Containerize Full-Stack JavaScript Applications with Docker

While “It works on my computer” might give you an excuse to close a bug ticket in the backlog, it doesn’t really work when you’re working on a team.

You need to ensure that your application can run regardless of what hardware your teammates are running or libraries they have installed.

Docker solves this problem by collecting everything your application needs to run into a container.

Containers aren’t just for source code. They can hold configuration, scripts, and even their own filesystem. It’s similar to a Virtual Machine, without having to bring a full operating system along for the ride.

Because containers run in isolation, there is some configuration involved to allow for files to be saved and containers to communicate with one another.

One of the most useful ways to get your head around Docker is to see it in action.

Follow along with Joel Lord as he works through the process of preparing an application to run in separate containers for the frontend and backend of an application that searches for gifs and re-encodes them with a caption supplied by the user.

You’ll see how to configure the separate containers to communicate with one another, work with environment variables, and persist data to your local machine. Along the way, you’ll pick up some tips on useful commands and bash scripting. Finally, you’ll learn how to use Docker Compose to make it easy to run multiple containers simultaneously.

Course Content

Course Intro: Containerize Full-Stack JavaScript Applications with Docker

Configure and Run a Node.js API Powered by a Vue Application

Running Your First Container

Use Environment Variables for Docker Containers

Run MySQL in Docker Container

Integrate a MySQL Docker Container Into an Application

Create a Custom Image with a Dockerfile running Node.js

Mini talk – Allow Containers to Communicate through Docker Networks

Allow Containers to Communicate through Docker Networks

Mini talk – Containerize the Front End of an Application with a Multi-Step Docker Build

Containerize the Front End of an Application with a Multi-Step Docker Build

Mini talk – Access Environment Variables in a Dockerfile to Build a Front-End Container

Access Environment Variables in a Dockerfile to Build a Front-End Container

Modify a JSON Configuration File with jq

Create a Node.js Non-root Image

Run an Nginx Image as Non-Root Within a Multi-Step Docker Build Process

Push a Docker Container Image to Docker Hub

Use Docker Compose To Share An Entire Application