analogy corner

In tech there is concept of 'it works on my machine'. Which is basically this idea that you've written your code, great, but now you want to send it to someone else for them to use. Because - what use is code when it's only on your computer, and if you want to make money, real money like Mark Zuckerberg you need to ship code and ship it to loads of places! So anyway you send your code to your friend. And usually they say - oh it doesn't work. Maybe I have a different version of python, a different OS system, the wrong environment. The list is endless. So......what do coders do about this? Enter 'Docker'. When I first heard about Docker - I could not get my head around it. What are people talking about dockerise something, why are we talking about this. So I listened to this you tube video of the guy (Solomon Hykes) talking about why they built Docker - I wanted to understand what problem they were trying to solve. In a nutshell - and the reason it's called Docker is the idea that if you package software, in the same way that shipping containers are packaged they can move around the world without the 'shipping/movement' of them causing issues. 

So anyway - i'm updating that analogy to 2023/2024 - and saying I now in my brain think of Docker like a Gousto meal kit. At first glance, the comparison between Docker, a software tool, and Gousto, a meal kit company, might seem unusual. Yet, delve a bit deeper, and the parallels between the two become strikingly clear. Both Docker and Gousto aim to solve complex tasks (application deployment and meal preparation, respectively) by breaking them down into simpler, more manageable components. Just as Gousto delivers all the pre-measured ingredients you need to cook a meal, Docker packages all the necessary components of an application – code, runtime, system tools, libraries, and settings – into a single container that can be easily transported and deployed across any environment. This approach not only simplifies the task at hand but also ensures consistency, efficiency, and scalability.

Much like following a recipe from Gousto, Docker allows developers to "cook up" their applications in any environment without worrying about compatibility issues. This is because Docker containers are isolated from each other and the host system, ensuring that they work uniformly regardless of where they're deployed. It's akin to receiving a Gousto box with all the ingredients for a Thai curry – no matter where you cook it, the outcome is the same delicious dish.

Transitioning from the conceptual similarities to a more technical discussion, let's explore how you actually "cook" with Docker. At its core, Docker simplifies the process of running applications by using containers. Containers allow you to package an application with all of its dependencies into a standardised unit for software development, mirroring the way a Gousto box contains everything you need for a meal.

To get started with Docker, you need to have Docker installed on your machine. Once installed, running a Docker container is as simple as executing a few commands in your terminal.

In conclusion, Docker, much like Gousto, is about simplifying the complex. It provides a comprehensive platform that allows developers to "cook" applications in any environment with ease, ensuring that the final "dish" is always consistent, no matter where it's served. As we venture deeper into the age of containerization and cloud computing, Docker's role in shaping the future of software deployment cannot be overstated. It's not just about technology; it's about making our lives simpler, one container at a time. 

When I first started learning about APIs and getting my head around.