mirror of https://github.com/docker/docs.git
80 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
80 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: What is a container?
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keywords: get started, quick start, intro, concepts
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description: Learn what a container is by seeing and inspecting a running container.
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aliases:
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- /get-started/what-is-a-container/
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---
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A container is an isolated environment for your code. This means that a
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container has no knowledge of your operating system, or your files. It runs on
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the environment provided to you by Docker Desktop. Containers have everything
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that your code needs in order to run, down to a base operating system. You can
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use Docker Desktop to manage and explore your containers.
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In this walkthrough, you'll view and explore an actual container in Docker
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Desktop.
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Before you start, [get Docker Desktop](../../get-docker.md).
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## Step 1: Set up the walkthrough
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The first thing you need is a running container. Use the following instructions to run a container.
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1. Open Docker Desktop and select the search.
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2. Specify `docker/welcome-to-docker` in the search and then select **Run**.
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3. Expand the **Optional settings**.
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4. In **Container name**, specify `welcome-to-docker`.
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5. In **Host port**, specify `8088`.
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6. Select **Run**.
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## Step 2: View containers on Docker Desktop
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You just ran a container! You can view it in the **Containers** tab of Docker
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Desktop. This container runs a simple web server that displays a simple website.
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When working with more complex projects, you'll run different parts in different
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containers. For example, a different container for the frontend, backend, and
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database. In this walkthrough, you only have a simple frontend container.
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## Step 3: View the frontend
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The frontend is accessible on port 8088 of your local host. Select the link in
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the **Port(s)** column of your container, or visit
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[http://localhost:8088](http://localhost:8088) in your browser to view it.
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## Step 4: Explore your container
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Docker Desktop lets you easily view and interact with different aspects of your
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container. Try it out yourself. Select your container and then select **Files**
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to explore your container's isolated file system.
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## Step 5: Stop your container
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The `welcome-to-docker` container continues to run until you stop it. To stop
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the container in Docker Desktop, go to the **Containers** tab and select the
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**Stop** icon in the **Actions** column of your container.
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## Summary
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In this walkthrough, you ran a pre-made image and explored a container. In addition to running pre-made images, you can build and run your own application as container.
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Related information:
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- Read more about containers in [Use containers to Build, Share and Run your applications](https://www.docker.com/resources/what-container/)
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- Deep dive in Liz Rice's [Containers from Scratch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fi7uSYlOdc&t=1s) video presentation
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## Next steps
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Continue to the next walkthrough to learn what you need to create your own image
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and run it as container.
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{{< button url="./run-a-container.md" text="How do I run a container?" >}} |