🐳 Docker Learning Roadmap
Your comprehensive guide to mastering Docker for system design
🎯 Overall Progress
0% Complete
1 Foundation & Concepts
Understand what Docker is, why it exists, and how it solves real-world problems.
What is Docker? Key Concepts
→ Containerization vs Virtualization → Images vs Containers
→ The problem Docker solves → Dockerfile basics
→ Docker architecture overview → Docker Hub and registries
→ Docker Engine, Client, and Daemon → Container lifecycle
Phase 1 Complete
Estimated Time: 1-2 days
2 Basic Docker Commands
Learn essential Docker commands for daily development workflow.
Container Operations Image Management
→ docker run, start, stop, restart → docker pull, push
→ docker ps, logs, exec → docker images, search
→ docker rm, rmi → docker build
→ Interactive vs detached mode → Tagging and versioning
Phase 2 Complete
Estimated Time: 2-3 days
3 Dockerfile Mastery
Create efficient, secure, and maintainable Docker images.
Dockerfile Instructions Best Practices
→ FROM, RUN, COPY, ADD → Layer optimization
→ WORKDIR, ENV, EXPOSE → Multi-stage builds
→ CMD vs ENTRYPOINT → Cache utilization
→ USER, LABEL, ARG → Security considerations
Phase 3 Complete
Estimated Time: 3-4 days
4 Data Management
Handle persistent data and share files between containers and host.
Volume Types Volume Management
→ Named volumes → Creating and managing volumes
→ Bind mounts → Volume drivers
→ tmpfs mounts → Backup and restore
→ When to use each type → Data persistence patterns
Phase 4 Complete
Estimated Time: 2-3 days
5 Networking
Connect containers and expose services to the outside world.
Network Types Port Management
→ Bridge networks → Port mapping (-p flag)
→ Host networking → Container-to-container communication
→ None network → Network isolation
→ Custom bridge networks → DNS resolution
Phase 5 Complete
Estimated Time: 2-3 days
6 Docker Compose
Orchestrate multi-container applications with ease.
Compose Basics Common Patterns
→ docker-compose.yml syntax → Web app + database setups
→ Services, networks, volumes → Development environments
→ Environment variables → Load balancing
→ Dependencies and health checks → Override files
Phase 6 Complete
Estimated Time: 3-4 days
7 Production Considerations
Prepare your containers for production environments.
Security Optimization
→ Running as non-root user → Resource limits
→ Image scanning → Health checks
→ Secrets management → Logging strategies
→ Container isolation → Monitoring basics
Phase 7 Complete
Estimated Time: 3-4 days
8 Practical Projects
Apply your knowledge with real-world projects.
Beginner Projects Intermediate Projects
→ Containerize a simple web app → Microservices architecture
→ LAMP/LEMP stack with Compose → CI/CD pipeline integration
→ WordPress with MySQL → Load-balanced web application
→ Node.js app with MongoDB → Development environment setup
Phase 8 Complete
Estimated Time: 1-2 weeks
🚀 Learning Tips
💡 Practice with real projects, not just tutorials
💡 Start with simple applications and gradually increase complexity
💡 Join Docker communities and forums for support
💡 Read official Docker documentation regularly
💡 Experiment with different base images and compare results
💡 Focus on understanding concepts, not memorizing commands
🎯 What You'll Be Able To Do
💡 Design containerized applications from scratch
💡 Optimize Docker images for production use
💡 Set up complex multi-container environments
💡 Troubleshoot common Docker issues
💡 Make informed decisions about when to use Docker
💡 Understand Docker's limitations and alternatives
