Which JDK Image Should You Use: OpenJDK, Zulu, Eclipse Temurin?

Introduction Choosing the right Java Development Kit (JDK) base image for your containerized Java applications can impact stability, performance, and licensing. In this article, we compare OpenJDK, Zulu, and Eclipse Temurin images. Why the JDK Image Matters The JDK image you use as a base in your Dockerfile can affect: Application compatibility Startup time and memory usage Patch availability and update cadence Security and vendor support Overview of Options 1. OpenJDK The OpenJDK project provides the reference implementation of Java. It’s available as an official Docker image: ...

August 27, 2025 · 2 min · 288 words · John Cena

Docker vs Buildah: Explained Simply

Docker vs Buildah: Explained Simply Published on: 2025-08-13 When talking about containers, most people think of Docker first. But there are other players in the container world, like Buildah. Let’s break down the differences and help you decide which one fits your needs. What is Docker Docker is a platform that lets you build, ship, and run applications in containers. It includes everything: from client and server (Docker Engine) to tools for building and managing images. ...

August 13, 2025 · 2 min · 256 words · John Cena

Docker vs Kaniko: What's the Difference and When to Use Each

Docker vs Kaniko: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each Published on: 2025-08-13 If you work with containers, you’ve probably heard of Docker. But what about Kaniko? Let’s break it down in simple terms. Docker Docker is a universal tool for building, running, and managing containers. When you run docker build, Docker uses its daemon to build the image. The catch: it requires a full Docker installation and root privileges, which isn’t always safe or possible — especially in CI/CD. ...

August 13, 2025 · 1 min · 192 words · John Cena

What is Docker in Simple Terms?

What is Docker? Docker is a tool that makes it easier to create, deploy, and run applications using containers. Why use Docker? Imagine you built an app that works perfectly on your machine. You send it to your teammate, and suddenly… it doesn’t work! Different OS, different dependencies, different versions — it’s a mess. Docker solves this by putting your app and everything it needs into a container. A container is like a box with your app, its settings, and all dependencies — isolated and portable. ...

July 17, 2025 · 2 min · 236 words · John Cena

Best Practices for Writing Dockerfiles

Why Dockerfile Best Practices Matter Poorly written Dockerfiles lead to large, insecure, and hard-to-maintain container images. Following best practices ensures faster builds, smaller images, better security, and improved maintainability. 1. Use Official or Minimal Base Images Choose minimal or well-maintained base images like: FROM alpine:3.19 # or FROM python:3.11-slim 2. Pin Versions Explicitly Avoid surprises by pinning versions of dependencies and packages: RUN apt-get install -y curl=7.68.0-1ubuntu2.6 3. Combine RUN Commands Reduce layers by chaining commands: ...

June 16, 2025 · 2 min · 224 words · John Cena