What is the main purpose of Docker containers?

The primary purpose of Docker containers is to package applications along with all their dependencies into a single, standardized unit. This packaging ensures that the application runs consistently across different computing environments. By encapsulating the application and its necessary libraries, runtime, and configuration files, Docker containers eliminate the common "it works on my machine" problems that occur when software is moved from one environment to another.

This approach streamlines the development and deployment processes, allowing developers to focus on writing code without worrying about the underlying system's configuration, operating system differences, or external library versions. As a result, Docker provides a lightweight and efficient means of isolating and deploying applications, making it easier to develop, ship, and run software in various environments, from local machines to production servers.