Docker Learning Curriculum 🐳

Master Docker fundamentals through multiple programming languages

A comprehensive, production-ready Docker learning path that teaches Docker concepts first, then applies them across Java, Python, and Rust. Built for developers who want to understand Docker deeply, not just copy commands.

🎯 Philosophy: Docker First, Language Second

Traditional approach: "Learn Docker with Python"
Our approach: "Learn Docker, apply to YOUR language"

• 🐳 Docker concepts are universal - master them once
• 🔄 70% content reuse across all language tracks
• 🛡️ Security-first from day one (always non-root)
• 🎯 Real problem solving (container cleanup, monitoring)
• 🚀 Production patterns throughout

📚 Learning Path

Phase	Duration	Modules	Focus	Outcome
🏃 Core Foundation	4.5 hours	00-02	Docker fundamentals + language quickstart	Container confidence
🏃 Core Skills	8 hours	03-05	Dockerfiles, Compose, development workflow	Multi-service mastery
🏃 Core Production	3 hours	06-07	Security, production operational excellence	Secure deployment
🚀 Advanced Monitoring	4 hours	08	Complete monitoring stack (Prometheus/Grafana)	Production monitoring
🚀 Advanced Ecosystem	4 hours	09-11	CI/CD, orchestration, alternatives	Ecosystem expertise

Core Path: 15.5 hours (Modules 00-07) - Everything needed for production Docker
Advanced Path: +8 hours (Modules 08-11) - Monitoring, CI/CD, and ecosystem mastery
Total: 20-24 hours of hands-on learning

🏗️ What You'll Build

Core Project: Task Management API

• Task API in your language of choice (Java Spring Boot, Python FastAPI, Rust Actix)
• PostgreSQL database with persistent storage
• Complete monitoring stack (Prometheus + Grafana)
• Production deployment with security, health checks, and cleanup automation

Advanced Projects:

• Multi-architecture Docker builds (ARM + x86)
• Container registry management (Docker Hub, ECR, GCR)
• CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions
• Migration from Docker to Podman

🚀 Quick Start

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/sm4rtm4art/Docker-Example.git
cd Docker-Example

# Choose your path
cd docker-mastery-multitrack

# Start with prerequisites
cd 00-prerequisites

Language Track Selection

Choose your language track, but remember - the Docker concepts are universal:

• Java: Spring Boot + Maven (enterprise-ready)
• Python: FastAPI + UV (modern Python tooling)
• Rust: Actix-web + Cargo (performance-focused)

📋 Prerequisites

• Docker Desktop installed and running
• Basic terminal/command line experience
• One programming language (Java, Python, or Rust)
• Git for version control

No prior Docker experience required!

⚙️ Tested With

This curriculum is actively tested and maintained with:

• Docker Desktop: 4.25+ (or Docker Engine 24.0+)
• Docker Compose: v2.23+ (included in Docker Desktop)
• BuildKit: 0.12+ (enabled by default in modern Docker)
• Operating Systems: Windows 10/11, macOS 12+, Ubuntu 20.04+

Update Policy: We test with the latest stable Docker versions quarterly and update examples as needed. If you encounter issues with newer versions, please check our troubleshooting guide.

🎓 Learning Features

🔧 Hands-On Exercises

• Real debugging scenarios ("break then fix")
• Container cleanup challenges
• Security vulnerability exercises
• Performance optimization tasks

🛡️ Security-First Approach

• Always non-root containers
• Read-only filesystems where possible
• Secrets management best practices
• Vulnerability scanning integration

🧹 Cleanup Integration

• Container lifecycle management throughout
• Volume and network cleanup strategies
• Development vs production separation patterns
• Monitoring and maintenance automation

📖 Curriculum Structure

The complete curriculum is located in docker-mastery-multitrack/ with detailed learning materials.

Complete Learning Path:

📚 Docker Curriculum Guide - Full module breakdown and learning path

Key Documents:

• Learning Objectives - Detailed skill outcomes
• Task API Specification - Technical project requirements
• Development Setup - Environment configuration
• Implementation Progress - Development roadmap

📚 Learning Resources

By Module

Foundation (Modules 00-03)

• Docker Official Documentation - Comprehensive reference
• Docker Best Practices - Production patterns

Dockerfiles & Images (Module 03)

• Dockerfile Reference - Complete syntax guide
• hadolint - Dockerfile linter for best practices

Multi-Container Apps (Module 04)

• Compose Specification - Official format reference
• Awesome Compose - Real-world examples

Security (Module 06)

• Docker Security - Official security guide
• OWASP Container Security - Security checklist

Monitoring (Module 08)

• Prometheus Documentation - Metrics collection
• Grafana Tutorials - Visualization guides

🔗 Additional Resources

Helper Scripts

• scripts/ - Cross-platform utilities (Windows + Unix)
• Docker cleanup automation
• Development environment setup
• Health check utilities

Examples

• examples/ - Reference implementations
• Security-focused Dockerfiles
• Volume management patterns
• Container networking examples

Emergency Help

• DOCKER_EMERGENCY_GUIDE.md - Troubleshooting guide

🌟 Why This Curriculum?

For Developers:

• Master Docker once, apply everywhere
• Build production-ready containerization skills
• Understand security and operational best practices

For Teams:

• Consistent Docker knowledge across language stacks
• Shared security and operational patterns
• Reduced onboarding time for new technologies

For Organizations:

• Standardized containerization approach
• Security-first development practices
• Production-ready deployment patterns

🤝 Contributing

This is an open educational resource. Contributions welcome!

• Report issues for unclear instructions
• Suggest improvements for better learning
• Add language tracks following our patterns
• Share real-world scenarios for exercises

📄 License

Educational content is available under LICENSE for learning and teaching purposes.

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"The best way to learn Docker is to master the concepts first, then apply them to solve real problems."
Start your journey with Prerequisites ➡️