What is Docker and how does it change the development process?

Developers can build, package, and run applications as containers using Docker, a containerization technology. Libraries, files, settings, and other dependencies and components needed to run the software are stored in a container, which is an isolated environment. In addition to making it easier to run programs in any environment, it also helps prevent many compatibility issues, such as "everything works on my computer."

The main benefit of Docker is that it creates a standardized environment for developing, testing, and running applications. Docker helps solve dependency problems in environments with heterogeneous servers, operating systems, or configurations. Docker ensures that the application will work the same, regardless of whether it is "packaged" in a container and used locally, on a server, or remotely.

Creating “images” — templates that encapsulate a complete container system — is the core focus of Docker’s operations. To specify how to build a container, what components are included, and how the application should be run, developers use a unique file known as a Dockerfile. This file generates an image that can be distributed to multiple hosts or shared with other developers using the docker build command.

Docker also makes collaboration easy. Docker Hub is an image repository that functions similar to GitHub and allows developers to share images with each other. This makes it easy to quickly and easily share environments and applications.

Development has been transformed by containerization with Docker, making it more scalable, predictable, and efficient. Teams can easily run products in any environment, prevent compatibility issues, and integrate new features faster by using it. Docker is one of the most important tools for DevOps and modern development.