What are some examples of Docker multi-stage builds?

What are some examples of Docker multi-stage builds?

Docker multi-stage builds allow you to optimize your Docker images by using multiple FROM statements in your Dockerfile. This way, you can separate the build environment from the production environment.

Can you give me a specific example of a multi-stage build?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

# Stage 1: Build the application
FROM node:14 AS build
WORKDIR /app
COPY package*.json ./
RUN npm install
COPY . .
RUN npm run build

# Stage 2: Serve the application
FROM nginx:alpine
COPY --from=build /app/build /usr/share/nginx/html
EXPOSE 80
CMD ["nginx", "-g", "daemon off;"]

What are the benefits of using multi-stage builds?

The benefits include smaller image sizes, improved build times, and better separation of concerns, as you can keep your build tools separate from your runtime environment.

Are there any drawbacks to using multi-stage builds?

One potential drawback is increased complexity in your Dockerfile, which can make it harder to understand for newcomers. Additionally, debugging can be more challenging since you have multiple stages.