What they solve.
WHAT A CONTAINER IS
An application packaged with everything it needs to run, isolated from what surrounds it.
WHAT PROBLEM IT SOLVES
Software behaving differently between environments.
WHY THAT HAPPENS
Different versions, different packages, different configuration.
WHAT A CONTAINER GUARANTEES
The same contents, wherever it runs.
WHAT IT IS NOT
A virtual machine. It shares the host's kernel and is far lighter.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Containers start in moments and use little overhead.
WHAT THEY SUIT
Consistent environments across a team Applications with complex dependencies Deployment where the target varies Running several versions side by side
WHAT THEY DO NOT SOLVE
Bad architecture The need for monitoring and backups Complexity, which they add
WHAT THEY REQUIRE
Skill to build and operate.
WHAT MOST SMALL BUSINESSES NEED
Not containers.
A straightforward application on managed hosting is simpler and adequate.
WHEN TO CONSIDER THEM
When environment differences are genuinely causing problems.
