How do I use volume mounting in Docker Compose?

How do I use volume mounting in Docker Compose?

You can use volume mounting in Docker Compose by defining volumes in your docker-compose.yml file. Here's a basic example:

version: '3'
services:
  app:
    image: myapp
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data

This mounts the ./data directory on your host to the /data directory in the container.

What are the benefits of using volume mounting?

Volume mounting allows you to persist data generated by your containers, share data between containers, and easily manage your application’s data. It also helps in development by allowing you to see changes in real-time.

Can I mount a specific file instead of a directory?

Yes, you can mount a specific file by specifying the file path in the volumes section. For example:

volumes:
  - ./config.json:/app/config.json

This mounts config.json from your host to the container.

What happens if the host directory doesn't exist?

If the host directory doesn't exist, Docker will create it for you when you start the container. However, it's a good practice to ensure the directory exists beforehand to avoid any unexpected behavior.