The development of software requires both skills and the right tools. Docker and Jenkins are only a few of the tools that developers use to ensure smooth running and deployment of applications. Both of these platforms perform completely different operations. In fact, their only similarity comes from the fact that both are useful tools for developers.
When an application is created, there is always a chance of its failure when run on another platform or environment. This is where tools like Jenkins come in. On the other hand, ensuring that the system can manage its resources efficiently is what Docker takes care of. Many people try to go for Jenkins training to settle in their career. Let’s take a look at the features and functions of both Docker and Jenkins.
What Is Docker
Docker is – in simple terms – a container engine. It allows enterprises to build and manage their containers at a fast pace. Organizations can use the Docker Platform to build and share applications while running them remotely. Hence, you can run one application on any other system or platform. Docker containers make the overall system modular and portable. As of now, it can only run on Linux-based operating systems.
So, how does Docker help an enterprise? Docker makes use of something called “containers”. Unlike older systems of hosting sites via third-party or self-owned servers, Docker allows a Docker engine. The Docker engine decides which resources are to be shared and which are assigned exclusively to separate containers. This reduces the overall load on the operating system, unlike in traditional cloud computing or server-based data centre methods.
The Docker ecosystem has various other components. This includes:
- Docker Registry or Hub where teams can share images, test them or link it to the Cloud
- Docker Daemon which runs on the host system and sends or receives commands
- Docker Container which as described, manages the containers
What Is Jenkins
A software code is often the labour of multiple developers. Thus, codes need to be continually checked and updated. Being a repetitive task, tools like Jenkins aim to automate this process, giving rise to a process known as continuous automation (CI). Jenkins is a CI automation server that takes care of the entire delivery pipeline.
It automates the process of checking, updating and notifying, thereby saving time and human energy. Thus, Jenkins acts as a testing tool. If any changes in code are made, Jenkins checks and integrates it within the current running code. Since the Jenkins code was written in Java, it is compatible with all major systems and is open-sourced. Overall, Jenkins does not only aim to automate code but helps with almost every stage of software development ranging from building to testing to packaging and deployment.
Jenkins’ main strength comes from its compatibility. One can integrate over a thousand different plugins. The Jenkins training will help you settle in its ecosystem.
Their Difference
The main functions that Docker performs are as follows:
- Docker runs applications on multiple containers or environments. These containers can be easily shared between team members. This sharing is independent of the system of the remote server as the container has everything the application needs to run.
- Runs only on Linux OS platforms and written in the Go programming language.
- Each container thus runs and tests an individual application. This cuts down on the memory space used or operating system overload. The Docker container can be shared on a test application platform.
- Applications running on Docker can enjoy a fully isolated environment.
- Extremely portable and fast-paced. Docker is scalable, hence one can run as many or as few containers as needed.
- It is also more cost-effective than relying on third-party servers, cloud computing or virtual machines.
- The Docker platform is based on a client-server architecture. This means there is a Docker client and a Docker daemon. The Docker client refers to Docker users. During testing, the Docker user may send back feedback in the form of users uploaded to the Hub. The Docker daemon receives commands and carries them out. Here, the image refers to a set of read-only instructions.
- Using the Docker API, the Docker Daemon can mass-control a large number of containers. They can also use it as a scheduling tool.
The main functions that Jenkins performs are as follows:
- Jenkins is a CI tool. It can integrate with many other DevOps tools which makes the system very flexible.
- Java-coded engine and is compatible with most major systems and any Java platform.
- Jenkins continuously checks its repository for updated codes. These codes are then converted into an executable file and integrated back into the larger system. In case of a failure, the developers receive a notification.
- Unlike Docker, Jenkins cannot build, compile and run multiple files and applications. However, with a distributed Jenkins architecture, this is possible.
- In the case of a Jenkins Distributed Build, a master-slave architecture is used. There is a single repository that acts as the “Master”. The Jenkins server acts as the go-between who checks the repository. Any changes are sent to the multiple “slaves” or application environments.
- Jenkins helps to find any broken code or errors. Hence, it is a software testing tool that ensures that any application rolled out is fully functional. It also ensures greater code coverage.
- Jenkins is scalable but needs plugins like Kubernetes to adapt to larger environments.
If one is looking to choose between the two for the DevOps process, then the main things to look at would be – the features needed, the customization provided, and the scalability. It is possible to run a Docker container within a Jenkins pipeline. Many companies use the Jenkins CI/CD pipeline to run a Docker image container. Both are open-source tools and have their own importance.
Conclusion
One may consider Jenkins over other similar systems due to it being open-source, offering easy configuration and distribution. Hence, many go for Jenkins training. While Docker can run many containers (up to 2,000), it is not auto-scaling. It also has a higher fault tolerance than Jenkins when it comes to compiling code. Several known companies like Microsoft and Red Hat rely on Docker for their compiling and testing process.