What is Docker primarily used for?

Docker is primarily used as a platform for developing, shipping, and running applications. It achieves this by utilizing container technology, which allows developers to package applications along with all their dependencies into isolated units called containers. This ensures that applications can run reliably in various computing environments, eliminating issues related to environment inconsistencies.

Containers enable developers to create, test, and deploy applications swiftly and efficiently, facilitating Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) processes. The lightweight nature of containers allows multiple applications to run on the same host without interfering with one another, making it an excellent choice for microservices architectures and cloud-native applications.

Using Docker, teams can streamline their workflows, enhance productivity, and maintain consistent deployment practices across different environments, from development through to production.