Why Docker Is Set to Revolutionize Software Development

In 2016 many experts predicted that Docker would become more popular and change the software world. After first encountering Docker in early 2015, the author was impressed by its convenience and ability to solve many problems.

While “container” is usually translated as “容器”, it also means “shipping container”. Shipping containers transformed global logistics by enabling highly automated, standardized, low‑cost transport, which in turn spurred economic globalization.

Similarly, Docker provides a “container” for applications.

Core Features of Docker

Docker is an open‑source application container engine built on lightweight LXC virtualization. Compared with traditional virtual machines such as KVM, Docker containers start in seconds, consume far fewer resources, and a single PC can run hundreds or thousands of containers.

Problems Docker Solves

(1) Environment dependencies – For example, a Java web application requires a specific JDK version, web server version, and various JARs. Docker packages a specific OS version and all required components into a container that can be deployed anywhere, ensuring identical environments on development, testing, and production servers.

(2) Large‑scale rapid deployment – Treat servers as ships and Docker containers as cargo. To deploy to 100 servers, simply copy the container to each machine, eliminating the need to set up environments individually.

(3) Isolation between applications – Each container runs independently. For instance, MySQL 5.5 and MySQL 5.6 can be placed in separate containers on the same server without interfering with each other.

Docker is already widely adopted, and its impact on the software world is expected to become evident soon.