build docker image

Are you excited to get started with Docker and want to create your own Docker image? No worries, this guide will help you step by step to build a Docker Image in no time.

Start by making sure Docker is installed on your system. You can check this by running the following command in your terminal:

docker --version

If you get a message indicating Docker’s version, you’re good to go!

Step 1: Create a Dockerfile

Before we create an image, we need to have a Dockerfile. A Dockerfile is a text file that contains all the commands used to build a Docker Image.

You can create a Dockerfile in your project directory by using any text editor. In the terminal, navigate to your project directory and open a new file called Dockerfile:

touch Dockerfile

Then, open the Dockerfile with your favorite text editor and add the following:

FROM debian:stretch
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
 build-essential \
 curl

The FROM command initializes a new build stage and sets the base image for subsequent instructions.

The RUN command will update the package lists to ensure they are up to date and install the necessary packages.

Save and close the Dockerfile when you’re finished.

Step 2: Build the Docker Image

Now, let’s build our Docker image!

In the terminal, navigate to your project directory. Now, use the following command to build your Docker image:

docker build -t your_image_name .

Make sure to replace “your_image_name” with the name you want to give to your Docker image.

The -t tag is used to name and optionally a tag in the ‘name:tag’ format.

The . tells Docker to use the current directory (where our Dockerfile is located).

Step 3: Verify the Docker Image

After your Docker image has successfully been built, it’s a good idea to verify that it’s in your images list.

You can check this by running the following command:

docker images

Your image should appear in the list.

And that’s it! You have successfully built your first Docker image. Be proud and experiment with different configurations for your Dockerfile. This was just the beginning, the possibilities with Docker are endless. Enjoy the journey!