Docker for the Absolute Beginner - Hands-On from Coursera

This comprehensive course is designed for those who are new to Docker and eager to learn from the ground up. You’ll begin with the basics, including how to install and set up Docker on various platforms. Through practical demonstrations, you’ll quickly get up to speed with Docker commands, allowing you to run, manage, and inspect containers with confidence.

As you progress, the course delves into more advanced topics like Docker images, Docker Compose, and Docker Registry. You’ll explore the creation of custom Docker images, the role of environment variables, and the distinction between command and entry point. Through interactive demos, you'll build and manage a multi-container application using Docker Compose, cementing your understanding of this powerful tool.

The final sections introduce you to Docker’s ecosystem beyond single containers. Learn the essentials of Docker networking, storage, and the Docker Engine, before advancing to container orchestration with Docker Swarm and Kubernetes. By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid foundation in Docker and be prepared to tackle real-world projects with this versatile technology.

If you are a system administrator, cloud infrastructure engineer, developer, or anyone new to Docker who is looking to develop a solid foundation in Docker, then this video course is for you. Basic system administrator skills are recommended before getting started with this course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

In this module, we will introduce the course and provide a foundational understanding of Docker. You will learn the basics of Docker, including how to install and set it up on your system.

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Provides a solid foundation in Docker, which is essential for modern software deployment and infrastructure management

Explores Docker Compose, which simplifies the management of multi-container applications, a common task in real-world projects

Covers Docker Swarm and Kubernetes, which are widely used container orchestration tools in the industry

Requires basic system administrator skills, so learners without this background may need to acquire it beforehand

Includes hands-on experience with the Docker command line interface, reinforcing practical skills

Explores Docker Engine, storage, and networking, which are critical components for understanding Docker's capabilities

Reviews summary

Hands-on docker for beginners

According to learners, this course provides a positive and practical introduction to Docker, making it suitable for absolute beginners looking to build a solid foundation. Many appreciate the hands-on demonstrations and labs, which help reinforce key concepts and provide real-world experience. The course covers essential topics like Docker commands, images, and Docker Compose effectively. Some students note that having basic system administration skills is beneficial, and the pace may be quick in places, especially when covering more advanced topics like orchestration, which are introduced but not explored in great depth. Overall, it is seen as a strong starting point for anyone new to Docker.

Introduction to Swarm/K8s is high-level.

"The coverage of Docker Swarm and Kubernetes is just a brief overview."

"It introduces orchestration concepts but doesn't go into deep detail, which is fair for a beginner course."

"Don't expect in-depth knowledge of Swarm or Kubernetes from this course."

Covers essential Docker concepts well.

"The modules on images and Docker Compose were particularly well done and easy to follow."

"I feel confident using basic Docker commands and managing containers after this course."

"It covers all the fundamental topics necessary to get started with Docker."

Practical demos reinforce learning effectively.

"The hands-on exercises were crucial for solidifying my understanding of the commands."

"Learning by doing in the labs was the most helpful part of the course."

"I really appreciated the practical demonstrations after each theoretical concept."

Course is suitable for absolute beginners.

"I was completely new to Docker, and this course really helped me understand the basics from the ground up."

"It's exactly what I needed as an absolute beginner; the concepts were explained clearly."

"Provides a great starting point if you have no prior experience with Docker containers."

Pace can be fast, basic sysadmin helps.

"Found some sections moved a bit quickly; needed to rewatch parts."

"As recommended, basic system administration knowledge would definitely make this easier."

"If you're entirely new to tech, the pace might feel challenging initially."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Docker for the Absolute Beginner - Hands-On with these activities:

Review Linux Command Line Basics

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Reinforce your understanding of basic Linux commands, as Docker often interacts with the underlying operating system through the command line.

Browse courses on Linux Command Line

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Review common commands like ls, cd, mkdir, rm, and cp.
Practice navigating the file system using the command line.
Familiarize yourself with basic file manipulation commands.

