginx running.

4. Build a custom image: Create a Dockerfile:

   FROM node:14-alpine
   WORKDIR /app
   COPY . .
   RUN npm install
   CMD ["npm", "start"]
   

   Build and run your image:

   docker build -t myapp .
   docker run -p 3000:3000 myapp
   

Docker Desktop provides an excellent starting point with integrated tools for container management. The Docker community offers resources like Play with Docker for interactive learning. As you grow comfortable with container basics, explore Docker Compose for multi-container applications and consider container orchestration tools for more complex deployments.

Conclusion

Understanding what is a Docker container transforms how we approach application development and deployment. These lightweight, portable environments package everything needed to run software consistently across any infrastructure. The container technology pioneered by Docker Inc. has fundamentally changed DevOps practices worldwide.

Container virtualization offers significant advantages over traditional deployment methods. The Docker platform’s efficiency comes from sharing the host kernel while maintaining strict process isolation through Linux namespaces and cgroups. This architecture enables dense application packing without the overhead of full virtual machines.

Containerized applications now power everything from small startups to enterprise systems at Google Kubernetes Engine and Amazon ECS. The container specification standards established by the Open Container Initiative ensure compatibility across the ecosystem. Whether you’re building microservices, implementing continuous deployment workflows, or optimizing infrastructure costs, Docker containers provide the foundation for modern application delivery. Start your Docker journey today and join the containerization revolution reshaping software development.

If you liked this article about what is a Docker container, you should check out this article about Kubernetes vs Docker.

There are also similar articles discussing what is Docker hub, what is a Docker image, what is Docker compose, and where are Docker images stored.

And let’s not forget about articles on where are Docker volumes stored, how to use Docker, how to install Docker, and how to start Docker daemon.

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Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan is a seasoned web designer and tech strategist, with a keen eye on emerging industry trends.

With over a decade in the tech field, Bogdan blends technical expertise with insights on business innovation in technology.

A regular contributor to TMS Outsource's blog, where you'll find sharp analyses on software development, tech business strategies, and global tech dynamics.

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