I've just started getting into JavaScript development and I'm a bit confused about the need for Docker. I see that I can clone a Git repository, run `npm install`, and then start my development server with `npm run dev`. That seems simple enough. But I've read about Docker and learned it involves setting up containers, building Docker images, and configuring things like Nginx. So I'm wondering, how does using Docker actually make my life easier? Right now, it just seems like more trouble for no clear benefit.
1 Answer
Using Docker helps create a consistent development environment that works everywhere. It's great for complex applications that have many dependencies and need to run on different platforms (like macOS, Linux, or Windows). When you build a Docker image, it packages everything you need, so you avoid the 'it works on my machine' problem. Plus, you can set up multiple services easily without worrying about conflicts in dependencies and configurations. It may sound overwhelming at first, but it simplifies deployment in the long run!
Exactly! It allows you to manage the networking between different components of your app seamlessly, which is super handy when deploying to AWS or other environments.