I'm diving into Docker for the first time and trying to understand how it's really used in production environments, beyond what I've seen in class. Are most people leaning towards Docker Desktop or other GUI tools, or is it mainly command line and scripts? I'm particularly interested in what small companies do with just a few machines, avoiding complex setups like Swarm or Kubernetes. Also, what key things should beginners like myself be aware of? Thanks!
5 Answers
I started off using the CLI, then gave Portainer a try, but now Docker Compose is my go-to. It really simplifies everything once you have your setups in a compose file. I found Dockage to be a solid GUI that keeps everything organized. Just be aware that Portainer has some limitations with Compose files!
Is Portainer not great for auto-scaling? I’ve heard mixed opinions on that.
Getting comfortable with the command line is crucial. You'll definitely need it later for debugging in deployed environments. Trust me, it's worth the effort!
While I love using the command line, Docker Desktop is great for local development and I often use Docker Compose. Just remember, knowing command line basics is beneficial since it works across all systems. For people who aren’t super experienced, Portainer can provide a user-friendly overview and makes it easier to manage setups across multiple nodes.
It really varies by user. Some prefer GUI tools that suit their specific needs, while others stick strictly to the command line. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach!
Using the command line is key, especially if you're working on headless Linux servers. Setting up a dedicated testing environment that mirrors your production setup can really help avoid issues later on!
Thanks for sharing! I’m mostly familiar with GUIs, so I really want to learn these best practices like Compose that can help my team.