Install Docker¶

Docker is an open platform for developing, shipping, and running applications.

You can download and install Docker on the platform of your choice, including Mac, Linux, or Windows by following the platform-specific instructions provided below.

Warning

Given the ever-changing nature of the installation process, it is advisable to rely on the official documentation when installing Docker.

Docker Engine vs Docker Desktop¶

Docker Engine is the core software that allows you to create and run Docker containers, while Docker Desktop is a complete development environment that includes Docker Engine and several other tools and services for building and testing Docker applications on your local machine.

Note

Docker Desktop is the only way to install the Docker Engine on Windows and macOS operating systems.

Docker Desktop is also available for Linux, although Linux users are free to install the Docker Engine separately.

Install Docker on Mac¶

Docker Desktop Download URL: Install Docker Desktop on Mac

You'll see two options:

Docker Desktop for Mac with Intel chip
Docker Desktop for Mac with Apple silicon

To find out which option to choose, click on the Apple logo on top left corner of the Mac and click on About This Mac. Search for a line that mentions either Chip or Processor.

If you find M1 or M2 in that line, it means the computer is powered by Apple Silicon. Conversely, if you see the word Intel, it indicates the machine is equipped with an Intel-based Core series processor.

Install Docker on Windows¶

Docker Desktop Download URL: Install Docker Desktop on Windows

You may see a message that says: WSL2 installation is incomplete. Make sure WSL2 is insatlled.

If during installation you see a checkbox that says Use WSL2 instead of Hyper-V (recommended), make sure you check this checkbox.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a feature of Windows that allows developers to run a Linux environment without the need for a separate virtual machine or dual booting.

Install Docker on Ubuntu (Linux)¶

Method 1: Docker Desktop¶

Download Deb Package: Install Docker Desktop on Ubuntu

For non-Gnome Desktop environments, gnome-terminal must be installed:
```
sudo apt install gnome-terminal
```

Install the package with apt as follows:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ./docker-desktop-<version>-<arch>.deb

Method 2: Docker Engine¶

Docker Engine comes bundled with Docker Desktop for Linux. But if you want to install only Docker Engine and not the Docker Desktop, you can do so by following the instructions below.

Official Documentation URL: Install Docker Engine on Ubuntu

Let's install Docker Engine using the repository.

Step 1: Set up the repository

Update the apt package index and install packages to allow apt to use a repository over HTTPS:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install \
    ca-certificates \
    curl \
    gnupg \
    lsb-release

Add Docker’s official GPG key:

sudo mkdir -m 0755 -p /etc/apt/keyrings
curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg

Use the following command to set up the repository:

echo \
"deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.gpg] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu \
$(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null

Step 2: Install Docker Engine

Update the apt package index:
```
sudo apt-get update
```

Install latest version of Docker Engine, containerd, and Docker Compose:

sudo apt-get install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin

Verify that the Docker Engine installation is successful by running the hello-world image:
```
sudo docker run hello-world
```

References: