Common Docker Commands

Docker is a powerful tool for containerizing applications. Here’s how to work with Docker:

1. Install Docker: Download and install Docker Desktop for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux).

2. Run containers:
   • Use docker run to start a container from an image.
   • For example, docker run hello-world runs a simple test container.
   • Use flags like -d for detached mode and -p for port mapping.
3. Manage containers:
   • docker ps lists running containers.
   • docker ps -a shows all containers, including stopped ones.
   • docker start restarts a stopped container.
   • docker stop halts a running container.
   • docker rm <container-id-or-name> removes a stopped container.
4. Work with images:
   • docker search <image_name> search for images.
   • docker pull <image_name> downloads an image from a registry.
   • docker images lists local images.
   • docker rmi <image-id> remove an image.
   • Create a Dockerfile to build custom images.
5. Build images:
   • Use docker build to create an image from a Dockerfile.
   • Optimize images with multi-stage builds.
6. Use Docker Compose:
   • Create a compose.yaml file to define multi-container applications.
   • Use docker compose up to start all services defined in the Compose file.
7. Share images:
   • Push your images to Docker Hub or other registries.
8. Persist data:
   • Use volumes or bind mounts for data that needs to persist beyond the container’s lifecycle.

Remember to use docker --help or docker <command> --help for more information on specific commands.