How to Install and Use Docker on Ubuntu - Full Tutorial

Docker is an open platform for developers and system administrators to deploy, run, and manage applications in isolated environments called containers. Docker can significantly streamline application deployment and well-suited for modern web applications which require scalability and elasticity. Understanding Docker's installation and usage is essential for anyone involved in modern software development. This tutorial will walk you through the complete process of installing and using Docker on Ubuntu.

Installing Docker on Ubuntu

The first step in our journey to use Docker on Ubuntu is to install the software. Here's how you install Docker on Ubuntu step-by-step.

Step 1: Update your System Packages

You need to ensure all system packages are up to date before you proceed to install Docker. Use the commands below:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get upgrade

These commands will ensure your system packages are up-to-date.

Step 2: Install Docker

The next step is to install Docker. The command below installs Docker from the official Ubuntu repositories.

sudo apt-get install docker.io

When the installation completes, Docker will be ready to use on your system.

Step 3: Start and Automate Docker

Now you need to start Docker and make sure it is set to start automatically at boot.

sudo systemctl start docker

sudo systemctl enable docker

Now Docker is fully installed on your Ubuntu system.

Using Docker on Ubuntu

Now that we've installed Docker on Ubuntu, we'll discuss how to use Docker. Let's start with the basic functionalities.

Checking Docker Version

You can verify the installed version of Docker using the following command:

docker --version

Running a Docker Container

To run a Docker container, you use the following command:

docker run [container name]

Replace [container name] with the name of the container you want to run. Docker will fetch this container from the Docker Hub if it's not available locally.

Listing Docker Containers

To view a list of all active Docker containers, use the command shown below:

docker ps

To view all Docker containers, use:

docker ps -a

Managing Docker Containers

Docker offers numerous commands to manage containers. Here are a few common ones:

* docker stop [container_id] - stops a running container

* docker start [container_id] - starts a container

* docker rm [container_id] - removes/deletes a container

Working with Docker Images

Images are the building blocks of Docker containers. Here's how to manage Docker images:

* docker images - lists all your Docker images

* docker rmi [image_id] - removes/deletes a Docker image

* docker pull [image_name] - pulls an image from Docker Hub

Finally, Docker has an interactive shell that allows you to interact directly with your containers. This shell can be opened using the following command:

docker attach [container_id]

This tutorial only scratches the surface of Docker’s capabilities but it should give you a solid foundation to start with. Keep going, and happy Dockering!

Conclusion

In this guide, we've covered step-by-step instructions on how to install and use Docker on Ubuntu. Docker can effectively streamline your software development process and is an essential tool for modern software developers and system administrators.

Remember, the key to becoming proficient with Docker is hands-on experience and exploration. Don't hesitate to dive deeper, create your own containers, and explore Docker to the best of your abilities. Good luck on your journey!