Glossary
Docker · Reference cheat sheet
Glossary
Docker · Reference cheat sheet
📋 Overview
Alphabetical glossary of Docker image, container, and Compose terms.
🔧 Core concepts
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bind mount | Host directory mounted into a container path. |
| Bridge network | Default single-host virtual network for containers. |
| Build context | Files sent to the daemon for docker build. |
| Compose | YAML-driven multi-container application tool. |
| Container | Runnable instance of an image with its own filesystem layer. |
| Digest | Content-addressed sha256: image identity. |
| EntryPoint | Primary executable configuration for a container. |
| Image | Immutable layered snapshot used to create containers. |
| Layer | Filesystem diff produced by a Dockerfile instruction. |
| Multi-stage | Build pattern with multiple FROM stages. |
| Registry | Remote store for images (Docker Hub, GHCR, ECR…). |
| Tag | Mutable human label for an image (:1.2.0, :latest). |
| Volume | Persistent Docker-managed storage mount. |
.dockerignore | Excludes files from the build context. |
💡 Examples
Name anatomy:
ghcr.io/acme/api:1.4.0
└ registry ┘ └image┘ └tag┘Quick lifecycle:
docker build -t demo:1 .
docker run --rm demo:1⚠️ Pitfalls
- “Container stopped” still exists until removed — check
docker ps -a. - Tag ≠ immutable identity — digests do.