Docker
Docker is an open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of applications using containerization. It packages applications and their dependencies into lightweight, portable containers that can run consistently across different computing environments. This enables developers to build, ship, and run applications efficiently, from development to production.
Developers should learn Docker to ensure consistent environments across development, testing, and production, reducing 'it works on my machine' issues. It is essential for microservices architectures, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud-native applications, as it simplifies deployment and scaling. Use cases include deploying web apps, databases, and APIs in isolated containers, facilitating DevOps practices and infrastructure as code.