Read 'The Docker Book: Containerization Using Docker'

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Gain a deeper understanding of Docker concepts and best practices by reading a comprehensive guide.

View The Docker Book on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Docker Book'.
Read the chapters relevant to the course modules.
Take notes on key concepts and commands.

Practice Docker Commands

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Reinforce your understanding of Docker commands through repetitive practice.

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Set up a local Docker environment.
Run through a series of exercises using common Docker commands like run, ps, stop, and rm.
Experiment with different options and flags for each command.

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Create a Docker Cheat Sheet

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Solidify your understanding of Docker commands and concepts by creating a cheat sheet for quick reference.

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Compile a list of essential Docker commands and concepts.
Organize the information in a clear and concise format.
Include examples of how to use each command.

Containerize a Simple Web Application

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Apply your Docker knowledge by containerizing a simple web application, such as a basic HTML page or a simple Python Flask app.

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Choose a simple web application to containerize.
Create a Dockerfile for the application.
Build a Docker image from the Dockerfile.
Run the application in a Docker container.

Follow Advanced Docker Tutorials

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Refine your Docker skills by following advanced tutorials on topics like Docker networking, volumes, and security.

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Search for tutorials on advanced Docker topics.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step.
Experiment with the concepts and techniques learned.

Contribute to a Docker-related Open Source Project

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Deepen your understanding of Docker by contributing to an open-source project related to Docker or containerization.

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Find a Docker-related open-source project on GitHub or GitLab.
Identify an issue or feature to work on.
Contribute code, documentation, or bug reports.

Career center

Learners who complete Docker for the Absolute Beginner - Hands-On will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer leverages tools like Docker to streamline the software development lifecycle, and this course is extremely useful for this role. This role involves automating and optimizing the processes of building, testing, and deploying applications, utilizing containerization technology. This course provides hands-on experience with Docker commands, Docker images, and Docker Compose, which are essential for managing containerized applications. The course also provides instruction in container orchestration with Docker Swarm and Kubernetes, which is critical for advanced DevOps practices. Those aiming for a career as a DevOps Engineer will find this course to be a strong step in that direction.

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Cloud Engineer

Cloud Engineers build and maintain cloud infrastructure, and this course is a great fit for this role. Cloud Engineers often use Docker to deploy and manage applications in cloud environments. This course provides a hands-on approach to learning Docker, including how to manage containers on different platforms and how to work with Docker images. The exploration of Docker networking and storage, along with the introduction to container orchestration tools like Docker Swarm and Kubernetes, makes this course particularly relevant for a Cloud Engineer. This course helps build a foundation for anyone aiming for a career as a Cloud Engineer.

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System Administrator

System administrators are responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems and servers, and this course is extremely useful for this role. A system administrator often needs to understand containerization technology. This course introduces the fundamentals of Docker, including its installation and setup, along with practical demonstrations of Docker commands and image management. The curriculum covers how to work with the Docker command line, essential for day-to-day tasks, such as managing containers and diagnosing problems. This course provides a strong foundation for anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge base as a system administrator.

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Software Developer

Software Developers build applications and often use containerization to package and deploy their software. This course provides a hands-on introduction to core Docker concepts and commands, which are crucial for modern software development. Through practical demos, software developers can learn how to create custom Docker images, utilize environment variables, and work with Docker Compose to manage multi-container applications. Furthermore, the course explores container orchestration with Docker Swarm and Kubernetes. This course is helpful for those who are working as a software developer and want to learn about new software tools such as Docker.

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Platform Engineer

Platform engineers develop and maintain the infrastructure that allows software developers to build, test, and deploy applications efficiently, and this course is an extremely useful way to get started in the role. This role often relies on containerization technologies like Docker. This course will be invaluable in learning how to create and manage Docker images, and understanding how Docker Compose can simplify multi-container deployments. The training in Docker networking, storage, and the Docker Engine are directly related to the duties of a platform engineer. This course is key for setting a strong foundation for a career as a platform engineer.

