What is the purpose of Docker Compose?

The purpose of Docker Compose is to define and manage multi-container applications using a single YAML file. This tool simplifies the orchestration of services that need to run together. With Docker Compose, developers can specify the different services that their application consists of, along with their configurations, such as environment variables, ports, volumes, and dependencies, all in one place.

This approach eliminates the complexity of handling each container individually, allowing for more efficient resource management and simpler deployment processes. The YAML file serves as a blueprint for the application, so running the application becomes as simple as executing a single command. This capability is especially useful in microservices architecture, where multiple services work together, each potentially running in its own container.

In contrast, options such as deploying single-container applications or creating Docker images do not capture the core functionality of Docker Compose. Additionally, while running containers in production is important, Docker Compose's strength lies in managing complex multi-container environments rather than purely focusing on the production aspect.