Docker Compose

[!NOTE] This module explores the core principles of Docker Compose, deriving solutions from first principles and hardware constraints to build world-class, production-ready expertise.

1. Module Overview

“It works on my machine” is the most expensive phrase in software engineering. Docker Compose eliminates this by allowing you to define your entire application stack—databases, caches, web services, and networks—in a single declarative file.

In this module, you will move beyond docker run and learn how to orchestrate complex distributed systems. You will build a production-ready development environment that spins up in seconds with a single command: docker compose up.

What You Will Learn

  • Declarative Infrastructure: How to translate manual CLI commands into version-controlled YAML.
  • Service Networking: How containers discover and communicate with each other automatically.
  • Configuration Management: Managing secrets and environment variables securely.
  • Scaling: Running multiple replicas of services and load balancing traffic.
  • Production Patterns: Healthchecks, restart policies, and resource limits.

2. Chapters

  1. The Symphony of Containers

Stop running 10 manual commands. Learn the anatomy of docker-compose.yaml and the declarative model.

  1. Defining Services

Deep dive into service configuration: builds, dependencies, healthchecks, and restart policies.

  1. Networking in Compose

Understanding the magic of service discovery, aliases, and internal DNS resolution.

  1. Configuration & Secrets

Master the 12-factor app pattern. Inject configuration and manage secrets securely.

  1. Scaling & Production

Scale your application horizontally and simulate production load balancing.

Module Chapters