Hey everyone! I'm trying to figure out when exactly I should use Docker for my development projects. For example, if I'm building a React app with a Node.js backend, I would typically start by using npm to create these projects, which means I'll need to install Node.js on my machine. But I'm wondering if it's better to just use a Node image from Docker Hub instead. Should I install everything on my local machine, or can I handle it all with images? I'm a bit confused about whether I should rely on Docker for everything or keep some things installed directly on my machine. Any insights? Thanks!
5 Answers
Personally, I maintain a development environment on my machine where I install all necessary tools, but then I create a Dockerfile for my projects. I push the code to a testing environment that runs the containers, which helps ensure my local setup doesn't affect the release. It gives me peace of mind that everything is running correctly.
In my opinion, some tools work better when installed directly on your machine. For example, I prefer running Caddy without a Docker container to avoid latency issues. Containers can introduce some overhead, which is something to think about if you're using multiple containers. It's really all about evaluating each specific use case.
I've switched to using Docker for almost all my development work, and I really appreciate it! Developing in a Docker environment makes things consistent, and it's super easy to upgrade or change versions without messing up your setup. Sure, it feels a bit strange at first, but I think it’s worth it!
You can definitely go the Docker route and skip installing Node locally. Using a Node image from Docker Hub for your frontend and backend keeps your local setup clean and free from version conflicts. Plus, it can mimic production closely! Here's a handy article I found: [Docker Use Cases](https://www.clickittech.com/devops/docker-use-cases/)
It really depends on what you prefer. Using Docker can streamline deployments, making them cleaner. However, the trade-off might be a slower development process since you have that extra layer. I've experimented with both; for simpler projects, I just skip Docker, but for more complex ones, Docker is my go-to!
I’ve found Docker dev environments to be a bit slow sometimes, though. Just saying!