docker

Docker Compose lets you define and run multiple interconnected services in a single configuration file. Define each service with its image, ports, volumes, and environment variables in docker-compose.yml, then use docker-compose up -d to start the full stack. Services communicate via their defined names on a shared bridge network.

Multi-stage builds separate your build environment from your runtime environment, reducing final image size. Write multiple FROM statements in your Dockerfile—one for compilation, one for runtime—then copy only necessary artifacts to the final stage. This pattern pairs well with distroless images for production-ready, minimal containers.

Docker automates CI/CD by containerizing your application and its dependencies, ensuring consistent behavior across environments. Build container images in your pipeline, push to a registry, and deploy to orchestrated services. Docker Compose handles local multi-service testing; orchestration tools manage production deployments.

Yes, health checks monitor whether your containerized services are running correctly. Define healthcheck directives in docker-compose.yml to specify interval, timeout, and command logic. Compose uses these checks to determine service readiness and can restart unhealthy containers automatically.

Docker bridge networking connects containers on the same network so they communicate by service name. Inspect logs with docker-compose logs -f [service-name], verify services are on the same network, check exposed ports in your compose file, and test connectivity with ping or curl from within containers.

Named volumes and bind mounts in Docker Compose enable data sharing across services. Define volumes in your docker-compose.yml and mount them to service containers. Named volumes persist data independently of container lifecycle; bind mounts tie data to host directories for development workflows.