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Hectal
Phase 1Beginner2 of 11 in Docker

Images & Containers

The two core objects in Docker, their full lifecycle, and the commands you'll type a hundred times a day.

Everything else in Docker is built on exactly two ideas: an IMAGE (a read-only template) and a CONTAINER (a running instance of that template). Get comfortable with the vocabulary and lifecycle here before anything else.

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4 topics ~54 min 5 code blocks & diagrams
Start with the first topic
1
1.1

Images vs Containers

An image is a class; a container is an object. This single analogy resolves 90% of beginner confusion about Docker.

13 min 1 code practice

2
1.2

The Container Lifecycle

Created, Running, Paused, Stopped, Removed — a container moves through distinct states, and knowing exactly which command moves it between which states is the difference between confidently debugging and randomly guessing.

14 min 1 diagram 1 code practice

3
1.3

The Commands You'll Use Every Day

A focused set of flags for docker run, plus exec, logs, and inspect — the small toolkit that covers the vast majority of real day-to-day Docker work.

14 min 1 code practice

4
1.4

Image Names, Tags & Docker Hub

An image reference like postgres:16-alpine packs three pieces of information into one string — decode it correctly and you'll never be confused about which exact image you're running again.

13 min 1 code practice