Listing containers (docker ps, docker ps -a) - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Listing Docker Containers with docker ps and docker ps -a

📖 Scenario: You are managing Docker containers on your local machine. You want to see which containers are currently running and also check all containers including those that have stopped.

🎯 Goal: Learn how to list running Docker containers using docker ps and list all containers including stopped ones using docker ps -a.

📋 What You'll Learn

Use the docker ps command to list running containers

Use the docker ps -a command to list all containers including stopped ones

Understand the difference between the two commands

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Docker containers are used to run applications in isolated environments. Knowing how to list running and stopped containers helps you manage and troubleshoot your applications.

💼 Career

DevOps engineers and system administrators frequently use these commands to monitor and manage containerized applications in development and production.

1

Create a running Docker container

Run a Docker container in detached mode using the nginx image with the container name webserver. Use the command docker run -d --name webserver nginx.

Docker

# Run the command to start a container named webserver
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use docker run with -d to run the container in the background and --name to assign the container a name.

2

List running containers with docker ps

Use the command docker ps to list all currently running containers.

Docker

docker run -d --name webserver nginx
# List running containers below
# Your code here

Need a hint?

The docker ps command shows only containers that are running.

3

Stop the running container

Stop the container named webserver using the command docker stop webserver.

Docker

docker run -d --name webserver nginx
docker ps
# Stop the container named webserver
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use docker stop followed by the container name to stop it.

4

List all containers including stopped with docker ps -a

Use the command docker ps -a to list all containers including those that are stopped.

Docker

docker run -d --name webserver nginx
docker ps
docker stop webserver
# List all containers including stopped ones
# Your code here

Need a hint?

The -a option with docker ps shows all containers, running or stopped.