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Docker for beginners

The true beginner path — no prior Docker needed. It starts from what a container is and why Docker exists, then walks one small app all the way through running, building, configuring, connecting, and persisting — one bite-sized topic at a time, each opening with a plain-language analogy before any command.

Beginner5 sections · 16 lessons · ~4h total · 12-question self-test

01

Docker basics

4 lessonsTest yourself

01What Docker is, and whyThe problem containers solve, in plain terms.10 min 02Containers vs virtual machinesWhy a container is lighter than a VM.10 min 03Images vs containersThe blueprint and the running thing.8 min 04Installing Docker & your first runhello-world, and what just happened.10 min

02

Working with containers

4 lessonsTest yourself

01The core commandsrun, ps, stop, rm, images.12 min 02docker run in depthDetach, names, ports, and tags.12 min 03Inspect, logs & execLook inside a running container.10 min 04Environment variablesConfigure a container at run time.8 min

03

Building your own images

3 lessonsTest yourself

01Writing a DockerfileTurn an app into an image.12 min 02The layered filesystem & build cacheWhy instruction order makes builds fast.12 min 03CMD vs ENTRYPOINTWhat actually runs when a container starts.10 min

04

Data, networking & Compose

4 lessonsTest yourself

01Persisting data: volumes & bind mountsKeep data when a container is gone.12 min 02Container networking basicsbridge, host, none, and publishing ports.12 min 03Multi-container apps with ComposeOne file, a whole stack.12 min 04Registries, tags & sharing imagespush, pull, and how tags work.10 min

05

Where to go next

1 lesson

01Where to go nextCompose to orchestration, and the path beyond.6 min

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Final exam

Test yourself on everything

12 questions drawn from all 4 sections — every answer explained as you pick.

Start final exam