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Release Engineer

Release Engineers manage the process of deploying software, and this course provides a strong starting point for a career in this field. This role often involves creating deployment pipelines that rely on containerization. This course will give a strong understanding of Docker commands, image management, and orchestration with Docker Swarm and Kubernetes. A release engineer would find the practical demos and hands-on experience to be very relevant in their day-to-day activities. This course will help to build a foundation for anyone seeking a career as a release engineer.

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Cloud Solutions Architect

Cloud Solutions Architects design and implement cloud-based solutions, and this course may be useful for this role. This role requires a broad understanding of cloud technologies, including containerization. This course will help a cloud solutions architect to understand the fundamentals of Docker, including working with images, the Docker CLI, and Docker Compose. While this course may only provide an introductory level of knowledge in Docker, this is a good start for anyone wishing to become a cloud solutions architect. This course, may fit well into a broader education program aimed at a career in this field.

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Backend Developer

Backend developers work to build the server-side logic for web applications, and this course may be useful for this role. Docker is often used for building and deploying backend services. This course introduces Docker, including key features like Docker images and Docker Compose, which can help a backend developer manage development environments. While this course may only provide an introductory level of knowledge, it will help to demonstrate an expertise in modern technologies. This course may be a helpful component of a broader professional development plan for a backend developer.

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Site Reliability Engineer

Site Reliability Engineers ensure the reliability and scalability of software applications, and this course may be useful for this role. This position often requires knowledge of containerization, such as Docker. This course will introduce Docker commands, image management, and orchestration tools like Docker Swarm and Kubernetes. While this course may only provide an introduction to how Docker can be used to implement resilient architectures, this course may still help a candidate begin their career path as a site reliability engineer.

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Technical Support Engineer

Technical Support engineers troubleshoot technical issues for end users, and this course may be useful for this role. This position requires familiarity with various technologies, including containerization. This course explores the basics of Docker and common deployments, which may help an engineer better troubleshoot containerization issues. While this course may only provide a basic understanding of these technologies, this is helpful for any technical support engineers seeking to expand their knowledge base. This course may be a helpful part of a professional development program.

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Technical Trainer

Technical trainers educate others on technical topics, and this course may be useful to them. This role requires a solid understanding of various technologies including containerization. This course provides a hands-on approach to learning Docker, which can make a technical trainer more competent in their job. While this course may not be the core of their role, the knowledge will provide helpful context for this role. Learning the fundamentals of Docker will provide this position with a stronger technical foundation.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain databases, and this course may be useful for this role. This role may sometimes interact with containerized databases. This course will provide an introduction to Docker and containerization fundamentals, which can help a database administrator understand modern deployment strategies. While this course may not be essential to their core responsibilities, this course may still be relevant for those working as a database administrator. This could help further their knowledge of the technologies they support.

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Data Engineer

Data Engineers build and maintain data infrastructure, and this course may be useful for this role. This role may sometimes involve containerized applications. This course provides a fundamental understanding of how Docker can be used which may help a data engineer understand modern cloud infrastructure. While this course may not be directly relevant to this role, this course may help a data engineer gain a broader understanding of modern technologies. This course could be part of a broader professional development program.

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IT Manager

IT managers oversee IT department operations, and this course may be useful for this position. This role requires general knowledge of a variety of technologies. This course provides a foundation in containerization, which will be helpful for IT managers to understand the technical choices that their teams may consider. While this course may not be core to their daily responsibilities, this course may help to broaden the technological perspective of an IT manager. This course could fit into a larger professional development plan.

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Project Manager

Project Managers oversee project execution, and this course may be useful. This role may involve managing software and technology engineering teams. This course provides a foundation in containerization, which can help a project manager understand the technological aspects of projects. While the course may not be directly relevant to the core tasks of a project manager, it may help a project manager have an informed perspective. This course may be a good addition to a broader plan of professional development.

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Docker for the Absolute Beginner - Hands-On

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What's inside

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Reviews summary

Hands-on docker for beginners

Activities

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