Docker images are lightweight, standalone, and executable packages that include everything needed to run a piece of software, including the code, runtime, libraries, environment variables, and configuration files. They serve as the blueprint for creating Docker containers.
Images are built using a set of instructions defined in a Dockerfile, and they are stored in a registry like Docker Hub. Each image consists of a series of layers, where each layer represents a change or addition to the image, allowing for efficient storage and sharing. When a Docker container is created from an image, it runs in an isolated environment, ensuring that the application operates consistently across different environments.
