What Is Docker and Why Use It?
Docker lets you package applications inside containers. It eliminates the classic "works on my machine" problem and guarantees consistency between development, staging, and production environments.
Writing a Dockerfile
A good Dockerfile is layered and takes full advantage of the build cache. Place frequently changing layers toward the end of the file.
Multi-Container Setups with Docker Compose
Most applications need more than one service: web server, database, cache, reverse proxy. Docker Compose lets you declare them in a single YAML file.
Production Best Practices
1) Do not run as root — add USER node. 2) Use a .dockerignore file. 3) Add a health check. 4) Stream logs to stdout/stderr. 5) Manage secrets via environment variables or Docker secrets.
Conclusion
Docker is an essential part of modern deployment. Integrate it into your CI/CD pipeline to get fully automated build and release flows — the same approach KEYDAL uses across its own services.