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create a container in docker

Simple docker step by step how to create a container in docker with explanation

Creating a container in Docker is an essential skill for software engineer or dev ops.

Here, you’ll get a step-by-step guide on how to successfully accomplish this task.

Understanding Docker and Containers

Docker is an open-source platform created to make it easier for developers to create, package, and distribute their applications.

Containers, on the other hand, are lightweight, standalone executable packages that include everything needed to run a piece of software.

Steps to Create a Container

This tutorial will guide you through every step of creating a Docker container.

  1. Install Docker: Before creating a container, it’s necessary to have Docker installed on your system. Pick your OS and follow the instructions provided on the official Docker website.

  2. Pull an Image: Docker containers are based off Docker images, so the first action is finding and pulling the appropriate image from a Docker repository. This can usually be done with a command such as docker pull ubuntu:latest.

  3. Create the Container: With an image available, the next command will create the container.

The format is: docker create [OPTIONS] IMAGE [COMMAND] [ARG...]

For example, a simple command to create a container from an Ubuntu image might be: docker create -it --name ubuntu_container ubuntu:latest.

Explaining the Create Command

In the command docker create -it --name ubuntu_container ubuntu:latest used above:

  • -it allows you to interact with the container.
  • --name names your container (ubuntu_container in this case).
  • ubuntu:latest is the image the container is based on, which you pulled from the Docker repository earlier.

By running the docker create command, your Docker container will be created and ready for use. You can now start, stop, resume, or delete your container as needed.

Summary

Learning how to create a Docker container can be a big step in streamlining your application development process. By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to build and manage your software more efficiently.

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