School of Information Systems

Using Docker Technology to Run Lightweight and Portable Applications

In the ever-evolving digital age, the need for systems that are fast, stable, and easy to run across multiple platforms is critical. One of the biggest challenges in software development is the difference in environment between development and production, which often causes applications to fail to run properly. To overcome this, Docker technology comes as an innovative solution with the concept of containerization. Docker allows applications to run in containers that are lightweight, portable, and isolated from the main system, thus improving efficiency and consistency in application development and deployment. 

What is Docker? 

Docker is an open-source platform that allows developers to package, distribute, and run applications in a container. This container contains everything the application needs to run-including code, libraries, configurations, and dependencies-so that it can be run consistently in various environments, whether on a personal computer, local server, or cloud. 

Unlike a virtual machine (VM) that runs the entire operating system, Docker uses a lighter approach by utilizing the kernel of the host system, so the execution process is faster and more efficient. 

Benefits of Using Docker 

Some of the main benefits of using Docker in the world of software development include: 

  • Portability 

Applications packaged in containers can be run anywhere without the need for reconfiguration. This is very helpful in avoiding the statement “on my computer it works, but on the server it’s an error” 

  • Efficiency and Speed 

Containers are lighter and require fewer resources than virtual machines, making the application startup process much faster. 

  • Environment Isolation 

Each container runs in isolation, so changes to one application do not affect another. 

  • Ease of Deployment and Scalability 

Docker supports deployment automation and makes it easy to manage a scalable microservices architecture on the fly. 

 

Docker is one of the most important technologies in the modern software development world. With its ability to run applications in a lightweight, portable, and isolated manner, Docker provides a real solution to the problem of different development and production environments. In addition, this technology also facilitates the development of large-scale systems based on microservices. In the future, the use of Docker is predicted to expand along with the need for application efficiency and scalability in various industrial sectors. 

Freza Fathur Nur Purnomo