Usually, the first question I get when I mention Docker or this book is What is Docker? So, we might as well answer that question right now and get it out of the way...

Within the circle of friends I hang out with, I would answer that question by saying Docker is a software solution used to build, ship, and run containers anywhere. But if you are not a computer person, then that answer would mean next to nothing to you. So, let's try again, and answer the question What is Docker? in a way that is worthy of a Quick Start Guide.

Docker is a tool that allows software developers to easily create applications, and wrap those applications in a special package called a container. Used correctly, an application packaged as a container can be run very efficiently, and very securely. And since the container has everything the application needs to run, it also allows the developer to share their application nearly anywhere, without ever having to re-create or re-package it. 

This means that as a result of using Docker, a developer can create, run, and test their application container on their own laptop and then share the exact same container with their peers so that it can be run and tested by them as well. Then, they can share the same container with the quality assurance team for further validation of quality, and ultimately, the exact same container can be run and used by customers in a production setting. 

Using Docker, software developers can create better, more secure software that can be tested and deployed faster than ever before.

Within the pages of this book, you are going to find all of the information that you need to understand what Docker is and what benefits Docker provides. Using detailed, yet easy-to-follow, descriptions and examples, this Quick Start Guide will teach you how to set up your own Docker development environment, and how to create enterprise-grade Docker images that utilize all of the important features that Docker provides. This Quick Start Guide will teach you how to use Docker networking and Docker's storage features. You will also learn how to create and deploy multi-container applications, and how to set up Docker clustering using Docker Swarm. By the time you finish the Quick Start Guide, you will be building and sharing your own Docker images, and running your most important applications in Docker containers. This Quick Start Guide will thoroughly prepare you to use Docker for all of your future projects. If you are ready to get started, turn the page...