Docker
February 22, 2026
What it is
Docker provides the container runtime and toolchain (build, run, push). Docker Compose defines multi-container stacks in YAML. Industry standard for local dev and many production deployments.
Usage
Build images with Dockerfile; run locally or in CI; use Compose for dev stacks; push to registries.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ubiquitous; great docs | Daemon requires root (see Podman) |
| Compose for simple orchestration | Desktop licensing changes |
| Huge image ecosystem | |
| Simple mental model |
Alternatives
Podman (daemonless), containerd (runtime only). Why Docker: Easiest path to containers and Compose; most examples use it.
Links
- Homepage: https://www.docker.com/
- Documentation: https://docs.docker.com/
- Source: https://github.com/docker