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Docker for beginners

No prior Docker needed. It starts from what a container is and why Docker exists, then walks one small app through running, building, configuring, connecting, and persisting. Each topic explains the idea in plain language before any command.

Beginner5 sections · 16 lessons · ~4h total · 12-question self-test

01

Docker basics

4 lessonsTest yourself

01What Docker is, and whyThe problem containers solve, in plain terms.10 min 02Containers vs virtual machinesWhy a container is lighter than a VM.10 min 03Images vs containersThe blueprint and the running thing.8 min 04Installing Docker & your first runhello-world, and what just happened.10 min

02

Working with containers

4 lessonsTest yourself

01The core commandsrun, ps, stop, rm, images.12 min 02docker run in depthDetach, names, ports, and tags.12 min 03Inspect, logs & execLook inside a running container.10 min 04Environment variablesConfigure a container at run time.8 min

03

Building your own images

3 lessonsTest yourself

01Writing a DockerfileTurn an app into an image.12 min 02The layered filesystem & build cacheWhy instruction order makes builds fast.12 min 03CMD vs ENTRYPOINTWhat actually runs when a container starts.10 min

04

Data, networking & Compose

4 lessonsTest yourself

01Persisting data: volumes & bind mountsKeep data when a container is gone.12 min 02Container networking basicsbridge, host, none, and publishing ports.12 min 03Multi-container apps with ComposeOne file, a whole stack.12 min 04Registries, tags & sharing imagespush, pull, and how tags work.10 min

05

Where to go next

1 lesson

01Where to go nextCompose to orchestration, and the path beyond.6 min

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Final exam

Test yourself on everything

12 questions drawn from all 4 sections — every answer explained as you pick.

Start final exam