8 Resources to Master Docker

Paddy lock
5 min readDec 14, 2016

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There are number of different system platforms and operating systems that operate under different brands and use different software or language, which has made it difficult for developers to cater to every platform or smartphone without having to go through tedious amounts of coding and development.

This changed with the introduction of Docker, which has quickly grown to become the go-to container platform for development of apps and software that require cross-platform capability. Docker offered developers the option to pack everything their app would need to run including files and suppositories in a neat package, which could then be deployed on any server, regardless of platform, version, and OS.

Docker is an open source software that also makes it easier for developers to test their apps on different platforms. Containers have become a savior for many developers, helping them reducing the number of coding principles to learn and master multiple languages. Docker works somewhat like a virtual machine, but with significantly reduced overheads.

In today’s day and age, when the number of platforms are constantly progressing and the number of programming languages are at an all time high, containers are a great way to ensure that you can design your app with the freedom you want.

If you want to get on this bandwagon, then here are a few resources to help you learn Docker from scratch. Some are even detailed enough to help you master this technology.

  1. Docker Docs

The only resource that can always be a guide for learning any new technology is the documentation created by the team of developers that have created the technology. Since, their understanding is at the highest level, the Docs often make the best learning resources. Even after you have mastered the technology, you should continue to refer to the Docs for any updates or changes and even getting a deeper understanding of the technology.

2. Docker for Professionals: The Practical Guide

This is a great start to finish guide. It assumes you have no experience with using Docker, but are proficient in programming languages. This Docker course has been designed around helping the students become not only familiar with Docker, but also be comfortable enough with technology to start using it. From covering basics including what is DevOps, what is Docker and what are its containers, as well as actually learn hands on applications. They also have a basic Docker for Beginners Free Course, if you want to check that out as a prequel.

3. Docker Tutorial — What is Docker & Docker Containers, Images, etc?

A 6-part video tutorial to help you understand Docker, Containers, Images and even how to install it — that’s all only in the first part. The other parts include cluster computing, scheduling, service registration, service discovery and even how to create a public DNS. The best part is that it is completely free. So, a great way to enter the world of Docker.

4. Getting Started with Docker: Simplifying Devops

A complete textual blog to help you breakdown Docker, in the simplest possible language for anyone who has no experience with Docker. Radek brilliantly helps you translate the industry jargon to simple English for newbies. If you already have some experience with Docker, you might want to skip this one — unless you just want to refresh your knowledge.

5. Docker Tutorials

Digital Ocean has complied a list of different Docker tutorials that cover different aspects of Docker. From how to install Docker, to creating and removing images from containers, to Docker deployment, you will gain a whole lot of knowledge from this resource. However, they are in no particular order, you might want to plan out how you want to go into this set.

6. Docker Tutorial for Beginners

Although the name suggests for beginners, it does not cover the absolute basics, so only refer to this resource if you already have some experience with Docker, at least downloading and setting it up. This blog focuses mostly on understanding images and containers, from how to create them to save them and also how to retrieve them and deleting them.

7. Docker Tutorials for Mastering Containerization

This is another compiled list and it’s targeted towards anyway who understands the fundamentals of Docker. On this website, there are separate blogs written by experienced professionals that share their expertise in Docker, from linking Docker containers to Why Docker is a great technology to learn. Newbies can try their hands at this, but you might have a little more difficult time picking it up.

8. Learn to build and deploy your distributed applications easily to the cloud with Docker

A short book on Docker that has been written and published in a chapter format. Starting at the complete beginning, including what is Docker, what are containers and the Google Trend on Docker usage, this Docker tutorial covers everything a newbie might need to understand and master Docker. All the codes are published in a Github account and are royalty free for use.

Docker is changing the way apps are created, tested and deployed, helping designers save important hours and even days of extra coding. These are just a few of the many different resources that are available online. If you find any other great resource that you think we should know about, please feel free to add them in the comments section!

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