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Backend Development Without Docker? Think Again!

October 15, 2024 | Backend DevelopmentTools we use

If you’ve spent any amount of time as a backend developer, you’ve probably encountered that confusing moment when an app runs perfectly on your local machine but falls apart when you try it out in another environment. Maybe it’s a version mismatch or an obscure dependency -whatever the cause, you find yourself desperately debugging instead of focusing on what matters: writing code and solving problems

This is exactly where Docker comes into the rescue, and if you haven’t used Docker so far, let me explain why now it is the right time to begin. 

What is Docker, anyway? 

Docker is a tool that packages your application with everything it needs to run inside one independent container. By using Docker, you only set up your application once and then it behaves the same everywhere, no matter where it’s being run. Think of it as a portable environment that guarantees your app will behave the same, no matter where it’s running. Even if you run your application on an ATM machine, it’s going to work the same as on your machine. You get to say goodbye to the good old “works on my machine” excuse. Docker provides your application with all its required components, so it works seamlessly no matter where it’s run.  

All parts of the application bundled in one container. 
Picture obtained from https://accesto.com/ 

Even if you have one complex application with multiple services, servers, and commands that need to be run, you can use Docker to bundle up that architecture into one container and deploy it easily anywhere. 

Solving Dependency Nightmare 

Every backend developer knows the pain of the dependency nightmare. One project requires Python 3.8, while another one needs Python 3.6. Your project is built on Node version 16, but then you try to configure it on a machine with Node version 22, and you need to downgrade and match package compatibilities, very often with a lot of headaches. Docker solves this mess effectively. 

With Docker, each app runs inside its own isolated container, complete with its dependencies. You don’t need to worry if app A needs one version of something and app B needs another. They each get their own private universe, and that keeps everything clean and conflict-free. It is like having a personal virtual machine for each service – but much lighter and easier to manage. 

Consistency from Development to Production 

Imagine joining a new project, and the readme file is a long setup guide with commands to install, configure, and debug multiple services before you can even run ‘Hello World’. Now imagine running a single command like ‘docker-compose up’ or sail up’ and having your entire development environment ready in minutes. 
 
With Docker, everything is easier. The configuration needed to set up your environment is all codified and placed into ‘Dockerfile’ and ‘docker-compose.yml’ files, and anyone can replicate the environment without going through the hassle of manual installs. The ‘Dockerfile’ is used to build a custom Docker image for a single container, while the ‘docker-composer.yml’ is for managing multiple containers as services. Then you just pull the repository, run Docker, and the container is built up and ready to be run. 
One of the trickiest parts of backend development is often deployment. Moving from development to production can expose tons of issues that you simply didn’t see coming. Docker takes the guesswork out of this process. 
 
When you’re using Docker, the container you develop in is pretty much the same one you deploy to production. No more surprises about which version of Node or Python is running on the server. No more random missing dependencies. What you build is exactly what ships. 

Great for Testing 

Want to try out the latest version of a dependency, or implement a new feature without risking your entire project? Docker makes that possible without any trouble.  
You can pull a Docker image, create a new container, and experiment freely. If something goes wrong, you just delete the container and no harm is done. You don’t have to install anything system-wide, and you won’t risk breaking other projects. For example, with Laravel Sail, you can even have PHPMyAdmin for database management as a container, without needing to set up external servers or deal with complicated configurations. 

Docker Project with multiple containers including database management, web server, MySQL server and much more. 

The Alternative for Virtual Machines 

Before Docker, virtual machines were the standard solution for isolated environments. They got the job done, but they were heavy and consumed a lot of resources. Docker containers, on the other hand, share the host OS kernel, making them much lighter and faster. 

Running ten services on your laptop with virtual machines? Almost impossible. Running ten Docker containers? Absolutely doable. Docker gives you the flexibility and speed of virtual machines without the resource overhead. 

Wrapping Up!

Once you start using Docker, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it. It makes everything easier: setting up environments, keeping things consistent, and moving projects around. It’s perfect for handling microservices, trying out new ideas without worries, and deploying without stress. 
 
If you’re a backend developer, someone who plans to get into Devops, or just want to deploy an application in an easier way, and haven’t dived into Docker yet, it’s definitely worth your time. 
 
So go ahead, install Docker, write your first ‘Dockerfile’, and let it do the heavy lifting. I promise you’ll spend less time managing environments and more time doing what you love: building great software

Until next time!
Jovan Ilovski
Backend Developer