What is Docker? When should I use Docker?

Docker is a special tool designed to make it simpler for creating, deploying, and running apps by using containers.

· Containers allow a developer to package up an app with every single requirement, like libraries & other dependencies and ship it all out as one package.

· Thanks to the container, the developer can rest assured that the app will run on any other Linux machine despite any customized settings that machine might have.

When to this special tool?

Docker is a crucial tool, like java or git and you can use:

· When you want to distribute/collaborate on the application’s OS with a team

· Docker as a version control system for your whole app’s OS

· For running the code on your PC in a similar environment as you have on the server

· Whenever your application requires to go through various development phases (Dev/ QA/Test/Prod, try Shippable or Drone, both execute Docker CI/ CD)

· Docker with your Puppet Manifests and Chef Cookbooks (bear in mind, Docker does not perform configuration management)