Docker Engine vs Docker Desktop

Docker is a powerful tool that allows developers to build, ship, and run applications in containers. There are two main components of Docker: Docker Engine and Docker Desktop. In this article, we will explore the differences between the two and provide some code examples to help you understand how they work.

Docker Engine

Docker Engine is the core of the Docker platform. It is an open-source containerization technology that allows you to create and manage containers. Docker Engine consists of the Docker daemon, which is a server that runs on your host machine, and the Docker client, which allows you to interact with the daemon.

With Docker Engine, you can build images, run containers, and manage the lifecycle of your applications. Here is an example of how you can run a container using Docker Engine:

docker run -d -p 80:80 nginx

This command will run an Nginx container in detached mode, forwarding port 80 on the host machine to port 80 in the container.

Docker Desktop

Docker Desktop is a desktop application that provides an easy-to-use interface for managing Docker containers on Windows and Mac machines. It includes the Docker Engine, as well as a graphical user interface that makes it easy to build, run, and share containers.

Docker Desktop also includes other tools and services, such as Docker Compose, which allows you to define and run multi-container applications. Here is an example of how you can use Docker Compose to run a multi-container application:

version: '3'
services:
  web:
    image: nginx
    ports:
      - "80:80"
  db:
    image: mysql
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: password

This Docker Compose file defines two services: a web service running Nginx and a db service running MySQL. The web service exposes port 80 on the host machine, and the db service sets the MySQL root password.

Journey

journey
    title Docker Engine Journey

    section User
        Docker Engine installed
        Docker run command executed
        Container running
        Application accessible

The journey diagram above illustrates the typical workflow of using Docker Engine to run a container. From installing Docker Engine to running a container and accessing the application, each step is essential to the process.

State Diagram

stateDiagram
    [*] --> Installing
    Installing --> [*]
    Installing --> Running
    Running --> Stopped
    Stopped --> Running

The state diagram above shows the different states that a Docker container can be in, from installing to running to stopped. Containers can transition between these states depending on the commands executed by the user.

In conclusion, Docker Engine and Docker Desktop are both essential tools for working with Docker containers. Docker Engine provides the core functionality for building and running containers, while Docker Desktop offers a user-friendly interface for managing containers on desktop machines. By understanding the differences between the two, you can choose the right tool for your development needs.