Docker recently made a very bold announcement. They said that they are going to reduce the complexity of cloud-native development. This is encouraging news, as a growing number of cloud developers are turning to the platform to create new applications.
This is a chance to focus 100% on our developer community.
Docker CEO, Scott Johnston
Developers should be aware of this change and understand why Docker is going to be an ideal platform for native cloud applications.
Docker is Going to Disrupt the Cloud Development Profession
Docker is an Open Source project that allows developers to easily create lightweight, portable and self-sufficient application containers.
This is one of the reasons it is such a promising platform for cloud development.
TechCrunch reports that this has always been a promising opportunity with Docker. However, the development ecosystem has been too fragmented thus far. Docker lacked an interface to move applications from the source to the cloud. Docker has pledged to address this limitation by making the interface friendlier for cloud-native developers.
Containers don’t have to utilize microservices and a helm repository when developing applications for the cloud, but these interfaces can be adapted for such an approach.
Overview of Docker for Cloud Developers
Cloud developers that have not used Docker before should understand its basic principles. At its core, Docker relies on containers.
Containers enable developers to develop cloud applications with all the features they require. Libraries can distribute cloud applications as a single package.
Any Linux machine can run these applications on a cloud server. You don’t have to worry about custom configurations causing problems.
Developing applications is complex processes, but Docker reduces the resources needed at both the application, operating system and infrastructure levels. Docker provides enough flexibility to move dependencies during the development cycle of an application to ensure resources are allocated as efficiently as possible. This would be a challenge when it comes to developing cloud applications with more primitive DevOps interfaces.
There are multiple steps of the application development cycle to manage these dependencies in any cloud application. It can be complicated and directly impact both development times and the quality of the result.
Each Docker container points to a specific application.
Docker also has special algorithms to manage the containers, which helps facilitate automation and scripting (especially when the goal is to reduce execution time). This is another important feature since automation is crucial for new cloud applications.
Docker containers only handle a single application at any given time. Another benefit is that the environment limits access to methods within the container’s directory tree.
Why is it Easier to Implement Cloud Applications with Docker?
Leading companies are relying on the Docker container platform to build, manage and secure all of their applications from both traditional and state-of-the-art micro-services, so they can be deployed anywhere, including cloud servers. Many Docker services are supported by cloud providers, including:
- AWS supports Docker in 3 different ways natively ECS, Kubernetes, and Fargate in a serverless way
- Google with Google Container Engine (GKE)
- Microsoft Azure with Azure Container Service (AKS)
- Ilimit also offers application hosting with Docker
- Docker uses system resources at optimal efficiency
Containerized application instances use memory more efficiently than virtual machines because they start and stop faster and can be packaged at a higher density than with your hardware. Cost savings vary by application and resource usage, containers work much more efficiently than virtual machines.
Cloud Application Delivery Turnaround Times Are Much Faster
Cloud applications must be able to adapt to changing market conditions by making scalability a priority. They must also incorporate the latest features customers in the respective industry are looking for. Docker containers make it easy to develop new versions of software, which include the latest features and upgrades. They can be upgraded automatically through the cloud.
The ability to constantly improve an application is essential as operating systems and technology are continually changing in general. The ability to turnaround application delivery makes businesses more efficient.
Docker Provides Greater Portability for Applications
Portability is another reason cloud developers rely on Docker. Docker containers can encapsulate all key elements in an application and enable the applications to easily be transported between environments. Every host that uses Docker runtime can run a Docker container, including with public cloud applications.
Docker and its Microservices architecture
Docker containers can easily create advanced online software to solve the problems of the future. Microservices make it is possible to scale, modify and append resources separately, through different tools = and in different timelines to satisfy the business needs.
When to Use Docker for Cloud Development?
Using Docker containers is convenient if it fits one or more of the following categories:
- Learning new programs and using new tools without the need to waste time on configuring and installing them.
- App isolation is a great use of Docker containers which allows the apps to run independently. One app going down will not impact the function of the other apps.
- Working with developer teams becomes seamless when using Docker for cloud development. There are various platforms that developers use that can all be consolidated.
Machine Learning to Adapt to Newer Technology
Docker projects can be isolated for security and stability purposes. Many projects maintain Docker images with their applications already installed and configured. The ability to adapt to newer technology will become far more efficient than in the past.
If a certain docker file has a security breach this will leave the other dockers safe and unaffected. Machine learning can also lead to great security as AI is the future of all cybersecurity. Artificial intelligence and machine learning can use data gathered to prevent hacks in a proactive instead of a reactive way.
The security of an organization’s ongoing work needs to be a priority of any organization.
Basic Use Cases
If a regular application is working with a default Docker image, then your application can extract necessary images from Docker Hub.
This is a much more time-efficient approach to creating an environment.
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