What does "containers" mean in programming?
containers is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
Lightweight, isolated units that package an application with all its dependencies so it runs consistently across environments. Containers share the host OS kernel but are isolated from each other. Docker is the most popular container runtime. Unlike virtual machines, containers start in seconds and use far less memory.
Example
"We containerized the app with Docker so it runs identically on any developer's machine and in production."
Related terms
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