Getting Started with Docker Commands

Docker provides a powerful and efficient way to manage containers and streamline the development and deployment process. By mastering basic Docker commands, you gain essential skills to work with containers effectively, ensuring a seamless experience from development to production.

Before diving into Docker commands, ensure that Docker is installed on your system. Once installed, follow these tasks to get hands-on experience with Docker:

1. Running Your First Container

Use the docker run command to start a new container and interact with it through the command line. For instance, run the following command to deploy the classic "hello-world" container:

docker run hello-world        

This command fetches the "hello-world" image from the Docker Hub, creates a container, and runs it, providing a simple confirmation that your Docker installation is working.

2. Inspecting Containers and Images

The docker inspect command allows you to view detailed information about a container or image. For example:

docker inspect <container_or_image_id>        

place <container_or_image_id> with the actual ID of the container or image you want to inspect.

3. Listing Port Mappings

To list the port mappings for a running container, use the docker port command:

docker port <container_id>        

Replace <container_id> with the ID of the running container.

4. Viewing Resource Usage Statistics

The docker stats command provides real-time resource usage statistics for one or more containers. Execute the following command to monitor resource consumption:

docker stats <container_id>        

Replace <container_id> with the ID of the container you want to monitor.

5. Viewing Processes Inside a Container

The docker top command lets you view the processes running inside a container:

docker top <container_id>        

Replace <container_id> with the ID of the container you want to inspect.

6. Saving and Loading Images

Use the docker save command to save an image to a tar archive:

docker save -o <output_path/image_name:tag.tar> <image_name:tag>        

Replace <output_path> with the desired path, <image_name:tag> with the image name and tag you want to save.

To load an image from a tar archive, use the docker load command:

docker load -i <input_path/image_name:tag.tar>        

Replace <input_path> with the path to the tar archive.